3. Church age
Now that God has placed Israel, His witnesses, on hold, He has given a new
group of people this job. The Church has become the “second string”. This
group would be somewhat different than the first team. This group would not
be based on blood-line or genealogy. This group would be on the order of
Abraham. They would become children based on their FAITH!
God, the Holy Spirit would indwell these followers. God, the Son, would be the
Head and they would be his Body. They would represent Him to the
unbelieving world. The world for which He died, and the one He is seeking to
reach.
4. Why the Church?
God had a plan to replace His ”starters” with the reserve team coming off the ’bench”. He is not done
with the starters. He did NOT replace them with the Church. He simply put us in the game and sent
them to the locker room for a period of time.
He will indeed bring them back to the game and they will once again be His starters!
In the meantime, God now has a hands-off approach with His chosen people. He intervenes for them
on His terms, not on theirs.
So, God has called out from the nations, a group of people who have chosen to follow him out of their
free will to do His will and work.
The Baton has been passed from Israel to the Church
Matthew 24
5. The Role of the Church
The Great Commission
When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again
the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the
Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and
ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part
of the earth.
Acts 1: 6-8
7. Mature in Christ Ministries
Babylon Medo-
Persia
Greece Roman
The Cross “cut off”
New Roman
1) The Times of the Gentile
Nation 2) Israel using Daniels 70
weeks
3) The Church Age
Gabriel gives Daniel understanding of 70 weeks
Artaxerxes
446BC Temple 7 year covenant
49 years / 483 years / paused / 3 ½ +3 1/2
The Church Age
2
3
1
8. Revelation Basics
John wrote the message “to the seven churches in Asia” If it is a message mostly detailing with Israel, why is it
not addressed to them?
Jesus both gave the message and is the Message!
The message reveals God’s final dealings with man
As we have stated in other past studies, man is divided into three groups
1) Jews 2) Gentile non-believers 3) Gentile believers
The book of Revelation has massages for all three groups.
The church is addressed in the first 3 chapters. The Church is not directly addressed or even mentioned again
until it is mentioned indirectly as the Bride of Christ at the marriage supper of the Lamb! Why?
Blessings promised to all who read this message. Do you think this might be important?
Key verses Chapter one v7 v 10 v19
9. Keys to understanding the book of Revelation
v. 10 and v. 19 including Isaiah 34 and 61 / Jeremiah 46:10-28
”in the Spirit on the Lord’s day” ”write that which thou hast seen, that which are, and that which is to come
A If the Lord’s day is a Sunday in the year 100AD then…
B If the Lord’s day is SPECIFICALLY that day of Vengeance then…
Things which thou hast seen (past)
Time since John’s call and walk with Jesus
Things which are (present) Things which is to come (future
Things going on that Sunday while on the Island From then until the end
Time of John’s call through the Church
age
John standing in front of Jesus as described in chapter 4/5From chapter 6 to the end
10. Ways to understand the message to the Churches
1) The messages were only to the specific church at the given location for and at that
time.
2) The messages were written to the specific church at the given location and with
understanding that it also applies to all churches that follow even to today. A bit of each
church described sprinkled into every church since.
3) The messages were written to the specific church at the given location and in addition
represents periods of church history and serves as a timeline of the entire church age from
the beginning to the end.
I accept the third understanding as the MAIN interpretation. As we will see as we
progress, it will become clear that proper understanding of the messages as given ARE
NOT only for the specific church at the time John gave the message. I also believe that the
messages are directed at both parts of the Church, the True and the Apostate as we will
see going forward in our study.
11. God’s Timeline for the Church
* Allow for overlapping in time ranges
The Seven Churches of Revelation
Ephesus
~ early Church
Thyatira
~500 - 1000
Pergamum
~300 - 500
Sardis
~ 1000 - 1500
Philadelphia
~1500 - 1900
Laodicea
1900 - Today
Smyrna
~ 100 - 300
From Acts to John / Church during Persecution / Constantine / Catholic growth in power / Holy Roman Empire / Reformation / Modern
12. God’s Assessment of the Church
Think of these less as “letters”
and
MORE like REPORT CARDS
13. MESSAGE TO THE CHURCH OF EPHESUS
• I know thy works… Left thy first Love
• Thy Labor Repent, do the first works
• Thy Patience or I will remove thy candlestick
• Thy can not bear that which are evil
• You tried them which say the are apostles, and are NOT!
• Not fainted
• Hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans (which I also hate)
14. What is the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes and why is it
important?
Two main theories
1) Named after an early Heretic by the name of Nicolaus who taught false doctrine. He apparently was a Greek
convert to Christianity. He unfortunately brought in pagan practices and thoughts. This can be simplified in one
word – Compromise!
2) Represents a word using the root meanings of two greek words in combo to provide the understanding and
meaning. Nikos – to conqueror to subdue and Laos - Laity or Lay People
I accept both interpretation, for both are likely true. The second teaching and attitude that the Apostate church
developed placed power and control in the hands of a few at the top with the goal of gaining control over the
many. To Conquer or Subdue the people. This is definitely an Antichrist concept and a practice! We will soon see
this practice fully introduced into the church as we continue our look into church history!
The Church at Ephesus is praised for NOT tolerating this practice! What 2 things did they need to be able to get this
right?
15. Message to the Church of Smyrna
I know thy works
Thy tribulation
Thy Poverty (but thou art rich)
Fear none of those things which
thou shall suffer
The devil shall cast some of you
in prison that ye may be tried.
Ye shall suffer tribulation 10
days.
Be faithful until death!
I will give you the crown of Life!
The Blasphemy of them that say they are Jews
(but are NOT!)
They are of the synagogue of Satan
16. Message to the Church of Pergamos
I Know thy works and where thou
dwellest.
Even where Satan’s seat is.
Thou holdest fast my name.
Thou hast not denied my faith.
(even in those days wherein my
faithful Antipas was slain and was
among you where Satan dwells.)
Repent, or else I come quickly and
will fight against them with the
sword of my mouth.
I have a few things against you…
Those who hold the doctrine of Balaam.
Who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block to Israel.
To eat things sacrificed to Idols.
To commit fornication
Hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which I HATE!
17. Message to the Church of Thyatira
I know thy works…
Charity
Service
Faith
Patience
Last shall be MORE than the First
Those who have NOT taken to Satan’s
false doctrine, I will put you under no
other burden.
Hold fast until I come, overcome, Keep
my works, and I will give you power over
the nations.
A few things against you…
Allow that women Jezebel, “calls herself a Prophetess”
Teach and seduce to commit fornication
To eat things sacrificed to Idols
I will give her time to repent, she will not
I will kill her children, the Church will know that I am the one who try
the hearts. I will judge everyone according to their works!
18. Last shall be more than the first
The statement prior to this was…
I know thy works, thy Love (Charity), Service, faith, patience.
So, in listed order – Love is FIRST listed and Patience is the LAST listed qualities.
Therefore, the Last or PATIENCE will be MORE THAN the First LOVE.
MEANING – God is saying that during this time He is acknowledging that more in the church would be
display patience than that displays love.
Does this line up with the timeline of recorded History?
19. Message to the Church of Sardis
I know thy works..
Thou have a name that lives but are dead
Be watchful, and strengthen that which remains
I have not found you PERFECT!
Remember that which you received and hold on.
Repent!
Some in Sardis have NOT defiled their garments.
He that overcomes, shall walk with me in White.
They are Worthy!
I will NOT blot out their name. from the book of Life!
I will confess his name before the Father.
20. Summary of the first four Churches
“Say ye are Jews” / “ Moses Seat” Matthew 23
”greatest” Mark 9: 33-37
“first shall be last” Matthew 19: 27-30
“May sit, on thy right and on thy left” Matthew 20: 20-28
Hierarchy/Authority/ Jewish Identity/Power
23. Message to the Church at Philadelphia
I know thy works…
I have set before thee an Open Door
No man can shut it!
Thou hast a little strength and have
Kept my Word!
Have not denied my name
Thou have kept the Word of my patience
I will keep you from the hour of temptation
Hold Fast. No man take thou crown.
I will write upon him the name New Jerusalem
I will make them of the Synagogue of Satan
Which say they are Jews (and are Not!) but do
lie!
I will make them come and worship at thou
feet and to know that I have loved you.
24. Message to the Church of Laodicea
I know thy works…
Thou are neither Hot or Cold!!
Because you are LUKEWARM!
I SPIT YOU OUT!
You say that you are RICH (my opinion – both Spirit/$)
You are increased in Goods (Material wealth)
You think you have no need of nothing (Self sufficient)
Thou are actually WRETCHED (and don’t even know
it)
Thou are miserable
Poor
Blind
Naked
I instruct you to buy of me, gold tried in the fire, that
you may be rich (truly)
I instruct you to buy of me white raiment, that you
may be clothed
I instruct you to buy of me, eyesalve, that you may
anoint thine eyes that you may see.
As many as I LOVE, I REBUKE and CHASEN!
Be Zealous and Repent!
I stand at the Door and Knock!!!
25. Contending for the Faith! Jude 1:3 /1 Peter 3:15
The Bible is clear – False Teachers are among us! They are in the church!! 2 Peter 2:1-3
So, What are we to DO?
1) Recognize them 2 Tim. 2: 14 - 18
2) Correct them 1 Tim. 3: 3 - 5
3) Expose /avoid them 1Tim. 6: 3 - 5
Apologetics – the defense of Christian doctrine and faith
This tends to focus on two separate fronts 1) arguments directed at non-believer’s /critic’s purposed to justify the faith
2) watchdogs in the church to keep false doctrine out (exposing false teachers)
26. Connecting to Dots (Making sense of it All)
The Major issues and faults listed about the first five Churches
Nicolaitanes
Synagogue of
Satan
Satan’s
Seat
Teachings of
Balaam/Jezebel
Replace Jews
Church structure placing Rulers over the people
False Religion/Faith (NOT God’s)
World System of Political power
False Doctrine
Attitude – “we are the new Jew”
Pope/Bishops
Plan of Salvation
Directly connected to State
Infant Baptism/ Idols
Anti-semitism
Many groups/churches fit some of the above, but ONE historically fits ALL of the
criticism!
27. Final Grades for each Church Age
Ephesus
Smyrna
Pergamum
Thyatira
Sardis
Philadelphia
Laodicea
A B C D F
