Archive for the Revelation Category

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Revelation: Laodicea, Buy Refined Gold

Posted in Prophecy, Revelation with tags , , , , , , on February 12, 2018 by paulthepoke

Revelation 3:18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich…

Jesus is going to address the church at Laodicea on their terms and their self-perceived strengths. The believers at Laodicea offer humanism or an earthly solution. Jesus offers a heavenly solution.

Locally, the folks in Laodicea had a very extensive and wealthy banking system. The city minted its own coins. The coins had the likeness of Zeus, Apollo, and Aesculpius. They placed their trust in material wealth with the pictures of Greek gods stamped on their currency.

Christ is offering gold refined by fire. He is giving a little advice to the church. In order to obtain the gold, members are going to purchase with their earthly possessions and riches. The church at Laodicea is no different than the rich man who encountered Jesus earlier in His ministry.

Luke 18:22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

The gold Christ is offering has been purified by fire. The impurities or dross have been removed from the gold. Dross is an Old English word that means the scum produced when smelting metals. Dross is impure. Dross is removed from precious metals such as gold by the process of smelting with intense heat and fire.

Wickedness and sin are equated with dross in the following verses.

Proverbs 26:23 Like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross are burning lips and a wicked heart.

Psalm 119:119a, You have removed all the wicked of the earth like dross…

 

The lake of fire is the eternal destination of people who are not written in the book of life. Their sins have not been paid or taken away. They are impure like dross. Eternal fire and smelting will never remove the impurity of sin from humanity. An eternity of fire and Hell cannot cleanse sin from humanity.

Revelation 20:14-15 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Only the blood of Christ can wash away humanity’s dross and impurities. Christ’s shed blood is more powerful and cleanses better than fire. He is the one who purifies and refines. He removes the scum and the dregs.

1 John 1:7b …and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Titus 2:14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

Make a choice. What is it going to be? True wealth does not come from earthly, material possessions.

Luke 16:13 “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” -Jesus

 

Rapture Promo

Available in ebook and paperback at Amazon.com

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Rapture+Bride+Redeemed

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/731160

Also available online at Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, and Inktera

Leave a comment »

Revelation: Laodicea…Pathetic

Posted in Prophecy, Revelation with tags , , , , , , , on February 3, 2018 by paulthepoke

Revelation 3:17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

It is contrast time. And Jesus Christ is the One making the observations. On one hand we have the church at Laodicea and their self-perception. On the other hand, we have Jesus and His views on the local church. We are about to find out, these two views are 180 degrees out of phase. This post will be a contrast in vision (pun intended to the local church).

Like the church at Sardis, the believers in Laodicea had a lofty view of themselves. The church proclaimed to be rich, prosperous, and without need.

Rich… πλούσιος/plousios: noun; wealthy and abounding in.

Prospered… πλουτέω/plouteó: verb; to become rich, am rich, abound in.

Need nothing…

“We are rich and getting richer! Buzz off, we don’t you or anything else!”

All of Christ’s observations hit the Laodicean church at their self-perceived strengths. Jesus makes the implication these folks are so sure of themselves. And He states they have no sense of awareness. Here’s how Jesus describes the church at Laodicea.

Not realizing… οἶδα/eidó: know, remember, or appreciate. There is also a literal and metaphorical sense of vision associated with the verb. Jesus is taking a shot at their medical and vision schools. Christ is telling them, “You don’t know and you can’t even see it.”

Wretched… ταλαίπωρος/talaipóros: afflicted, miserable.

Pitiable… ἐλεεινός/eleeinos: merciful, pitiful, miserable.

Poor… πτωχός/ptóchos: destitute. The church was like the homeless beggar standing on the street corner.

Blind… τυφλός/tuphlos: physically and/or mentally blind.

Naked… γυμνός/gumnos:  rarely stark-naked; generally wearing only the under-garment; bare, open, manifest. The best-case scenario, the church was standing at the town square in their underwear only.

The local body had no idea how desperately awful they appear to Christ. The church at Laodicea believed in the safety of their wealth. God’s word spells their outcome and offers some advice. Place your trust in the correct source of security.

Proverbs 11:28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like the green leaf.

Psalm 52:7 Behold, the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and was strong in his evil desire.

1 Timothy 6:17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.

 

Leave a comment »

Revelation: Laodicea, Do Something!!!

Posted in Prophecy, Revelation, Trend Update with tags , , , , , on January 27, 2018 by paulthepoke

Revelation 3:14 And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.

Jesus is explaining to the church at Laodicea He is talking to them. And He is defining aspects of His character. These are the words of the…

Amen…ἀμήν: verily, truly, so let it be.

Faithful…πιστός: trustworthy, believing.

True… ἀληθινός: real, genuine, literally made of truth as a source.

He is not just faithful and true, He is “the” witness. There is a Greek definite article in front of “witness”. A definite article is a point of emphasis. He is “the” One.

the beginning of God’s creation.

Jesus Christ is the “beginning” or the ἀρχή/arché. He is “the” beginning in a sense of time. He is “the” preeminent ruler. He ranks first. He is “the” chief. He is in charge of God’s creation.

Jesus is talking and this is what He has to say.

 

Revelation 3:15 I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!

This is a plea from Christ. Do something! Show some passion for the cause of the church. How about some zeal! Jesus would even be okay if you were against Him. At least be cold hearted. Get off your butt and get in the game! Come on!

 

Revelation 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

The church is described as “lukewarm” or χλιαρός/chliaros. The word can also be translated as tepid.

I will spit you out of my mouth.

This is a classic example of where the translators do us no favor. Jesus is not going to “spit”. This is the Greek word ἐμέω/emeó.

In today’s vernacular, “I will vomit…”

The Lord has a bad taste in His mouth.

Definitions provided by Strong’s Concordance.

 

Leave a comment »

Revelation: Historical Laodicea

Posted in Prophecy, Revelation with tags , , , , , , , on January 21, 2018 by paulthepoke

Revelation 3:14a…And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

The church at Laodicea is the last and seventh church in the book of Revelation.

The church at Laodicea is mentioned a couple of times in the book of Colossians.

Colossians 2:1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face…

Colossians 4:15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.

Located in the region of Phrygia, the city was named after the wife of Antiochus II. Her name was Laodice. The city was located approximately 40 miles east of Ephesus. Laodicea was located on the Lycus River near Colossae.

Laodicea was very wealthy due to its position on trade routes. The city was a prominent textile producer. It was world famous for its black wool. (Holman Bible Dictionary).

Banking and commerce played a key role in Laodicea. The city minted its own coins. The coins had the likeness of Zeus, Apollo, and Aesculpius.

Aesculpius was the god of medicine. The name Aesculpius is where we get the term “scalpel”. Surgery is a reminder of Aesculpius. Granted, Pergamum was the medical center of the ancient world. The worship of the medicine god Aesculpius took place throughout this region of modern day Turkey.

The temple of Men Karou was located near Laodicea. This was a famous medical school. Phrygian powder was a medicine for the eyes that was produced locally.

With their wealth, the city acquired an extensive art collection, monuments, and the finest literature.

In 60 AD, a massive earthquake nearly destroyed the city. Due to the immense wealth of Laodicea, the populous refused aid from Rome. They reconstructed at their own expense.

http://classic.net.bible.org/dictionary.php?word=Laodicea

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laodicea_on_the_Lycus

 

The people of Laodicea relied on nobody but themselves. They believed material wealth and money solved their problems. They had the best medical care in the known world. They had the finest clothes. They were well educated. They had access to whatever they wanted due to their location on trade routes. They were the source for all they needed.

Laodicea is the only church that is NOT commended by Jesus Christ.

 

Rapture compressedhttps://www.smashwords.com/books/view/731160

Available in ebook and paperback at Amazon.com

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Rapture+Bride+Redeemed

Also available online at Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, and Inktera

Leave a comment »

Revelation: Philadelphia, The New Jerusalem

Posted in Prophecy, Revelation with tags , , , , on January 14, 2018 by paulthepoke

Revelation 3:12c…and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven…

The name of the city is The New Jerusalem.

It is “the” New Jerusalem. There is a Greek definite article in front of “New Jerusalem”. The text literally reads… “the New Jerusalem” in the original Greek. The koine Greek of the New Testament has no indefinite article like we do in English. There are no “a” or “an” in the language. A definite article is a point of emphasis.

At least three times in the book of Revelation, the text refers to the city of New Jerusalem as descending from Heaven. The first is noted in the verse above. Two other references are indicated in Revelation 21, the definitive chapter on the description of New Jerusalem. See Revelation 22 for additional information regarding New Jerusalem. Jesus says the city is a gift from God. The city is a pure, beautiful, stunning bride. This is our eternal home.

Revelation 21:2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Revelation 21:10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God…

 

Galatians 4:26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.

The heavenly Jerusalem is called “free” or ἐλεύθερος/eleutheros in Greek. The comparison is to a slave in Galatians 4:25. Strong’s Concordance defines the term as unshackled or unbound. New Jerusalem is liberated and delivered from obligation.

 

Revelation 3:12d…and my own new name.

Jesus has a name change coming. Christ will have a different name, and it is personal.

Revelation 19:12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself.

And that name will be written on the believer as well.

 

Please listen. Seven times in Revelation, Christ appeals to the churches to listen. This is the sixth time Jesus calls on all the churches to listen. He will appeal once more to the churches collectively to listen. One way or another, we are all running out of time.

Revelation 3:13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

 

Rapture compressedhttps://www.smashwords.com/books/view/731160

Available in ebook and paperback at Amazon.com

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Rapture+Bride+Redeemed

Also available online at Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, and Inktera

Leave a comment »

Revelation: Philadelphia, His Name is Yahweh

Posted in Prophecy, Revelation with tags , , , , , , , , , on January 6, 2018 by paulthepoke

Revelation 3:12b …And I will write on him the name of my God…

Jesus will write on the believer the name of His God. His name is Yahweh.

The topic of God’s name has been addressed previously to the church at Sardis. God takes the time to repeat the concept of His name to the church at Philadelphia. It bears repeating.

YHWH (scholars refer to this as the Tetragrammaton, Greek for four letters) is the proper name of the Hebrew God of the Bible. The correct spelling is YHWH. Note there are no vowels in this term. Vowels from the name Adonai were substituted and the term Yahweh emerged. Jehovah is a word that has been translated to English from the Hebrew, Yahweh. The name for LORD is Jehovah. It means the existing one. This name is so sacred, Jews refuse to pronounce it. The name is first introduced in Exodus 3:14 when Moses and God are having a discussion. His name is a statement of existence.

Exodus 3:14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

If one is looking for proof that God created or God exists, you are wasting your time. It is assumed. God is eternal and self-existent. God always has been and always will be. God was before the creation.

 

Not only does Jesus write the name of Yahweh on the believer, the believer is sealed with the Spirit of God. There are at least 12 verses in the Bible confirming the work of the Spirit in His people.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put His seal on us and given us His Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

Ephesians 1:13-14 In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory.

All three persons of the triune God are involved: Father, Son, and Spirit. To borrow a line from Stevie Wonder…

Signed, sealed, delivered, I’m yours.

This name is a promise for all eternity. We see this at the end of Revelation in New Jerusalem. These are the closing comments of the Bible.

Revelation 22:4 They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.

 

P1020016

https://www.ebay.com/usr/believe-the-record

3 Comments »

Revelation: Philadelphia, I Am Coming Soon

Posted in Prophecy, Revelation with tags , , , , , , , , on December 30, 2017 by paulthepoke

Revelation 3:11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.

Attention, Jesus speaking, “I am coming soon.” The idea in the Greek is He is coming quickly and with speed.

Hold fast what you have. The focus of the phrase is the verb κρατέω/krateó or “hold fast”. Per Strong’s it means to be strong or mighty; to rule, obtain, master, or prevail.

The reward is the crown. Grab and hold onto it with all the gusto you have. It is yours. Christ has given it to you. Own the crown.

Caution, don’t get too attached. It is not about you.

Revelation 4:10-11 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

 

Revelation 3:12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it…

The one who conquers…As a reminder, there is only one way to conquer. This is the Greek word νικάω/nikaó.  We know the word through sports apparel in the 21st century, Nike. Jesus Christ is the answer. We are victorious and prevail through Him.

1 John 5:4-5 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

 

I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Christ “will make”. In the Greek, this is ποιέω/poieó. This is the word of a carpenter. The carpenter is manufacturing and constructing. Christ is building the Temple. Jesus promises the believer to be a pillar of God’s Temple. The believer is a support and upholds the Temple.

The temple is the ναός/naos in the Greek. This is the Holy of Holies, the sacred edifice or sanctuary itself. Naos is the home of God.

Revelation 11:19a And the temple of God which is in heaven was opened; and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple…

Never shall he go out of it… As a believer in Christ, our position is eternal.

 

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/731160

Also available online at Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, and Inktera

Leave a comment »

Revelation: Philadelphia; Stick With It, A Time Is Coming

Posted in Prophecy, Revelation with tags , , , , on December 18, 2017 by paulthepoke

Revelation 3:10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.

Perseverance…This is the word for “patient endurance”. Perseverance is the Greek word ηυπομονε/hupomone. Per Strong’s Concordance, it means: constancy, endurance; in the New Testament the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith by even the greatest trials and sufferings; patiently and steadfastly enduring.

Patiently waiting is not something we want to hear in the culture of here and now. “Give it to me now! I deserve it!”

But…believers are called to be steadfastly loyal to Christ regardless of what is happening in our lives. It is a commandment from Jesus. The church at Philadelphia obeyed.

 

Perseverance has its reward. Jesus promises believers will be delivered from the hour of trial.

The Greek word for “hour” is ὥρα/hora. Defined by Strong’s Concordance it means: a definite space of time, a season, an hour, the particular time for anything.

A “trial” is πειρασμός/peirasmos in the original language. The word can also be translated as: trial, probation, testing, being tried, temptation, calamity, or affliction.

Earth Night

Christ makes it very clear who is on trial…the whole world, those who dwell on the earth. The concept is stated two times to make the point. The scope of the trial is the totality of the world.

The “world” or οἰκουμένη/oikoumené properly is the land that is being inhabited, the land in a state of habitation, the inhabited world. Put another way, humanity living on the globe of the earth.

If the previous definition is not specific enough, those who dwell on the earth or the γῆ, ge. This is the the physical earth, soil, or land.

 

Look at the world we are living in today. Inhabitants of the planet earth pay attention. There will be a definite, specific time for trial and judgment. It is coming regardless what any of us think or believe.

During His Olivet Discourse, Jesus said in Luke 21:28 “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

 

Buy at Amazon.com in paperback or Kindle below. Click on “Preview” for a free sample of the book.

Rapture compressed

https://read.amazon.com/kp/card?preview=inline&linkCode=kpd&ref_=k4w_oembed_FmM4wLEjlKgkoP&asin=B073Q4Z1RL&tag=kpembed-20

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/731160

Also available online at Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, and Inktera

Leave a comment »

Revelation: Philadelphia, Christ Loves His Bride

Posted in Prophecy, Revelation with tags , , , , , on December 3, 2017 by paulthepoke

Revelation 3:9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.

This is the fourth and last mention of Satan to the churches in Revelation. The church at Smyrna also had their synagogue of Satan.

…the synagogue of Satan…The Greek word for “synagogue” is not the same Greek word used for “church”.

The word for “synagogue” is the transliterated word συναγογε/sunagoge. Two points about this word. One, it is a physical structure or building. Two, it is an assembly of men.

The Greek word for “church” is εκκλεσια/ekklesia. It means: a called out group of Christians; the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth. The church is not a building.

Satan’s synagogue is different than Jesus Christ’s church. They can make the claim, but they are not the real deal.

 

Jesus states two times in the verse. “Behold, I will make…” In the future, Christ is going to take action on these liars. Those of the synagogue of Satan will be forced by Jesus to “come and bow down before your feet”. Satan’s group will be physically present before the church. They will “bow down” or προσκυνέω/proskuneó in the Greek. They will be on their knees in a prostrate position of absolute submission. They will kiss the ground the church treads.

Christ has a reason for bringing Satan’s followers to a point of church worship. It is an educational opportunity. They must γινώσκω/ginóskó. It is time to know, learn, realize, and ascertain.

I have loved you…This is word ἀγαπάω/agapaó. This is God’s unconditional love towards those who chose His Son. God takes pleasure in those who chose Him of their own free will. This love is the nature of God.

(Definitions in study provided by Strong’s Concordance.)

To the synagogue of Satan, you made the wrong choice and followed the wrong person. You will worship those you mocked, abused, and chided.

Jesus Christ loves His bride the church.

 

Buy at Amazon.com in paperback or Kindle below. Click on “Preview” for a free sample of the book.

Rapture compressed

https://read.amazon.com/kp/card?preview=inline&linkCode=kpd&ref_=k4w_oembed_FmM4wLEjlKgkoP&asin=B073Q4Z1RL&tag=kpembed-20

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/731160

Also available online at Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, and Inktera

 

 

Leave a comment »

Revelation: Philadelphia, Keep My Word

Posted in Prophecy, Revelation with tags , , , , , , , on November 26, 2017 by paulthepoke

Revelation 3:8 I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

For those who need a reminder, Jesus “knows”. In this case, the word is οἶδα/oida. Defined by Strong’s, it means to remember or appreciate. Literally, it is to see with our physical eyes. Jesus is literally watching us with His eyes. And by watching, He mentally gets where we are spiritually by our works.

https://paulthepoke.com/2017/07/08/revelation-sardis-god-is-all-knowing/

 

Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. Christ is reminding believers He is ultimately in control. This is a continuation of the concept from Revelation 3:7. This concept has its origins in the Old Testament. Isaiah 22:22 is an example. Jesus is authority. He holds the keys.

I know that you have but little power…The word for “know” in this case is ἔχω/echo in the Greek. It means: to hold or possess.

The church in Philadelphia possessed little power. Little or μικρός/micros is the idea. This is where we get the prefix of a microscope in English.

The Greek word for “power” is δύναμις/dunamis. The word defined: might, force, energy, physical power, or marvelous works. We get the English word “dynamite” from this Greek word.

Christ described His miracles as δύναμις/dunamis.

Matthew 11:20-21 Then He began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes…” -Jesus

Believers in Philadelphia had a little dynamite. We need reminding today. We can pack a punch in Christ’s name.

 

…you have kept my word…The church at Philadelphia watched and guarded His λόγος/logos or word. The Word is synonymous with His name. Jesus Christ is the Word of God.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Believers in Jesus are charged to guard and protect His Word, the Bible.

 

…have not denied my name. The Greek word for “name” is ὄνομα/onoma. Per Strong’s, it can be translated as: name, character, fame, or reputation. The “name” is used for everything which the “name” covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing, remembering, the “name”.

The character and essence of Christ are at stake. He is watching and paying attention to the individual believer. Will you defend and stand up for the character of Jesus?

 

Buy at Amazon.com in paperback or Kindle below. Click on “Preview” for a free sample of the book.

Rapture compressed

https://read.amazon.com/kp/card?preview=inline&linkCode=kpd&ref_=k4w_oembed_FmM4wLEjlKgkoP&asin=B073Q4Z1RL&tag=kpembed-20

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/731160

Also available online at Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, and Inktera

Leave a comment »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »