____________________________________________________________________ THE REVELATION PROPHECY UPDATE: The Middle East is once again the center of the world’s focus − Egypt’s government has been toppled through massive demonstrations − Libya has taken center stage as Qaddafi fights to maintain control of his country − “Pro-democracy” rallies are starting to spring up in a number of smaller Islamic countries in the region − All of these nations have one thing in common – the Bible says they will all turn against Israel in the last days − March 8, 2011 Charisma Magazine reported that the Muslim Brotherhood has declared war on Israel and is operating in Egypt under the guise of a political party called Freedom and Justice. Currently the U.S. is involved in air strikes against Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. − The Obama administration has stated that the military strikes are meant to avert a humanitarian crisis and to stop Qaddafi from killing his own people − However, Libya’s official news agency has reported that al-Qaida forces are behind the civil unrest in Lybia − Wikileaks released cables from 2008 identifying parts of Libya as a training ground for terrorist fighters – these are the cities that Qaddafi has been taking back. − A member of the deposed regime of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak says that Qaddafi is the one Arab leader who is fighting back against the Islamic revolt sweeping across the Middle East. − Qaddafi has stated multiple times that al-Qaida is leading the civil unrest in Libya − John Brennan, Obama’s top counterterrorism adviser said he was concerned that al-Qaida affiliates in North Africa could try to take advantage of the upheaval in Libya to establish a new foothold − It is believed that all the turmoil could lead to an evil regime taking over these countries so they can come together and try to annihilate Israel Why is this so important? − The Bible speaks of an alliance that will occur in the Middle East against Israel – it refers to these nations as the King of the South What’s The Name Of Your Church: Ephesus / Revelation 2:1-7 © 2011 Holland Davis ____________________________________________________________________ THE REVELATION − Ezekiel 38 mentions the nations of Libya (Put), Iran (Persia), Cush (Sudan), Rosh (Russia), Magog (Central Asia / Afghanistan), Mescheh, Tubal, Gomer, Beth-togarmah (4 ancient provinces of Turkey) and other Islamic nations including Iraq, Syria, Jordan or Egypt. − But in order for these events to occur every nation must turn against Israel including America − April 6, 2009 – In Turkey President Obama said… “Although we have a very large Christian population, we do not consider ourselves a Christian nation.” – reported by US News and World Report − June 4, 2009 – In Cairo President Obama said… “America is one of the largest Muslim countries in the world.” – reported by Forbes − March 19, 2010 The Boston Globe reported that the Obama Administration deliberately took a course that I knew would inflame anti- Israeli intransigence throughout the Arab world, and would undermine support for Israel in the United States − Elliot Abrams, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations said that the Obama Administration is imposing new demands on Israel, and building tensions in the bilateral relationship, in an effort to destabilize the governing coalition in Israel. You can see the tide changing in the Middle East − Since Egypt’s “liberation,” Cairo has lifted its blockades on the Gaza Strip and is now making allies with Hamas and the Islamic radicals − Egyptian military has given permission for 2 Iranian warships to occupy the Suez Canal - 1 ship carrying weapons for Islamic extremists − Iran is currently building a permanent naval base in Syria − Sudan just announced that it will revenge an Israeli Air Force attack against a clandestine convoy carrying arms to supply Hamas in the Gaza Strip. − March 19, 2011 – Hamas, a new ally with Egypt, fired 50 rounds in 15 minutes on Israel from the Gaza Strip − This attack was ordered by Iran on Purim – the holiday that commemorates when Jews were saved from Persia (Iran) − Exciting times What’s The Name Of Your Church: Ephesus / Revelation 2:1-7 © 2011 Holland Davis ____________________________________________________________________ THE REVELATION WHAT’S THE NAME OF YOUR CHURCH: EPHESUS INTRO: − We now move to the second major second of The Revelation – The things which are. − John addresses the seven churches of Asia Minor… representing the complete Body of Christ − We refer to this period of time as the Church Age, which we are now in THERE ARE THREE BAISC VIEWS FOR INTERPRETION Literal view: The seven churches addresses in Revelation 2-3 were literal churches that John was writing to. − This is supported by vs.19 where John is told to write down the things which are. − However, each letter ends with “He who has an ear, et him hear what the Spirit says to the church” suggesting that the application of the letter goes beyond the literal church mentioned. Historical Timeline view: This view suggests that the Seven Churches represent Seven periods of church history − Ephesus: 31-100 A.D. (Apostolic Church / ends with death of John) − Smyrna: 100-313 A.D. (Persecuted Church / Roman persecution) − Pergamos: 313-590 A.D. (State Church / Constantine) − Thyatira: 590-1517 A.D. (Catholic Church / Rome) − Sardis: 1517-1730 (Refromation Church / Protestant Church ) − Philadelphia: 1730 A.D. –today (Missionary Church) − Laodecia: 1730 A.D. –today (Lukewarm Church) − This is a difficult view to support as the historical timeline and descriptions given to each church doesn’t really fit. Church Age View: I define this view as one that takes into account that although the letters were written to the Body of Christ that John is writing about one period of time referred to as the Church Age − John writes… to the angel of the church write… − But he ends the letter with… He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches – referring to the complete Body of Christ. − John is not addressing seven periods of church history, but one period of church history that is composed of seven types of churches − These letters continue to have relevance for the church today. What’s The Name Of Your Church: Ephesus / Revelation 2:1-7 © 2011 Holland Davis ____________________________________________________________________ THE REVELATION − This is the view that we will take in approaching this passage of scripture Revelation 2:1–3 (NKJV) The Loveless Church 2 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. The first letter is addressed to the Church of Ephesus − Ephesus was a major city of Asia. − It was a seaport, the first city reached from Patmos − The port of Ephesus was a place of shifting sands, due to the silting up of the mouth of the Cayster river. − It is in modern day Turkey and was the home of one of the seven wonders of the Ancient world – the temple of Diana. − The temple was 425 feet long (longer than a football field) − 200 feet wide (2/3 the size of a football field) − 60 feet high (6 stories high) with 127 Pillars / 36 of which had statues carved into them − The economy of the city centered around idolatry It was also the center for emperor worship − The temple of Diana had a section to the worship of the goddess of Rome and the emperor Julius. − There were other temples for the worship of emperors Claudius, Nero, Hadrian and Severus. − A gigantic statue of Domitian exists today − Ephesus was also a center for Pagan Magic − In the midst of idolatry and demonic activity, Paul experienced one of the greatest revivals in recorded history and started the most important church in Asia with the help of Priscilla and Aquila What’s The Name Of Your Church: Ephesus / Revelation 2:1-7 © 2011 Holland Davis ____________________________________________________________________ THE REVELATION − Paul stayed at Ephesus for nearly three years teaching at the school of Tyrannus. From here Paul was able to influence the entire known world with the gospel − It was in Ephesus that Paul led Timothy to Christ and discipled him. − Apollos and John also ministered in Ephesus – it was a spiritual hot spot. The author is identified as described by John in Revelation 1:12-16 − He holds the seven stars in His right hand – speaking of His power over the Church − Notice, Jesus holds the Church in His hands – it is under His control − People believe that the church is under the control of man… that is a fallacy − The Church is in the hands of Jesus and He will correct and protect His Church − It’s not my job to protect the Church, it’s my job to make disciples of all men. − Jesus is the one who Protects the Church. − He walks in the midst of the seven golden lamp stands – speaking of His Presence in the Church − In each letter, Jesus commends them for their spiritual work and confronts them for their spiritual problems. It is believed that the church at Ephesus was considered to be the pinnacle of Christian maturity and love for God… but Jesus says, I know your works − We need to keep in mind that Jesus is speaking to believers, not unbelievers − The works that Jesus is talking about is not works of righteousness for salvation, but works that occur because of salvation James 2:17 (NKJV) 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.