2. Combined, what is Christ’s message? “Then Simon Peter…went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen.” (John 20: 6-7)  He is returning for sure and for a body of believers Watching, Waiting and Willing.  “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” (Rev. 1:3)

3. From Resurrection to Rapture  “After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” (Rev. 4:1)  “After this” refers to the removal of the faithful from the world, before the Great Trial.  1) The words church or churches vanish from the text until Rev. 22:16.  2) Bride of Christ appears in chap. 19 as already being with Christ & coming with Him.

4. From Resurrection to Rapture  3) The promise to the Philadelphia church to keep her from the hour of worldwide tribulation pertains to all the faithful in all ages.  4) Same message 1Thess. 4: 16-17  “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”  …

5. Combined Message: Be Ready/Be Holy  The Lord’s loving focus is the coming kingdom so his combined message to the church age is one of notification containing: Forewarning, Exhortation, and Edification  The message is so valuable because it alerts the believer as to the Lord’s expectations.

6. Combined Message: Be Ready/Be Holy  The Letters combined:  Reveal a higher method of evaluation. (Isaiah 55: 8-9)  Condemn a lack of spiritual intimacy.  Point to a natural trend towards spiritual decline. (neglect causes decline)  Show that consequences are a reality.  Make known Christ’s love and concern.  Uncover rich rewards for faithfulness.