Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13

Thyatira pt. #3 - Exploring Revelation
Jun 3rd, 2020
Exploring RevelationArt Sadlier
Categories: Commentary;Prophecy;Book Study

Last week we stated that there is a parallel between the fourth Church, Thyatira and the fourth parable of Mat. 13:

Another parable spake He unto them: The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, 'til the whole was leavened. Mt.13:33. The woman is Jezebal and the leaven, according to Mt. 16: 6,11,12, is the evil of false doctrine. the evil of false doctrine secretly (sown) hidden, finally corrupted the whole loaf (church).

At Thyatira, Jezebel was confronted concerning her errors at the reformation and did not repent. "And I gave her space to repent of her fornication, and she repented not." Rev. 2:21.

Rome was confronted concerning her errors at the reformation and did not repent. Rome never changes, protestants that return to Rome will ultimately do so on Rome's terms.

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." Judgment is pronounced on all who follow this system of religious formication.

"The Great Tribulation," this is the great tribulation spoken of by Jesus in Mt. 24:21 This is the great tribulation which follows the rapture ot the true church and precedes our Lord's Return to the earth in power and great glory.

The Church of Thyatira (Rome) will continue to exist on the earth until the end of the age. It will not take part in the rapture, but will go into the Great Tribulation period.

"And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am He which searcheth the reins and hearts: And I will give unto everyone of you according to your works." Rev. 2:23. Jezebel in the Old Testment suffered a horrible death, she was cast out of an upper window and her body was eaten by dogs.

"Her children", the long time descendants of the children of Thyatira are described as, "her children." So the unrepentant children of Thyatira will die in the Great Tribulation. We read about that in Rev. 17:16, 17.

John is talking here about the Great Harlot Church of the tribulation period, the church of Rome that will swallow up all that is unregenerate of Sardis and Laodicea at the time of the rapture. Then, there will not only be a World Government in the form of the Revived Roman Empire, but a World Church in the form of a Revived Roman Church.

Rev.2:24, "as many as have not this doctrine." Our Lord is addressing those who have not been deceived by Rome's false doctrines. Those who were in Thyatira in its early days. Those true believers who were in Thyatira in the Dark Ages when it seemed there was no other church to go to. Finally, those believers who have today and in recent years, seen Rome's error and have come out of her.

He is saying, the true believers must have no part of Rome and her doctrines. These he encourages, "which have not known the depths of Satan," that's God's description of Rome's doctrine and practice.

"But that which ye have hold fast 'til I come." vs. 25. In recent years many have been saved and have come out of Rome. He is saying, "I am coming again and I will take you to be with me when I come."

"Hold fast 'til I come," This is the first explicit reference in the letters to the churches of The Return of Christ.

The first three churches do not survive until the time of the rapture, they just pass off the scene, but Thyatira as a church will survive in an apostate state and go into the tribulation period. Only those who repent of her sin and false doctrine will be raptured.

Now the message shifts to Christ's Second Coming. "He that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:" vs.26, compare with Rev.20:4.

"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. 2:27. Christ will judge the nations at His return, He will be Lord of All.

In vs.28, Christ's presence is the gift to His people.

In vs.29, Listen up! The Coming of Christ is near at hand, it is near even at the very doors.

There was a father whose business took him away from home for months at a time. One day as he was leaving his little son asked him, "Daddy, when are you coming home?" The little fellow couldn't understand dates, so His Daddy said, "When you see the green leaves on the trees turning yellow and brown and red,you'll know I am coming soon."

Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, then gradually the littlle fellow saw the green leaves turning yellow and red and brown. Each day his excitement and happiness grew, he knew his daddy's return was drawing near.

Read Luke 21:28-32, Jesus said,"No man knoweth the day or the hour." But He also told us that we can discern the signs and know when His Coming is near.

I know not in what watch He comes, or at what hour He may appear, Whether at midnight or at morn, or in what season of the year; I only know that He is near!

The centuries have gone and come, Dark centuries of absence drear, I dare not chide the long delay, Nor ask when I His voice shall hear; I only know that He is near.

I do not think it can be long, 'til in His Glory He appear; And yet I dare not name the day, Nor fix the solemn advent year; I only know that He is near!

I Have a Message from God Unto Thee - Judges 3:20
Jun 3rd, 2020
Morning MeditationF. B. Meyer
Categories: Meditation;Inspirational;Book Study

God's Messages are often secret. - When Eglon was assured that Ehud had brought a Divine message, which could only be delivered in secret, "a secret errand" (Judges 3:19), he fearlessly bade all his retinue go forth from the audience chamber. And in utter loneliness the one passed to the other the message of death. So there are crises in our lives when God's messengers bring us the secret message, in which none can intrude or interfere.

God's Messages must be received with revererence. - When Ehud said, "I have a message for thee," Eglon rose out of his seat. This was a mark of respect, the attitude of attention. It is with similar awe that we should ever wait for the revelation of the Divine will. "What saith my Lord unto His servant?"

God's Messages leap out from unexpected quarters. - Ehud was left-handed; his was therefore on his right side, and he appeared unarmed. No one dreamed of looking for his , except on his left side; he was therefore allowed to pass unchallenged into the presence of the king. So Nathan strode into David's presence, who thought his sin was undiscovered, and said, "Thou art the man." Cultivate this surprise with sinners.

God's Messages are sharp as a two-edged , and cause death. - A scimitar is sharp at the edge, and blunt at the back to strike; whilst a two-edged is made to pierce. God's Word pierces as a two-edged to the dividing of soul and spirit in the recesses of the being, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. When the Eglon of self has received its death-wound, the glad trumpet of freedom is blown on the hills.