Revelation:

A St u d y o f t h e
Church
N E W HO P E C HU R C H

The Revelation of Jesus: End times

The Seven Churches: Time

Is
Ticking
A Look into Heaven:

Bro. Mark odle

RR#4 Box 173
Fairfield, IL 62837

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 Page 2 Who’s Fault is it if I Miss Heaven?

Revelation Ch. 1
Rev. 1:1

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

Revelation = to unveil, to take the cover off, to disclose his coming.

Question: What is the purpose of the Revelation?

Read 1 Cor. 1:4-8 KVJ
(4) I thank my God always on your behalf, for the _____________
of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
(5) That in every thing you are __________ by him, in all ________, and in all
______________;
(6) Even as the ________________________ was confirmed in you:
(7) So that you _________ ___________ in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
(8) Who shall also _____________ you unto the end, that you may be
________________ in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Three things that will keep you out of the Kingdom of God!
1. Not believing the Testimony of Jesus Christ.
2. Believing, but not acting upon that belief.
3. Being deceived in that belief.

Whose fault is it if you miss Heaven?

Rev.1:1
The Revelation of Jesus Christ,
--- which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants,

1 Cor. 6:19-20
What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which
is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and
in your spirit, which are God’s.

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 Who’s Fault is it if I Miss Heaven? Page 3

Eph. 1:11
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance being predestinated
according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his
own will.

Rev. 1:1
--- to shew unto his servants things

--- things which must shortly come to pass;

What is meant here by must / shortly/ come to pass?

Must = it is necessary and binding

Shortly = rapidity of action once there is a beginning

Come to pass = every detail will take place beginning to end

--- and he sent and signified it

Signified = to indicate, expressing by signs

The book of Revelation is a study of signs that disclose his coming!

--- and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

Rev. 22:6-7, 16
And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord
God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things
which must shortly be done.
Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the
prophecy of this book.
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.

Is it important that we believe and act upon the testimony of Jesus Christ as
given to the Angel for John to the churches?

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 Page 4 The Key to Being Blest

Rev. 1:2,3
Rev. 1:2
Who bare record ---
1. of the _____________________________________

2. of the_____________________________________

3. of all______________________________________

Rev. 1:3
Blessed is he that readeth, and hear -- and keep those things --written therein.

Blessed = supremely blest, fortunate, well off, happier

Knowing what is about to take place during the tribulation time, how can anyone
be blessed or happy?

Key to being blessed:

There are seven “blessed” scriptures in the Revelation of Jesus Christ!

1. Rev. 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and hear, --- and keep those things
written therein:
2. Rev. 14:13 Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth:
3. Rev. 16:15 Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garment –
4. Rev. 19:9 Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of
the Lamb.
5. Rev. 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection:
6. Rev. 22:7 Blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this
book.
7. Rev. 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments

What is the significance of each of these verses?

How do these seven verses apply to you?

Fact: Seven is God’s number of perfection.

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 The Key to Being Blest Page 5

The Kingdom of Heaven and the number seven!

A. There are seven blessed in the book of Revelation.

B. There are seven parables in Matt. 13 of the kingdom of heaven.
1. The seed and the sower
2. The wheat and the tares
3. The mustard seed
4. The leaven
5. The buried treasure
6. The precious pearl
7. The fishing net
C. There are the seven Churches Rev. 1:4
D. Seven Spirits before his throne Rev. 1:4
E. Seven golden candlesticks Rev. 1:12
F. Seven stars in his right hand Rev. 1:16
G. Seven seals Rev. 5:1
H. Seven angels which stood before God Rev. 8:2
I. Seven trumpets Rev. 8:2
J. Seven thunders Rev. 10:3
K. Seven last plagues Rev. 15:1
L. Seven bowls Rev. 16:1
M. Seven heads Rev. 17:3
N. Seven mountains Rev. 17:9
O. Seven kings Rev. 17:10

Is the number of sevens important to the book of Revelation?

Read James 5:8 KLV

Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth
nigh.

How to stablish your hearts:

Read --- the Word

Hear --- heed to the word

Keep --- believe and obey this word

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 Page 6 The Churches Secret

Rev. 1:4-6; Rev. 2:1

Rev. 1:4
John to the seven Churches:

This is the Secret of the Churches:

Rev. 2:1
I These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand.
A. He that holdeth the seven stars ---
Rev. 1:4-6
Rev. 1:13-18
No doubt this is Jesus Christ the Son of God
B. The seven stars ---
Stars = angels = messengers
Rev. 1:20
Heb. 1:10-14
C. His right hand. = mighty strength

II Who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks

A. The seven golden candlesticks

Note: Believers are the light of the world. (Matt. 5:14-16)

B. Who walketh in the midst of the seven candlesticks

Question:
Who walks in the midst of the Church?

What does it mean to you that Jesus is in the midst of the Church?

If Christ is in the midst of the Church do we ---

 Worship like we should?

 Serve like we should?

 Believe like we should?

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 The Seven Churches Page 7

A God Inspired Growth Plan

For a Strong Vital Church
God’s number for perfection is seven. In these seven churches we can find
ourselves. We are given direction, instruction, and correction. Everything the
church will face is laid out for us, so that we can overcome and grow.

The Church of Ephesus:

Rev. 2:1-3 Commendable Qualities ---
1. I know thy works
2. I know thy labor
3. I know thy patience
4. I know thou canst bear them which are evil
5. I know thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not

Works = toil, by action in deeds

Labor = toil, as reducing the strength, pains, weariness
Patience = endurance, consistency

There are two separate issues being dealt with here.

1. Works, labor, patience
2. Not bearing them which are evil,
Trying them which say they are apostles, and are not.

 It would appear that these two contradict each other, and do not go
together.

 For the Church to be strong and healthy both are requirements not
options.

When the Church at Ephesus slipped in its teaching of truth, Mohammedanism

swept through the land and destroyed the compromising church that once was
mighty under Paul’s teaching.

Not bearing them which are evil,

Trying them which say they are apostles, and are not.

Matt. 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. This comes to mind, that we are to
love and be open to others not judge them.

It is a fact: Many people believe it is wrong to judge people.

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 Page 8 The Church of Ephesus

What is right?
What am I to do?

John 7:24
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

#1 A believer is never to judge a person as far as motives are concerned.

#2 The Christian should judge if an individual’s doctrine is heretical or his life is

filled with wickedness.

Reference:
I John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are
of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

I Tim. 5:19-20
19. Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three
witnesses.
20. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

I Tim. 5:19-25 NLT

19. Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by two
or three witnesses.
20. Those who sin should be reprimanded in front of the whole church; this will
serve as a strong warning to others.
21. I solemnly command you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus and the
holy angels to obey these instructions without taking sides or showing favoritism
to anyone.
22. Never be in a hurry about appointing a church leader. Do not share in the
sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
23. Don’t drink only water. You ought to drink a little wine for the sake of your
stomach, because you are sick so often.
24. Remember, the sins of some people are obvious, leading them to certain
judgment. But there are others whose sins will not be revealed until later.
25. In the same way, the good deeds of some people are obvious. And the good
deeds done in secret will someday come to light.

Is this for real?

Is this the way your church has handled sin in the past?
Is this the way we should handle sin? Why or why not?

What is meant in verse 23? You ought to drink a little wine for the sake of your
stomach, because you are sick so often.

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 The Church of Ephesus Page 9

Could it be saying:
When it comes to sin and false doctrine, a little correction is in order, like
medicine for the stomach?

Rev. 2:4-5 Criticism given ---

3. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy
first love.
4. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the
first works: or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy
candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Thou hast left thy first love.
To truly understand this phrase we must have Jesus Christ and his love for us in
first place. Jesus Christ is head of the Church, we are the Church.

What place do you give to Jesus Christ in ---

 Prayer time
 Reading God’s Word
 Attending God’s House of Worship
 Witnessing
 Obedience to Gods Word

Question:
If I become less committed in any one of these areas, what is going to be the
outcome?
Answer:
Worldly things will become more important in its place?

Why do you think Jesus Christ gave the Church of Ephesus such direct
guidelines to go by?

Christ’s Key Words to the Church today:

Remember --- therefore from whence thou art fallen

Repent
And Do --- the first works

Rev. 2:7
--- to him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the
midst of the paradise of God.

Thought
If I judge myself ---
Others will never need to!

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 Page 10 The Church of Smyrna

Rev. 2:8-11
I.
v. 8-9a To the Church of Smyrna these things saith the first and the last which
was dead and is alive.
I know thy ___________, ______________, _______________,
(but thou art rich) ---

Fact: When we “the church” stand upon the faith of Jesus Christ
 As the first and last
 That which was dead and is alive
We find a strong, vibrant, prosperous church.

Thy works --- to go forward in our mission to spread the gospel

Thy tribulation --- those things that come against us to hinder
our works
Thy Poverty --- the level in which real hardship is experienced

Note: The church that goes forward in its mission to spread the gospel of Jesus
Christ, will go thru periods of tribulations, when things or people will come
against it to hinder the gospel and bring to it a real hardship to achieve the
desired outcome.

Read Galatians 1:6-8 KJV

(6) I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the
grace of Christ unto another gospel.
(7) Which is not another: but there be some that trouble you, and would
pervert the gospel of Christ.
(8) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto
you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

II.
Rev. 2:9b (But thou art rich)

Think about it:

How can we be rich, while going thru a level of hardship at the same time?
 The church may be small in numbers
 The church may not have a good operating budget
 The church may not have the willing workers like others

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 The Church of Smyrna Page 11

Fact#1:
The riches that Christ speaks of are not measured by the world’s standards.

Fact#2: Matt. 28:18-20

Jesus Christ gives the Church a Commandment:
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying
 All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth
 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations
 Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost:
 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:
and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. A-MEN.

III.
Rev. 2:10
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer:

Even if:
 The devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried
 And ye shall have tribulation ten days
 Be faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

James 1:12
Blessed is the man that endureth temptations: for when he is tried, he shall
receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

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 Page 12 The Church of Pergamos

Rev. 2:12-17

I. Rev. 2:12
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; these things saith he which
hath the sharp sword with two edges.

The Sharp Sword = the Word of God

Read Hebrews 4:12-16

The Word of God

1. Is quick = to live, life-time, living
2. Is powerful = active, operative, effectual
3. Is sharper = more comprehensive or decisive than as by chopping
4. Is piercing = penetrate
5. Is dividing = a separation or distribution of gifts
6. Is a discerner = decisive, critical

Facts found in Heb. 4:12-16

 No one is hidden from his sight
 All things are naked and open unto him
 Jesus Christ – is touched by our infirmities
 We can come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy
and find grace to help in the time of need.

II. Rev. 2:13

I know thy works and where thou dwellest even where Satan’s seat is:

God sees what good deeds many perform in his name.

How sad is he when backslidings destroys those deeds?
Here at Pergamos the bad works outweighed the good ones!

This Church was one of materialism, self-indulgence, and worldliness.

Wickedness spread like a brushfire. The name Pergamos has in it the same root
we get from the words Bigamy and Polygamy.

Pergamos --- signifies a mixed marriage of the church and the world.
This happened because the Babylonian religion established its headquarters at
Pergamos and infiltrated Christianity.

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 The Church of Pergamos Page 13

Note Christ’s purpose of verse 13,14

13. I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat
is.
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
stumbling block before the children of Israel.

#1 Pergamos had embraced the pleasures of the world

“ Became a worldly Church”

#2 Pergamos had given heed to false doctrine

(the theology of Balaam)

#3 The Word of God is so very important

It reveals the Truth
It shows the needed action of Repentance
It tells the outcome:

The outcome of Non-repentance:

Rev. 2:16
Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly and will fight against them with the
sword of my mouth

The outcome of the Repentant:

Rev. 2: 17
--- will I give to eat of the hidden manna
And will give him a white stone,
In the stone a new name written.

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 Page 14 The Church Of Thyatira

Rev. 2:18-29

I. Rev. 2:19
I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and
patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

Fact: At first glance this church is to be commended for their works!

II. Rev. 2:20

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.

Notwithstanding = contrariwise --- other things

---I have a few things against thee…..
 Thou sufferest that women Jezebel
 Which calleth herself a prophetess
 To teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication
 And to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

Fact: This is all about spiritual fornication!

III. Rev. 2:21-22

I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I
will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great
tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

Sin can bring great tribulation into an individual believer’s life.

Therefore those that commit adultery here are committing spiritual adultery!
IV. Rev. 2:23b
--- I will give unto everyone of you according to your works.

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 The Church of Sardis Page 15

Rev. 3: 1-6
Rev.3:1. I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art
dead.

Thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

During the beginning of the Church of Sardis, entire countries became Protestant
without being born-again.
 Protestantism was made the state religion
 Was embraced by millions who did not know what it meant to become
New Creatures in Christ Jesus.
Is this possible today?

Many people today say they are Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, etc.
 But only by family tradition
 Not by a personal relationship to Jesus Christ
Often the United States is considered a Christian Nation
 But by past tradition
 Not by saving Grace

Rev.3:2. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are
ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
Rev.3:3. 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.

Revival for the Church in five steps

 Be watchful
 Strengthen the things which remain
 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard
 Hold fast
 Repent
If not:
 I will come on thee as a thief
 Thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee
Read Matt. 24:42-44
Read I Thess. 5:6-10
thou hast a name --- which have not defiled their garments
 they shall walk with me in white --- for they are worthy
 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 will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.

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 Page 16 The Church of Philadelphia

Rev. 3:7-13
Rev.3:7
These things saith He that is holy
He that is True
He that hath the key of David
He that openeth – shutteth

He that is Holy --- sacred, pure, blameless, consecrated

He that is true ---

I John 5:20. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an
understanding ---
 That we may know him that is true
 And we are in him that is true ---
 This is the true God, and eternal life.

He that hath the key of David

Is. 9:7. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon
the throne of David, and upon his Kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with
judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of
hosts will perform this.

Is. 22:22. And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he
shall open, and none shall shut and he shall shut and none shall open.

He that openeth and shutteth

Rev. 4:1. After this I looked, and behold, a door was opened in heaven: ---

Matt. 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that
were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Note: The Holy One --- the True One --- The one that has the Key
 Openeth the door of Heaven
 Shutteth the door of Heaven

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 The Church of Philadelphia Page 17

Rev.3:8. I have set before thee an open door, thou hast a little strength, and
hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Rev.3:9. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan,

--- I will make them to come and worship before thy feet And to know that I have
loved thee.

Rev.3:10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience,

I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation ---

From = something near, various sense of place, or time, out of

Denotes --- separation, departure

The hour of temptation

Rev. Ch. 6-18 describes this hour of temptation in detail
 Which shall come upon all the world
 To try them that dwell upon the earth.

Rev.3:11. Behold, I come quickly

Hold that fast which thou hast
That no man take thy crown
(endure to the end)

Rev.3:12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the

temple of my God, And he shall go no more out:
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.

Rev.3:13. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the
churches.

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 Page 18 The Church of The Laodiceans

Rev. 3:14-22
Rev.3:14. Unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things
saith ---
 The A-Men = firm, trustworthy, surely, “so be it”
 The faithful and the true witness
 The beginning of the creation of God

Rev.3:15. I know thy works

 That thou art neither cold nor hot:
 I would thou wert cold or hot,
 --- because thou art lukewarm ---
 I will spue thee out of my mouth
Spue = to vomit
Why will he vomit the lukewarm church?

Rev.3:17 Because thou sayest:

 I am rich
 And increased with goods
 And have need of nothing

What brings a church to this condition?

And knowest not that ---

 Thou art wretched = enduring trial
 Thou art miserable = on your own
 Thou art poor = without God’s blessings
 Thou art blind = we can’t see we are enduring trial, on our own without
God’s blessings
 Thou art naked = without God’s forgiveness

Rev.3:18. I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire – that thou mayest be
rich.

I Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold
that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and
honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.
 And white raiment that thou mayest be clothed
 And that the shame of thy nakedness does not appear
 And anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see.

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 The Church of The Laodiceans Page 19

Isaiah 61:10
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath
clothed me with the garments of salvation,
he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness as a bridegroom decketh
himself with ornaments,
and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

I Cor. 2:12-14
12. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world,
But the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely
given to us of God.
13. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth,
but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are
foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually
discerned.

Rev. 3:19-22
(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.
(22) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches.

Sup = to dine, to take the evening meal --- “marriage supper of the Lamb”

Jesus --- standing at our hearts door --- knocking

Man --- if we will hear / heed to his voice

/ open his hearts door

Jesus --- will come in to him

--- will sup with him

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 Building the Scriptures together
Page 20
An Overview

Ephesus:
To him that overcometh
Will I give to eat of the tree of life Read Rev. 22:1-3
Which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Read Rev. 22:14

Smyrna:
Be thou faithful unto death
I will give thee a crown of life, Read James 1:12
He that overcometh
shall not be hurt of the second death. Read Rev. 20:6,14

Pergamos:
To him that overcometh
will I give to eat of the hidden manna Read Ex. 16:31-35
and will give him a white stone
and in that stone a new name written
 The white stone signifies an acquittal from legal charges.
 In the Greek Athletic games, a white stone was given to the victor in a
contest.
 To the Roman Gladiators --- one who won the public admiration by
victory over the enemy was given a new name. (_____ the Great) “for
example”

Thyatira:
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end
To him will I give power over the nations Read Matt. 19:28
And he shall rule them with a rod of iron. Read Ps. 2:8-9

Sardis:
He that overcometh
The same shall be clothed in white rainment Read Rev. 19:7-9
And I will not blot out his name out of the book of life
Read Ex. 32:32-33

--- I will confess his name before my Father, and his angels.
Read Luke 12:8-9

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 Building the Scriptures together
An Overview
Page 21

Philadelphia:
Because thou hast the word of my patience
I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation
Read II Peter 2:9
--- which shall come upon the earth.
Hold fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown

Him that overcometh

Will I make a pillar in the temple of my God Read Rev. 21:14
I will write upon him the name of my God
the name of the city of my God, New Jerusalem Read Rev.21
which cometh down out of heaven from my God..
and I will write upon him my new name.

Laodiceans:
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:
If any man hear my voice, and open the door,
Read Luke 12:36-37,40
I will come in to him, Read John 14:23
And will sup with him, and he with me.
To him that overcometh
Will I grant to sit with me in my throne. Read Matt. 19:28

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 Revelation Study
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After this:

Rev. 4:1
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,
and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
After this --- I looked --- behold a door was opened in heaven.
After this = speaks about a prophetical future.
 After what? --- the church age
 What ends the church age? --- the rapture of the church
 Does the Bible define time lines?
1. Matt. 24:29 “Immediately after the tribulation”
2. Rev. 1-22
 Ch 1 --- past
 Ch 2-3 --- present
 Ch 4-22 --- future
3. This time line from the present forward
 The church age
 Rapture --- I Thess. 4:16, I Cor. 15:52
 Tribulation
 Battle of Armageddon
 The Second Coming of Christ
 The Millennial Reign of Christ
 The Kingdom of Heaven
After this I looked = let’s take a peek at what is coming
Behold, a door was opened in heaven:
1st This is a picther of the Rapture --- “come up hither”
2nd It opens us to a truth
 To be seen
 To be heard
 To be experienced
And the first voice which I heard was as it were a trumpet talking with me; which said
 Come up hither
 And I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
Fact: This is the rapture of the church of Jesus Christ
It is the literal, visible coming of Jesus Christ
 To call out of this world / time
 Every born again believer
First the dead / dirt
Then the living I Thess 4:16
Read Acts 1:9-11
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud
received him out of their sight.
And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold two men stood
by them in white apparel;
Which also said, ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same
Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have
seen him go into heaven.

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 Let’s look at Heaven Page 23

Rev. 4:2-5
Rev.4:2 And immediately I was in the spirit;

The spirit = moral qualities, faith, divine gifts

Note: this is a divine gift --- John is allowed to see heaven

Here is what he sees:

 A throne was set in heaven
 And one sat on the throne
He was to look upon like jasper and a sardine stone
There was a rainbow round about the throne
Around about the throne, 24 seats
And 24 elders sitting
Clothed in white raiment
Crowns of gold on their heads

The jasper stone --- Rev. 21:10-11,23

 clear as crystal
 for the glory of God did light it
 and the lamb is the light thereof

A sardine stone ---

 is red, the color of fire
 this undoubtedly speaks of the righteous wrath of God
 and the judgment that is to follow in Ch. 6-18

The rainbow of emerald ---

 proves that the impending judgment will not come through a flood this
time.
 But a purging fire --- “red the color of fire”

The 24 Elders --- Rev. 21:10-14

 12 = the names of the 12 tribes of Israel
 12 = the names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb

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The White Clothing --- Rev. 7:9,11,13-17

Crowns of Gold on their heads --- Rev. 4:10

Now read I Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an
holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praise of him who
hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Rev. 4:5a And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings, and
voices:
 Rev. 1:10 --- and heard --- a great voice, as of a trumpet
 Rev. 4:1 --- the first voice which I heard was of a
trumpet talking with me;
I will shew thee things which must be ---

Note: these lightning, thunders, and voices ---

Speak of judgment as the saints are informed of what is about to occur on
earth.

v.5b And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are
the seven Spirits of God.
Isaiah 11:2

 The spirit of the Lord

 The spirit of wisdom

 The spirit of understanding

 The spirit of counsel

 The spirit of might

 The spirit of knowledge

 The spirit of the fear of the Lord

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Rev. 4:5-11
Rev.4:6a. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal:

Review verse Rev.4:5

And out of throne proceeded lightning, and thundering, and voices:
Note: these --- lightning, thundering, and voices:
 Speak of judgement as the saints are informed of what is about to occur
on earth (Rev. 6-18)

Yet in the heavenly scene:

 There was a sea of glass = calmness, serenity, peace
 The glassy sea --- pictures calmness, a sea untroubled by winds and
storms
 The church is at rest in heaven --- while the storms are building and
ready to rage on earth

Rev.4:6b. And in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four
beasts full of eyes before and behind.

Compare with:
Ezekiel 1:1-28
Isaiah 6:1-10

Beast = a living creature – not monsters but rather beauty

Full of eyes = they see all things clearly and accurately

1st beast --- was like a lion

2nd beast --- was like a calf
3rd beast --- had a face as of a man
4th beast --- was like a flying eagle

Note: Within each species there is always a leader:

 A lion among the wild beast

 A calf among domestic animals
 The eagle among birds
 And man among all creatures

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Let’s Look at Heaven Part 2

Rev.4:8. And the four beast:

 Had each of them six wings about them
 They were full of eyes within
 And they rest not day and night
 Saying Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty ---

Rev.4:9. And when those beast gave glory and honour and thanks to him that sat
on the throne ---
Rev.4:10. The 24 elders fell down before him ---
 And worshiped him
 And cast their crowns before the throne

Rev.4:11. Saying ---

 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power
 For thou hast created all things,
 And for thy pleasure they are and were created.

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