End-time Warnings to the People of God
Wayne, a servant of God, by the grace of God, and placed into the authority of Jesus Christ.
We will look at the timeless warnings to the people of God given by Jesus Christ through the seven churches of Revelation. Please be prepared to write down the reference scriptures as they provide a deeper understanding when meditated upon.
I will be the words in green. Purple highlights in the scriptures are key words of truth.
Rev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John [Amo 3:7]:
Rev 1:2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
Rev 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos [exiled there by Nero], for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Rev 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
Rev 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What you see, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
Rev 1:19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter [Greek: the same afterward – showing a continuance until the return of Jesus Christ];
To the Church in Ephesus:
Rev 2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things says he that holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
Rev 2:2 I know your works, and your labour, and your patience, and how you can not bear them which are evil [Greek: worthless; injurious: Merriam-Webster: tending to cause injury, (that can be to spiritual health and growth through deeds or practices and/or false doctrines)]: and you have tried [tested; 1Jn 4:1] them which say they are apostles [Greek: a delegate; specifically an ambassador of the Gospel], and are not, and have found them liars:
The following are warnings that Christ gave during His ministry:
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Do a search on what is the most common material used in suits, and consider this: what might God find more pleasing in His sight, he who comes before Him in a suit, or he who gives the price of that suit to the poor?
Mat 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Have you ever wondered why the Lord Jesus Christ made the following statement about those called to the first resurrection?
Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. [Greek: chosen; God’s people].
Those that are chosen from among the called are those who obey God rather than men (Act 5:29), false Christs saying they are of Christ and false prophets teaching doctrines that our Lord did not teach.
More examples of the elect:
Mar 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce [Greek: meaning to lead astray from truth], if it were possible, even the elect [the chosen of the called].
Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
Referring to what would otherwise be mutually assured destruction from nuclear weapons.
Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Now to drive home the word "elect" connected to God’s people:
Col 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Col 3:13 Forbearing one another [Eph 4:2], and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do you.
God’s elect understand and follow our Lord’s teachings: show mercy to obtain mercy and grant forgiveness to receive forgiveness.
Now continuing with Rev 2:
Rev 2:3 And have borne [Greek: endured; 2Ti 2:3], and have patience, and for my name's sake has laboured, and have not fainted [become tired or given up].
Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against you, because you have left your first love.
Would that not be the love of the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth – not willing to compromise [Joh 17:17; Eph 4:15; 2Th 2:10; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jn 3:18; 2Jn1:1].
Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto you quickly, and will remove your candlestick out of his place, except you repent.
The first works were a willingness to come out of the practices and wealth of the world and to live by every word of God (2Co 6:17; Rev 18:4; Pro 30:5; Luk 4:4;).
Continuing:
Rev 2:6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans [Greek: an adherent; a follower of Nicolaus], which I also hate.
What might those deeds have been?
For the answer, we go to the book of acts:
Act 6:5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost [Spirit], and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
We see here Nicolas, in the Greek, meaning victorious over the people – a heretic, was a proselyte (Greek; an arriver or convert from a foreign region) of Antioch (an ancient city of Asia minor) who would have been familiar with Pagan or worldly practices.
So, although having hands laid on him by the apostles for the Gospel of Truth, he was mixing truth with error by having one foot in the truth and the other foot in pagan or worldly practices, or as our Lord puts it – "deeds".
Rev 2:7 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
To the Church in Smyrna:
Rev 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things says the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
Rev 2:9 I know your works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but you are rich) and I know the blasphemy [Greek: vilification; abusing or defaming the word of God; vilify: Merriam-Webster: to lower in estimation or importance the word of God – which of course amounts to compromising with the truth (Num 23:12)] of them which say they are Jews [of Christ - Christ was born of Judah and was therefore considered a Jew], and are not, but are the synagogue [Greek: an assemblage of persons; by analogy, a Christian Church] of Satan.
So we see that an entire assemblage can be brought down by Satan, usually from blasphemy or watering down of doctrine, pouring out from the top or high places (Eph 6:12).
Each and everyone who is called by God is responsible for working out his or her own salvation with trembling and fear (Psa 2:11; Php 2:12). A good start is to embed into your head the words in red – the words of eternal life (Joh 6:68). Continuing:
Rev 2:10 Fear none of those things which you shall suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days: be you faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life [Rev 17:14].
Rev 2:11 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches; He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death [Rev 20:6,14; 21:8].
To the Church in Pergamum:
Rev 2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things says he which has the sharp sword with two edges;
Rev 2:13 I know your works, and where you dwell, even where Satan's seat is: and you hold fast my name, and have not denied my faith [His teachings, His truth], even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwells.
And Satan will dwell among the people of God until he is resisted by holding fast to the truth (1Pe 5:8; Jas 4:7; Joh 8:36).
Continuing in verse 14:
Rev 2:14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam [forsaking the right way or truth of God for gain or honour: 2Pe 2:15; Jud 1:11-16], who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
Rev 2:15 So have you also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans [so you see how this false doctrine of the Nicolaitans was not an isolated issue, nor was it to be isolated to just that time period (Rev 1:19)] , which thing I hate.
Rev 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto you quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Rev 2:17 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows saving he that receives it.
To the Church in Thyatira:
Rev 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things says the Son of God, who has his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
Rev 2:19 I know your works, and charity, and service, and faith, and your patience, and your works; and the last to be more than the first.
Rev 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against you, because you suffer that woman Jezebel [This is the only reference to a Jezebel in the New Testament. So it is most likely a metaphor to describe the same evil spirit that was present in the Jezebel of the Old Testament. You can read about Jezebel and the controlling spirit within her beginning in 1Ki 16:29.] , which calls herself a prophetess [a self-proclaimed female foreteller], to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication [Greek: to act the harlot; which can be literally with unlawful sex or figuratively with idolatry], and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
A key warning here is that an evil spirit, or spirits, (Mrk 16:9; Luk 8:2) tend to be present in those who have exalted themselves with self-proclaiming titles. Then they will attempt to seduce the people God has called to follow them by dangling carrots of truth at the unwitting victims (this is an example of wolves in sheep’s clothing).
Damnable heresies (false doctrines; 1Co 11:19; 2Pe 2:1) are then subtly introduced to the members, and only those close to the teachings of Christ will recognize them. The teachings will often be the direct opposite of what Christ teaches, hence the term anti-Christ.
In regards to eating things sacrificed unto idols, are there any sitting at the tables of the worldly holidays that we know have their roots in idolatry (1Co 10:21)?
Continuing in verse 21:
Rev 2:21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
Rev 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Rev 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searches the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
Rev 2:24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine [adultery; idolatry], and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak [speak to lead you into adultery or idolatry against God; and we should know them depths of Satan and stand against them (Eph 6:11) if we truly life by every word of God, the words spoken through the prophets and the words in red]; I will put upon you no other burden.
Rev 2:25 But that which you have already hold fast till I come.
Rev 2:26 And he that overcomes, and keeps my works [taught by His words] unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Rev 2:27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
Rev 2:28 And I will give him the morning star [the eternal spirit (Heb 9:14; Job 38:7; Rev 22:16-17) given by keeping His word: Php 2:16 and 1Jn 1:1]. .
Rev 2:29 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches.
To the Church in Sardis:
Rev 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things says he that has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know your works, that you have a name that you live, and are dead.
Rev 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found your works perfect before God.
Rev 3:3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard [by the Holy Spirit of God], and hold fast, and repent. If therefore you shall not watch, I will come on you as a thief, and you shall not know what hour I will come upon you.
Rev 3:4 You have a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments [did you notice the word “few”? Does "many are called but few chosen" come to mind (Mat 22:14)]?; and they [the few] shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
Rev 3:5 He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life [implying that it is in the book of life at baptism (Luk 10:20; Php 4:3) but can be blotted out], but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Rev 3:6 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches.
To the Church in Philadelphia:
Rev 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things says he that is holy, he that is true, he that has the key of David [prophetic fulfillment [Psa 132:11; Isa 22:22; Luk 1:27; Jhn 18:37], he that opens, and no man shuts; and shuts, and no man opens;
Rev 3:8 I know your works: behold, I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it: for you have a little strength, and has kept my word, and has not denied my name.
Rev 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews [of Christ, who is King of the Jews (Mat 27:11; Mar 15:2; Luk 23:3)], and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
Rev 3:10 Because you have kept the word of my patience [Rev 14:12], I also will keep you from the hour of temptation, 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 you have [Jesus’ faith; His teachings], that no man take your crown.
Rev 3:12 Him that overcomes 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 comes down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
To the Church in Laodicea:
Rev 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
Rev 3:15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot: I would you were cold or hot.
Rev 3:16 So then because you are lukewarm [hot truth mixed with cold error perhaps?], and neither cold nor hot, I will spue you out of my mouth.
Rev 3:17 Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Rev 3:18 I counsel you to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness do not appear; and anoint your eyes with eyesalve, that you may see.
Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Rev 3:20 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.
Rev 3:21 To him that overcomes 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.
Rev 3:22 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches.
Let us conclude with the wise words given to us from our Lord:
Luk 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting [Merriam-Webster: an over abundant supply], and drunkenness, and cares of this life [worldly practices or deeds not pleasing in His sight], and so that day come upon you unawares.
Luk 21:35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
You see how quickly tribulation can arrive in these last days. Act while there is still time.
Luk 21:36 Watch you therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
I have of course included myself in this watching. Through deep self-examination (1Co 11:28; 2Co 13:5), I have discovered areas where I have fallen short of my reasonable service to our Lord (Rom 12:1).
But I have laid aside and continue with a willing heart to lay aside those things which cause a stumbling block along the path of life (Psa 16:11; 119:35,105). May God bless you with a willing heart to do the same.
Freely I have received, freely I have given.
The peace of God be with you all,
Servanthood
Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.