ENDGAME A Study On Revelation (Week #16) Pastor Jason Goss

REVIEW

Churches • - Local: Capital, Most important city in Asia, Wealthy, Massive Temple - Church: Devotion, not just doctrine - Prophetic: Apostolic Church - Personal: Neglected Priorities (business of the king vs time with King) - Promise To Overcomer: Eat of the Tree of Life • Smyrna - Local: Harbor, Beautiful, Rebuilt several times, Caesar Worship - Church: Endure persecution - Prophetic: Persecuted Church - Personal: Satanic Opposition - Promise To Overcomer: Not hurt of the Second Death • Pergamos - Local: City of Satan, Altar of Zeus, Healing Temple, 2nd Largest Library - Church: Purify ambassadorship (Stand fast against the world) - Prophetic: Married Church (to world) - Personal: Spiritual Compromise - Promise To Overcomer: Manna, Stone, New Name

“Tares” (Seeds) Sown in Early Church • Legalism (denial of Christ’s completed work) • Gnosticism (denial of Christ’s humanity) • Caesar worship (denial of Christ’s Lordship)

Review of the Nicolaitans • Who were they? - Were they a first-century sect abusing the liberty in Christ? - An untranslated word? - Greek: (νικάω) Nicao: Conquer, prevail, overcome, rule, subdue - Greek: (λαός) Laos: Laity; people - Using their clergical stature or position to rule over the laity. - The “deeds” Ephesus had rejected had became the “doctrine” at Pergamos.

The End: Study Of Revelation Page 1 March 2019 John 13:3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. (NLT)

======READ: Revelation 2:18-29 (NLT) ======

Revelation 2:18 “And to the angel of the church in write:…” (NASB)

Revelation 2:18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write…” (NKJ)

Revelation 2:18 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Thyatira.” (NLT)

THYATIRA: LOCAL APPLICATION

Scriptural Background • Acts 16:14-15 - Paul & Silas - Philippi - First Convert In Europe - Woman from Thyatira: LYDIA

Geography • Ak-Hissar now occupies the site where once stood the important military city of Thyatira. • Today the road from Istanbul to Izmir runs through the small and unattractive town of Ak-Hissar (population: 30,000) • The chief modern industry is rug-making • The population is largely Greek and Armenian, and a few Jews • The town is a large marsh, fever-laden, and especially unhealthful in the summer time • Formed by the Lycus River, which the Turks now call Geurdeuk Chai • The town is situated in one of the most fertile valleys of Asia Minor. • In New Testament times, the city stood at the junction of three main roads leading to Pergamos, , and Smyrna. • 26 miles north of Sardis, and 56 miles northwest of Smyrna • It was originally a Lydian town bearing the name of Pelopia, then Semiramis, and then Euhippia.

The End: Study Of Revelation Page 2 March 2019 Background / History • Semiramis (consort of Nimrod), mother of posthumous son, Tammuz. This is the core trio the Babylonian mysteries (Nimrod, Semiramis, Tammuz). • All paganism, all idols has it’s roots in the Babylonian legends. (Week #14 - Jeremiah 10, change the way you see a certain holiday). • It was taken by the Persians and then Alexander, and is ultimately passed to the possession of Lysimachus, one of Alexander’s four generals. • In 301 B.C., however, Lysimachus was defeated by his rival Seleucus I (Nicator) and it thus became part of Syria. • Nicator named it “Thyatira” (Greek, thygater, for daughter) on being informed that a daughter had been born to him • The city was converted into a frontier fortress to guard the way to Pergamos. • Before the time of Nicator the place was regarded as a holy city - There stood the temple of the ancient Lydian sun-god, Tyrimnos - Games were held in his honor • Upon the early coins of Thyatira this Asiatic god is represented as a horseman, bearing a double-headed battle-ax, similar to those represented on the sculptures of the HITTITES • A goddess associated with him was Boreatene, a deity of less importance. • Another temple at Thyatira was dedicated to Sambethe, and at this shrine was a prophetess, by some supposed to represent the Jezebel • Growing in commercial importance, Thyatira became a well-known center for trade GUILDS. (UNIONS) - Membership in these was compulsory - Essential if one was to pursue a trade - These were well-organized corporate bodies - Providing specific benefits and taking actions to protect their interests - Often owning considerable property - Each guild was under the patronage of some pagan deity - All proceedings and feasts commenced with paying homage to the patron god or goddess. • Difficult for the Christ-follower - The dilemma of the Christian tradesman continues in our own day - Is it appropriate for the believer to participate in the production of films, plays, books, or music which have an essential appeal to the flesh? - It is a choice between Christ or the world. • Thyatira was known for its dyes—particularly its PURPLE. - We now call it “Turkish red” - Derived from the madder-root which is prolific in the area. - Alternatives also included the murex, a shellfish from whose throat a drop of dye could be extracted

The End: Study Of Revelation Page 3 March 2019 Acts 16:14 One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. 15 She and her household were baptized, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed. (NLT)

• Lydia - A wealthy sales rep for Thyatira dwelling in Philippi - She and her household are baptized. - Invites Paul & Silas to her home.

Architecture • Regarded as a town, its buildings are entirely modern. • No amphitheater, no castle, no temple, no traces even of walls, have survived and braved the centuries. • Its prosperity has been its destruction, in antiquarian sense.

THYATIRA: COOPERATE APPLICATION

Revelation 2:18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this: (NASB)

Revelation 2:18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: (NKJ)

Revelation 2:18 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Thyatira. This is the message from the Son of God, whose eyes are like flames of fire, whose feet are like polished bronze: (NLT)

Letter to Thyatira: Title of Christ • Middle Letter, longest letter • Thyatira: formerly named “Semiramis” (consort of Nimrod, mother of Tammuz). • “Son of God”: The only mention in Revelation! - Acknowledgment: Peter’s own confession (Mt 16:16-18) - Opposition to: “Queen of Heaven” (Jezebel) • Jesus asserts His power and authority for JUDGEMENT - “eyes like fire, feet like brass,” - “like” (not were) = (similes) symbols of judgment! - Eyes of inspection, judgement - “fire in their eyes” - Feet of judgement, brass can sustain fire (not burned up) - Solid brass is heavier than cast iron. The End: Study Of Revelation Page 4 March 2019 Leviticus 26:17 I will turn against you, and you will be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you will rule over you, and you will run even when no one is chasing you! 18 “And if, in spite of all this, you still disobey me, I will punish you seven times over for your sins. 19 I will break your proud spirit by making the skies as unyielding as iron and the earth as hard as bronze. 20 All your work will be for nothing, for your land will yield no crops, and your trees will bear no fruit. (NLT)

Revelation 2:19 ‘I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first. (NASB)

Revelation 2:19 “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. (NKJ)

Revelation 2:19 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things. (NLT)

Commendation • “I know thy works...” - He loves us so much He can’t take His eyes off us! - He is always fully informed on our actions and conditions. • First the good news: - “Works…love…faith…service…faith…patience…” - They are IMPROVING!

Revelation 2:20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality. 22 Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. (NASB)

Revelation 2:20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. (NKJ)

The End: Study Of Revelation Page 5 March 2019 Revelation 2:20 “But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman—that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray. She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to turn away from her immorality. 22 “Therefore, I will throw her on a bed of suffering, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer greatly unless they repent and turn away from her evil deeds. (NLT)

Concern • Toleration of JEZEBEL - She calls herself a prophetess - She leads people away • Immorality - Sexual immorality - Idol worship (Intimacy with a false god - fornication) • Knowingly eating sacrificed food - Engaging in practice of idolatry - Elijah at Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18).

Acts 15:29 You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell.” (NLT)

• Time's up. • The chief sin of this church simply consisted of failing to raise a protest against this woman who led them into idolatrous doctrines and practices.

Saying nothing is saying SOMETHING. Knowingly allowing injustice or sin to continue is PERMISSION.

• First use of the phrase “GREAT TRIBULATION" - Only the unrepentant church will go in. - If they do repent, they will not.

1 Kings 16:30 But Ahab son of Omri did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, even more than any of the kings before him. 31 And as though it were not enough to follow the sinful example of Jeroboam, he married Jezebel, the daughter of King Ethbaal of the Sidonians, and he began to bow down in worship of Baal. (NLT)

The End: Study Of Revelation Page 6 March 2019 Jezebel • Jezebel was the daughter of Eth-Baal - Eth-Baal is the King of Sidon, Priest of Astarte, - Murdered his predecessor, Pheles, whom he killed to seize the throne. • She marries King AHAB (Israel) - To seal a profitable trade alliance between Israel and Phoenicia. • Jezebel sought to exterminate prophets of YHWH

1 Kings 18:13 Has no one told you, my lord, about the time when Jezebel was trying to kill the Lord’s prophets? I hid 100 of them in two caves and supplied them with food and water. (NLT)

• The queen is running things - Of all the women seen in the Old Testament, none was more cunning or more daring or more unscrupulous. • She obtained lands through “inquisition.” - A vivid picture of the medieval church for a thousand-year period, including the Dark Ages.

1 Kings 18:18 Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table. (NLT)

Pagan Worship • She and King Ahab ushered in the worst period in the Old Testament • Worshippers of Baal and Astarte (originated in Babylon) - Ashtoreth (Judges 2:13; 10:6; 1 Samuel 31:10; 1 Kings 11:5,33) - The Groves in Deuteronomy 16:21 (Jews did not worship on the tops of hills) (Groves of trees cut to look like phallic symbols - fertility rights) - The Abomination of Sidonians (2 Kings 23:3,6,7; Ezekiel 36:15) - “Queen of Heaven”: A Babylonian concept (Jeremiah 7:18; 44:15-30) • Compare Jezebel with: The Woman & the Leaven parable in Matthew 13

Jeremiah 7:18 No wonder I am so angry! Watch how the children gather wood and the fathers build sacrificial fires. See how the women knead dough and make cakes to offer to the Queen of Heaven. And they pour out liquid offerings to their other idol gods! (NLT)

Leviticus 2:1 “When you present grain as an offering to the Lord, the offering must consist of choice flour. You are to pour olive oil on it, sprinkle it with frankincense, (NLT)

The End: Study Of Revelation Page 7 March 2019 1 Corinthians 5:7 Get rid of the old “yeast” by removing this wicked person from among you. Then you will be like a fresh batch of dough made without yeast, which is what you really are. Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us. 8 So let us celebrate the festival, not with the old bread of wickedness and evil, but with the new bread of sincerity and truth. (NLT)

Revelation 2:23 And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds. (NASB)

Revelation 2:23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. (NKJ)

Revelation 2:23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve. (NLT)

Exhortation • DEATH - Jezebel - Children (followers) • Within this church was an evil for which no remedial measures are sufficient. - There is the implication that only a remnant survives - “minds & hearts” (Jeremiah 17:10; Romans 8:27) - Actions determine consequences

Revelation 2:24 But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them—I place no other burden on you. 25 Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come. (NASB)

Revelation 2:24 “Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come. (NKJ)

Revelation 2:24 “But I also have a message for the rest of you in Thyatira who have not followed this false teaching (‘deeper truths,’ as they call them—depths of Satan, actually). I will ask nothing more of you 25 except that you hold tightly to what you have until I come. (NLT)

The End: Study Of Revelation Page 8 March 2019 Deep Things • “Bathos” = deep things of Satan vs. Deep things of God. - “Baros” = burden. “ • First promise in letters of His SECOND COMING! - This is expressed only in the last four letters.

1 Corinthians 2:10 But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. (NLT)

Revelation 2:26 He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations; 27 and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to pieces, as I also have received authority from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ (NASB)

Revelation 2:26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations— 27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’— as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star. 29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ (NKJ)

Revelation 2:26 To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end,To them I will give authority over all the nations. 27 They will rule the nations with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots. 28 They will have the same authority I received from my Father, and I will also give them the morning star! 29 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. (NLT)

Promise to the Overcomer • First letter where the promise is inside the letter (before “anyone with ears”) • POWER Over The Nations - Was “power over nations” the goal of Jezebel? - “Rod of Iron”: Psalm 2:7-9; Psalm 110:2 - “Believers will judge the world”: 1 Corinthians 6:2 - “Holy people given kingdom”: Daniel 7:18, 27 - “Rod” = scepter (Heb 1:8) • “Morning star” - Before sunrise (Rev 22:16; also 2 Peter 1:19 - Star of Jacob (Balaam prophesied): Numbers 24:17

The End: Study Of Revelation Page 9 March 2019 Who is “the Overcomer”? • Those who believe • Serious faith leads to a natural byproduct of works

1 John 5:4 For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. 5 And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. (NLT)

The End: Study Of Revelation Page 10 March 2019 ENDGAME A Study On Revelation (Week #17) Pastor Jason Goss

THYATIRA: PROPHETIC APPLICATION

Prophetic Level • Thyatira portrays the medieval papacy from 600 to 1500 A.D. • Vatican vs. Kings - The dream to establish and enforce the pretensions of the Roman church constitute the major part of the history of the Middle Ages. • The Chaldean priest who interpreted the esoteric doctrines of the Babylonian mysteries was called Peter (i.e. “the interpreter”). - He wore an insignia of the two keys of Janus and Cybele - Which still appear on the Papal arms as symbols of spiritual authority. • The Struggle - The danger to the church at Thyratira did not arise from the persecutions of imperial nor from the animosity of Jewish attitudes. - The danger arose from within the church itself—all the more serious and dangerous to deal with.

“Depths of Satan” • Esoteric mysteries of the Babylonian cults. • 378 A.D. - Theodosius makes Christianity the state religion - Forced conversions, marriage of world and church - Damasus, the Bishop of Rome, took on the office of Pontifex Maximus - High priest of the Babylonian religion - previously been the prerogative of the Roman emperor, thus combining the “Christian” church with pagan religion. • Christian Classification (Names) - All idolatry - Ceremonies, rites, titles - Mariolatry, image and crucifix worship - Veneration of saints, adoration of the host - Celibate priests, vestments - Papal infallibility, transubstantiation, etc…

Another possible meaning for the name Thyatira: “continual sacrifice” which many scholars associate with the doctrine of the mass.

The End: Study Of Revelation Page 11 March 2019 A Review: The Papacy • means “Papa,” or “Father.” • Initially it applied to all Western bishops - 500 A.D. it began to be restricted to the Bishop of Rome - For 500 years the Bishops of Rome were NOT • Struggle between spiritual control and physical control

Peter: The First Pope (Catholic Tradition) • The Roman Catholic tradition that Peter was the first pope is fiction - No historical (or Biblical) basis whatsoever - There is no evidence that Peter was ever a Bishop of Rome • He warns of “ruling” and “power"

1 Peter 5:3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. (NLT)

• Early Roman Bishops attempted to influence and control - Other Bishops - General public - Not effective

4th Century Patriarchs • Silvester I (314-335) was Bishop of Rome when Constantine virtually made Christianity the state religion of the • Constantine regarded himself as head of the church, calling and presiding over the Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325) • The Bishops of Alexandria and Antioch were accorded full jurisdiction over their provinces, as was the Roman Bishop over his, without even a hint that they were subject to Rome • Five primary centers - Rome - Constantinople - Antioch - Jerusalem - Alexandria • Bishops of each are had come to be called Patriarchs - equal authority, each in control of their own province

The Struggle for Supremacy • Siricius (395-398),Bishop of Rome - In his lust for worldly power claimed universal jurisdiction over the church

The End: Study Of Revelation Page 12 March 2019 - But unfortunately for him, in his day the Empire divided (395 A.D.) into two separate empires, East and West • 395 A.D. Empire divides - Antioch, Jerusalem, and Alexander came to acknowledge the leadership of Constantinople - The struggle between Constantinople and Rome begins - East struggles with theological controversies (outlasts west by 1000 years) - West, under weak emperors, was breaking up before the barbarians (falls apart by 476 A.D.) • This struggle remains to this day: it is the root of the bloodshed in the Croatia- Bosnian-Serbian conflict in the region of Yugoslavia today • There are three ethnic traditions, three religions, three different sources of support - Roman Catholics - Eastern Orthodox - Muslims - There is no “high ground”: they all have accumulated atrocities over the past 1500 years

Leo I (440 - 461) • These “jawbone” attempts continued until Leo I (440-461) - Some historians regard as the first pope • He obtained from Emperor Valentinian III imperial recognition for his claim as Primate of All Bishops (445) • In 452 he persuaded Attila the Hun to spare the city of Rome • In 455 he induced Genseric the Vandal to have mercy on the city - His reputation was made • He declared himself Lord of the Whole Church - Advocated exclusive universal papacy - Proclaimed resistance to his authority was a sure path to Hell - He advocated the death penalty for heresy • However, the Ecumenical (451) - Composed of bishops from all over world - Gave the Patriarch of Constantinople equal prerogatives with the Bishop of Rome

Fall of Rome • Western Empire came to an end (476) - Simplicius (468-483) was the Roman “Pope” • Free of civil authority - Fragmented kingdoms of the barbarians - Leaves opportunity for individual advantageous alliances

The End: Study Of Revelation Page 13 March 2019 • The Pope became the most commanding figure in the West • Gregory I (590-604) - Regarded by many as the first Pope - He appeared at a time of political anarchy throughout Europe • His conspicuous leadership over the various kings stabilized the times • He labored unceasingly over the purification of the church • Deposed neglectful or unworthy bishops, opposed the sale of offices • In his personal life he was a good man - One of the purest and best of the popes • If more had been as he was the world would have a different estimate of the papacy

Charlemagne • Zacharias (741-752) was instrumental in making Pepin, father of Charlemagne, King of the Franks - Germanic people occupying western Germany and northern France • Stephen II (752-757) requested Pepin to lead his army to Italy and conquer the Lombards, which had pillaged Italy • He succeeded and gave a large part of central Italy to the Pope • This is the beginning of the Papal States - Temporal dominion which continued for 1100 years - Until King Victor Immanuel returned these lands to the Kingdom of Italy in 1870 (all except ) • Pepin’s son, Charlemagne - Grandson of Charles Martel - Martel saved Europe from Islam by his victory at the Battle of Tours, 732 • One of the greatest rulers of all time - Reigned 46 years with many wars and conquests of vast magnitude • His realm included what is now Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Belgium, and parts of Spain and Italy • He helped the Pope and the Pope helped him • He was one of the greatest influences in bringing the Papacy to a position of world power • The Treaty of Verdun (843) after Charlemagne’s death - Divided empire into what became the foundations of Germany, France and Italy - Ceaseless struggle between the Popes and the German and French kings began • The “Holy Roman Empire” lasted 1000 years - Neither holy, nor Roman, nor an empire - Napoleon brought it to an end in 1806 - Hitler tries to recreate this “Third Reich” (1st Roman empire, 2nd: HRE)

The End: Study Of Revelation Page 14 March 2019 The Isidorian Decretals • Nicholas I (858-867) was the first Pope to wear a crown • It was about this time (857) that a book appeared, “The Isidorian Decretals • Declared to be letters and decrees of Bishops and Councils of the 2nd and 3rd centuries - Centuries later they were discovered to be deliberate forgeries • They were designed to exalt the power of the Pope • Stamping the Papacy with the authority of antiquity, antedating the Pope’s temporal power by five centuries • They are regarded as the most colossal literary fraud in history

The Great Cleavage • Up to 869 all Ecumenical Councils had been held in or near Constantinople • And in the Greek language (not Latin) • Nicholas undertook to interfere in the affairs of the Eastern Church - He excommunicated Photius, Patriarch of Constantinople - Photius, Patriarch of Constantinople excommunicates him • The claims of the Roman Church became unbearable and the East finally separated itself - Eastern Orthodox vs. Roman Catholic - The breach became wider through the centuries • Greater separation occurs - The brutal treatment of Constantinople by the armies of Pope Innocent II during the Crusades - The creation of the dogma of Papal Infallibility in 1870 • 9th century: Eastern Church separated itself from the West (Rome) - The East: Primitive Christianity + Greek & Oriental paganism - The West: Primitive Christianity + Greek & Roman paganism

Midnight of the Dark Ages • The 200 years between Nicholas I and Gregory VII (870-1050) • Bribery, corruption, immorality, and bloodshed • Mark this blackest chapter of the church

The Rule of the Harlots (904-963) • Sergius III (904-911) had a mistress, Marozia - She, her mother , and her sisters filled the Papal chair with paramours and bastard sons and turned the Papal den into a den of robbers - This is called in history “the Rule of the Harlots” (904-963) • John X (914-928)

The End: Study Of Revelation Page 15 March 2019 - brought from Ravena to Rome and made Pope by Theodora for her more convenient gratification - He was smothered to death by Marozia - Who then in succession raised to the Papacy • Leo VI (928 929) • Stephen VII (929-931) • John XI (931-936) - Marozia’s own illegitimate son - Another of her sons appointed the four following Popes • Leo VII (936- 939) • Stephen VIII (939 942) • Martin III (942-946) • Agapetus II (946- 955) • John XII (955-963) - Grandson of Marozia, was guilty of almost every crime - Violated virgins and widows - lived with his father’s mistress - Made the Papal Palace a brothel - Killed while in the act of adultery by the woman’s enraged husband

The Descent Continues (1012-1047) • Benedict VIII (1012 -1024) - The Office of the Pope bought with open bribery - Made Pope as a boy 12 years old - Through a money bargain with the powerful families that ruled Rome - He committed murders and adulteries in broad daylight - Robbed pilgrims on the graves of martyrs - A hideous criminal - The people drove him out of Rome - Some call him the worst of all the Popes • John XIX (1024-1033) - The Office of the Pope bought with open bribery • Benedict IX (1022-1045) • Benedict IX (1045-1046) - Rival Pope • Gregory VI (1045-1046) - Rival Pope • Sylvester III (1045-1046) - Rival Pope - Rome swarmed with hired assassins - The virtue of pilgrims was violated • Clement II (1046-1047) - Appointed Pope by Emperor Henry III of Germany - “Because no Roman clergyman could be found who was free of the pollution of simony (buying office) and fornication.”

The End: Study Of Revelation Page 16 March 2019 Golden Age of Papal Power (1049-1294) • The cry for reform - Answered by Hildebrand - Leads the Papacy into its Golden Age (1049-1294) - He controlled five successive administrations prior to his own • Leo IX (1049-1054) • Victor II (1055-1057) • Stephen IX (1057-1058) • Nicolas II (1059 1061) • Alexander II (1061-1073) • Gregory VII (1073-1085) - Hildebrand becomes Gregory VII - Undertook major reform, especially simony - Practically all bishops and priests purchased their offices from the kings - Brought him in conflict with King Henry IV, Emperor of Germany - Devastating wars followed and Italy was devastated by the opposing armies - Gregory was eventually driven from Rome and died in exile - But he had succeeded in making the Papacy independent of Imperial power

Innocent III (1198-1216) • Possibly the worst of all the Popes • The most powerful of all the Popes • He claimed to be “Vicar of Christ,” “Vicar of God,” - “Supreme Sovereign over the Church and the World.” - “All things on earth and in heaven and in hell are subject to the Vicar of Christ.” • More blood was shed under his direction and that of his immediate successors than in any other period of church history - except maybe the Papacy’s effort to crush the Reformation in the 16th and 17th centuries • The kings of Germany, France, England, and practically all the monarchs in Europe obeyed his will, including the Byzantine Empire • Never in history has any one man exerted more power - He ordered two crusades - Decreed transubstantiation (Communion transforms to the blood and body) - Confirmed auricular confession (Confession) - Declared papal infallibility • Comment - Condemned the Magna Carta - Forbade the reading of the Bible in the vernacular (Latin only)

The End: Study Of Revelation Page 17 March 2019 - Instituted the Inquisition - Ordered the extermination of heretics, etc.

The Inquisition • Called “The Holy Office” • Instituted by Pope Innocent III and perfected by Pope Gregory IX • Under it everyone was required to inform against heretics • Anyone suspect was liable to torture, without knowing the name of his accuser • The proceedings were secret - subpoint - subpoint • The Inquisitor pronounced sentence - The victim was turned over to civil authorities - To be imprisoned for life or to be burned • The victim’s property was confiscated and divided between the church and the state • The Inquisition claimed vast multitudes of victims - Spain, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands and did its most deadly work against the Albigenses

The Albigenses • The Albigenses, or Carthari - Southern France - Northern Spain - Northern Italy • Preached against the immoralities of the priesthood - Worship of saints and images - Completely rejected the clergy and their claims - Opposed the claims of the Church of Rome • Made great use of the Scriptures - Lived self-denying lives with a great zeal for moral purity • By 1167 they embraced a majority of the population of southern France and were very numerous in northern Italy • In 1208 Pope Innocent III ordered a crusade - The bloody war of extermination utterly wiped out town after town - The inhabitants murdered without discrimination - Until all of the Albigenses were utterly wiped out

The Waldenses • The Waldenses, similar but not identical group in the same region - Emphasizing Bible reading - Rejecting clerical usurpation and profligacy

The End: Study Of Revelation Page 18 March 2019 • Were similarly wiped out - A few survivors in the Alpine Valleys southwest of Turin who are now the leading Protestant body in Italy - subpoint • It is recorded that in the 30 years between 1540 and 1570 no fewer than 900,000 Protestants were put to death by the Pope’s war for the extermination of the Waldenses • For 500 years the Inquisition was the most diabolical thing of human history - For its record, none of the subsequent line of “holy” and “Infallible” Popes have ever apologized - Rather, their leadership and instigators have been elevated to sainthood

Boniface VIII (1294-1303) • His famous Bul, Unam Sanctam - He said, “We declare, affirm, define, and pronounce that it is altogether necessary for salvation that every creature be subject to the Roman Pontiff.” - subpoint • However, he was so corrupt that Dante (“Inferno”), who visited Rome during his pontificate - called the Vatican a “sewer of corruption,” - And assigned him, along with Nicolas III and Clement V, to the lowest parts of Hell

French Control of the Papacy (1305-1377) • The Papacy had been victorious in its 200-year struggle with the German Empire • But met their match in Philip the Fair, King of France, with whom the history of modern France begins • After the death of Pope Benedict XI - The Papal Palace was removed from Rome to Avignon - The south border of France - For 70 years the Papacy was the mere tool of the French Court (1305-1377) • For the next 40 years there were two sets of Popes - One at Rome - One at Avignon • Each claiming to be “Vicar of Christ,” hurling anathemas and curses at each other

Renaissance Popes (1410-1503) • John XXIII (1410-1415) - Called by some the most depraved criminal who ever sat on the Papal throne

The End: Study Of Revelation Page 19 March 2019 - Guilty of almost every crime - As Cardinal in Bologna, 200 maidens, nuns and married women fell victim to his amours - As Pope he violated virgins and nuns - Lived in adultery with his brother’s wife - Was guilty of sodomy and other nameless vices - Bought the Papal Office - Sold Cardinalates to children of wealthy families - Openly denied the future life • Pius II (1458-1464) - Said to have been the father of many illegitimate children - Spoke openly of the methods he used to seduce women - Encouraged young men, and even offered to instruct them in methods of self indulgence • Paul II (1464-1471) - “filled his house with concubines” • Sixtus IV (1471-1484) - Sanctioned the Spanish Inquisition - Decreed that money would deliver souls from Purgatory - Implicated in a plot to murder Lorenzo de Medici and others who opposed his policies - Used the Papacy to enrich himself and his relatives - He made eight of his nephews Cardinals while some of them were boys - In wealth and pomp he and his relatives surpassed the old Roman families • Innocent VIII (1484-1492) - Had 16 children by various married women - He multiplied church offices and sold them for vast sums of money - Decreed the extermination of the Waldenses - Appointed the brutal Thomas of Torquemada Inquisitor General of Spain - Ordered all rulers to deliver up heretics to him • Alexander VI (1492-1503) - Called the most corrupt of the Renaissance Popes - licentious (lacked sexual restraint), avaricious (greedy), depraved - He bought the Papacy - Made many new cardinals for money - Had a number of illegitimate children - Openly acknowledged and appointed children to high church office - They with their father murdered cardinals and others who stood in their way - His mistress was the sister of the cardinal who became the next Pope • Pius III (1503)

Martin Luther

The End: Study Of Revelation Page 20 March 2019 • Born 1483 in Eisleben, Saxony to a poor coal miner • As he grew up and observed the poverty of his father, this boy, named Martin, chose to pursue a different vocation • He decided to become a lawyer • 1501, entered the University of Erfurt, where he excelled in his studies - subpoint - subpoint • As he came to the end of his schooling in 1504, an event took place which changed his life - While he was walking the campus grounds, - A storm broke so forcefully that Martin fell on his face in fear - The thunder was deafening and lightning struck all around him, including a tree next to him • Instinctively, he cried out to the patron saint of coal miners, whose name he had heard invoked during his childhood - “Saint Anne! Save me from the lightning. If you save me I will become a monk.” - Shortly thereafter the storm stopped • Being a man of his word, Martin withdrew from Law school and entered an Augustinian monastery - He applied himself so diligently that he obtained a Doctorate of Theology within a few years • But the more he studied, the more troubled his heart became • Although he was becoming an expert in theology, he lacked peace personally • The question he repeatedly wrote in his diary was: “How can a man find favor with God”? • Disillusioned by a visit to Rome, Habbakuk 2:4 become his life text - Romans: Who are the just? - Galatians: How should the just live? - Hebrews: Living By Faith

Habakkuk 2:4 “Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.” (NLT)

• Oct 31, 1517, Luther nails 95 theses to the door at Wittenburg College - Condemned selling of offices - Condemned selling of indulgences • Did NOT want to split from church of Rome, wanted reform • Dec 10, 1520, Bull excommunicated Luther, “retract within 60 days or death.” • Luther burned it publicly and the Reformation is born.

The Centuries of Wars

The End: Study Of Revelation Page 21 March 2019 • Diet of Worms: 1521 • Charles V, Emperor of “the Holy Roman Empire” - Germany, Spain, Netherlands and Austria • Summoned Luther to appear to recant - “Here I stand; I can do naught else; so help me God.” • Princes helped Luther hide and escape • The Centuries of Wars began: - War on the German Protestants (1566-1609) - War on Protestants of Netherlands (1566-1609) - Huguenot Wars in France (1572 -1598) - Philip’s attempt against England (1588) - Thirty Years War (1618-1648) • All these wars were started by Roman Catholic Kings urged on by the Pope and Jesuits for the purpose of crushing Protestantism • The thousands killed at the hands of the Caesars of Pagan Rome are dwarfed by the millions killed at the hands of the Vatican

The Reformation Popes • Julius II (1503-1513) - Called the Warrior Pope - The richest of the cardinals - Vast income from numerous bishops and church estates - He bought the Papacy - He attained and personally led vast armies - Issued indulgences for money • Leo X (1513-1521) - Was Pope when Luther started the Protestant Reformation - Archbishop at 8; a Cardinal at 13 - Appointed to 27 different church offices - Meant vast income, before he was 13 - He appointed Cardinals as young as 7 - He maintained the most luxurious and licentious court in Europe - Issued indulgences for money to pay for his lavish lifestyle - This voluptuary reaffirmed the “Unam Sanctam” - Which it is declared that every human being must be subject to the Roman Pontiff for salvation - Declared the burning of heretics a divine appointment • Adrian VI (1522-1523) • Paul III (1534-1549) - Had many illegitimate children - A determined enemy of the Protestants - He offered Charles V an army to exterminate them

The End: Study Of Revelation Page 22 March 2019 The Jesuits • Rome’s answer to the Lutheran secession • The Inquisition under the leadership of the Jesuits • Order founded by Ignatius Loyola, a Spaniard • On the principle of absolute and unconditional obedience to the Pope - Having its object the recovery of territory lost to Protestants and Muslims - Conquest of the entire heathen world for the Roman • Their supreme aim: the destruction of heresy - That is, thinking anything different from what the Pope said or thought • For this accomplishment anything was justifiable: - Deception, immorality, vice, even murder • In France they were responsible for: - St. Bartholomew’s Massacre - Persecution of the Huguenots - Revocation of the Toleration Edict - The French Revolution • In Spain, Netherlands, south Germany, Bohemia, Austria, Poland, and other countries - They led in the massacre of untold multitudes - Saved the Papacy from ruin

St. Bartholomew’s Massacre • Catherine de Medici - Mother of the King - Ardent Romanist - Willing tool of the Pope • Gave the order and on the night of August 24, 1572 - 70,000 Huguenots were massacred - There was great rejoicing in Rome • The Pope and his College of Cardinals went in solemn procession to the Church of San Marco and ordered the Te Deum to be sung in thanksgiving - He then struck a medal in commemoration of the massacre - Sent a Cardinal to Paris to bear the King and Queen-Mother the congratulations of the Pope and Cardinals

Evangelicals & Catholics Together • March 29, 1994 - The most significant event in 500 years of church history • Joint declaration “Evangelicals and Catholics Together: The Christian Mission in the Third Millennium.” - “White-washing” of the past?

The End: Study Of Revelation Page 23 March 2019 • The compromise of the Gospel lies at the heart of the agreement • But the Gospel hasn’t changed

A Surprising Acknowledgment • May 21, 1995 - The Pope asked forgiveness - For all wrongs and crimes committed and permitted - By the Roman Catholic Church throughout their history

Bibliography • Halley’s Bible Handbook - Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids MI - 24th edition, 1965, originally published 1928 - (Not the Billy Graham edition) • Dave Hunt, A Woman Rides the Beast - Harvest House, Eugene OR 1994 • Dave Hunt & Chuck Missler, The Kingdom of Blood - Koinonia House 1996 • Paul Maier, The Church from Age To Age - Concordia Publishing House 2011

NEXT SESSION: • Read Chapters 2 & 3 • Outline the Letter to Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6) • What is their primary need? • What are the distinctive of this letter?

The End: Study Of Revelation Page 24 March 2019 ENDGAME A Study On Revelation (Week #18) Pastor Jason Goss

CITY: PERSONAL APPLICATION

BLANK

Church • Pergamos - Local: text - Church: Pagan Practices (not question of if, but how much) Shabbath, Christmas, Easter - Prophetic: Medieval Church - Personal: Pagan Practices - Promise To Overcomer: Power Over Nations

The term "Easter" itself alludes to the pagan roots of the holiday. The name comes from the Babylonian goddess, Ishtar (also, Astarte). It was the pagan preoccupation with fertility that linked rabbits' rapid breeding with the golden egg of Astarte. Passover, and therefore the Resurrection of Jesus, occur in the springtime. As Christianity spread, the celebration that Christ had conquered death came neatly at a time when the pagan world was celebrating the renewal of nature after the death of winter. And so, today we have Easter egg hunts at churches across America on Resurrection Sunday.

First 3 books: Ears - pre-promise Last 4 books: Ears - post-promise Last 4 books mention the return of Christ Thyatira: Threat of great tribulation

1 Kings 18

Naboth’s Vineyard: 1 Kings 21 • King Ahab desires Naboth’s vineyard. • Queen Jezebel arranges an Inquisition. - False witnesses The End: Study Of Revelation Page 25 March 2019 - Condemnation - Execution • Naboth’s vineyard seized for the king. • Naboth’s heirs also slain.

(Echo of the inquisition)

2 Kings 9 Jehu was commander in Ahab's army (2 Kings 9:5; 25) Jehu’s name, meaning “Yahweh is he,” portrays well his future, God-given task: to obliterate the house of Ahab along with the worship of Baal that pervaded Israel at the time.

Witnessed the death of Naboth & family (2 Kings 9:25-26) Witnessed the death of Ahab & 70 sons (1 Kings 22) Witnessed the death of Jezebel (2 Kings 9) Witnessed the death of Ahab’s 70 sons (2 Kings 9-10) Becomes king (2 Kings 9:25-26)

Header • Comment - subpoint - subpoint • Comment - subpoint - subpoint

About Thyatira. Midway between Pergamum and Sardis, along the Roman road, sat this outpost, a sentinel spot. It wasn't a big city. Many have noted the fact that although this is the smallest and least important city among the seven churches, it received the longest letter.

Lydia Acts 16:13-15 On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we supposed that some people met for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had come together. One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. She was baptized along with other members of her household, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am faithful to the Lord," she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we did.

The End: Study Of Revelation Page 26 March 2019 Chapter text (NLT)

Lydia was a seller of expensive purple. There were two sources of the purple dye: one was the madder root which grew around Thyatira. The other was a little seashell fish called the murex. From the throat of the murex you could extract a single drop of dye. Therefore it was very expensive.

In that time, everyone belonged to one or more guilds, or trade unions. There were carpenters, dyers, sellers of goods, tent makers, etc.

Notice how Jesus identifies himself... He is the Son of God Eyes C perceiving the very thoughts and intentions. Feet C moving actively with judgment. The other interesting thing about this metal is that it is a mixture. That's what Jesus is...a mixture...fully God, fully man; fully grace, fully truth.

Notice what Jesus sees through those eyes... He Sees Good Your love The Ephesians had left it. It is the first of the fruits of the Spirit. There was an intimacy and a fellowship between them. Your faith(fulness) Your service There were works that corresponded to the love. This is ministry. Not only was their fellowship and faithfulness, friendship and a following, but there was this felicity of service to one another. It wasn't all about me and God...there was that horizontal aspect that had entered in. Your patient endurance There was a stretching of their faith and service into the community. It went beyond their little group. Your growth Once begun, it continued. There was progress. This was a healthy church!

He Sees Evil It's not a mistake. It's not a sickness. It's not a lapse in judgment. It's not a syndrome. It's sin.

And all the good that is going on does not cover over the evil that was present. “He's really a good boy.” It doesn't matter.

The End: Study Of Revelation Page 27 March 2019 Most of all, he sees this Jezebel, this false teacher that they were allowing in there midst. Jezebel. The historical Jezebel. 1st Kings 16:30-33 But Ahab did what was evil in the LORD'S sight, even more than any of the kings before him. And as though it were not enough to live like Jeroboam, he married Jezebel, the daughter of King Ethbaal of the Sidonians, and he began to worship Baal. First he built a temple and an altar for Baal in Samaria. Then he set up an Asherah pole. He did more to arouse the anger of the LORD, the God of Israel, than any of the other kings of Israel before him.

1st Kings 18:4 Once when Jezebel had tried to kill all the LORD'S prophets...

Chapter text (NLT)

1st Kings 18:19 Now bring all the people of Israel to Mount Carmel, with all 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who are supported by Jezebel.

Chapter text (NLT)

1st Kings 19:1-3a When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel what Elijah had done and that he had slaughtered the prophets of Baal. So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: AMay the gods also kill me if by this time tomorrow I have failed to take your life like those whom you killed.@ Elijah was afraid and fled for his life.

Chapter text (NLT)

1st Kings 21 The story of Naboth's vineyard

Chapter text (NLT)

2nd Kings 9:22 King Joram demanded, ADo you come in peace, Jehu?@ Jehu replied, AHow can there be peace as long as the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother, Jezebel, are all around us?@

Chapter text (NLT)

Jezebel at Thyatira. 1. This was in the church. This wasn't some outside group. 2. She was a self-proclaimed prophet. There is no problem with a woman being a prophet. It wasn't just that she called herself a prophet...she was a false prophet.

The End: Study Of Revelation Page 28 March 2019 3. She was seducing others. I don't think this was a literal sexual problem. It was a spiritual problem. She was teaching differently. 4. The issue seemed to be political and professional compromise. “Business is business.” The philosophy of “if business practices collide with your Christian principles, then your principles have to go, because you have to make a living.”

Churches do this. Some approve of homosexuality as an alternate lifestyle because they don't want to be seen as intolerant (and they don't want liberal big givers to leave.) Many don't discipline their members when they fall into immorality.

At issue was a rejection of authority. If you and I reject the Lord's authority, he is no longer God. The result is, we must find another god, because it is impossible for the human spirit to live without something to live for. That is what a god is...whatever you are living for, whatever makes life worthwhile to you, becomes your god. It may be the god of pleasure. It may be the god of wealth. It may be the god of power, ambition, or fame. It may be that your kids or grandkids are your gods. Wherever you work is the place of greatest temptation in this issue. Whether it's the office or the home.

The most subtle challenge to faith does usually originate in public amphitheaters but in the daily places where we earn the money we need to live.

Remember Lydia? What was the difference between herself and this Jezebel? She was submitted to authority. She was a worshiper of God. (Was that the difference? No. Many have come and fell at his feet and said, “Lord, Lord.”) As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. (That's the first difference. “The Lord opened her heart.” She responded to the authority of the Holy Spirit. Because of that, she was able to respond to the His authority as he spoke through Paul. Then she continue to submit.) She was baptized along with other members of her household, and she asked us to be her guests. "If you agree that I am faithful to the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home."

We find the attitudes of all seven churches still at work today in all kinds of churches. But there are those that point these seven churches to seven different eras in the history of the church. After all, this is a prophetic book. They find a lot of similarities between the church at Thyatira and the church from the 6th to the 16th century. During that time the church became corrupt by combining pagan rites and Christian teaching. Many pagan practices and heathen rituals were introduced into the churches, baptized with Christian terminology, related in some way to elements of the Bible, and accepted as being true: Images were worshiped. Various practices of priests were approved. The bishop of Rome became known as the Pope and ruled

The End: Study Of Revelation Page 29 March 2019 The End: Study Of Revelation Page 30 March 2019