3. Rev 17:10 And there are seven
kings. Five have fallen, one is, and
the other has not yet come. And
whenever he comes, he must abide
for a short time.
Past, present, future world
kingdoms
1. 5 have fallen (PAST)
a. Egypt
b. Assyria
c. Babylon - Head of Gold
d. Medes-Persians - Arms of
Silver
e. Greece – Thighs of Bronze
3
4. Rev 17:10 And there are
seven kings. Five have fallen,
one is, and the other has not
yet come. And whenever he
comes, he must abide for a
short time.
Past, present, future world
kingdoms
2. One is (PRESENT) –
Imperial Rome – Legs of
Iron
4
5. Rev 17:10 And there are seven
kings. Five have fallen, one is, and
the other has not yet come. And
whenever he comes, he must abide
for a short time.
Past, present, future world
kingdoms
3. One has not yet come
(FUTURE) – Papal Rome –
Toes of Iron & Clay
Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his
heads as it were wounded to
death; and his deadly wound
was healed:
5
6. Rev 17:10 And there are
seven kings. Five have fallen,
one is, and the other has not
yet come. And whenever he
comes, he must abide for a
short time.
•he must abide for a short
time.
•Greek – a while
•325 AD to present
Iron & Clay
6
7. Now here we‘re getting down
to the mystery! Verse 11
Rev 17:11 And the Beast
which was, and is not, is also
an eighth, and is of the seven,
and is going to perdition.
This 8th is the Antichrist —
BUT, he‘s also of the seven!
Same Iron, same nature, same
conquer & divide
7
10. “Revelation”
• Greek word ―Apokalupsis‖
• Which means ―uncovering‖
• ―apo‖ means ―away from‖
• ―kalupsis‖ means ―a hiding or a veiling‖
• Therefore ―apokalupsis‖ means an
unhiding, the taking away of a veil, or
a revealing
10
11. “Revelation”
• The book of Revelation is a letter revealed to a
man named John, who was on the Island of
Patmos, off the coast of Asia Minor.
• He was persecuted because of his testimony of
Jesus Christ – 11 other disciples all dead.
• John was ―in the Spirit‖ on the Lord‘s day.
• The Book of Revelation was a series of
visions, which John had & then recorded.
• Note: The revelation of Jesus Christ.
11
12. HEAR.YE.HIM 57-0519
5 I can't make Him show me anything. He doesn't
show me according to my desire; He shows according
to what His will is. There's been many things that I
have prayed for, "Lord, will you just tell me how it will
come out, so I can comfort the people?" He never say
a word to me about it. Turn around and tell me
something else. But He tells me what He wants me to
know. He's my Father. And what He wants me to
know, He tells me. Ain't none of my business, that‗s
His business. That shows it doesn't lay in man; it's in
God.
12
13. Matthew 24:36-37
But of that day and hour knoweth
no man, no, not the angels of
heaven, but my Father only..
13
15. Jesus Warning: Observe the Signs
Mat 24:1-14 ¶ And Jesus went out, and departed
from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to
shew him the buildings of the temple. 2And Jesus said
unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say
unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon
another, that shall not be thrown down.
vs3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples
came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall
these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy
coming, and of the end of the world?
vs4 And Jesus answered and said unto them:
Deception - many shall come in my name, saying, I am
Christ. [ME – speaking great words against..]
Wars and rumours of wars
Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against
kingdom:
Famines, and pestilences, vs8 All these are the beginning
Earthquakes, in divers places. of sorrows. Aka ―birth pangs”
Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the
world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the
end come.
15
16. Jesus Warning: Observe the
Signs
Mat 24:29-35 ¶ Now learn a
parable of the fig tree; When his
branch is yet tender, and
putteth forth leaves, ye know
that *summer is nigh: So likewise
ye, when ye shall see all these
things, know that it is near, even
at the doors.
Verily I say unto you, This
generation shall not pass, till all
these things be fulfilled. Heaven
and earth shall pass away, but
my words shall not pass away.
*Israel in her homeland after
2000 years, empowered again
as a Nation – 1948 (Amos
9:14-15; Ezek 37:10-14; Jer
16:14-15; Hos 6:1-2)
16
17. *Israel in her homeland after 2000 years, revived as a Nation – 1948
(Amos 9:14-15; Ezek 37:10-14; Jer 16:14-15; Hos 6:1-2)
Hosea 6:1-2 ―Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he
will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. Vs.2 After two days will he
revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.‖
II Peter 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is
with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day
17
18. Jesus Warning: Observe the Signs
After rebelling against the Romans in A.D. 66 and again in 132, Judea was crushed and
most of the remaining Jews were dispersed throughout the Roman Empire and
beyond. No Jewish homeland existed again until 1948 when the modern nation of
Israel was established.
An independent Jewish homeland was merely a dream for a small group of zealots a
century ago. It moved a step nearer during World War I, when forces of the British
Commonwealth took control of Jerusalem from the Turks in December 1916. A few
months later, the British government pledged itself to the establishment of an
independent Jewish homeland in the ancient lands the Jews had inhabited for
centuries. It was to be another 30 years before the dream was realized in 1948.
This declaration of independence, in 1948, triggered a war with the surrounding
countries, which objected to the presence of a Jewish state. On May 15, 1948, the
day that armies from the surrounding countries invaded, Azzam Pasha, the Secretary
General of the Arab League, said "This will be a war of extermination and a
momentous massacre which will be spoken of like the Mongolian massacres and the
Crusades.‖
Since then tiny Israel has had to fight wars for survival in 1948, 1967 and 1973 and has
suffered countless terrorist attacks and threats of annihilation from hostile neighbors
determined to eliminate the Jewish state.
18
19. Walk in the Light
1 John 1:7 But if we
walk in the light, as
he is in the light,
we have fellowship
one with another
and the blood of
Jesus Christ his Son
cleanseth us from
all sin.
21. The Revelation of Jesus Christ
Rev 1:1,4,11
The Revelation of
Jesus Christ,
John to the seven
churches in Asia:
Ephesus, Smyrna,
Pergamos,
Thyatira, Sardis
and Laodicea.
22. The Church Ages
"Write the things which thou hast seen, and
the things which are, and the things which
shall be hereafter; 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. " Revelation 1:19-20
22
23. Warning: Heavenly Signs
Sanduleak -69 202a, a blue supergiant – the seventh
supernova occurring in the past 2000 years.
23
24. • Jesus Warning: Heavenly Signs
The progenitor star was identified asSanduleak -69 202a, a blue
supergiant – was the seventh supernova occurring in the past 2000
years.
SN 1987A was a supernova in the outskirts of the Tarantula
Nebula in a nearby dwarf galaxy. It occurred approximately 51.4
kiloparsecs from earth, close enough that it was visible to the naked
eye (Mercy Seat in Plain View)…
Since 51.4 kiloparsecs is approximately 168,000 light years, the
cosmic *event itself happened approximately 168,000 years prior.
The light from the supernova reached the Earth February 23,
1987.
*Event – supernovae mark the end state of a stars life. John 5:35
―He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a
season to rejoice in his light.‖
24
25. Jesus Warning: Heavenly Signs
Heaven first, then on the Earth. Revelation 1, 4 & 5, and the 7th Seal
– from the supernatural to the natural.
Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as
Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the
tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according
to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. – Hebrews 8:5
It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the
heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things
themselves with better sacrifices than these. – Hebrews 9:23
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of
Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to
Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for
we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. –
Matthew 2:1-2
25
26. Jesus Warning: Heavenly Signs
Revelation 1, 4 & 5, and the 7th Seal – from Heaven to Earth, the
supernatural to the natural.
WHERE.IS.HE.KING.OF.THE.JEWS_ JEFF.IN V-16 N-
7 SUNDAY_ 58-1221M 71 [Magi – ed.] And these man, they
waited on one true God, and they worship Him in the light of a sacred
fire. And they would get around these fires and wait on the Lord. And
many of them would--had--had observatories, something like we have
today, and they would go to these places way up high in the mountains
and they would watch every move of the stars. They claim that before
God does anything on earth, He always shows it in heaven first. And
they're right.
Always, God shows it by heavenly signs first. Since when did He ever do
anything that He didn't show a heavenly sign first? Think of it in every
age that you wish to, and God always does show signs in the heaven
first, before He does anything on earth. It comes from the supernatural,
drops into the natural and is made manifest: every age, every time.
26
27. What are the Seven Church Ages?
Church Ages simply refer to a dispensation, or a
space of timewherein God gives the Gentiles
(apart from the Jews) an opportunity to hear the
Gospel. This dispensation is divided into "Seven"
phases or ages - each with it's own messenger and
message, showing what Jesus is doing in Grace
and/or Judgment in a particular age.
The Elect always recognized their day, their
messenger and the Message.
27
29. Fixing the Church Ages Historically
A.D. 53 – 170 Ephesus (relaxed, drifting)
A.D. 170 – 312 Smyrna (Myrrh – bitter to
death)
A.D. 312 – 606 Pergamos(thoroughly married)
A.D. 606 – 1520 Thyatira (dominating female)
A.D. 1520 -1750 Sardis (dead)
A.D. 1750 – 1906 Philadelphia (brotherly
kindness)
A.D. 1906 –??? Laodicea (lukewarm)
29
30. Fixing the Church Ages Historically
―.....and [the Lord] hath determined the times
before appointed, and the bounds of their
habitation;" Acts 17:26
―.....for at the time appointed the end [shall
be]." Daniel 8:19
"And [some] of them of understanding shall fall, to
try them, and to purge, and to make [them] white,
[even] to the time of the end: because [it is] yet for
a time appointed." Daniel 11:35
30
31. The Seven Church
Ages
Revelation 2:1
Unto the angel of the
church of Ephesus
write; These things
saith he that holdeth
the seven stars in his
right hand, who
walketh in the midst of
the seven golden
candlesticks;
31
32. 2 Peter 1:1-8
"But also for this
very reason, giving all
diligence, add to your
faith virtue, to virtue
knowledge, to
knowledge self-
control, to self-
control perseverance,
to perseverance
godliness, to
godliness brotherly
kindness, and to
brotherly kindness
love.‖
*Add - epichorégeó
32
33. Christ
Elijah
Wesley
Luther
Columba
Martin
Irenaeus
Paul
33
34. Timeline – 3rd 2000 Years
Jesus
earthly
Ministry
The Seven Church Ages
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th
2000 yrs
Rapture
34
35. The Seven Churches/Ages
The Messages to the Seven Churches have
a five-fold application:
1. Local, to the *churches actually addressed.
*Church – ecclesia. The called out. Matt 22:14;
John 6:44; Rev 17:14
2. Admonition/Warning, to all churches in all time
to discern their true spiritual state in the sight of
God, in light of what God said to these
individual churches - that we be not guilty of the
same mistakes and errors.
35
36. The Seven Churches/Ages
3. Personal, in that the exhortations are to "him",
"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit
saith unto the churches." And the promises are
"To him that overcometh".
4. Angel first, people second (pattern) ―unto the
angel of … write.‖ Ex 20:19; Amos 3:7; Rev 10: ;
Rev 22:8
5. Prophetic, in that the Seven Messages reveal
Seven phases of the "spiritual" history of the
church from about A.D. 96 to the end, and in
the precise order in which they are given.
36
37. Ephesus: The FIRST Age
Revelation 2:1-7
¶ Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things
saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the
midst of the seven golden candlesticks. I know thy works, and thy labor, and
thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou
hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found
them liars: and hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast
labored, and hast not fainted.
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast
left thy first love. 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. But this thou
hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 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 tree of life, Gen 2:9; Rev 22:2 which is
in the midst of the paradise of God.
37
38. Ephesus: The FIRST Age
On West coast of Asia Minor at mouth of Cayster, 60 miles from Patmos.
Foremost city of province of Asia; residence of Roman proconsul.
Magnificent, wealthy trade center in fertile country; called "the light of
Asia."
Marketplace and "Vanity Fair" of Asia, on Roman route to the east.
Harbor busy, but troubled with silt, is now a marsh 7 miles from the sea.
Beautiful temple of Diana (Artemis), one of 7 wonders of ancient world;
360 x 180 feet, with over 100 columns each 55 feet high. Foundation now
sits in a frog--ridden swamp. Temple was also a secure bank. Stadium
seated 50,000.
City full of idolatry, magical arts, and sorcery.
Paul ministered there three years (next longest to Rome); also wrote epistle
to the Ephesians. Acts 19--Converts burned books on magical arts.
Spread of Christianity diminished Diana-worship, causing craftsmen to
protest. Great tumult ensued. Aquila and Priscilla lived there, held services
in their home (1 Cor. 16:19).
38
40. Ephesus: The FIRST Age
Messenger – Paul, the Apostle and Prophet(Rev 1:8,11)
The pattern & example – Alpha& Omega
1. True to the Word (Gal 1:8-9; 1 Cor 14:36-37; 1 Thes 2:13)
2. Spirit-filled & led (Gal 1:1)
a) without, we use carnal weapons to fight a spiritual battle (Daniel
10:12-13; Luke 22:31; Ephesians 2:2-3, 6:10-18 vs12 ―For we do not
wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this age‖)
b) without, we live by knowledge of the law/sight, not by faith
c) without, we conform to an idea, not God (religious measuring stick)
d) without, the church is run by a man, not God
e) without, the church is either legalistic or liberal (the gifts and/or a true 5-fold
ministry keep the church clean; Urim-Thumin*see next slide)
3. Power (1 Cor 2:1-5; Acts 20:9-12; Acts28:7-9)
40
41. Ephesus: The FIRST Age
The pattern & example – Alpha& Omega
1. True to the Word - ―angel preach other gospel‖ Gal 1:6-9
2. Spirit-filled & led – Urim&ThummimEx 28:13-30
Originally translated ‗lights & perfections.‘ A more accurate
interpretation is ‗cursed or faultless,‘ in reference to the
God's view of an accused. In other words, when the law or
external facts were unclear, Urim and Thummim were used
to supernaturally &simply answer the question innocent or
guilty, y-n.
3. Power – confirmed the Word w/ signs & wonders Mk 16:20,
Acts 14:3; Satan cannot cast out Satan Mat 12:26; anointed ones
(rain falls on just and unjust Mat 5:45, Matt 7:23)
41
42. Ephesus: The FIRST Age
Short age: 53-170AD
―Aimed At & Relaxing‖ – ―Drifting‖
1. Jude 1:3 ―earnestly contend for the faith…‖
vs.4 ―certain men crept in unawares…‖
vs. 11-12 ―way of Cain, error of Balaam…‖
2. Acts 20:29 ―after my departing, grievous
wolves…‖
3. 2 Peter 2:1-22 ―there shall be false teachers
among you…‖
4. 1 John 2:18 ―even now there are many
antichrists…‖
42
43. Ephesus: The FIRST Age
Messenger – Paul, the Apostle
"For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation
of Jesus Christ. .. But when it pleased God, Who separated me from my
mother's womb, and called me, by His grace, To reveal His Son in me, that I
might preach Him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not among
flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were
apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again unto
Damascus." Galatians 1:12-19
"But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was
committed unto me, as the Gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter: (For
He That wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the
circumcision, the Same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)." Galatians
2:7-9
"For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I
magnify mine office." Romans 11:13
43
44. Ephesus: The FIRST Age
Stars in the right hand (Rev 2:1)
Walketh in the midst of the seven golden
candlesticks (Rev 2:1)
Tried (by the Word) them that say they are
apostles (Rev 2:2) [apostles-elders-leaders Gal 2:11 ―But when
Cephas was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because
he was to be blamed.‖]
[Rebuke] Left thy first love (Rev 2:4)
Repent (Rev 2:5)
Hate the deeds of the Nicolaitanes(Rev 2:6)
He that hath an ear (Rev 2:7)
44
46. Ephesus: The FIRST Age
Deeds of the Nicolaitanes, become Doctrines,
become Anti-Christ Incarnate
The "clergy order" being set in motion by the Nicolaitans here in the
Ephesian Age would later developed into the papal hierarchy of priests
and clergy over the laity.
God has placed guidelines even for the ministry to be governed by: "The
Elders which are among you, I exhort, who am also an elder..... Feed the
flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not for filthy
lucre but of a ready mind. Neither as being lords over God's heritage but
being examples to the flock." 1 Peter 5:1-3 "Brethren, be followers
together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even
weeping, [that they are] the enemies of the cross of Christ:" Philippians
3:17-18
46
47. Ephesus: The FIRST Age
The spiritual lessons from the Ephesian church age
1.) The labor and works and patience of the Ephesians was excellent even
when they didn't have the whole N.T. cannon to read and to follow.
2.) They couldn't bear the evil ones when false apostles were exposed in
their church. a.) expose falsehood in love and not allow error to creep
into the church. Be zealous against evil even among those who claim to have
authority from God but are wrong-- 1 Timothy 5:20 " Them that sin,
rebuke before all; that others might also fear. " b.) There's a time to
openly confront evil for the sake of the safety of the church.
3.) Not to leave the first love, as they did, and to keep doing the same works
but keep the motive behind them unchanged--a love for Jesus and an
excitement for Him, pleasing Him in His presence and doing what delights
His heart.
4.) We must be hearers of the Truth and overcomes of the opposing spirit
and challenge of the day in which we live.
47
48. Smyrna: The SECOND Age
Revelation 2:8-11
¶ And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write;
These things saith the first and the last, Is. 44:6; 48:12 – Rev 1:17; 22:13
which was dead, and is alive.I know thy works, and tribulation,
and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of
them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the
synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou
shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison,
that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be
thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith
unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the
second death Rev 20:14; 21:8.
48
50. Smyrna: The SECOND Age
Well-protected harbor at mouth of Hermus.
Destroyed by rival king in 627 B.C.; rebuilt in 290
B.C. to Alexander's design, after his death.
Beautiful city, one of finest in Asia. A center of worship
to "the deity of Rome and emperor"; temple to Tiberius
there. Persecution of Christians resulted.
Held Olympic games in honor to Nero--"Savior of the
Entire Human Race."
Highly-reputed schools of rhetoric and philosophy.
Many Jews hostile to Christianity; carried wood to burn
Polycarp in 166 A.D.
50
51. ―Perishing they were additionally made into
sports: they were killed by dogs by having
the hides of beasts attached to them, or
they were nailed to crosses or set aflame,
and, when the daylight passed away, they
were used as nighttime lamps. Nero gave his
own gardens for this spectacle and
performed a Circus game…‖
Tacitus (c. 55 -117 CE)
51
53. Smyrna: The SECOND Age
Messenger – Irenaeus(Rev 2:8-11)
1. He was the disciple of that great saint and warrior of faith,
Polycarp.
2. Closest to the original messenger (gifts, etc.)
3. militant against any form of organization
Works, Tribulation, Poverty
170-312AD
―Bitter‖ -Its namesake, myrrh, was a
precious spice to embalm the dead (see
John 19:39,40).
53
54. Smyrna: The SECOND Age
Tribulation, and poverty (Rev2:9)
The synagogue of Satan (Rev 2:9)
Devil cast you in a prison, tried 10 days (Rev 2:10)
Faithful unto death (Rev 2:10)
NO rebuke
He that hath an ear (Rev 2:11)
He has nothing negative to say about this church. All he
says is just be faithful; just keep your eyes on me and
trust in me. He knows what His people can bear, and
Jesus says He won't allow anything greater to come
upon them than what they're able to bear (1 Cor.10:13).
54
55. Together with his
deacons Socius
and Festus, and
his lector
Desiderius,
Januarius, bishop
of Beneventum,
was subjected to
most atrocious
torturing during
the Diocletian
persecution (about
304).
Nevertheless, with
God's aid they
were preserved
unmaimed. The
wild animals let
loose upon them
would not attack.
They were finally
beheaded at
Puteoli.
55
56. Smyrna: The SECOND Age
The spiritual lessons from the ―Smyrnan church age‖
1.) We will ALL be tested, tried and face tribulations – some unto
death. We have to, as it were, be willing to give our lives as necessary
and even be willing to die for Jesus Christ. Sometimes it's harder to
live for Him than to die for Him.
2.) Love and commitment to God were fanned to a flame by the
winds of persecution, and were spiritually healthy and vital even
though outwardly they may have been poor and needy.
3.) Fear not is a message to saints in trouble. He wants us to learn
to walk in the love and peace of God and overcome evil with good
and not be revengeful or anxious.
4.) God had nothing bad to say about them.
56
57. Pergamos: The THIRD Age
Revelation 2:12-17
¶ And to the angel of the church in Per'gamos write; These things saith he
which hath the sharp sword with two edges. 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 An'tipas was my faithful martyr,
who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have a few things
against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Ba'laam,
who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat
things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. Num 25:1-3; 31:16 So
hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicola'itans, which thing I hate.
Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the
sword of my mouth. 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, Ex
16:14-15 and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written,
which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
57
58. Pergamos: The THIRD Age
Capital of Asia until second century A.D. In beautiful district on
north bank of the Caicus.
Filled with idolatry;
Rivaled Ephesus in temples. Had temples to Caesar, Zeus, Athena,
Dionysos, etc.
A center of Emperor worship along with Smyrna.
Aesculapius (Asklepios), god of healing, worshipped in form of live
serpent in temple. Coins show Aesculapius bearing serpent-wreathed
rod. UN symbol – a type of ‗benevolent‘ One World
System/Lordship?
"Satan's throne" (Rev. 2:13)--- worship of serpent (or possibly of
Caesar).
Home of a medical university. The city's library (200,000 volumes) was
second only to Alexandria's. Learning – Tree of Knowledge
Manufactured ointments, pottery, tapestry, and parchment.
58
59. A fire was lit inside a metal idol,
heated until the idol was extremely
hot, and then a baby would be
placed in the arms of the idol and
consumed or slid inside the idol and
burned to death. [Cleitarchus, 315
BC]
"They have built also the high places of
Baal, to burn their sons as offering to
Baal" (Jeremiah 19:5; 32:35) 59
60. Pergamos: The THIRD Age
Messenger – St. Martin (Rev 1:8,11)
The pattern & example – Alpha & Omega
1. True to the Word
2. Spirit-filled & led
3. Power
312-606AD
―Thoroughly Married‖
60
61. ―Saint Martin encountered ‗a naked man, trembling and
shaking for cold, and begging alms of those that passed by.
Martin, seeing those that went before him take no notice of
this miserable object, thought he was reserved for himself. By
his charities to others he had nothing left but his arms and
clothes upon his back; when, drawing his sword, he cut his
cloak in two pieces, gave one to the beggar, and wrapped
himself in the other half. Some of the bystanders laughed at
the figure he made in that dress, whilst others were ashamed
not to have relieved the poor man. In the following night St.
Martin saw in his sleep Jesus Christ dressed in that half of
the garment that he had given away, and was bid to look at it
well and asked whether he knew it‘.…‖
Saint Martin of Tours
61
62. St. Martin
saw in his
sleep
Jesus
Christ
dressed in
that half of
the
garment
that he had
given away
62
63. Pergamos: The THIRD Age
"I know where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat (literally--throne)
is..."
The reference here is to the Esculapias, a serpent god. Some say that
the Jews kept the brass serpent wrapped on a pole that Moses made,
and secretly worshipped it. This serpent reference goes back to
Genesis, and forward to Revelation 20:2 ―And he laid hold of the
dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan‖.
Thoroughly married also speaks of consummation – a union, just as it
was in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:1-15; ―And the LORD God
said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman
said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.‖ [beguiled-seduced] 2
Corinthians 11:2-4 – Eve was NOT chaste…
Satan's throne was established in this church age in the name of Roman
Catholicism at Rome. It becomes Satan's seat in that age. The bishop
of Rome obtained more and more power until he was recognized as the
head of the church, and ―Vicar of Christ‖.
63
64. Pergamos: The THIRD Age
This Age spans the time from Constantine's Edict of
Toleration for Christians to what is considered the first actual
true pope and the beginnings of the Catholic Church.
"Pergamos" means "much or thoroughly married". The symbolic
reference is to the fact that Christianity in this church age was
being married to paganism;
The spiritual marriage of Jezebel (daughter of the high priest of
Baal) to Ahab, King of Israel...
This was an age of compromise and spiritual decline, overrun w/
deceptive doctrines and compromising in the church.
Satan could not destroy the church, so he infiltrated itw/ pagan
worship, etc...
64
65. Pergamos: The THIRD Age
Niceaen Council in 325 AD.
The dilution of Jesus and the Godhead, into the ―Trinity‖ & the
use of the Titles, ―Father, Son, Holy Ghost.‖
Rev 2:13: It was a period when there where different opinions of who
Jesus was. So when Jesus says, Thou art holding fast my name,
He's not talking to heretical churchmen and, but He's talking to His
remnant-- those who had a revelation of the name of Jesus (Matt
24:28), that He‘s the only one that saves, heals, forgives, etc.-- not
Mary, or the pope, or the church, etc... Its not by works, but by
grace.
The last group to retain the revelation and practice of correct water
baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ [Acts 2:38, 8:16, 10:48,
19:5].
Acts 4:12; Matt.1:21— ―no other name by which men are saved by‖,
―His name shall be called Jesus.‖
65
66. All Pagan religions from the time of Babylon, have
adopted in one form or another a trinity doctrine or a triad
or trinity of gods – the mother-child being notable…
In ancient Sumeria it was Anu the primary god of heaven,
Enlil, (the wind-god) the god of the earth, and Enki was
the god of waters and the lord of wisdom;
In Babylon it was Nimrod, Semiramis (Ishtar), and Babylon
Tammuz;
In Egypt it was Osiris, Isis, and Horus
In Greece it was Zeus, Apollo, Athena
In Rome it was Jupiter, Mars, Venus
In Papal Rome it was Father, Son, Mary (originally – Rome Egypt
changed to Father, Son, Holy Ghost)
66
67. Pergamos: The THIRD Age
Numbers 25:1-9;31:16 - Thru Balacking of Moab, Israel was
seduced into pagan rites in the worship of Baal, and many of them
took women from the Midianites and Moabites and committed
fornication-- 24,000 Israelites were slain in a plague as a result.
Rev 2:14: ―many that hold the doctrine (or teaching) of Balaam‖ -
Balaam was an anointed man within Israel who was a compromiser.
Balaam said, ‗I can't curse them because God has blessed them.
However, if you somehow can tempt them to sin, God will forsake them
and curse them.‘
When Constantine came forth w/ his Edict of Toleration, he said
‗there's no more persecution of Christians, by law we're all going to be
Christians‘. Many were given money and clothing to convert – there no
longer was any distinction between the church and the world.
Christianity was married w/ paganism.
Constantine's reason was to unify his empire. ―If ya Can‘t beat ‗em,
join ‗em…‖
67
68. The Roman Emperor
Constantine saw a vision
of the Chi-Rho symbol of
Christ and the words, in
Greek,
Εντουτονικα(pronounced: "en
toutonika‖- "in this sign
conquer"), before his great
victory at the Milvian
Bridge just outside Rome.
Converted?? Constantine
supported both Christianity and
paganism, and retained the title
pontifexmaximus, the chief priest
of the state cult, until his death.
68
69. Pergamos: The THIRD Age
Rev 2:17: ―will give him a white stone, and in the stone
a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he
that receiveth it.‖
The stone is symbolic of revelation. ―Upon this Rock
I will build my Church…‖ Each TRUE believer
knows who Jesus is, and that he is saved – this is a
revelation, and the gates of Hell cannot prevail.
69
70. Pergamos: The THIRD Age
Spiritual lessons for us from this Pergamos church age:
1.). Pergamos was where Satan's seat or throne was; this
corresponds to the founding of the Roman Catholic church.
2.). We also live in a time when there's going to be world government
and there's going to be a world church.
3.) the anti-christ spirit , Nicolaitan spirit, around since Paul‘s day, is
getting stronger. Eventually, it's going to culminate in the Antichrist
himself being revealed and coming into full power – as Constantine
Pontiff Maximus was.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 tells us that this ―man of perdition‖ will be
revealed in some measure around the time of the Rapture of the
saints, and therefore, he most likely is alive on earth at this time,
considering that we're living in the last generation.
70
71. Thyatira: The FOURTH Age
Revelation 2:18-29
¶ Unto the angel of the church of 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. 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. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman
Jez'ebel, 1 Kin 16:31; 2 Kin 9:22, 30 which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce
my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And 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. And I will
kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins
and hearts: Ps 7:9; Jer 17:10 and I will give unto every one of you according to his works. Ps
62:12 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thy-ati'ra, 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.
But that which ye have already, hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my
works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of
iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: Ps 2:8-9 even as I received of my
Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
saith unto the churches.
71
72. Thyatira: The FOURTH Age
Messenger – Columba (Rev 1:8,11)
The pattern & example – Alpha & Omega
1. Called by God thru an audible voice
2. Spirit-filled & led missionary
3. Miraculous power
The longest age, about 900 years: 606-
1520AD
―Dominating Female‖
A period of unchecked papal power where the
popes claimed and exercised dominion over the
kingdoms of the earth.
72
73. Thyatira: The FOURTH Age
Surrounded by many rivers, full of leeches.
Well off financially due to the corporate guilds (unions)
The major religion of Thyatira was the worship of Apollo
Tyrimnaios (Sun god), which was joined with the emperor
worship cult.
Apollo (Jesus) communicated his knowledge of his
'father's will' to men through a prophetess who sat on a
tripod chair.
Anyone who refused to join in the idolatrous feasts and
licentious orgies was barred from these first century unions.
The Roman Church had an iron disposition (Ecc 7:25-28)
73
74. Thyatira: The FOURTH Age
She is Mystery Babylon. (Revelation 17:5)
She is the great whore. (Revelation 17:9, 18)
A true female is submissive to God. Christ is her head
(1 Cor 11:3-16 (headship & hair cutting). She has no
word but His, no thoughts but His, no leadership but
His.
The Roman Church has cast out the Word, slain those
who would preach the truth, ruled over kings and nations
- and insists that she is the true body of Christ and that
her popes are the vicars of Christ.
VicariusFileii Dei – ‗in place of the Son of God‘
(Revelation 13:17-18)
VICARIUS: V = 5, I = 1, C = 100, I + 1, U (or V) = 5; for FILEII: I =
1,
L = 50, I = 1, I = 1; for DEI: D = 500, I = 1; total 666. 74
75. Thyatira: The FOURTH Age
The Whore demands complete allegiance & obeisance.
1. 1869, Vatican Council, dogma of Papal Infallibility
(Revelation 18: 7 ‗I sit as Queen, yet am no widow.‘)
2. 1965, Lee Vayle& 7 C/A, Page 328 PP3; ―who then
will have the power of infallibilitywhich is to be restored in
this last age? … I will tell you who will have it. It will be a
prophet.‖
3. 2006, Joseph Branham, St. Petersburg, Russia; "I
believe that everything Brother Branham says is Thus
Saith The Lord.‖ ―If this Message is your absolute then
we can fellowship with one another. If you have another
absolute, if you take another man's idea, another man's
thought, his interpretation, then we can't fellowship."
75
78. Thyatira: The FOURTH Age
As we saw in the previous Pergamaen Age, the nominal
church was ―thoroughly married‖ to the pagan system
Revelation 2:20 ―thou sufferest that woman Jezebel."
1. 75 years after King Solomon, Ahab of Israel married
Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal, the king of Sidon (1
Kings 16:31).
2. Ethbaal was a priest of Estartewho was a female deity,
and they called her the queen of heaven.
3. Jeremiah 7:18--denounces this worship of the queen of
heaven
4. Roman Catholicism substitutes Mary for Estarte –
changes pagan Estarte fertility celebration to ‗Easter.‘
Accept false teaching=spiritual fornication
78
79. Easter: Astarte, Ishtar, Mary –
Queen of Heaven & Fertility
What‘s Jesus
got to do with it ? Pagan ? Yes
Nothing…
79
80. Thyatira: The FOURTH Age
Revelation 2:28 "And I will give him the morning star.‖
The morning star is the last star that's visible before the
dawning of the day, and God's telling them--you in this
church age are living in a dark night. You are living in a
period of gross darkness; where darkness is covering not
only the nations, but the church and we even know this
period as "the dark ages"--the midnight hour of the
papacy when the light of God was almost lost to his
people (Isaiah 60:1-2)
Martin Luther‘s revelation of Jesus would be that
morning star arising for the next age of Sardis …
80
81. I am … the bright and morning star. – Revelation 22:16
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more
unto the perfect day. – Proverbs 4:18 81
82. Thyatira: The FOURTH Age
Spiritual lessons for us from this Thyatira church age:
1.). We are not to suffer the Jezebel spirit (Proverbs
25:24 ―It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop,
than with a contentious (competing) woman…‖ )cf. Gen 1:26-28
2.) The offspring of this hellish union will produce spiritual
death – everlasting separation from God
3.) there is only one mediator and one absolute – Jesus
Christ (1 Timothy 2:5; Matthew 24:25)
"I know thy works; and the last to be more than the first."
This is remarkable. As the darkness of the age increased;
as the honor roll of the martyrs grew lengthier day by day,
they worked all the harder, they served all the more, and
their faith increased.
82
83. Sardis: The FIFTH Age
Revelation 2:18-29
¶ Unto the angel of the church of Thyatira 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. Be watchful,
and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not
found thy works perfect before God. 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. Mat 24:43-44; Luk 12:39-40; Rev 16:15 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. 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. Mat
10:32; Luke 12:8 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the
churches.
83
84. Sardis: The FIFTH Age
Messenger – Martin Luther (Rev 1:8,11)
The Morning Star
1. At the end of the Dark Ages
2. ―The just shall live by faith.‖ Romans 1:17
3. He stood against an entrenched empire
1520-1750AD
―Dead‖
Known as ―The Reformation‖ period
95 Thesis nailed to Wittenberg Church doors
Printing press invented & helps spread truth
84
85. "I would never have
thought that such a
storm would rise
from Rome over one
simple scrap of
paper..." (Martin
Luther)
85
86. ―…The second group of my work is directed aginst the foul doctrine and evil
living of the Popes, past and present... Through the laws of the Pope and the
doctrines of men, the consciences of the faithful have been miserably vexed and
flayed. If I recant these books, I will do nothing but add strength to tyranny and
open not just the windows but also the doors to this great ungodliness... In the
third group I have written against private persons and individuals who uphold
Roman tyranny and have attacked my own efforts to encourage piety to Christ. I
confess that I have written too harshly. I am but a man and I can err. Only let my
errors be proven by Scripture and I will revoke my work and throw my books into
the fire...
Unless I am convinced by Scripture and by plain reason and not by Popes and
councils who have so often contradicted themselves, my conscience is captive to
the word of God. To go against conscience is neither right nor safe. I cannot
and I will not recant. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me.‖
Martin Luther‘s reply at the Diet of Worms, April 18, 1521
―I cannot and I will not recant.‖
86
87. Sardis: The FIFTH Age
Sardis was the capital of ancient Lydia. It passed
from the hands of Lydian monarchs to the
Persians and thence to Alexander the Great.
Eventually the Romans took over.
In the time of Tiberius it was desolated by
earthquakes and plagues.
The religion of this city was the impure worship of
the moon goddess Cybele, supplanting the Sun
god Deoius
With the ascendancy of Rome, this mother-son
cult is replaced with Mary & Jesus.
87
88. Sardis: The FIFTH Age
The Seven Spirits actually refer to the One
Spirit of God working out the will and Word of
God in different generations.
these seven stars, or seven messengers are in His
hand. He is holding them and they are associated
with His power. That is what the ‗right hand‘
signifies. Is 41:10; Ps 137:5; Acts 2:34 & 7:55-56; Matt 26:64
These 7 are special leaders of His own choosing
and through the determined counsel of His own
will. They appear once in each age. It is the same
Spirit in them (light through a prism).
88
89. Sardis: The FIFTH Age
Revelation 3:1b, "I know thy works, that thou has a name that
thou livest, and art dead.‖
1. The leadership of the Holy Spirit was superseded by a
human hierarchy.
2. The pure Word of God and its free benefit to all men was
deposed for creeds, dogmas, church orders, etc.
3. The worship in the Spirit and Gifts of the Spirit and the
true community fellowship of the saints was cast aside for
liturgy and literal idol worship, pagan feasts, etc.
4. Maryolatrywas assuming a greater place in the Christian
worship, until she had assumed a place of Godhead and the
Son was brought from His position of Lord of all to being
replaced by a man called the pope, who termed himself the
Vicar of Christ.
89
90. Sardis: The FIFTH Age
This era gave tremendous growth to the denominational
spirit.
There were Lutherans, Hussites, Zwingli's party, etc.
Such fragmentation of the Body was deplorable. They
were living a name but were dead.
1 Corinthians 1:10-13
―Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that
there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly
joined together in the same mind and in the same
judgment… Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I
am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of
Christ. Is Christ divided?‖
90
91. Sardis: The FIFTH Age
This denominational spirit has made all the groups write their
manuals and teach their creeds, set up their offices and
church governments and then each claims that she, and she
alone, truly speaks for God.
Both the Roman Church & Protestant churches are doing
this! They are right back there with their mother, the harlot,
and don't know it.
JUDGMENT
Revelation 3:3, "Remember therefore how thou has 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 the hour I will come upon thee.‖
91
92. Martin Luther said, ―Unless I am convinced
by Scripture…‖
Joseph Branham says, ―These are the instructions
that Brother Branham left us…Therefore I believe
that this is the way it must be done by all…‖
92
93. Sardis: The FIFTH Age
"I will come on thee as a thief." Ancient Sardis was constantly harassed
by bandits that swooped down from the hills and pillaged the people.
Thus they knew only too well what the Spirit was saying in that the
coming of the Lord is as a thief.
Vigilance and preparation alone will suffice to be ready for Jesus‘
coming.
We know that this is a warning for the false vine, for the coming of the
Lord will be as it was in the days of Noah. The eight saved were well
aware of the impending flood, and being aware were prepared and
saved. But the world of the ungodly was swept away. Though they
daily were in contact with the righteous and heard the truth, they turned
it aside until it was too late. Those carnal people in that ancient period
type out today the nominal Christians whose lives are full of earthly
things, and take pleasure in them to such an extent that they have no
desire for the Spiritual, and are not at all aware of, nor readied for His
appearing.
93
95. Philadelphia: The SIXTH Age
Revelation 2:18-29
¶ Unto the angel of the church of Thyatira 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. Is 22:22 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. 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, Is 60:14 and
to know that I have loved thee. 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. Behold, I come quickly: hold that
fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 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: Rev 21:2 and I will
write upon him my new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
saith unto the churches.
95
96. Philadelphia: The SIXTH Age
Messenger – John Wesley (Rev 3:8,11)
The restoration of personal holiness
1. True to the Word
2. Spirit-filled & led
3. Power
1750-1906AD
―Brotherly Kindness‖
―An Open Door‖ – age of missionaries
‗Man‘ anointing – intellect; dictionaries,
concordances, Bible translations (start w/
Luther‘s German translation)
96
98. Philadelphia: The SIXTH Age
‗Holiness– of course we take it seriously. Why do
you ask?‘
I‘m afraid many people either don‘t understand
what holiness is/means, or they seem like this
poster – insincere & hypocritical
"You may as well quit reading and hearing the Word
of God, and give it to the devil, if you do not
desire to live according to it." -- Martin Luther
98
99. Philadelphia: The SIXTH Age
‗Holiness– of course we take it seriously. Why do you ask?‘
To God, holiness is not important, it is required
"Without holiness no man shall see the Lord" (Heb. 12:14)
"I delight in the law of God after the inward man" (Rom. 7:22)
"Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be
overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and cares of this
life" (Luke 21:34)
"I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection, lest that by any
means when I have preached to others, I myself should be a
castaway" (1 Cor. 9:27)
1 Peter 1:15-16; Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Ephesians 1:4; Galatians 5:17; James
3:2
99
100. Philadelphia: The SIXTH Age
To God, holiness is not important, it is required
―Who may ascend the hill of the Lord…?‖ (Ps 24:3-4)
―They brought before God a strange fire…they died‖ (Lev 10:1-3)
There is a legend that the high priest started to
have a rope tied around his waist, in order to be
pulled out of the Holy of Holies, should he be
struck dead – but the truth is that the robe with
bells that rang ‗holy, holy, holy‘ was worn in the
Holy Place (Ex 28:30-35). It was assumed that
to proceed from the outer and through the inner
court, the question of worthiness and holiness
was answered – no outward show was required
while standing in God‘s Shekinah… ―him that is
holy, be holy still.‖ – Rev 22:11
100
101. "Christ loved the
Church, and gave
Himself for it, that He
might sanctify and
cleanse it" (Eph. 5:25,
26).
"He gave Himself for
us, that He might
redeem us from all
iniquity, and purify
In short, to talk of men being saved from
the guilt of sin, without being at the same
unto Himself a
time saved from its dominion in their peculiar people,
hearts, is to contradict the witness of all zealous of good
Scripture. works" (Titus 2:14).
101
102. ‖Sanctify you completely;
spirit, soul, and body" (1
Thes. 5:23).
‖For by one offering He
has perfected those who
are being sanctified" (Heb
2:11).
‖For this is the will of God,
your sanctification…" (1
Thes 4:3,7).
Sanctification=cleansed and set aside for service…
Sanctification is instantaneous before
Godthrough Christ, but it is progressive before
man through obedience to the Holy Spirit and the
Word.
102
103. Philadelphia: The SIXTH Age
Spiritual lessons
1.) Jesus reveals himself as ‗he that is holy‘, and
therefore God expects holiness in our lives. In our
behavior, in our manner of life and in the way we relate to
the world, and to people around us and the way we deal
w/ our brothers and sisters.
Being separate unto Him and desiring to please Him in
all things.
2.) Jesus showed himself as he that is true or that is
real. So God is saying I'm calling for a reality in my
church, I'm real, I'm genuine and I want you to be real and
genuine.
103
104. Laodicea: The SEVENTH
Revelation 2:18-29
Age
¶ Unto the angel of the church of Thyatira write; These things saith the Amen,
the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God. Prov 8:22 I
know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out
of my mouth. 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: 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. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: Prov 3:21; Heb 12:6
be zealous therefore, and repent. 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. 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. He that
hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
104
105. Laodicea: The SEVENTH
Age
Messenger – Wm. Branham aka Elijah the
Prophet (Rev 2:8,11; Rev 10:1-7; Mal 4:5-6; Luke
17:30)
God prophesied, ―I will send you Elijah…before the…day
of the Lord‖ (Mal 4:5. Jesus said this man would ‗restore
all things‘ (Matt 17:11).
What does this mean?
Who is this prophet-messenger, angel to the 7th church
age?
Has he come already? Is he yet to appear?
Will this Elijah be one of the two witnesses?
How will we recognize him?
105
106. Laodicea: The SEVENTH
Age
Messenger – Wm. Branham aka Elijah the Prophet
How will we recognize him?
Most ages had difficulty recognizing the ones that God
had sent (Romans 11:13; 1 Thes 2:15;
1. Noah
2. Moses
3. David
4. ―O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the
prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee..‖
Matt 23:29-39
5. Elijah (in John Baptist) ―Elias is come already, and
they knew him not…‖ Matt 17:12
106
108. Laodicea: The SEVENTH
Age
Messenger – Wm. Branham aka Elijah the Prophet
How will we recognize him?
Among many Christians and Messianic believers, there is an
expectation of one who will appear in the power and spirit of Elijah
before the second coming of Yeshua the Messiah. Even observant
Jews expect EliyahuhaNavi (Elijah the prophet) to come before
Maschiachben David (Messiah, son of David), as evidenced by the
traditional Passover seder service, where a cup of wine is symbolically
set out for Elijah.
1. Isaiah 61:2 ―acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of
vengeance―; Luke 4:16-21; a scripture is split – 2000 years between
2. Malachi 3:1 / Isaiah 40:3 / John 1:19-13; Luke 1:17– John
Baptist
3. Malachi 4:5 – Wm Branham aka Elijah
108
109. The Spirit of ELIJAH
The spirit of Elijah is used FIVE times through history:
1. Elijah – 1 Kings 17:22
2. Elisha – 2 Kings 2:9 receives "a double portion" of Elijah's spirit
3. John the Baptist ―Elias is come already, and they knew him not…‖
Matt 17:12
4. William Branham ―I will send Elijah the prophet…‖ Mal 4:5-6
5. Elijah (in one of the two witnesses) ―power to shut heaven, that it rain
not…‖ Rev 11:6
109
110. Laodicea: The SEVENTH
Age
The pattern & example – Alpha &Omega
1. True to the Word (Gal 1:8-9; 1 Cor 14:36-37; 1 Thes
2:13)
2. Spirit-filled & led (Gal 1:1)
3. Power (Mark 16:17; 16:20; Matt 10:5-8; John 10:37-39;
John 14:12)
Joel 2:25 ―I will restore to you…‖
Matt 17:11 ―Elias truly shall first come, and restore all
things.…‖
Acts 2:17 ―And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith
God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons
and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall
see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:…‖ Azusa
Street Revival…
110
111. Laodicea: The SEVENTH
Age
The Church Condition in the Last Days
Short age: 1906AD to Present
Frequent earthquakes – eventually destroyed
―Peoples Rights‖
Rev 3:16 ―thou art lukewarm…‖
Rev 3:17 ―I am rich, and increased with goods…‖
Rev 3:15 ―thou art wretched, and miserable, and
poor, and blind, and naked…‖
111
112. Rev 3:17 ―I am rich, and increased with goods…‖
112
114. Rev 3:15 ―thou art
wretched, and
miserable, and poor,
and blind, and naked…‖
114
115. Rev 3:15 ―and knowest
NOT that thou art
wretched, and
miserable, and poor,
and blind, and naked…‖
What‘s the difference??
115
116. Rev 3:18 ―anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that
thou mayest see.…‖
116
117. Rev 1:13 & 2:1, Jesus is ―in the midst‖ and
―walks among‖ the 7 churches, by the last
age He has been kicked out of His own
church – replaced by creeds, dogma, etc.
―In that day seven women will take hold of
one man…we will eat our own bread & wear
our own clothes, but be called by your
name…‖ Isaiah 4:1; Rev 18:7
No room in the inn – Luke 2:7
Go outside camp, bear his reproach
– Heb 13:13
Despised, rejected – Is 53:1-3
Rejected King – Mark 11:8-10;
John 6:15
Why call me Lord, and do not the
things I say? – Luke 6:46
Lord, Lord…depart, I never knew
you – Matt 7:21-23 ―Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.‖
117
118. The Breach between the Seven Church Ages and
the Seven Seals
Chapter Four and Five of Revelation is called ―The
Breach‖ because they lay positioned between
Chapter Three and Chapter Six. They also appear
to occur in Heaven, whereas Chapters Two and
Three that deal with the Seven Church Ages, and
Chapter Six which is the events that transpire upon
the Earth after the Seals are opened. The Breach is
also a transition from a world order under grace, to a
world order under judgment and wrath. The very act
of the Lamb of God leaving the mercy seat to retrieve
the Sealed Book signifies a cessation of the old
order under a dispensation of intercessory grace, to a
new era of The Lion of Judah assuming his Kingly
throne to sit as ruler and judge.
118
119. The Breach between the Seven Church Ages and
the Seven Seals
The Lamb‘s blood had been upon the mercy seat for
nearly two thousand years, that blood was ―the blood
of an everlasting covenant. (Hebrews 13:20).
Everlasting is a long span of time, not time without end
or eternal. The lamb‘s redemptive work concludes
during the Last Days, the ceremonial act of Kinsman
Redeemer calls for Him to leave the throne of mercy
to take the book out of the right hand of God. Once
the bloody lamb leaves his intercessory work, the same
throne becomes a throne of judgment; there is no
longer any mercy, grace or power to wash away the
Gentiles sins - ―and he which is filthy, let him be filthy
still.‖ (Revelation 22:11)
119
120. The Breach between the Seven Church Ages and
the Seven Seals
When the Seventh Seal is broken, the mystery of
God is finished – One part of this mystery reveals
who was sealed during Christ's mediation, and how
each sealed believer overcame in each of Seven
Church Ages. Another aspect of this finishing
mystery is the restoration of the Word of God – all
doctrinal errors promulgated over the span of the
Gentile Church Ages will be corrected and taught.
The results of the seventh seal will manifest to the
Christian believers as an acceptance of the corrected
Word of God and faith for the resurrection (The
Rapture), in nominal church-goers as faith to endure
the Great Tribulation, and in unbelievers as hatred
towards Jesus and unwillingness to repent of their
sins.
120
122. AMOS 3:7
Surely the Lord GOD will do
nothing, but he revealeth his secret
unto his servants the prophets.
122
123. Malachi 4:5
Behold, I will send you Elijah the
prophet before the coming of the
great and dreadful day of the
LORD:
123
124. The Preliminary to the Opening of the Seven Seals
Rev. William Branham‘s ministry flourished during the
1950‘s; he conducted the largest Christian meetings
in history during that time. He traveled all over the
world preaching the gospel, conducting healing
campaigns and proclaiming what he considered to be
―the message of the hour‖ – which, to him, was the
restored Word of God as prophesied by the Prophet
Joel (Joel 2) and by Jesus (Matthew 17:11).
124
125. The Preliminary to the Opening of the Seven Seals
Regarding the opening of the Seven Seals and the
restoration of the Word, on December 22, 1962, the
Lord gave William Branham a vision foretelling this
event immediately after six dreams in succession were
brought to him by brothers and sisters in the Lord.
On December 30, 1962, William Branham told his
Jeffersonville congregation of a mysterious vision he
received. In the vision, he saw himself standing on the
side of a mountain when a terrible blast occurred.
Troubled because he did not know the meaning of the
vision, William Branham wondered if the ―third pull‖
(his term for the last stage of his ministry – also for the
fullness of the Holy Spirit present from the effects of
the restored Word) was imminent. In addition, he
informed his supporters that he felt a divine
compulsion to move to Tucson, Arizona.
125
126. The Preliminary to the Opening of the Seven Seals
In January 1963, William Branham was in Sabino
Canyon, located in the Coronado Mountains north
of Tucson. There he sought solitude to determine
the meaning of the mysterious vision. Suddenly, he
claimed, a sword appeared in his hand. A voice
informed him, ―that is the King‘s sword,‖ and just as
suddenly the sword disappeared. William Branham
described the incident: ―If it would have said, ‗A
King‘s sword,‘ it might have been that I would
understand it, but it said, ‗The King‘s sword‘…I
thought, there‘s only One The King; that‘s God.
And His sword is this…sharper than any two-edged
sword. ‗Ye abide in me and my Words‘…see. William
Branham later asserted that the incident of the King‘s
sword was preparing him for the reception of God‘s
Word in the opening of the seven seals.
126
127. The Preliminary to the Opening of the Seven Seals
Having gone west at the command of the Lord and in
Spring 1963, William Branham, Fred Sothmann and
Gene Norman all left Tucson on a javelina hunting
trip. It was mid-day when they left for an area in
Northern Arizona referred by some as Sunset
Mountain. Less than two hours after leaving Tucson,
they turned off the paved road at Wilcox and unto the
dirt road that led to Bonita and into the canyons
scattered along the rock cliffs and plateaus of
Rattlesnake Mesa.
127
128. The Preliminary to the Opening of the Seven Seals
As the javelina season in 1963 ran from March 1
through 10, it would have been during this time span
that his vision of the terrific blast would have been
fulfilled. It was while hunting alone that he witnessed
an explosion. Immediately, he says he was caught up in
a large cloud that was, in reality, a heavenly
constellation of seven angels. The angels commanded:
―Return back east from where you came and by
revelation and vision, God will open the seven seals
that have been sealed since John the Revelator wrote
them in the Book of Revelation.‖
128
129. The Preliminary to the Opening of the Seven Seals
The angel commanded:
‖Return back… God will open the seven seals.‖‖
First, a blast shook the earth; then what looked like
little dots off in the distance rushed in, and
materialized as a constellation of seven angels in a
pyramid, into which he was caught up. The seventh
notable angel on top spoke to him of matters that St.
John was forbidden to write in the Book of
Revelations, "Seal up those things which the seven
thunders uttered, and write them not." It was at this
time that he was told the mysteries of the seven seals
would be revealed to him. He was to go back East, to
Jeffersonville, Indiana and there Jesus Christ would
open the Seals and reveal the mystery to him;
afterwards he would then take the ―open book‖ and
share this knowledge with first his congregation and
then to the world.
129
130. Jesus Warning: Observe the Signs
Mat 24:1-14 ¶ And Jesus went out, and departed
from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to
shew him the buildings of the temple. 2And Jesus said
unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say
unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon
another, that shall not be thrown down.
vs3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples
came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall
these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy
coming, and of the end of the world?
vs4 And Jesus answered and said unto them:
Deception - many shall come in my name, saying, I am
Christ.
Wars and rumours of wars
Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against
kingdom:
Famines, and pestilences, vs8 All these are the beginning
Earthquakes, in divers places. of sorrows. Aka ―birth pangs‖
Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the
world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the
end come.
130
131. The first six seals correlate strongly with the sequence of events in
the Olivet Discourse of Matthew 24. Here is a brief overview:
First Seal ~ False Christs and counterfeit religion
Matt 24:5 ~ False Christs
Second Seal ~ War (Natural and Spiritual)
Matt 24:6-7 ~ Wars and rumors of wars
Third Seal ~ Famine (Natural and Spiritual)
Matt 24:7 ~ And there shall be famines
Fourth Seal ~ Death (Natural and Spiritual)
Matt 24:7 ~ and pestilences
Fifth Seal ~ Jewish Martyrs
Matt 24:9 ~ Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you
Sixth Seal ~ The Great Tribulation Period & Judgment on Jerusalem begins
Matt 24:15 ~ When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation
Seventh Seal ~ Silence in Heaven – The Coming of the Lord (Rapture)
Matt 24:28 ~ Wheresoever the carcasse is, there will the eagles be gathered.
131
133. Chapter 4
Chapter Focus
John was given a vision.
There was only one who sat on the throne and
it is Jesus. ―ONE THRONE‖
The 24 elders cast their crowns before Jesus'
feet.
Seven lamps are the 7 spirits of God / 7
angels.
Jesus is worthy to receive glory, honor and
power.
Jesus created all things
133
134. FOUR LIVING
CREATURES
• Rev 4:7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second
beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and
the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
• Rev 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings
about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not
day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty,
which was, and is, and is to come.
135. FOCUS!
Remember!
• THEY WORSHIPPED JESUS
CHRIST
• Rev 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them
six wings about him; and they were full of eyes
within: and they rest not day and night, saying,
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which
was, and is, and is to come.
• Rev 4:9 And when those beasts give glory and
honour and thanks to him that sat on the
throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
135
139. Chapter 5 Focus
John saw a book sealed with seven seals.
The Lamb (Jesus) is the only one worthy to
open the book.
Opening this book looses the seven seals.
The Lamb (Jesus) is in the midst of the throne.
The Lamb (Jesus) takes the book.
The golden vials (7 vials/7 last plagues/wrath
of God) are filled with the prayers of the
saints.
We will reign on the earth with Christ.
Jesus liveth for ever and ever.
139
141. Why is the world the way it is?
Why can’t we have more love and peace
among nations and churches to make the
world a better place?
You’ll find the
answer to that
in the Bible, beginning with
Revelation chapter 6, about
the four horsemen of the
Apocalypse.
142. In Revelation Chapter 6, Jesus opens
the book of the future, the book of
prophecy, which is sealed with seven
seals…
… and shows the
apostle John the
future of the world
from that time
(about 90 AD) to
the Last Days (the
time in which we
are now living)
and beyond.
143. The Sealed Book - Scroll
What is a seal? A seal was a tab made from hot
candle wax used to seal up a letter or document
until it was delivered to the rightful person. When
the intended reader received the document or
letter which was sealed with the wax, the recipient
would break the seal and reveal what was written,
either to himself or to his authorized audience.
Regarding the Book (a.k.a. scroll or roll) that was
closed and sealed with seven seals, Jesus was
the only one found worthy to break or loose the
seals and reveal the contents of what was written
within.
143
144. The Sealed Book - Scroll
The Holy Spirit is a Seal and a seal signifies a
finished work. The saints of all Seven Ages are
sealed into Christ by the Holy Spirit.
Writing to the Ephesians (Eph. 1:13-14), Paul
said--"Ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of
promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance
until the redemption of the purchased
possession." Then there is a possession that is
to be redeemed. What this is, Paul tells us in
Romans 8:22-23, "We know that the whole
creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together
until now. And not only they (all earthly created
things), but ourselves also..."
144
145. The Sealed Book - Scroll
This roll is a legal document after the ancient form and
custom (See Jeremiah 32:6-15). Jesus has the part of
the near kinsman (Leviticus 25:49) and ours is the part of
the one having lost his inheritance. The Redeemer must
be both worthy, willing and able to loose the seals, reveal
the contents, clear the title and restore the inheritance to
its lawful heirs.
Jesus is qualified and competent. He is willing (―I lay my
life down…‖) He is worthy because He is the sinless
Lamb once slain. He is able being the Lion of Judah.
(Revelation4:9-10)
Thus this whole scene in Revelation 5 is a scene of
Jesus fulfilling the part of Kinsman Redeemer.
145
146. The Sealed Book - Scroll
The sealed book is obviously the book of
redemption, which lists all that he intends to
redeem or buy back. The ceremony is a solemn
and formal occasion that consummates the right
of redemption. It is performed before the elders
of Israel‘s twelve tribes and the elders of
Christendom‘s twelve Apostles.
The opening of the seals reveals the plan of
salvation for each age or era of the Christian
church; what spiritual battles were fought, how
the elect lived, died and ultimately overcame.
146
147. The Sealed Book - Scroll
With the taking of the scroll, Christ has been
committed the lordship over the world (1 Peter
3:22; Philippians 2:9-11). What the Devil
pretentiously offered to Jesus is now rightfully
assumed (Matthew 4:8).
The scroll and the finalization of the redemptive
process would thus signify the rightful transfer of
dominion back to Christ – ―the kingdoms of this
world are become the kingdoms of our Lord…‖
(Revelation 11:15).
147
151. Timeline – 3rd 2000 years
Jesus
Christ
Rapture
The Seven Church Ages
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th
2000 yrs
Lion Calf Man Eagle
1stSeal 2nd 3rd Seal 4th Seal
Four horse riders
The Seven Seals 151
153. THE FIRST
FOUR
SEALS
Which are the
FOUR
HORSEME
N
154. The First Seal
(John writes:)
And I saw when the Lamb
(Jesus) opened one of the
seals, and I heard, as it were
the noise of thunder, one of
THE WHITE
the four beasts saying: “Come
HORSE
and see.” And I saw, and
behold a white horse and He
that sat on him had a bow, and
a crown was given unto Him:
and He went forth conquering,
and to conquer.
Revelation 6:1-2
155. FOCUS
First Seal: White Horse: Deception
Rev 6:1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it
were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
Rev 6:2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a
bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to
conquer.
*NOTE: The rider is the Antichrist..
Jesus Warning: Deception
Mat 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man
deceive you.
Mat 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive
many.
Mat 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Mat 24:24 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.
155
156. First Seal: White Horse: Deception
Rev 6:1-2
All the horse riders of Apocalypse are some manifestation
of Satan. The white horse rider of the First Seal is false
religion. False religion has paralleled true religion, and
counterfeit spiritual leaders have competed with God‘s
leaders, and His own Christ-life and ministry. Satan via the
Serpent, set in motion false religion from the day that he
caused the fall of Eve; he did this by supplanting the
conjugal and pastoral position of Adam. (2 Corinthians 11:
2-4)
Paul spoke of these men, who would come up with strange
doctrines and draw disciples after themselves (Acts 20: 29-
31). This religious movement soon preached another Jesus,
another Gospel, and was under the influence of another
spirit (2 Corinthians 11: 3-4).
156
157. First Seal: White Horse: Deception
Rev 6:3-4
Notice that this rider had a ―bow‖, but he had no ―arrow‖. It
shows that he is a ―bluffer‖. He is a deceiver and a liar.
Notice also that he was ―crowned‖. The ―crowning‖ refers
to the founding of the ―Deeds of the Nicolaitans‖, a
force that brought hybrid doctrines and creeds injected
into the true church of God. ―Nicolaitan‖ is a Greek word
which was coined from ―Nikao‖, meaning to ―conquer‖, and
―Laus‖, meaning the ―laity‖. This was when politics started
to pollute the church and propagated the ―man-over-man
hierarchy‖, perverted men (grievous wolves in sheep‘s
clothing) invading the church of God by teaching ―man-
made creeds and dogmas‖ (Rev 2:8, 15).
157
158. First Seal: White Horse: Deception
Rev 6:1-2
From the very beginning this antichrist power existed
parallel to the true Church of Jesus Christ. It started as
a very insignificant doctrine of the Nicolaitans (Revelation
2: 6). John referred to this branch as he wrote, "They
went out from us, but they were not of us …" (1 Jn. 2: 19).
Those who seemed to be believers were deceived by the
enemy after they were separated from the biblical church
and went astray.
Later they became prey to the teachings of Balaam
(Revelation 2: 14), which brought spiritual death, and
finally suffered the woman Jezebel who was a false
prophetess (Revelation 2: 20) to be their spiritual leader.
158
159. First Seal: White Horse: Deception
Rev 6:3-4
The whole time frame of the First Seal refers to the
ensuing ministry of Apostle PAUL when he started
ministering unto the Gentiles, which then started the
Ephesian Church Age. The WHITE HORSE
RIDER is none other than the ANTICHRIST spirit,
bringing an impersonation of the Truth, trying to deceive
the elect
if it were possible. This evil force of the White Horse
Rider was countered by the LION Spirit from God.
―Lion‖, which was the First Beast of God which
announced the opening of the First Seal, signifying
―BOLDNESS of the preaching of the Gospel‖.
The first seal covers about the space of the first three
church ages (33-606 AD – Ephesus, Smyrna and
Pergamos).
159
160. The Second Seal
And when He had opened the
second seal, I heard the second
beast say, “Come and see.” And
THE RED
there went out another horse that
was red: and power was given to
HORSE
him that sat thereon to take peace
from the earth, and that they
should kill one another; and there
was given unto him a great sword.
Revelation 6:3-4
161. What takes “peace from the earth”?
This red horse symbolizes war, and religious bloodshed.
War!
The horse’s color, red, is appropriate because
it represents all the blood shed in man’s hellish
wars – particularly during the times of Roman
and Roman Catholic persecution of the Church
– 65 million plus.
“From whence come wars and
fightings among you? Come they not
hence, even of your lusts that war in
your members?”
JAMES 4:1
162. Second Seal; Red Horse: Wars
Rev 6:3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the
second beast say, Come and see.
Rev 6:4 And there went out another horse that was red: and
power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the
earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given
unto him a great sword.
*NOTE: The rider is the false prophet.
Jesus Warning: Wars
Mat 24:6 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.
Mat 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against
kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and
earthquakes, in divers places.
162
163. Second Seal: Red Horse: War
Rev 6:3-4
The first seal resulted in the divisions that we saw
come out of the Councils of the fourth and fifth
century. The Council of Nicaea in 325 AD altered
the structure of the Godhead and introduced the
Trinitarian concept of three Gods in one. Eventually,
through a subtle process, the Babylonian system
established itself and through the Roman Catholic
entity took over the planet.
John now sees a red horse.
The time of the peaceful co-existence of these two
movements (true church and false church) was now over
forever.
163
164. Second Seal: Red Horse: War
Rev 6:3-4
‖RED‖ Horse symbolizes persecution and tribulation
leading to the Holy Inquisition of Rome. It was the time
when the Roman Church began to persecute the
Christians. Millions of Christians were burnt at the
stake, fed to the lions, and tortured to death by the
Roman Catholic Church, which even included Joan of
Arc and St. Patrick.
As recorded in history, from the time of St. Augustine in
300 AD until AD 1850, 68 million Protestants have
been killed by the Roman Catholic Church.
The Nicolaitan system moved on through this age, from
doctrine to deed.
164
165. Second Seal: Red Horse: War
Rev 6:3-4
The false church said, ―It takes a special education to
read and understand the Word. Why even Peter said
that many things Paul wrote were hard to understand.‖
Having taken away the Word from the people, it soon
came to the people listening only by what the priest
had to say, and doing what he told them. They took
over the minds and lives of the people and made them
the servants of a despotic priesthood.
Those who fought this terrible anti-Christ church
were destroyed.
165
167. The following chapter taken
from Foxe's Christian Martyrs
of the World describes the
martyrdom of God's faithful
servant, Dr. Rowland Taylor:
“Taylor kneeled down and
prayed, and a poor woman
that was among the people
came close and prayed with
him; but they thrust her
away, and threatened to
tread her down with horses.
In spite of this, she would not
go away, but remained and
prayed with him. When he
had prayed, he went to the
stake, and set himself into a
pitch-barrel, which they had
prepared for him to stand in,
and so stood with his back
upright against the stake,
FOXES BOOK of MARTYRS - CHAPTER XXIII with his hands folded
together, and his eyes toward
ENGLAND DURING THE REIGN OF QUEEN MARY
heaven.”
MARTYRDOM OF DR. ROWLAND TAYLOR (1554)
167
168. Second Seal: Red Horse: War
Rev 6:3-4
The ‗great sword‘ was epitomized by a 10-year bloody
slaughter of 200,000 by Emperor Diocletian around
304 AD, which had been prophesied in Revelation
2:10 ―ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou
faithful unto death.‖
The result of war was pestilence because of the
dislocations in society; pestilence begat famine, hence
the third seal opened.
These seals are ongoing and they develop, war to
pestilence, to famine and then to death. The second
seal falls into the time when people were forced to
accept the Catholic state-religion and extended right
into the Dark Ages.
168
169. Second Seal: Red Horse: War
Rev 6:3-4
While Satan (through the Roman Church) was
destroying the Christians during the Smyrnean,
Pergamean and Thyaterian ages, his evil power was then
counteracted by God‘s higher standard – God‘s second
BEAST, the CALF – which is the spirit of a ―beast
of burden, a beast of sacrifice‖.
The saints during this time willingly gave their lives for the
Gospel no matter what the cost. It was given to the
Christians in this age that they should bear the ‗OX‖
spirit, to bear the ―burden of sacrifice‖ till death.
Though they were persecuted, tortured, burned at stake,
fed to lions, they still were so courageous and were
faithful until death.
169
170. The Third Seal
And when He had opened the third
seal, I heard the third beast say,
“Come and see.” And I beheld, and lo
a black horse, and he that sat on him
THE BLACK
had a pair of balances in his hand. And
HORSE
I heard a voice in the midst of the four
beasts say, “A measure of
wheat for a penny; and three
measures of barley for a penny; and
see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.”
Revelations 6:5-6
171. Third Seal; Black Horse: Famines
Rev 6:5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the
third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black
horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his
hand.
Rev 6:6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts
say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of
barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the
wine.
Jesus Warning: Famines
Mat 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom
against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences,
and earthquakes, in divers places.
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