Sermon Revelation Chapter 2

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[2] The title of the sermon today is “REVELATION CHAPTER 2.”

• We’ll be going through Revelation Chapter 2 verse by verse today.

[3] When we went through Revelation Chapter 1, remember that we learned the outline of Revelation looks like this:

1. Write the things which thou HAST SEEN – Chapter 1
2. Write the things WHICH ARE – Chapter 2 and 3
3. Write the things which shall be HEREAFTER – Chapter 4 and on

Revelation Chapter 2 Is About The Things “WHICH ARE”

• So today, we’re looking at Chapter 2, which is about John writing the things WHICH ARE.
• This means the things that were happening at the time John was writing the Book of Revelation.
• Jesus is speaking as we start out in Revelation Chapter 2.
• Jesus has a special message for the 7 churches that we talked about in Revelation 1.
• Chapter 2 is going to cover some of those 7 churches.
• Chapter 3 will finish out the messages Jesus has for those 7 churches.

We need to hear these messages because we should be learning from what Jesus has to say to His churches.

• And remember, these are 7 literal churches that were there at the time of John writing the Book of Revelation.
• These 7 churches don’t represent 7 different made-up church ages that dispensationalists will teach.
• In Chapter 2, we’re going to see the message to 4 of the 7 churches.
• Take a look at verse 1 of Revelation Chapter 2.

[4] Revelation 2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

• Jesus then begins to give His message to the first church, the Church of Ephesus.

[5] Revelation 2:2-3 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

• Jesus is telling the Church at Ephesus that they are doing many good things.
• What good things are they doing?
• They are working hard, they have patience, they cannot bear them which are evil.
• They have tested those who say they are apostles and aren’t, and they have found false preachers that are liars.
• They have worked extremely hard for the name of Jesus and have not fainted.
• So the Church at Ephesus is a hard working church!
• They are also great at recognizing false teaching and doctrine. That’s what we need to be.
• When we hear things that are wrong and not according to the Bible, we need to call this out so others aren’t deceived by false teaching.

The Church At Ephesus Takes A Stand

This Church at Ephesus took a stand against evil. They could not bear those which are evil.

• When we have false churches around here teaching the wrong things, when we have LGBTQ groups pushing their evil agendas, when we have drug dealers out in our community, we need to take a stand against this evil.
• You see: we should want that same praise from Jesus. Let’s do what we need to do for the name of Jesus.
• The only ONE who can truly change this community is Jesus Christ.
• Once people truly accept Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit will change those people. Not us.
• We have no power to change. God does.

[6] John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

• Now that we’ve seen the good things that the Church at Ephesus did, let’s see what else Jesus has to say.
• Listen, no Church is perfect and all Churches will be doing good things and bad things. We’re human.
• Let’s make sure we’re doing the best we can to do good all the time.

[7] Revelation 2:4-6 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

• Jesus told them the good things.
• He praised them for their hard work, for standing up against evil, for having patience, and for recognizing and calling out false teaching.
• But now, He’s telling them that they have left their first love.
• He’s giving them the bad part, and He’s telling them to correct this.
• Remember, John is writing and delivering these letters to these literal churches in this time.
• But we can learn very much from these letters to the 7 churches so pay attention here.

What Is The First Love Of The Church At Ephesus?

How does the Church at Ephesus get back to their first love?

• Jesus tells them to repent (change their course) and do the first works. What are the first works?
• They were working hard and doing good works, but they weren’t doing the first works or the most important works.
• God wants them to get back to the first works.
• So remember this today: we need to be doing the first works ALWAYS.
• We cannot STOP doing the first works.

So, what are the first works that Jesus is talking about here? What is the first love that Ephesus has left?

• When Jesus Christ first setup the Church, think back to that time and what Jesus said at that time.
• The first thing Jesus did was to send out His disciples to preach and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every creature.
• Jesus Himself said He was come to seek and to save that which is lost.

[8] Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

• Jesus sent forth disciples two and two into every city and place to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

[9] Mark 6:7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

[10] Luke 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

• And then Jesus, in Acts Chapter 1, tells His disciples to go out and be witnesses unto Him into the uttermost part of the Earth.

[11] Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

• The main purpose of the Church is to go out and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Doesn’t that make sense? Do you remember what Romans Chapter 10 says about this. Hear this:

[12] Romans 10:13-14 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

• So listen, we’re all preachers and teachers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
• It’s not just you and it’s not just me. It’s all believers in Jesus Christ.
• We are supposed to be going out and telling others about Jesus Christ.
• We don’t wait for the opportunity to come to us. We go make the opportunities.
• We go out and find people who need Jesus.
• The men preach within the Church because God said so, but the men and the women and the children ALL go out and preach outside the Church. It takes all of us.

Most People Are Saved When They Are Children

Did you know that most people are saved when they are children?

• This is because their heart hasn’t been hardened over all the years of rejection of Jesus Christ.
• Children can preach to children to get those children saved.
• Our children in this Church have a great purpose and will also do the first works.
• Children are amazing, and our children will work for God too.
• So, hear this today:
• We can’t forget our first love, Jesus Christ, and we can’t forget our first works which is preaching Jesus Christ to others so they can be saved from eternal hell, eternal damnation, eternal fire, eternal torment, and from weeping and gnashing of teeth.

In this world today, we hear all about love, love, love BUT no one understands what that truly means.

• If we truly have God’s love, we’ll be going out and preaching Jesus Christ because we know He is the only one who can save them from hell.
• You see: the LGBTQ crowd will call me hateful for preaching against them, but the truth is: I’m trying to tell them the truth about hell because I don’t want them to go there.
• If you could actually see or feel what hell was like, you wouldn’t want anyone to go there.
• And I don’t want them to go there. I hope that they change their mind about Jesus Christ if it’s possible.

If we truly believe in and understand hell, we won’t anyone to go there.

• We’ll do our absolute best RIGHT NOW to tell them the truth.
• The Bible tells us that MOST PEOPLE will go to hell so we’ve got work to do.
• We preach against sin and people will call us hateful and they will hate us, but this is God’s love because Jesus saves them from eternal hell.
• We aren’t perfect. We are sinners too. But we will preach the word of God as instructed.
• We must tell the truth. We must help THE LOST to find Jesus.

Preaching The Gospel Changes You

When you’re going out to do the first works of spreading the Gospel, this is going to change you because love will increase within you.

• You’ll see the lost people. You’ll see the hurt within people. You’ll see how they need Jesus.
• And let me tell you: there’s a HUGE percentage of people who need Jesus around here.
• You’ll see how much some of them hate God and you.

Let’s go back to Revelation Chapter 2.

• Keep in mind that this church in Ephesus no longer exists.
• You can’t go and attend that same church today.
• We can apply this same teaching to every church today.

If your church isn’t going out and preaching the true Gospel of Jesus Christ to as many as they can, they have also lost or never started their first works.

• First, they need to understand the true Gospel of Jesus Christ within the Bible.
• Jesus isn’t happy with most of His churches today.
• I’ve lived here all my life and NO ONE has ever came to my door to give me the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.
• No one. I heard it from the Internet. I heard it on You Tube. Thank God for You Tube. It’s not all evil.
• I took what I heard, I got my Bible out, and I made sure it matched the Bible. And it did.

In other words, we can take all of these messages from Jesus Christ to these 7 churches and APPLY THEM to US TODAY!!!

• And that’s what we’re going to do as we go through Revelation Chapters 2 and 3.
• How can any church not take these messages and apply them?
• Why are churches not going out to reach the lost? The message is there.
• Many false teachers and preachers today will just repeat what they hear other false teachers say and they will tell you that these 7 churches are 7 different church ages and that we’re living in the last church age, the Laodicean Church age.

Where do they get this stuff? Where does the Bible say there are 7 church ages?

• It’s false and made up by some man YET people will continue to teach that trash.
• It makes no sense if you read and understand the entire Bible.
• But yet, most churches around here will teach that. I fell for it too. We need to wake up.
• They will say that right after Jesus, there is the Ephesus Church age and that’s followed by the Smyrna Church age and so on.
• But in Revelation Chapter 1 we already studied and showed that the 7 churches were 7 literal churches that John was writing messages to.
• They existed then and do not exist today. They weren’t future churches or ages.

There’s No Such Thing As The Laodicean Church Age

The churches today will teach that we are in the Laodicean Church age and the problem with that Church was the fact they were lukewarm and neither cold NOR hot.

• So churches today think that it’s okay to be lukewarm and neither cold nor hot and that we can’t really change that.
• What??? You see: this is crazy stuff churches are teaching and leaving all of our people out there to be sent to hell.
• We aren’t going to be lukewarm here in this church.
• We’re going to be hot, and we’re going to stay that way as long as I am breathing here on this Earth.
• As long as I’ve got one other person with me, it’s a Church. It’s a congregation of believers.

[13] Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

• You see: WE have a responsibility to GOD to get this right.
• We have a responsibility to get out there and get people saved from hell. That’s our job.
• There is no other job more important. Jesus commanded us to do so, and if we aren’t, this is a great sin.
• Understand that today. Sin isn’t just doing things against God’s rules, but it’s also NOT doing what He tells us to do.
• When we do what He says, His love within us is increased.
• We want to go out more and teach others about Jesus Christ. It becomes a part of us and who we are.
• We aren’t scared or fearful to talk about Jesus.

[14] Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

• We will NOT let our love wax cold and lose our first love and first works.
• We cannot do this as others will be sent to hell if we do this.
• Moving on to Verse 7 in Revelation 2.

[15] Revelation 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

• So I want to take a minute and see what this verse really means because I just heard false teaching this week from another preacher at a funeral.
• And to be 100% truthful with you, I’m sick of false preaching.
• I want to focus in on the part of the verse that says “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life.”

What Does To Him That Overcometh Actually Mean?

• False preachers will use that verse to say that we must endure to the end and overcome sin in our life to make it to heaven.
• That we must continue to repent of our sin to overcome and to finally make it to heaven.
• That’s not what “OVERCOMETH” means. Let’s get this straight today. We don’t overcome anything.
• We are sinners. We are damned to hell unless we have Jesus. Jesus overcomes for us. We don’t.
• Let’s see what the Bible says “He that overcometh” means.

[16] 1 John 5:4-5 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

• So, the false preachers out there that use Revelation 2:7 to show that we must continue to obey God and repent of our sins and do good works until the end to be saved should actually read and understand the Bible.
• STOP teaching false doctrine and damning people to hell!
• Just a few pages back from Revelation 2, you will find the truth.
• He that overcometh is he that believes on Jesus. It’s that simple.

So now we know what verse 7 means in Revelation Chapter 2.

• It’s simply saying that saved people will eat of the tree of life and have everlasting life.
• Overcoming the world is being born again through Jesus Christ alone.
• Here’s another verse that false preachers will use about overcoming the world and enduring to the end to be saved.
• They will tell you that you aren’t yet saved or you don’t yet have eternal life because you MUST make it to the end.

[17] Revelation 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

• Overcoming means you are a son of God. In 1 John it says those who overcometh are born of God.
• It’s the same thing. Just more proof of what it really means.
• All you have to do is use the Bible to tell you what things mean and not some false preacher.

Just the other day a false preacher says that he’s not sure why we die and why there’s death.

• Well, the Bible is very clear about that. Romans 6:23 says the wages of sin is death.
• This means sin causes death. When we sin, we earn death. The wages of sin is death.
• The Bible is very clear and will answer all questions.

Those Who Overcome = Those Who Are Saved By Believing On Jesus Christ

• So, it’s very simple. Those who overcome are those who are saved and go to heaven.
• Those who do not overcome are those who aren’t saved and go to hell.
• Back to Revelation Chapter 2 now that you know what overcometh means using the Bible as the truth.

[18] Revelation 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

• You’ll see the tree of life in verse 7.
• We also see the tree in life in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve.
• The tree of life is associated with eternal life.

[19] Genesis 3:22-24 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: 23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. 24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

• God drove out Adam and Eve from the garden so they could not eat of the tree of life and live forever due to their sin.
• Revelation Chapter 22 also talks about the tree of life. Hear this today:

[20] Revelation 22:1-2 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

• Those who are saved will eat of the tree of life. He that overcometh will eat of the tree of life.
• So, you should understand verse 7 very well now. But let’s look a little closer at the end of that verse.
• It says the tree of life is in the midst of the paradise of God. Where’s the paradise of God?
• The paradise of God is heaven.

[21] 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

• So these verses tell us paradise is the third heaven as they are used interchangeably here.
• You might ask: What’s the third heaven? The Bible is very clear about this too.
• The first heaven is the sky above us. The second heaven is beyond earth in space.

The Third Heaven Is Paradise Where God Is Located

• The third heaven is where God is located in paradise.
• Look at verse 8 and 9 in Revelation 2.
• You’ll see that we’re moving past the Church at Ephesus and Jesus is now sending His message to the Church in Smyrna.

[22] Revelation 2:8-9 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

• Jesus is clearly talking here because He says the person giving John the message here is the first and the last and was dead but is alive.
• This is clearly Jesus.
• He tells the Church at Smyrna that he knows their works, that he knows they are going through tribulation, and that they are poor and in poverty.
• But He also knows they are truly rich in Jesus Christ.
• They may be poor here on this Earth, but they were rich in the truly good things and good works.

Who Is The Synagogue Of Satan?

I want to focus a minute on the end of verse 9 where Jesus Himself says: “and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.”

• So who in the world is Jesus talking about here? Who are these people who say they are Jews but are not?
• Jesus calls them the synagogue of Satan.
• So listen, I’m not giving you my opinion here. I am showing you what the Bible says.
• This isn’t my opinion. This is what God says in His Bible. If it’s not, show me where it’s wrong.

The synagogue of Satan is obviously someone that calls them self a Jew.

• This already narrows it down for us, right?
• If you don’t call yourself a Jew, then you aren’t included here.
• Only people who call themselves Jews are still left as we narrow this down.
• The religion of Judaism calls themselves Jews. Are they Jews? No, they are definitely not Jews.

Notice that Jesus uses the term synagogue of Satan. Which religion on this earth uses synagogues?

• It’s very clear and easy to know because there is a group of people who call themselves Jews, who deny the Lord Jesus Christ, and they worship their false god in synagogues.
• These are the people who follow the religion of Judaism.
• So you might say: “Well, I can see that they are Jews because of what they wear, the hats, I see them practicing their religion of Judaism, I see them honoring the Sabbath day, eating Kosher meals, and so on.”
• “I know those people are truly Jews. I can see it.”
• Well, take a look at Romans 2:28.

[23] Romans 2:28-29 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

• Paul says in Romans 2 that those who are say they are Jews and show it outwardly are not always Jews.
• He says that he is a Jew that is one inwardly.
• Just because someone is circumcised of the flesh does not mean they are a Jew.
• Let’s look at Philippians 3 and understand that Paul is writing to Gentiles here and not Jews.
• Philippi is a city in Macedonia and Paul is obviously speaking to Gentiles here.

[24] Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

• Who is the TRUE circumcision?
• Paul says it is WE that worship God in the spirit and REJOICE IN CHRIST JESUS!
• Does the religion of Judaism rejoice in Christ Jesus?
• No, they hate Jesus and say he is a false Messiah.
• They will say that He deserved to be put to death and that they would do it again.
• They said He used black magic for His miracles. They don’t deny the miracles.
• They just say that He used black magic.

All Of Physical Israel Are Not Spiritual Israel

This means they are NOT the circumcision. This means they are not God’s chosen people.

• This means they are NOT saved. This means they are the synagogue of Satan.
• They say they are Jews, but they aren’t. If you don’t believe me, listen to this verse:

[25] 1 John 2:22-23 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

• The religion of Judaism denies that Jesus is the Christ. They are antichrist. They are of Satan.
• If you deny the Father AND the Son, you are antichrist.
• If you deny the Son, you do not have the Father. If you acknowledge the Son, you have the Father also.
• So, false churches, teachers, and preachers will tell you that the so-called Jews in Israel may not believe in Jesus but they still worship the same god.
• Really? Because the Bible says different. And if you say something different than the Bible, you’re a liar.
• I’ll say this again.

1 John 2:22-23 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

• Do you know what else the religion of Judaism believes? They trust in themselves to save themselves.
• They trust in their own supposedly good works to gain them the gift of eternal life in heaven.
• They praise themselves and their own works. They have no Savior. They believe they can save themselves.
• So listen, we’re not talking about a race here so this isn’t racist okay.
• Some people (especially the so-called Jews) think once you start talking about Jews that you’re automatically racist.
• We’re not talking about race. We’re talking about a religion being the synagogue of Satan.
• There are people from Judah who are Jews who believe on Jesus Christ and are saved.
• I don’t care what race or what nationality you are. This isn’t about race. God doesn’t care about race.

God Doesn’t Care About Your Race As He Made You

This is about who is the synagogue of Satan in Revelation 2:9.

• This is important to understand because churches all throughout this country today support the man-made country of Israel with everything they have and the majority of the population there practices Judaism.
• Judaism is a FALSE RELIGION!
• This is the same religion that HATES JESUS CHRIST!
• And we have churches supporting them and giving them money.
• Our country backs them like no other. And they hate Jesus.
• We have made friends with people who are antichrist.

Let’s get this straight. The man-made country of Israel today is NOT ISREAL FROM THE BIBLE.

• People who hate Jesus HATE God the Father. It’s that simple.
• God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are ONE. Hate one and you hate all.
• Did you know that most people think the religion of Judaism follows the first 5 books of the Bible?
• That lie has spread everywhere around here. Listen to this verse straight from the mouth of Jesus Christ:

[26] John 5:46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

• Jesus Himself says if you had believed Moses, you would have believed me. But guess what?
• They didn’t believe Jesus so they don’t believe what Moses says either.
• That’s pretty strong words from Jesus, and we know that Jesus cannot lie.
• So let’s see what the religion of Judaism really believes today.
• Do they believe what Moses says in the first 5 books of the Bible?

The Religion Of Judaism Believes The Bible Is Full Of Fairy Tales

No, they believe that the stories in Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy are all just fairy tales.

• They don’t follow anything within those books. They believe Noah was just some made up character.
• They choose to believe evolution over the creation of the world in Genesis.
• Listen, Judaism has absolutely ZERO things in common with Christianity.
• Don’t let anyone deceive you about that. Judaism is a false religion and it’s an antichrist religion.
• It’s ANTI-CHRIST!!! Still don’t believe me? Listen to this and hear the words of the Bible.

[27] 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: 15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: 16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

• God’s wrath is on the Jews.
• God tells us over and over in the Bible that the wrath of God abides on those who do not believe on Jesus Christ.
• Hear this:

[28] John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

• Since Judaism doesn’t believe in Jesus as their Savior, then the wrath of God abides on them.
• All of this makes perfect sense with the entire Bible.
• Anyone who doesn’t believe on Jesus is NOT God’s chosen people.
• Look at the book of Acts and pay attention when you read it.
• You’ll see that it’s ALWAYS the Jews persecuting the Christians. Always.
• So, let’s go back to Revelation 2 since we understand the synagogue of Satan clearly.
• Starting back in verse 10.

[29] Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

• So, Jesus is clearly talking about persecution for the Church in Smyrna due to the Jews.
• But Jesus says to fear none of those things that you will suffer.
• In God’s eyes, the people who say they are Jews but don’t believe on Jesus as their Savior are not Jews.
• This is what the Bible says.

You Must Understand The Synagogue Of Satan To Understand The Book Of Revelation

We spent a lot of time on the Jews and the synagogue of Satan because it’s very important in getting the entire Book of Revelation correct.

• Some people will say that the Tribulation is only for the Jews. This is false, and we’ll see why.
• Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, and the Book of Revelation tells us the Tribulation is NOT about the Jews!
• Listen, some false preachers will tell you that the Book of Revelation is for the Jews and not for us.
• They will tell you that we’ll be gone and raptured away before most of this book happens.
• The Book of Revelation is for the Jews. Oh yeah?

Well, the only time the book of Revelation uses the word “Jew” or “Jews” is what we just read when it calls them the synagogue of Satan and in Chapter 3 it does the same thing.

• That’s it. Twice it uses the word “Jews” and that’s it.
• And it’s referring to them who call themselves Jews in a very negative and evil way because that’s what they are!
• Don’t listen to false preachers who tell you that the Tribulation is all about the Jews.
• This is false. All we have to do to prove this is read and understand the Bible verse by verse.
• Back to Verse 10:

[30] Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

• So these people were being cast into prison, were being tried, and were going through tribulation.
• John, in Chapter 1 of Revelation writes about his tribulation.
• So the Bible tells us Christians go through tribulation.
• But yet, the false preachers will tell us that the Tribulation is not for Christians and that God would never make His people go through tribulation in this world.
• What a lie.
• The word tribulation is used 5 times in the book of Revelation and all 5 times are talking about God’s people going through tribulation.

The Bible Is Full Of Prophecy: “Ye Shall Have Tribulation 10 Days.”

In verse 10, it states: “ye shall have tribulation ten days.”

• So, Jesus gives us an exact timeframe for their tribulation.
• The Church of Smyrna went through 10 days of tribulation literally.
• But, when we read the Bible, we also have to look for symbolic meanings as well.
• Everything in the Bible is very important. Nothing is a coincidence in the Bible.
• I want to go back and look at Leviticus 23. All of the books of the Bible have prophecy within them.
• You might say, what??? Leviticus 23 talks about the feasts of the Lord.
• This all relates back to Jesus telling the Church of Smyrna that they would have tribulation 10 days.

[31] Leviticus 23:4 These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.

• These feasts can be grouped into Spring time feasts and Fall or Harvest feasts.
• We see Leviticus 23 talking about the first month with feasts.
• The first month in the Hebrew calendar is approximately our March timeframe.
• Think of Spring time and new growth as the first months of the year.
• Think about our current months and their names. October is like Octo or 8^th month.
• November is like the 9^th month. December means 10^th month.
• The root words in those months are related to those numbers.

The Hebrew year would start in the Spring time.

• The Spring feasts are the Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and The First fruits.
• Then you wait 50 days and have the Pentecost or Feast of Weeks.
• Then the Fall Feasts come next and those start in the SEVENTH MONTH.
• This would be around our month of September.

To summarize, you have 3 feasts at the beginning of the year: Passover, Unleavened Bread, First fruits.

• Then you have Pentecost and then the Fall Feasts begin in the 7^th month.
• There are 3 of these Fall or Harvest Feasts.
• You have the Blowing of the Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles.
• Notice there are 7 Feasts total. 3 in the Spring, 1 in the Middle, and 3 in the Fall.

Why are these important?

• These are VERY important because Jesus fulfilled the first 3 feasts when He came during His first coming to Earth.
• Remember, the first feast is the Passover and Jesus is the Passover Lamb.
• Jesus also filled the Feast of Unleavened Bread. He is the bread of life.
• He broke unleavened bread with His disciples.
• And then Jesus fulfilled the Feast of the First fruits as He was the first fruits from the dead with His resurrection.
• And guess what? He fulfilled these feasts with the exact timing too! That’s pretty amazing.

Jesus Died On The Cross On The 14^th Day Of The First Month Which Is The Passover

Jesus died on the cross on the 14^th day of the first month. This is when the Passover occurs.

• And He rose again on the first day, which is the First fruits Feast.
• And then the Feast of Pentecost was fulfilled in the Book of Acts.
• Here’s the important part for us.
• If Jesus fulfilled the Spring time feasts when He came the first time, He will fulfill the Fall feasts when He comes at His second coming.
• The Bible tells us so. For example:

[32] Matthew 13:39-40 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

• The harvest is the end of the world.
• The Fall feasts are the harvest feasts when God’s people will be harvested and the tares or weeds will be left behind.
• So, Jesus fulfilled all the Spring feasts at His first coming, and He’ll fulfill all the Fall Feasts at His Second Coming.

[33] Leviticus 23:24-27 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation. 25 Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD. 26 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 27 Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

• This is where Moses is laying out the Fall Feasts for his people.
• The Blowing of the Trumpets is on the first day of the seventh month.
• On the 10^th day of the seventh month is the Day of Atonement.

[34] Leviticus 23:34 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD.

• The 15^th day of the seventh month is the Feast of Tabernacles.
• Notice, the first fall feast occurs directly in the MIDDLE OF THE YEAR.
• The first day of the 7^th month is the middle of the year.
• So you have 6 months that have already passed, and you have 6 months left in the year.
• It’s the middle of the year. This middle of the year FEAST is the Blowing of The Trumpets.
• 10 days later you have the Day of Atonement. Remember that. 10 days later.
• What do blowing of the trumpets represent within the Bible?
• Many people will say that the blowing of the trumpets represent the rapture, but this is not correct.
• The blowing of the trumpets is not the last trump either.

[35] 1 Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

• 1 Corinthians 15 is talking about the Rapture there in that verse.
• It says “at the last trump” is when the rapture occurs.
• But, the blowing of the trumpets doesn’t represent the last trump.

What Is The Last Trump?

• Another trump is blown on the 10^th day of the 7^th month on the Day of Atonement.
• This represents the last trump.
• But, the blowing of the trumpets on the first day of the 7^th month is not the last trump.
• Blowing of the trumpets is an alarm sounding.

[36] Numbers 10:9 And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.

• When there’s an enemy coming for you, blow the trumpets and God will save you from your enemies.

[37] Numbers 31:6 And Moses sent them to the war, a thousand of every tribe, them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the holy instruments, and the trumpets to blow in his hand.

• Stop right there and think about the book of Revelation.
• We know there will be a 7-year period based on prophecy that clearly spells this out in the Book of Daniel.
• It’s called Daniel’s 70^th week and it lasts for 7 years based on the numbers given in the Book of Daniel.
• Many false preachers will tell you that Daniel’s 70^th week is a 7-year period of Tribulation.
• The Bible NEVER says it is a 7-year period of “TRIBULATION.”
• It never says the entire 7 years will be Tribulation.
• It actually says something much different so I’m not sure why false preachers continue to teach this.
• If anyone teaches you a 7-year tribulation, ask them to clearly show you where it says this!
• It NEVER does ANYWHERE in the Bible. So, let’s go to Daniel 9 verse 27 and take a look:

[38] Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

• One week in this prophecy represents 7 years.
• In the midst or MIDDLE of the 7 years, what we call the Abomination of Desolation will occur.
• It will continue until the consummation or until everything is consumed and poured out upon the desolate.

Daniel Chapter 9 Never Calls The Entire 70^th Week The Tribulation

• I just want to point out that Daniel 9:27 NEVER calls the one week period the TRIBULATION.
• People will use that verse to say the entire 7-year period is the Tribulation.
• It does not say that. Do you see that there? It’s not there!

Tribulation will occur before the Abomination of Desolation and then the GREAT TRIBULATION will not occur until the Abomination of Desolation occurs.

• How do we know this?
• Jesus tells us this in Matthew 24.
• We looked at Matthew 24 closely during the Revelation Chapter 1 study.

[39] Matthew 24:15-21 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

• In Daniel 9:27, it tells us the Abomination of Desolation is in the middle of the week.
• If the entire 7-year period is tribulation, why would Jesus Himself says that once you SEE the Abomination of Desolation then shall there by GREAT TRIBULATION?
• And then He says in Matthew 24 that once the tribulation is complete or OVER that you will see Him COMING in the clouds.

[40] Matthew 24:29-30 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

• Stay with me here. Immediately AFTER THE TRIBULATION the sun and moon shall be darkened.
• Do you see that?
• Well, Revelation 6 includes opening of the seals and then the sun and moon are darkened.

[41] Revelation 6:12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

• Matthew 24 and Revelation 6 describe the exact same event in time. It’s very clear and obvious.
• When the sun and moon are darkened, the Day of the Lord is upon us.
• So the Day of the Lord occurs after the Tribulation and directly after the 6^th seal BUT before God’s wrath is poured out on the unbelievers who are left on Earth.

The Entire 7-Year Period Is Not The Tribulation

• In other words, the entire 7 year period is NOT the Tribulation.
• Tribulation lasts for about half of the 7-year period.
• It’s that simple and it’s easy to understand once you study the Bible alone and see exactly what the Bible says.
• There is no adding other beliefs or thoughts to the Bible. Take the Bible alone.
• You are free and welcome to TEST whatever I say and show me if something is wrong WITH the Bible.
• I do the same thing myself when I learn from others. If it matches the Bible, I accept.
• If it doesn’t, I reject. This is what God tells us to do.

[42] Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

• The noble people of Thessalonica tested everything they heard with the scriptures.
• That’s what we all need to do. Don’t trust me. Trust the Scriptures.
• You see: I know nothing and am nothing when compared to the Scriptures. Remember that.
• Use the Bible to find the truth.

What is the Abomination of Desolation?

• A false prophet will setup an image of the antichrist and people must worship the antichrist or be killed.
• The antichrist will do amazing miracles and will deceive people who don’t believe on Jesus ALONE to save them.
• In the middle of Daniel’s 70^th week, the antichrist will make war with the Saints, and he will overcome them.
• Revelation 13 tells us this. This is at the time of the Abomination of Desolation.

[43] Revelation 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

• So, we know all of this happens right in the MIDDLE of Daniel’s 70^th week.
• But do you remember how we get to this point?
• There is a FEAST that happens right in the middle of the year on the 1^st day of the 7^th month.
• This feast is the Blowing of the Trumpets, which represents an alarm being blown due to an enemy starting a war.
• Do you remember that? The antichrist is going to make war with the saints
• The blowing of the trumpets is the alarm sounding when the Antichrist is making war.
• He is an enemy. He’s going to persecute God’s people and make war with them.

Great Tribulation Occurs After The Abomination Of Desolation

Matthew 24 tells us that once we see the Abomination of Desolation THEN SHALL THERE BE GREAT TRIBULATION.

• The blowing of the trumpets represents the start of the GREAT TRIBULATION.
• This is an enemy that God’s people will face.
• And the antichrist is going to overcome them during the Great Tribulation.
• But don’t worry, directly after the Tribulation the Day of Redemption is near!
• Jesus is coming with clouds with power and great glory. The Savior will win.
• Then, on the 10^th day of the 7^th month another trumpet sounds. This is the Day of Atonement feast.
• This trumpet sound is called the Trumpet of Jubilee.

[44] Leviticus 25:9 Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land.

• This represents the Day of the Lord and the Rapture when ALL believers will be caught away in the clouds to be with Jesus in their new bodies.
• Doesn’t this make perfect sense?
• A trumpet of Jubile makes sense for the Day when we’ll FINALLY be with OUR Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
• That will be a Day of Jubile, and you can bet we’ll have a great feast that day!!!
• And then I want to continue to the very next verse in Leviticus 25 with more proof that this is the Rapture.

[45] Leviticus 25:10 And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.

• Do you see that? If you’re part of God’s family, you’re going to return unto Him, and it’s going to be an AMAZING DAY with JUBILE!
• Liberty will be proclaimed throughout all the land. Liberty is becoming free from sin!
• When we get our new bodies, we no longer have any sin. You can count on that. And I can’t wait.
• But we still have lots of work left to do. That day is not yet here.

[46] Romans 8:21-23 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

• Romans 8 is talking about the Rapture here. He’s saying we have the first fruits of the Spirit.
• We are saved Spiritually. Understand that today.
• As you know, our flesh is not saved as we continue to sin. We cannot stop sinning in our flesh.
• How do I know this? Because the Bible says so.
• At the Rapture, this is called the Day of Redemption because we get a new body and a totally sinless body.
• Our body will be redeemed once and for all!
• 1 Corinthians Chapter 15 talks about the Rapture:

[47] 1 Corinthians 15:51-54 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

• So, after all that, we go back to Revelation 2:10 and read it again:

[48] Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

• That ten days of tribulation is symbolic for the Fall Feasts that we just talked about.
• Jesus tells them they have tribulation ten days.
• At the end of those symbolic ten days will be the day of redemption of the coming of the Lord.
• He tells them to be faithful unto death, and He will give them a crown of life.

Do You Have To Be Faithful Unto Death To Be Saved?

Are these people already saved?

• Yes, they are His church and they are His servants as we talked about in the Revelation Chapter 1 sermon.
• if they aren’t faithful to death, they are still saved and going to heaven BUT they will receive a crown of life in heaven if they stay faithful to the end!
• Always stay faithful.
• Listen, if all of this doesn’t make sense to you, don’t worry as it will come together as we read and study the Bible.
• This will make more and more sense as you study your Bible.
• We have to work hard and study to understand the Bible.
• When God sees you working hard, He will reveal more and more to you.

So, look, all of these feasts and all of these events in the Bible line up perfectly with Scripture.

• When you get this right, you’ll see how amazing the Bible truly is.
• Here’s an example:
• At the very end of the Book of Daniel, it gives us amazing detail about the events in Revelation.

[49] Daniel 12:11-13 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. 13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.

• So this gives us the exact number of days for 2 very important events in Revelation.
• And it gives us the point of the Abomination of Desolation as the reference point.
• From the Abomination of Desolation until the very end, there will be 1,290 days.
• Then it says: “Blessed is he that waiteth and cometh to the 1,335 days.”
• I believe this is from the start of the 7 years until the Day of the Lord.
• Some people might say that gives us the exact day, but it doesn’t because we won’t know the exact day that the 7-year period begins.

The Day Of The Lord Is Very Near Once The Abomination Of Desolation Takes Place

When we see the Abomination of Desolation, we’ll know that Great Tribulation will begin and that the Day of the Lord is very near.

• We can get close, but we’ll never know the exact day or hour.
• But we will know when it’s getting closer and closer.
• Let’s go back to Revelation 2 starting in verse 11.

[50] Revelation 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

• We already know what “he that overcometh” means.
• It simply means the people who are saved and have Jesus Christ as their Savior.
• The first death is a physical death and the second death is hell in the lake of fire.
• So he that believes on Jesus might have to go through the first physical death, but he will not be hurt by the second death.

[51] Revelation 20:14-15 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

• Now, let’s go to verse 12 in Revelation 2. We’re moving onto the next church.
• Let’s see what the message is to this church.

[52] Revelation 2:12-13 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

• Jesus is talking to the Church in Pergamos here.
• Jesus is the Word of God or the sharp sword with two edges, which is the word of God.
• He tells them that He sees there good works even where there is evil to the greatest extent.
• They hold fast to the name of Jesus and have not denied Jesus.
• Even through a man named Antipas being killed, they have stayed faithful to Jesus.

All Of These Churches Are Going Through Tribulation

Have you noticed that John was going through tribulation when writing these letters and all the churches are going through tribulation?

• This means God’s people will have trouble and go through tribulation.
• One of them mentioned here was even killed. This is tribulation.
• If we aren’t going through it, we probably aren’t doing things the right way.
• But look, the reason I mention this is that people in ALL the churches around here will say that God’s people will not go through tribulation at the end of the world and that we will be raptured before tribulation happens.
• Wrong. This is false.

[53] Revelation 2:14-15 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

• The Church in Pergamos, just as with the other Churches so far, have done good things and they also have some bad things they are doing.
• They are allowing people in the Church that hold to false doctrines or teachings, they have people there that are eating things sacrificed unto idols, and they have people in the Church that commit fornication.
• They also have people in the Church that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which Jesus Himself HATES.
• With our churches, we have to keep evil out of the Church.
• We can’t let false teaching in, idols, or fornication (which is sexual relationships outside of marriage).

[54] Revelation 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

• Jesus tells them to repent (change their ways) or else He will come unto thee quickly and fight them with the sword of His mouth. Not good.
• If you’ve noticed so far: at the end of each message to each Church, Jesus always says similar things.
• Look here.

[55] Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

• Jesus again says: He that hath an ear let Him hear. And then He says something similar again.
• He says to He that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, a white stone, and a new name.
• And I want to focus on the new name for just a second.

[56] Isaiah 56:4-6 For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; 5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.

• I want to move onto the next Church in verse 18 of Revelation Chapter 2.

[57] Revelation 2:18-19 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; 19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

• Now we’re looking at the 4^th and final church in Revelation Chapter 2.
• The Church in Thyatira is doing good works. They have love, service, faith, patience, and good works.
• And their works are increasing and they are doing better and better with their works.

The Church In Thyatira Are Increasing Their Works

• That’s who we want to be. We want to do good works and get better all the time.
• Now, let’s see what they’re doing wrong.

[58] Revelation 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

• The Church in Thyatira is allowing the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce the people within the church.
• They are committing fornication within the church and eating things sacrificed to idols.
• The BIG mistake they’ve made here is allowing a woman to teach within the church.
• Hey, guess what? That’s not my rule. That’s God’s rule in the Bible. Let’s see what the Bible says:

[59] 1 Timothy 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

• This isn’t a coincidence that Jezebel is teaching within the Church and Jesus Himself says the Church is doing WRONG and that He has things AGAINST THEE because they are suffering a woman to teach!!!
• How more clear can that be? Yet, “Christians” today won’t hear the word of God and do what He says.
• And it’s just like this Church in the Book of Revelation.
• People might say that they were allowing a bad woman to teach and that was the problem.

Women Are Not Allowed To Teach In Church

• Yes, but they weren’t supposed to allow ANY woman to teach and doing so led to things even worse.
• When something goes against the Bible, things will not turn out for the better. They will get worse.
• If 1 Timothy isn’t clear enough, there’s more.

[60] 1 Corinthians 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

• Again, women are not to be teaching in the churches. If so, Jesus Himself will not approve.
• He says so in the Book of Revelation. It’s very clear. Again, that’s not my rule.
• And this isn’t my church or your church. Jesus runs this, and we’ll do what He says.
• In today’s world, telling women they can’t teach in the Church sure isn’t popular and most preachers will say NOTHING like that because they don’t want to lose their offering.
• The people who are in the church should instead want to follow the Bible.
• I know my wife’s feelings aren’t hurt at all because SHE FEARS GOD.
• And she wants to follow God’s rules because she understand who God is.

Go Ahead And Go Against God, But I Warn You That You Will Lose

If you want to go against God, you’re going to lose.

• Why would you want to go against the Almighty God if you’re saved?
• If you’re saved and understand God, you’ll do your best to do what He says.
• He is your Father, and He can punish you greatly in this life even if you’re saved.
• Jezebel was committing fornication with SAVED people in the Church of Thyatira.
• Continuing in verse 21 of Revelation Chapter 2.

[61] Revelation 2:21-22 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

• Jesus gave Jezebel a chance to repent of fornication and she didn’t repent.
• Now, the punishment is coming to her and those who commit fornication.
• Is Jesus going to throw the saved people into hell? No, because they are saved.
• They didn’t repent of their sin so the punishment in their life is coming to them unless they repent.
• Understand that today.
• If you are saved and continuing to commit the same sins over and over again, expect punishment from God Himself in this life.

Jesus is going to cast them into great tribulation.

• So again, the saved people will go through GREAT TRIBULATION!!!
• More proof that Christians will go through tribulation.
• But this time, the tribulation is coming from God Himself because of wrong doing.
• Other tribulation comes from the world because you are doing things the right way.
• Tribulation can come from the world or it can come directly from Jesus Himself.
• The Bible says so right here.

Tribulation is simply troubles, affliction, persecution.

• The Bible is very clear that God will punish His people for things they do wrong in this life.
• The punishment will never be hell because you’re saved, but He can do great harm to you here in this life.
• You don’t want that so repent of your sins and He will be merciful unto you. Understand this today.

[62] Hebrews 12:6-7 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

• Scourgeth means to whip, lash, or punish severely.
• If God doesn’t punish you for going against Him over and over again, this means you aren’t a child of God.
• He is a good Father who will punish and direct your ways.

Go And Sin No More

In other words, you might be saved and going to heaven BUT go and sin no more.

• Try your best to stop all the sin. Walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. Jesus says to stop sinning.
• This means go do your best to stop sinning. Get better each day.
• Do that, and your rewards in heaven will be AMAZING.
• Don’t do that and be ready for punishment from God.

With clear words from the Bible, the last Church I was at taught that God doesn’t punish you and that He only loves you.

• Punishment is not love they would say. False.
• God says He punishes those that He loves when they do wrong.
• We need to get away from false preaching and false churches.
• The Bible is very clear that God does punish his people.

[63] Revelation 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

• Look, God is a serious God. He says He will kill her children for her sins.
• You might say: “Hey, that’s not fair.” And I say: “Hey, you don’t know what’s fair.”
• I’ll quote God from the Book of Job when Job was questioning God.
• God shows up in a whirlwind and throws many, many questions right back at Job.

[64] Job 38:2-5 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? 3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. 4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

• Job was a wise, wise man. God spent 2 full chapters shooting questions at Job.
• When God was finished, Job said this (and I love this because this is what I need to do many times and I try to my best to do this when I need to).
• So hear how Job responded back to God:

[65] Job 40:1-4 Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said, 2 Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it. 3 Then Job answered the LORD, and said, 4 Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.

• Job is saying I will now SHUT MY MOUTH for I know nothing.
• So when you think something in the Bible isn’t fair, it’s time to put your hand over your mouth and understand God Almighty.
• Understand that your children can be punished by God for the sins you commit.
• Understand that today.
• This happens throughout the Bible so make sure you’re following God for your children too.
• Back to Revelation 2 verse 23.

[66] Revelation 2:23-24 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

• God calls fornication and eating things sacrificed unto idols the DEPTHS OF SATAN.
• God takes fornication seriously. No one tells the people of the world this any more.
• Preachers don’t preach against sin any more.
• They’re scared to lose their paycheck and to make their church members angry.
• Fornication or sexual relations outside of marriage is VERY serious. Don’t do it.
• There are people in the Church at Thyatira who are doing good works and not doing the evil works.
• Let’s continue in verse 25.

[67] Revelation 2:25-29 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. 26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

• Jesus is telling those people to keep the good works unto the end and He will give them power over the nations.
• He says they will rule with Him with a rod of iron.
• So this is talking about the time period when Jesus rules over the Earth.
• Stay faithful with good works unto the end and you may just rule over the nations with Jesus.
• There are different levels in heaven based on the rewards you receive.

If You Don’t Do Much, You Won’t Rule Over Much

Christians who are saved but don’t do much for God won’t rule over much.

• But those who are faithful, who suffer for Christ, and work hard for God will rule with a rod of iron.
• Jesus doesn’t hand out stuffed animals and say: “I love you” and then starts crying.
• The false teaching in the world today is that Jesus is some emotional and soft person who hands out stuffed animals to everyone and only loves, loves, loves all the time.
• No, that’s not Jesus. That’s some other “Jesus.” Jesus will rule with a rod of iron!!!
• And we will be ruling with Him.
• Do you remember the Old Testament law that puts people to death for not obeying their parents?
• Well, that kind of ruling with a rod of iron will be back when Jesus is ruling here on Earth.
• In verse 28, Jesus says He will give them the morning star. What’s the morning star?

[68] Revelation 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

• Jesus is the bright and morning star. Jesus is within us if we are saved. Understand that.
• That last verse 29 says: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”

Notice this has been repeated throughout this Chapter. This means this Book is for you! Do you have ears?

• Then it’s for you. Don’t let someone tell you that this is written to the Jews only or someone else and that you don’t need to understand it.
• And don’t let them do it to the rest of the Bible either.
• They like to divide the Bible so much that they say that books not for us and the Old Testament isn’t valid any more.
• They will say things like: “God has changed in the New Testament.”
• So I guess God has mellowed out in His old age??? They say He has changed His ways.
• And I say, “Blah, blah, blah. God doesn’t change. This entire Bible is for us. All of it.”
• Every bit of it is ours to learn from.

Let’s pray.