Revelation Revealed Series

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST [CHAPTER 2]

Revelation Chapter 2 pt 2

The Second Part of Revelation Chapter 2 starting in verse 8.

In the Book of Revelation is the further detail of that Kingdom first revealed in Matthew 13, represented in the parables starting with Him Sowing and the last in His Reaping.

“The things that are”  are things of this 2000 year old Age of Grace and Mercy we now are living at the close of. Wherein God has turned to the Gentile Nations to call out a people for His Name. [Acts 15:14] Compared to “the things after the things that are” at the end of that Age and the end of the times of the Gentiles.

The first Epistle alludes to the end of the Book where the City descends in the concluding work of God, a period consisting of at least 3000 years. [Revelation 22:14,19] Where the Tree of Life is once again offered by Jesus Christ as His. Note: The Garden of God should be distinguished from that Garden of Adam and Eve or the Garden wherein the righteous dwell in Hades awaiting the Resurrection Luke 23:43.

There are clear examples that God has planted another Spiritual Garden and placed within it another Adam and Eve. And there, as in the Garden of Eden, we also find the serpent, satan, now disguised as an Angel of Light, who tempts the Bride of Adam with many subtleties as he did Eve. False prophets, workers of deceitfulness, pretending to open the eyes to the deeper things, and that Bride of course being the Churches of Christ.

The removing of the candlestick is a reference to that ousting from the Garden of Eden, the answering to the sin of the Garden. [2 Corinthians 11]

Nevertheless, there are the faithful worthy individuals that make up the bride of Christ who shall inherit the promises of the Overcomer, that of satan, the World and the flesh. The overcomer must die in the battle. He must die daily to the self-life in all its indulgences, by living daily unto Christ and others. It is the multiplied repetition of small humble and contrite acts, which put another before self, that is much of the battle everyday, and he who fails here, by putting self-pleasing first, is being continually deceived and defeated, having ignored the Works/Words of the Lord.

The promise of the Tree of Life is extended again to the Overcomer, that is to say in Garden of God, the New Jerusalem coming down, for His victorious worthies to dwell within. The cherubim and flaming sword removed for those who dwell therein. [Genesis 3] The threat of living eternally in a state of death was avoided by excluding from the Garden of Eden, the invitation to the Tree of Life insures the eternal state of Glory with no fear of fall or temptation. 

VERSE 8 “These things saith the first and the last…” Jesus Christ declares Himself deity….which was dead, and is alive. He has passed through the state of death, recovered from it, and defeated it [Genesis 3:15] making a way to rescue His from its eternal grip, that is to say in the resurrection.

VERSE 9 Tribulation and poverty implies riches toward God. [Hebrews 10:34,35 Matthew 19:27-29] Pastors all over the earth would have better sheep if they were so conditioned.

VERSE 10 “These are the things that are…” in this dispensation, the deceived by satan, imposter Jew sets themselves against the Christian, and thereby against Christ Jesus. They blaspheme and persecute the Christian, joining forces with satan against Jesus. These are not true to their namesake “Praise unto God” but are hostile to Him. Literally they are Jews, but had they been in God’s sense true Jews, they would/will have joined the Body of Jesus their Christ. The proof of a changing dispensation being seen in Revelation chapter 7 in the sudden and great acceptance of Jews in Jesus as the Jewish Messiah.

Satan the accuser then, as now, tempts Christ’s brethren. The accusation is like Job’s, accused insincerity. Now satan works day and night from the first heaven accusing and tempting Christians, and that to keep them from the crown of life…the FIRST RESURRECTION prize. [Philippians 3:11-14, Revelation 20:4-6, James 1:11] That includes, for the faithful living at that time, their victorious ascension of catching up, into his present territory, and then subsequently his being cast down to the earth 12:12. That is “The hour of the temptation that is about to come upon the whole habitable earth, to tempt the dwellers upon the earth.”  Revelation 3:10.

So the entire earth dwellers are soon to be tempted, upon his expulsion, as the church is in the last 2000 years, in fear of prison and death they worship the Beast and his image and the consequences are horribly high. Comparatively few upon the earth fail to resist and are condemned to hell.

VERSE 11  “He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”  The implication is that those who are overcome stand in risk of the threat of that place; the Lake of Fire. The Second Death denotes the Lake of Fire. [Revelation 20:14] This implication aligns itself with other Scriptures: (Note: we must make way for all Scripture to find and maintain TRUTH) “Fear not them who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul, but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both body and soul in Gehenna.”  With “Whomsoever shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father which is in heaven (resulting in the reward of an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ)…..But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny (him a place with me in my Kingdom) before my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32,33 in verse 28 was the warning of the Father who is able to kill and cast the soul into Gehenna. What is this but to warn the Believer it is better to suffer the worst at the hand of man than to fall under the severe judgment of God for our denial of Him.

The implication of Revelation 3:10 “I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world…” is two fold: One that it is temptation so severe, it is like none before allowed. Two: That had I not kept you, (by escape) it would have been possible some of you would not have withstood and would have suffered the consequences.

WELL THEN, SOME WOULD SAY, THAT IF YOU CONCLUDE AND CONTEND THAT GOD THREATENS BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS WITH THE SECOND DEATH / THE LAKE OF FIRE, THEN YOU MUST NOT BELIEVE IN THE ETERNAL LIFE ASSURANCE ……BUT Scripture says: ”My sheep shall never perish.”  And so it does. (REMEMBER THE SECOND DEATH DOES NOT MEAN SPIRITUAL DEATH-BUT REPRESENTS A PLACE- THE PLACE OF ETERNAL TORMENT, known also as THE LAKE OF FIRE Revelation 20:14)

And so we also embrace the Scripture’s assurance of the Gift of eternal life, but as Scripture can not contradict itself, the Scripture just quoted should rightly be rendered: “I give unto them (my sheep) eternal life, (something different than the overcomer’s crown of life), and they shall not perish for ever.” And so rendered, lends itself to our further understanding.  When the utterances of Scripture are liberated from the Religious mind, then a genuine setting along side for examination may occur, letting moral and spiritual principles freely develop. Truth appears and gives instruction, rest, peace and inspiration FOR OVERCOMING.

Truth is found in granting room for all Scriptures, and comparing Scripture with Scripture. For example: On the one hand, Jesus Christ the Teacher said to His followers: “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom….” But on the other hand, He said to these self-same ones on another occasion, “Fear not them which can kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: fear Him which hath power after he hath killed, to cast into Gehenna; yea I say unto you, Fear Him.”

THE GREAT ASSURANCES OF THE BELIEVERS BEING EXEMPT FROM GEHENNA TAUGHT BY MANY, MAYBE MOST PREACHERS ARE EASIER THAN ACTUAL SCRIPTURE’S TERMS. The seeking Christian who then gives the Scriptures freedom to express both the positive results of overcoming and the true negatives of a Christian being overcome shall then more rightly divide the Scriptures. And put such comparative, mostly rejected, Scriptures in their proper place and context, such as, “The Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an a hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Or another: ”Thou shat not come out thence, till thou hast paid the very last farthing.” Matthew 5:26.

THE LORD’S STATEMENT IS POSITIVE, THAT NO OVERCOMER SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE SECOND DEATH. HE DID NOT SAY THAT EVERY CHRISTIAN WHO IS OVERCOME WILL BE CAST INTO GEHENNA. NEVERTHELESS, the possibility for an overcome born-again Believer to be consigned to the Second Death is the Scriptural reality. For him not to remain/perish there eternally is also a Scriptural reality.

VERSE 12  “…..These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges…” Two edges…one for His enemies and one as a warning for His own to fear God.

VERSE 13: The epistle introduces satan’s seat, where satan dwelleth.  He is not in hell. He is the prince of the power of the air according to Scripture. His place is in the heavenly realm, moving back and forth from the first heaven above the earth to the earth at his will, where he has a dwelling place (similar as God had both an Heavenly and earthly abode and as a roaring lion he seeks out his prey. [1Peter 5:8, Ephesians 2:2 6:12] He has his own throne. The Church is not charged with overcoming his throne or his present position as god of this World. They are to overcome in it and help others to do so. To not deny Christ in the face of death, brings glory and honor to God, and is to be at once an Overcomer. Such was Antipas.

VERSES 14-16 DOCTRINES OF BALAAM THE FALSE PROPHET OF OLD, NICOLAITANS, or DOCTRINES OF DEMONS….None are to be tolerated.

There is ground of difference by which Jesus Christ judges between sound and unsound or guilty, that is; the unsound held to false doctrine, and those who held not to their false teachings. The Lord is also reproving FOR NOT CASTING THEM OUT OF THEIR MIDST. Some would ask, “To what extent of disagreement are we to put out from communion with us? Is there no difference of opinion to be tolerated? Yes, many different important differences are to be met with forbearing, understanding and brotherly love. [Romans chapters 14 and 15] But no forbearance is allowed for:

1. An anti-Christ doctrine, that of the denial of His supernatural birth in incarnation, life, death and resurrection. [2nd John 7, 1 John4]
2. Those who would hold to the practice of immorality. [1 Corinthians 5] These are seen here as evils un-judged. And as the Old Covenant Priest bore the Sword of Justice, so even more, the Lord threaten with the Sword of rebuke and correction and punishment as the Priest of Priests, also He shall exercise it against the World as KING of Kings.

THE ANGEL IS HELD RESPONSIBLE AS WELL AS THE BELIEVERS IN THE CHURCH, FOR WHOM THEY SHALL ADMIT AND ALLOW CONTINUANCE IN THEIR COMMUNION. AS WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DOCTRINES WE HOLD. The doctrines we embrace guide us to safe harbors or take us to shipwreck. It is then by these two means satan intends to hinder our walk:

1. By stirring up men to rage against us
2. By bringing us under God’s judgment through sin. The type for the church here is clearly seen in satan’s scheme between Balaam and Balak. [Numbers 22:22] Phinehas has in view Jesus Christ in the covenant of everlasting priesthood (Numbers 25:12,13), with sword in hand He punishes His own rebellious ones and is appointed to revenge upon the False Prophet and King.

VERSE 17 Of the hidden manna we have spoken. The white stone is a brilliant stone, that which passes not away, it is a new name, representative of an overcomer that holdest fast Christ’s Name. What that new name is, is not disclosed. Perhaps it is that new name that Christ takes, which none knoweth but Himself. [Revelation 19:12]

The thought is, in both promises is a unique individual benefit to be used throughout eternity.

VERSE 18 The Lord proclaims Himself the Son of God. His eyes like unto a flame of fire ferreting out evil, His feet like fine brass to avenge Himself (Joshua 10:24) “…and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God”. [Revelation 19:15]

VERSE 19 The Son of God is looking at the works of the Church in “the things which are”. The Son of God is not yet imputing and avenging the trespasses of the World.

Having commended them for their works in love and faith, a better condition than that of Ephesus who had left their first love….

nevertheless inferior as it relates to their tolerance of evil doers. And if we are not mistaken, the love being immature outweighed the holiness aspect of God’s Character, thereby an allowing of the reasonings and acts of Jezebel. It is not enough for those in authority not to favor what is evil: they must resist it, and use discipline against the offenders. The Lord accuses to the face that we might repent in this age of grace and mercy, where satan does accuse us behind our back to God (Revelation 12:10) to bring us under God’s disfavor.

She is given time to repent, if she does not, she shall receive the bed of pain for the bed of rebellious pleasure. It is the sin unto death and she shall not recover. But what of her seduced servants of the Lord if they repent not? I will cast them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation (trouble). When? Must we assume it to be in this lifetime? Romans 2 speaks in terms of “In the day when god shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ….” And when is that day….but “…it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” [Hebrews 9] “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.” [Romans 14; 2 Corinthians 5:10]

There then awaits a sore trouble for the Lord’s servants who turn not away from their wicked deeds while He yet gives opportunity. Note that nowhere does the Son of God instruct or encourage any faithful to leave the Church. Why? Simply because it is God’s appointed assembly of believers in Jesus Name. Corruptions are no grounds for leaving an appointed church of God.  In every church there are two groups…..those who overcome and those who are overcome. Although they were likely of a lesser number, and were standing against much opposition, and the continual temptation to know the “depths of satan as they speak”, Christ “….put upon them none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.”

VERSE 26-28 “And he that overcometh, and he that keepeth my works unto the end I will give to him authority over the nations, and he shall tend them with rod of iron, as the vessels of earthenware are shivered; as I also have received from my Father.” Keepeth my works, is a reference to HIS WORDS….”…..this is my son, hear ye him.”“….Ye have heard that it was said ….But I say unto you….” [Matthew 5].

Here we find the end result of Jesus’ future coming to the earth….to both the Church and the World. He comes to recompense each “according to his works”.

The Works of Jesus Christ, having been settled as it relates to the unity of Believers, the focus then turns in these epistles to each of their works.

Then differences come into view. These differences relate to standing with Jesus Christ at the end, in reward, reproof, or punishment. To the victorious is granted authority, as was Jesus Christ (Psalms 2) over the nations. (Luke 19:17 with Revelation 20:4, 1 Corinthians 6:2,3) In its appropriate time. [1Corinthians 4:8-14]

To the victorious is granted authority over the Nations. This is the beginning of a new Age/dispensation…..to rule now as a king/priest is an exaltation out of time. And against it Paul warns the disciple of the Lord. [1Corinthians 4:8-14]

The meaning of the promise is clearly that the Gentile nations are not renewed and Israel is the only righteous nation according to promise and the Bride by superior force shall rule over the nations. Justice will be swift and strong in the Age of Justice when the overcomer rules with Christ over the Earth.

The morning star promise appears to be an allusion to Balaam’s prophetic words, and holds the promise of the First Resurrection. [Revelation 20:4-6 Daniel 12:3]

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