1. Things to Come The Letters to the Seven Churches Revelation 2-3

2. Observation: what does the text say? Interpretation: what does the text mean? Application: what does the text mean to me? Correlation: what do other sources say about it? Observation: what does the text say? Interpretation: what does the text mean? Application: what does the text mean to me? Correlation: what do other sources say about it?

3. Things to Come Q: What about the Church? Revelation 2-3: The seven churches represent seven varieties of Christian, both true and false The seven churches represent seven varieties of Christian, both true and false The seven churches are represented inside every church---in every age, giving the Word of God direct application to ourselves, to all true (born again) and ‘professing’ (meaning those who are pretending to be) Christians of every age, and with solemn warnings given to both groups The seven churches are represented inside every church---in every age, giving the Word of God direct application to ourselves, to all true (born again) and ‘professing’ (meaning those who are pretending to be) Christians of every age, and with solemn warnings given to both groups

4. Things to Come A study of the messages to the seven churches, and the general trend confirms other Scripture that, instead of progressive improvement and a trend toward righteousness and peace in the church age, it may be expected that the [Church] age will end in failure as symbolized in the church of Laodicea [7 th ]. This is taught expressly in passages describing the growing apostasy in the professing church culminating in apostate Christianity at the time of the great tribulation.

5. Things to Come Simultaneous with this development in the church as a whole there will be fulfillment of the divine plan of God in calling out a true church designed to be a holy bride for the Son of God and a promised translation [rapture] from the earth before the final tragic scenes of the tribulation are enacted.https://bible.org/seriespage/2-letters-ephesus-smyrna-pergamos-and-thyatira

6. Things to Come The seven churches altogether, exhibit every phase of Christian society which would ever be found in the various parts of Christendom, giving comfort, advice, exhortation, warning, and threatening, from which something could be found to suit any possible circumstance of Christ’s people until the end of the Church age The seven churches altogether, exhibit every phase of Christian society which would ever be found in the various parts of Christendom, giving comfort, advice, exhortation, warning, and threatening, from which something could be found to suit any possible circumstance of Christ’s people until the end of the Church age Five of the seven churches are warned to ‘repent’ with specific reasons given---or else they will come under the judgment of Christ Five of the seven churches are warned to ‘repent’ with specific reasons given---or else they will come under the judgment of Christ

7. Things to Come Two of the seven churches are commended, with no warnings given to them, and no call to repent; only confirmation and praise Two of the seven churches are commended, with no warnings given to them, and no call to repent; only confirmation and praise #2 Smyrna---Izmir, Turkey today #2 Smyrna---Izmir, Turkey today #6 Philadelphia---a small nomadic tribe, still in the area of the original city of Philadelphia, in Turkey #6 Philadelphia---a small nomadic tribe, still in the area of the original city of Philadelphia, in Turkey

8. Things to Come Q: Were there only 7 churches in Asia Minor? No 1.It is unlikely that John would have written to 7 churches at random. 2.The geological features of a country and community influence their spiritual development 3.These 7 churches apparently had grown to prominence at the time John was on the Isle of Patmos, and were centers of thought and influence. 4.4 cities were not the most prominent in Asia Minor at that time, although Ephesus, Smyrna and Pergamum were.

9. Things to Come Revelation 2-3: 1.Ephesus (2:1-7) – the Apostolic Period AD 30-100 – the Apostle John; Mary; the church councils.. AD 30-100 – the Apostle John; Mary; the church councils.. Repent or be moved out of your place! Repent or be moved out of your place! The city has moved 7 miles away from the small bay it was built on, as silt filled up the harbor. The city has moved 7 miles away from the small bay it was built on, as silt filled up the harbor. At the end of WWI, the entire Christian population of Ephesus moved to Greece in a population exchange with a Muslim community At the end of WWI, the entire Christian population of Ephesus moved to Greece in a population exchange with a Muslim community

10. Things to Come 2.Smyrna (2:8-11) – the Martyr Period [Izmir, Turkey] AD 100-312 – 10 Roman persecutions until Constantine AD 100-312 – 10 Roman persecutions until Constantine Nero – AD 54-68 (killed Paul and Peter/wife) Nero – AD 54-68 (killed Paul and Peter/wife) Domitian – AD 81-96 (exiled John to Patmos) Domitian – AD 81-96 (exiled John to Patmos) Trajan – AD 98-117 (burned Ignatius at the stake) Trajan – AD 98-117 (burned Ignatius at the stake) Marcus Aurelius – AD 138-161 (burned Polycarp...) Marcus Aurelius – AD 138-161 (burned Polycarp...) Severus – AD 222-235 Severus – AD 222-235 Maximinius – AD 235-288 Maximinius – AD 235-288 Decius – AD 249-251 Decius – AD 249-251 Valerian – AD 253-260 Valerian – AD 253-260 Aurelian – AD 270-275 Aurelian – AD 270-275 Diocletian – AD 284-305 Diocletian – AD 284-305 No call to repent, only to endure affliction & persecution No call to repent, only to endure affliction & persecution

11. Things to Come Revelation 2-3: 1.Ephesus (2:1-7) – the Apostolic Period AD 30-100 – the Apostle John; Mary; the church councils.. AD 30-100 – the Apostle John; Mary; the church councils.. Repent or be moved out of your place! Repent or be moved out of your place! 2.Smyrna (2:8-11) – the Martyr Period [Izmir, Turkey] AD 100-312 – 10 Roman persecutions until Constantine AD 100-312 – 10 Roman persecutions until Constantine No call to repent, only to endure affliction & persecution No call to repent, only to endure affliction & persecution 3.Pergamos (2:12-17) – the Worldly Government Period, with the ‘throne of Satan’ there AD 312-606 [Constantine rises to power, and names Christianity the State Religion] AD 312-606 [Constantine rises to power, and names Christianity the State Religion] Repent or Christ will make war against them! Repent or Christ will make war against them!

12. Things to Come 4.Thyatira (2:18-29) – the Papal Period AD 606 – Tribulation (Pope Gregory, the Catholic Church) AD 606 – Tribulation (Pope Gregory, the Catholic Church) Repent of immorality and idolatry Repent of immorality and idolatry 5.Sardis (3:1-6) – the Reformation Period AD 1520 – Tribulation (the Reformed Church) AD 1520 – Tribulation (the Reformed Church) Wake up and Repent, or I am coming like a thief Wake up and Repent, or I am coming like a thief 6.Philadelphia (3:7-13) – the Missionary Period AD 1750 – Tribulation (the Evangelical, Non- denominational Church) AD 1750 – Tribulation (the Evangelical, Non- denominational Church) “I know your deeds, and give you an open door...I will keep you from the hour which is about to come upon the whole world...hold fast...” “I know your deeds, and give you an open door...I will keep you from the hour which is about to come upon the whole world...hold fast...”

13. Things to Come 7.Laodicea (3:14-22) – the Lukewarm Period Rich, satisfied, and unwilling to be led by Christ, the written Word of God, or by pastoral ministry Rich, satisfied, and unwilling to be led by Christ, the written Word of God, or by pastoral ministry ‘because you are lukewarm, I will spit you out of My mouth...” ‘because you are lukewarm, I will spit you out of My mouth...” AD 1900 – Tribulation (the Liberal, Ecumenical, Unitarian ‘Christian’ Church) AD 1900 – Tribulation (the Liberal, Ecumenical, Unitarian ‘Christian’ Church) Be zealous, and repent! “Behold, I stand at the door and knock...” Be zealous, and repent! “Behold, I stand at the door and knock...” Note: The first three [Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamos] are consecutive; the final four overlap and run concurrently to the end of the Church age, with professing ‘believers’ entering the Tribulation Tim LaHaye, Revelation: Illustrated and Made Plain, pgs. 101-102

15. Things to Come Topics: 1.An introduction to Biblical Interpretation 2.Prophecies of the Present Age a.The Divine Program for the Ages (Daniel) b.The Divine Purpose in the Present Age (Eph. 2:7) c.The Character of the Present Age (Col. 2:24-27) d.The Course of the Present Age (Matthew 13---Israel; and Rev. 2-3---the Church Age, and Seven Churches) e.The Close of the Present Age for the Church & Israel

16. Things to Come e.The Close of the Present Age for the Church (& Israel) There must be a distinction between the ‘last days’ of Israel (the days of her kingdom glory in the earth--- Isaiah 2:1-5, etc.) and the ‘last days’ for the Church, which are days of evil and apostasy (2 Tim. 3:1-5, etc.). There must be a distinction between the ‘last days’ of Israel (the days of her kingdom glory in the earth--- Isaiah 2:1-5, etc.) and the ‘last days’ for the Church, which are days of evil and apostasy (2 Tim. 3:1-5, etc.). Distinction must be made between these two, or we may relegate to the Church that which constitutes closing events for Israel, or vice-versa. Distinction must be made between these two, or we may relegate to the Church that which constitutes closing events for Israel, or vice-versa. Those Scriptures which set forth the last days for the Church give no consideration to political or world conditions---but confine themselves to the Church itself. Those Scriptures which set forth the last days for the Church give no consideration to political or world conditions---but confine themselves to the Church itself.

17. Things to Come 1 Timothy 4:1-2 – Christians will depart from the faith 1 Timothy 4:1-2 – Christians will depart from the faith 2 Timothy 3:1-5 - there will be a manifestation of characteristics which belong to unregenerate mankind, though it is under the profession of ‘a form of godliness’ in the church = pretending, ‘play acting’ or ‘hypocrisy’ 2 Timothy 3:1-5 - there will be a manifestation of characteristics which belong to unregenerate mankind, though it is under the profession of ‘a form of godliness’ in the church = pretending, ‘play acting’ or ‘hypocrisy’ I Corinthians 2:14 - having denied the power of the shed blood of Christ, the pretenders (the unregenerate, those not born again, within the church itself) have no spiritual life and will not inherit heaven I Corinthians 2:14 - having denied the power of the shed blood of Christ, the pretenders (the unregenerate, those not born again, within the church itself) have no spiritual life and will not inherit heaven

18. Things to Come 2 Timothy 4:3-4 – ‘For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled [‘itching ears’], they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires [the emotions, passions, lusts]” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 – ‘For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled [‘itching ears’], they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires [ ἐ πιθυμίας - the emotions, passions, lusts]” James 5:1-8 – the End Time signs are those of luxury, greed, robbery, pleasure, gluttony... James 5:1-8 – the End Time signs are those of luxury, greed, robbery, pleasure, gluttony... 2 Peter 2:1-22; 3:3-6 – adds sensuality, greed, and immorality... 2 Peter 2:1-22; 3:3-6 – adds sensuality, greed, and immorality... Jude 1:1-25 Jude 1:1-25

19. Things to Come The unbelieving, but professing, “church” will deny the following 9 things at the end times :

20. Things to Come 1.The Denial of God (Luke 17:26; 2 Tim. 3:4-5) 2.The Denial of Christ (I John 2:18; 4:3; 2 Peter 2:6) 3.The Denial of Christ’s Return (2 Peter 3:3-4) 4.The Denial of the Christian Faith (1 Tim. 4:1-2; Jude 3) 5.The Denial of Sound Doctrine (2 Tim. 4:3-4) 6.The Denial of a Holy, Separated Life (2 Tim. 3:1-7) 7.The Denial of True Christian Liberty (I Tim. 4:3-4) 8.The Denial of Christian Morals (2 Tim. 3:1-8, 13; Jude 18) 9.The Denial of Christian Authority (2 Tim. 3:4) Pentecost, Things to Come, p. 155

21. Things to Come This coincides with the close of the age, and the state within the Laodicean Church: called ‘an evil age’ 2 Timothy 3:1 “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive [‘bullies’], disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”

22. Things to Come “They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.”

23. Things to Come “He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but whosoever confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13) Here is the way of mercy for a guilty and repenting sinner. He must cease from the habit of covering sin. This is attempted by falsehood, which denies sin; by hypocrisy, which conceals it; by boasting, which justifies it; and by loud profession, which tries to make amends for it. Spurgeon, Faith’s Checkbook, August 16 th

24. Things to Come The Rapture of the Church

25. Things to Come The Rapture a.The Partial Rapture Theory b.The Post-tribulation Rapture Theory c.The Mid-tribulation Rapture Theory d.The Pre-tribulation Rapture Theory

26. Things to Come Q: First, what is meant by the term ‘Second Coming’? A: There are 3 Greek NT words used for the Second Coming of Christ (also called the ‘Second Advent’) 1.Parousia – this is the usual word used to describe the second coming of Christ; used 24 times in the New Testament. The word means ‘near’ or ‘along side of.’ It also means what our English word ‘presence’ means. It has come to mean not only presence, but the act by which the presence is brought about, i.e., by the coming of the individual.

27. Things to Come Q: What are the key passages this word is used in? I Cor. 16:17 – refers to the ‘coming’ of Stephanas 2 Cor. 7:6-7 – “But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus” Phil. 1:26 – Paul’s coming to Philippi 2 Thess. 2:9 – speaking of the lawless one the antichrist, his coming is in accordance with the activity of Satan 2 Peter 3:12 – “Looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, on account of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat. But according to His promise we are looking for a new heavens and a new earth...”

28. Things to Come Q: Is this word used as a reference to the ‘rapture’ of the church? Yes. 1 Cor. 15:23 – “Christ has [been] raised from the dead...after that, those who are Christ’s at His coming...” I Thess. 2:19 – “For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?” I Thess. 4:15 – “For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, and remain until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep”

29. Things to Come I Thess. 5:23 – “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” 2 Thess. 2:1 – “Now we request you brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to Him...” James 5:7-8 – “Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord.” I John 2:28 – “And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming”

30. Things to Come Q: Is this word used to describe the return of Christ to the earth WITH the church? Yes Matt. 24:3, 27, 37, 39 – “ (3) Tell us when these things will be, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?...(27) For just as the lightning comes from the east, and flashes even to the west, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be.... (37) For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah...(39) and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be”

31. Things to Come I Thess. 3:13 – “...so that He may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints” 2 Thess. 2:8 – “And then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming” 2 Peter 1:16 – “For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty” (Matt. 17:5)

32. Things to Come 1. Parousia – used 24 times “The conclusion is inevitable that the same word is used in all these passages in a general and not specific sense. Its contribution to the doctrine [of the coming of Jesus Christ] is to emphasize the bodily presence of Christ” coming back to the earth from heaven.” (Pentecost, p. 157) (Pentecost, p. 157)