DOCSLIB.ORG

Revelation 2:12-17 Q1: HOW Do You Remain “IN” the WORLD, Without Being “OF” the WORLD? DESTINATION: Pergamum

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Revelation 2:12-17 Q1: HOW Do You Remain “IN” the WORLD, Without Being “OF” the WORLD? DESTINATION: Pergamum Revelation 2:12-17 Q1: HOW do you remain “IN” THE WORLD, without being “OF” THE WORLD? DESTINATION: Pergamum • Renown for extravagant altar of Zeus Soter (Savior) and temple of Athena. • Likely the center for Emperor worship. • Possessed the 2nd largest library in the world at the time. • Likely worshipped Athena, Asclepius, Dionysus, Zeus. • Asclepius (god of healing) snake symbol. • Produced a special parchment paper. • First temple dedicated to Caesar. • One of the seven wonders of ancient world ASCLEPIAN MEDICAL SCHOOL Ephesus Loveless Church Smyrna Smyrna Persecuted Church Pergamum Indulged Church UPPER CITY Occupied by Royal Family, Nobility, Military Commanders MIDDLE CITY Sports Fields, Temples frequented by less educated, Area of the common people General citizenship had unrestricted access Asclepian Included medical school, temple, replica of Pantheon, fountain, pool, theater, library, 5 smaller temples The Burbs The Strip The Base Revelation 2:12 (ESV) 12 “. ‘The words of him DESCRIPTION OF JESUS: who has the sharp two-edged sword. The governor’s residence was in Pergamum. He alone had the authority for capital punishment. The symbol of that authority was a two-edged sword. The sharp two-edged sword of Christ mentioned in 2:12 and 2:16 is herein contrasted with the sword of the governor. Jesus is the ultimate authority with the power over life and death. Revelation 19:15 (ESV) 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. Revelation 2:13 (ESV) 13 “ ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my COMMENDATION: faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, Holding Fast and Standing Strong who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. The doctrine of eternal security is referenced as “the perseverance of the saints” because the ultimate evidence of true saving faith is the believer persevering to the end. Revelation 14:12 (ESV) 12 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. 2:13 “where Satan’s throne is . where Satan dwells.” ALTAR OF ZEUS ASCLEPIUS TEMPLE EMPEROR WORSHIP OTHER TEMPLE WORSHIP (7) FALSE TEACHING TOLERATION, COMPLACENCY ZEUS ATHENA captain of the gods roman goddess NICOLAITANS wisdom, olives, weaving, battle strategy Compromise under pressure DIONYSUS Judea-Christian DEMETER god of grape-harvest, Church goddess of the earth religious ecstasy, insanity, ritual madness, theater at harvest, bounty Pergamum ASCLEPIUS EMPEROR greco-roman god son of Apollo BALAAM WORSHIP CONTROL FALSE SEX Dolos (Greek) Power, Mind Control Chicken Ranch brothel Pahrump, Nye County , Nevada TEACHER For Sale: $7 million Prosperity Gospel Christian Church ALCOHOL at Dionysus (Roman god Bacchus) SELF wine & religious ecstasy Las Vegas Entertainment GAMBLING POSITION Hermes (Greek) Ranking, Hierarchy son of Apollo PLEASURE Hedone (Greek goddess) Pursuit, Priority Revelation 2:14–15 (ESV) 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold CONDEMNATION: the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to Severe Compromise idols and practice sexual immorality. Worldly Morality & Pagan Doctrine 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. “It is a small step It need not be from compromise TEACHING this difficult; to deceit.” Billy Graham OF BALAAM pleasure is available COMPROMISE Minimizing the Standard Maximizing the Desirable COMPROMISE “You can never suppress error by TEACHING OF God will compromising with it.” John MacArthur NICOLAITANS understand Revelation 2:14–15 (ESV) 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold CONDEMNATION: the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to Severe Compromise idols and practice sexual immorality. Worldly Morality & Pagan Doctrine 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. “It is a small step It need not be from compromise TEACHING this difficult; to deceit.” Billy Graham OF BALAAM pleasure is available COMPROMISE Minimizing the Standard Maximizing the Desirable COMPROMISE “You can never suppress error by TEACHING OF God will compromising with it.” John MacArthur NICOLAITANS understand Balaam Numbers 22: 21-35 and 25 Balaam Undermining the Faith & Corrupting the Character 1 Corinthians 5:1-8 & Titus 3:9-11 Nicolaitans Dismissing the Doctrine & Ignoring Integrity Revelation 2:16 (ESV) 16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon EXHORTATION: and war against them with the sword of my mouth. “Repent” means to change one’s way of life as a result of a complete change in thought and attitude (Lou Nida Lexicon) . Jesus demonstrates that compromising with sin in the church is not to be tolerated. Jesus warms that he Himself will come to fight against them unless they changed their behavior. Matthew 18:15-20; Rom 16: 17-18; 1 Cor 5:1-13; Gal. 6:1-2; 2 Thess. 3:6-15 To promote individual sanctification Maintain holiness in the church For God’s Greater Glory Revelation 2:17 (ESV) 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one PROMISE: who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white OVERCOMERS (nikao) stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’ OVERCOMER victor, conqueror, in the NT they are the true believers 1 John 5:4 (ESV) 4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith. BUILDING A DEFINITIVE DESCRIPTION OF THE ENDURES UNTIL THE END - THE TRUE victory Be Ephesus Passionate + remember, repent, repeat Be Smyrna Steadfast tested by persecution Be Pergamum Intolerant disciplined & vigilant Q1: HOW do you remain “IN THE WORLD”, without being “OF THE WORLD?” Q1: HOW do you remain “IN THE WORLD”, without being “OF THE WORLD?” 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8 (ESV) Answering the Call of Holiness your sanctification: . abstain from sexual immorality; . to control his own body in holiness and honor, . do not transgress and wrong his brother 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. Q1: HOW do you remain “IN THE WORLD”, without being “OF THE WORLD?” Micah 6:8 (ESV) 8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Revelation 2:17 (ESV) 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one PROMISE: who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white OVERCOMERS (nikao) stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one Hidden Manna, White Stone, New Name who receives it.’ John 6:48-51 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” There was a golden pot of manna preserved (hidden in the Ark of the Covenant (Ex 16:23) incorruptible. As was Jesus’ body. Christ Himself was the manna hidden from the world. Athletic (to the victor, admission to the winner’s circle); Judicial (acquittal) New status, new purpose; eschatologically a new identity in new heaven and new earth acquittal acceptance Q2: HOW would you use a white stone ? BONUS Q: Talker Conman WHAT would be an appropriate new name for you? Is there a PRINCIPLE for my creed? FINAL THOUGHTS Is there a COMMAND that I need to heed? fitting the pieces into a picture Is there a BLESSING that I need? Pergamum is any church (or person) who courts the world and mixes itself with wrong teaching out of expediency, comfort, convenience or otherwise It will lead to immorality and/or unscrupulous behavior. God takes compromise seriously. Those who heed political-correctness should heed this. Is there a PRINCIPLE for my creed? FINAL THOUGHTS Is there a COMMAND that I need to heed? fitting the pieces into a picture Is there a BLESSING that I need? Revelation 2:10 (ESV) 10 Do not fear what you . suffer . you may be tested . you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death . Is there a PRINCIPLE for my creed? FINAL THOUGHTS Is there a COMMAND that I need to heed? fitting the pieces into a picture Is there a BLESSING that I need? Those who persevere will be rewarded. Christ Himself will acquit them of guilt and embrace them at the entrance to His Kingdom. What need I learn, know, use? TAKE-AWAY What ONE THING is vital for me? FIGURE IT OUT AND NOW YOU KNOW “The rest of the story” THINGS THAT MAKE YOU THINK The Altar of Zeus was taken stone by stone to Berlin, it was reassembled in the Berlin Museum in 1930.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • We've Got Mail Jesus' Letter to the Church in Ephesus — Revelation
    Pastor Jeff Barclay - July 5, 2020 We’ve Got Mail Jesus’ Letter to the Church in Ephesus — Revelation 2:1-7 Passionate about Doctrine, Passionless for Jesus Of the seven churches described in Revelation 2-3 Ephesus is the church with the most extra historical and doctrinal details —Acts 19-20 and Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. COMMUNION. As we share in the Lord’s Supper let’s go back to last week’s Sermon-to-Life. It will be a helpful way to provide context and introduce today’s sermon. The focus of which will be this statement from Jesus to the Church in Ephesus: “I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you. You have abandoned the love you had at first. You have abandoned Me, your first love,” (Revelation 2:4-5). Last week I wrapped up saying this Together let’s slow down a little and pay attention to the most significant person that ever lived. Let’s pay a ridiculous amount of attention to Jesus. In the days ahead, let’s make more of Jesus in the days ahead! These sound similar to what Jesus reminded the church in Ephesus. Returning their focus to Him their first love. In it’s beginning the church in Ephesus made much of Jesus. The Apostle Paul lived and taught there for three years. (Acts 19:10) In a city known for its sensual cult worship of Artemis, extraordinary miracles occurred.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Revelation: Unveiling Reality “Sex, Money and Jezebel” Revelation 2:18-29 Kevin Haah April 17, 2016
    Revelation: Unveiling Reality “Sex, Money and Jezebel” Revelation 2:18-29 Kevin Haah April 17, 2016 Turn on Timer! [Slide 1] We are in a middle of a series entitled, “Revelation: Unveiling Reality.” Revelation was written to show us that reality is more than what we see with our eyes. That’s the thesis of the book: things are not as they seem. This book unveils reality not just of the future, but also of the present. There is more to this present moment then we can know with our unaided senses. The more we see this, the more our perspective toward life changes. We see the world differently. We see the pressures and stresses of our lives differently. So, this is a practical book. It helps us be faithful even during hardships! Today, we are going to look at one of the letters to the seven churches, the letter to the church in Thyatira. [Slide 2] Today’s sermon is entitled, “Sex, Money and Jezebel.” [Slide 3] Let’s go to Revelation 2:18-29: 18 “To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19 I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. [Slide 4] 20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.
    [Show full text]
  • Revelation, 2, Study Guide
    LESSON 5 THE SEVEN BOWLS OF WRATH Our God is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth” (Ps. 86:15). His patience is well known (Rom. 2:4; 1 Pet. 3:20). Because of this fact, at times it may appear that God has forgotten about mankind’s flagrant disobedience, but God has not forgotten. Chapters 15 and 16 illustrate graphically the truth of Galatians 6:7: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” When the wrath of God is poured out, sinners will be given no more opportu- nities to repent. 1. Do chapters 15 and 16 tell of temporal judgment of the final judgment? 2. What three applications can we make of chapter 16? THE FIRST BOWL (16:1, 2) In 16:1, the seven angels were commanded to pour out the seven bowls on the earth. The remainder of chapter 16 pictures the emptying of the bowls. 3. What common elements do the seven trumpets and the seven bowls share? 4. What differences between the two are significant? THE SECOND BOWL (16:3) At the sounding of the second trumpet, a third of the sea had been turned to blood (8:8), but now all the sea became blood like that of a dead man— coagulating and rotting. 5. How does verse 3 emphasize the terrible effects of sin? 1 THE THIRD BOWL (16:4–7) When the Nile turned to blood, the Egyptians dug wells to get water (Ex. 7:24), but during the third plague in Revelation 16, even the springs—the sources of water—turned to blood.
    [Show full text]
  • Revelation 2:1-7 Losing the Spark to the Church in Ephesus Series Introduction
    Revelation 2:1-7 Losing the spark To the church in Ephesus Series introduction: When Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Steve Largent retired he was considered the greatest receiver to ever play the game. Why am I telling you this? when I was in sixth grade my teacher gave us an assignment. We had to write to a famous person requesting a letter back… I wrote to Steve Largent requesting a letter back… So for the next few weeks I waited and I waited for a letter from Steve Largent… can you imagine getting a letter from Steve Largent, or Bill Gates, or Donald Trump???? When it finally came I could not wait to read it… I read it over and over again. In fact, I still have it. If a famous person wrote you a letter you would probably read it to… What if Jesus wrote you a letter. Would you read it??? Of course you would. This brings us to our new series. The year is 95 AD. Over 60 years have passed since Jesus rose from the grace, ascended to the father’s right hand, and poured at the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. When the apostle John was a young man he walked and talked with Jesus before and after his resurrection. Now he is an old man. He has devoted 60 yeas of his life to preaching and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. John is probably around 90 years old. He is a prisoner on the rocky and barren island of Patmos, roughly 60 miles from the ancient town of Ephesus.
    [Show full text]
  • The Order and Significance of the Sealed Tribes of Revelation 7:4-8
    Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Master's Theses Graduate Research 2011 The Order and Significance of the Sealed ribesT of Revelation 7:4-8 Michael W. Troxell Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/theses Recommended Citation Troxell, Michael W., "The Order and Significance of the Sealed ribesT of Revelation 7:4-8" (2011). Master's Theses. 56. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/theses/56 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Master's Theses by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in the Andrews University Digital Library of Dissertations and Theses. Please honor the copyright of this document by not duplicating or distributing additional copies in any form without the author’s express written permission. Thanks for your cooperation. ABSTRACT THE ORDER AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SEALED TRIBES OF REVELATION 7:4-8 by Michael W. Troxell Adviser: Ranko Stefanovic ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Thesis Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: THE ORDER AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SEALED TRIBES OF REVELATION 7:4-8 Name of researcher: Michael W. Troxell Name and degree of faculty adviser: Ranko Stefanovic, Ph.D. Date completed: November 2011 Problem John’s list of twelve tribes of Israel in Rev 7, representing those who are sealed in the last days, has been the source of much debate through the years. This present study was to determine if there is any theological significance to the composition of the names in John’s list.
    [Show full text]
  • Deuteronomy 202 1 Edition Dr
    Notes on Deuteronomy 202 1 Edition Dr. Thomas L. Constable TITLE The title of this book in the Hebrew Bible was its first two words, 'elleh haddebarim, which translate into English as "these are the words" (1:1). Ancient Near Eastern suzerainty treaties began the same way.1 So the Jewish title gives a strong clue to the literary character of Deuteronomy. The English title comes from a Latinized form of the Septuagint (Greek) translation title. "Deuteronomy" means "second law" in Greek. We might suppose that this title arose from the idea that Deuteronomy records the law as Moses repeated it to the new generation of Israelites who were preparing to enter the land, but this is not the case. It came from a mistranslation of a phrase in 17:18. In that passage, God commanded Israel's kings to prepare "a copy of this law" for themselves. The Septuagint translators mistakenly rendered this phrase "this second [repeated] law." The Vulgate (Latin) translation, influenced by the Septuagint, translated the phrase "second law" as deuteronomium, from which "Deuteronomy" is a transliteration. The Book of Deuteronomy is, to some extent, however, a repetition to the new generation of the Law that God gave at Mt. Sinai. For example, about 50 percent of the "Book of the Covenant" (Exod. 20:23— 23:33) is paralleled in Deuteronomy.2 Thus God overruled the translators' error, and gave us a title for the book in English that is appropriate, in view of the contents of the book.3 1Meredith G. Kline, "Deuteronomy," in The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p.
    [Show full text]
  • The Torah: a Women's Commentary
    STUDY GUIDE The Torah: A Women’s Commentary Parashat Balak NUMBERS 22:2-25:9 Study Guide written by Rabbi Stephanie Bernstein Dr. Tamara Cohn Eskenazi, Dr. Lisa D. Grant, and Rabbi Andrea L. Weiss, Ph.D., editors Rabbi Hara E. Person, series editor Parashat Balak Study Guide Themes Theme 1: The Seer Balaam—Have Vision Will Travel Theme 2: It’s a Slippery Slope—the Dangers of Foreign Women INTRODUCTION n Parashat Balak the Israelites are camped on the plains of Moab, ready Ito enter Canaan. In the midst of their final preparations to enter the land God promised to their ancestors, yet another obstacle emerges. Balak, king of Moab, grows concerned about the fierce reputation of the Israelites, which he observed in the Israelites’ encounter with the Amorites (Numbers 21:21–32). Balak’s subjects worry that the Israelites, due to their large numbers, will devour the resources of Moab. In response, Balak hires a well-known seer named Balaam to curse the Israelites, thus reflecting the widely held belief in the ancient world that putting a curse on someone was an effective means of subduing an enemy. The standoff between the powers of the God of Israel and those of a foreign seer proves to be no contest. Even Balaam’s talking female donkey, who represents the biblical ideal of wisdom, recognizes the efficacy of God’s power—unlike her human master, the professional seer. Although hired to curse the Israelites, Balaam ends up blessing them instead. In a series of four oracles, Balaam ultimately does the opposite of what Balak desires and establishes that the power of Israel’s God is greater than even the most skilled human seers.
    [Show full text]
  • Benjamin's Covenant As a Precursor of the Sacrament Prayers
    Benjamin's Covenant as a Precursor of the Sacrament Prayers John W. Welch King Benjamin’s covenant language in Mosiah 5 gures seminally as an early text to which Jesus was apparently alluding when he articulated in 3 Nephi 18 words that provided the basis for the nal form of the Nephite sacrament prayers in Moroni 4–5. A historical, textual relationship exists between the words of the Nephite covenant text of King Benjamin, the words of Jesus in 3 Nephi 18, and the phrases used in the Nephite sacrament prayers; the precision and persistence of basic terms throughout all three of these texts, separated from each other by many years and pages of Nephite history, speak highly of the faithful and logical orderliness, the linguistic sensitivity, and the progressing revelation and inspiration present in this history. Benjamin’s Words and Moroni 4–5 At the conclusion of Benjamin’s speech (Mosiah 5), his people entered into a covenant. The event began with a declaration by the people of their faith in the king’s words, an affirmation of their disposition to do good continually, and an acknowledgment that the goodness of God had filled them with the spirit of prophecy and with joy. In effect, the people declared how they had been blessed and sanctified: “Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; . we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually” (Mosiah 5:2–4). The people then, in the following words, expressed their willingness to enter into a covenant.
    [Show full text]
  • Small Group Questions Revelation 2
    Small Group Study Guide for Revelation Chapters 2 OVERVIEW OF FIRST 5 CHAPTERS OF THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST Revelation starts with a large, holy vision of Jesus in chapter 1. He is clothed with such glory and splendor that the apostle John falls down as though dead. It would be easy to skip chapters 2 and 3 and go directly from the vision of Jesus to the vision of the throne room in heaven in chapters 4 and 5. Right in between these two overwhelming visions John records seven letters to seven churches. Throughout the entire book of Revelation John is pushing language to its breaking point. He is trying his best to describe the indescribable. But the letters are the exception. They are practical and include encouragement and correction. These churches needed to hear from Jesus. So do we. PURPOSE OF THE LETTERS: To show the spiritual needs of these first century churches, and by analogy, all churches (the number seven of perfection and completion). John's ministry in his old age was in Asia Minor, especially in Ephesus. John is obviously well acquainted with these churches and cities. These letters show the ethical aspect of Christianity. They are a call to faithfulness and godliness. The church will also be judged one day. A different kind of judgment than the wicked, but a judgement still. 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
    [Show full text]
  • The `Comings' of Christ in Revelation 2–3
    TMSJ 7/2 (Fall 1996) 153-181 THE `COMINGS' OF CHRIST IN REVELATION 2–3 Robert L. Thomas Professor of New Testament Six of the seven messages of Christ in Rev 2–3 contain references to His coming. In three instances He promises to come and deliver His faithful from persecution, and in three He threatens to come and judge the unfaithful. In all six His coming is imminent, whether for deliverance or for judgment. The only way this can happen is for the deliverance—the rapture of the church—and the judgment—the beginning of Daniel's seventieth week—to occur simultaneously. The two chapters provide three more passages that refer to His coming indirectly. The forecast in these too is for His return at any moment. A survey of other relevant NT passages reflects the same dual imminence for the two events. The phenomena surrounding these predicted comings lead inevitably to the conclusion that Christ's return for His church must be pretribulational, because this is the only way to explain satisfactorily how the two future events can be simultaneous. * * * * * In Revelation 2–3 Christ speaks of His coming explicitly in six of the messages to the seven churches of Asia. He does so in three of the messages through a form of the verb5e rxomai (erchomai, "I will come"1) (2:5, 16; 3:11). In two of the messages he does so with the verb 1Though5e rxomai (erchomai, "I will come") is present tense, contextual nuances in Revelation and the verbal idea of "coming" warrant construing it as a futuristic use of the present tense.
    [Show full text]
  • Revelation 2 Homework
    Revelation 1 & 2 Homework Before we dig into our study questions for Revelation chapter two, we are going to spend a little time looking back at Chapter one and reviewing some of the things we covered in our first study. 1. Who is the one responsible for writing down and compiling all that we find in the book of Revelation? _________________________________________ 2. What other books did He author? __________________________________________ 3. Read through verses 4-8 and list some of the descriptions we see of Jesus: _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 4. Look at verses 9 & 10 and list the following: Where was he? ______________________ Why was he there? ______________________________________________________ What day was it? _______________________________________ What was he in on that day? __________________________________________ The above are important facts to hold onto and will tie into the rest of Revelation. If John was on this Island due to his faithfulness to Christ and was found here in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, what does that tell us about John and what kind of follower he was? _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ 5. We see in verse 12 the “seven golden
    [Show full text]
  • The `Comings' of Christ in Revelation 2–3
    TMSJ 7/2 (Fall 1996) 153-181 THE `COMINGS' OF CHRIST IN REVELATION 2–3 Robert L. Thomas Professor of New Testament Six of the seven messages of Christ in Rev 2–3 contain references to His coming. In three instances He promises to come and deliver His faithful from persecution, and in three He threatens to come and judge the unfaithful. In all six His coming is imminent, whether for deliverance or for judgment. The only way this can happen is for the deliverance—the rapture of the church—and the judgment—the beginning of Daniel's seventieth week—to occur simultaneously. The two chapters provide three more passages that refer to His coming indirectly. The forecast in these too is for His return at any moment. A survey of other relevant NT passages reflects the same dual imminence for the two events. The phenomena surrounding these predicted comings lead inevitably to the conclusion that Christ's return for His church must be pretribulational, because this is the only way to explain satisfactorily how the two future events can be simultaneous. * * * * * In Revelation 2–3 Christ speaks of His coming explicitly in six of the messages to the seven churches of Asia. He does so in three of the messages through a form of the verb5e rxomai (erchomai, "I will come"1) (2:5, 16; 3:11). In two of the messages he does so with the verb 1Though5e rxomai (erchomai, "I will come") is present tense, contextual nuances in Revelation and the verbal idea of "coming" warrant construing it as a futuristic use of the present tense.
    [Show full text]