Yesterday, we introduced the Book of Acts and gave an outline to study. We are the continuation of the Church; the one and only that Jesus Christ started, through His disciples whom He commissioned as apostles; before He ascended to heaven. The true Church, started on Pentecost in 31 A.D., was and is a spiritual organism and not a manmade corporation. God can work anywhere; but there is only one way and He, Jesus Christ is the WAY. Every church that teaches the WAY; who teaches Christ crucified, buried and resurrected; who teaches the Apostle’s Doctrine as found in Acts 2:38 (Items 1 through 3 below) and Acts 15:29 (Item 4 below); they are the True Churches of God; Holy and Apostolic:
1. Repent;
2. Be Baptized by full immersion in water and in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins;
3. Receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, with the evidence of speaking in unknown tongues;
4. And avoid Fornication, meats sacrificed to idols, blood and strangled meats.
As we discussed yesterday, during Paul’s ministry, there were, in Asia, seven churches; each a true Church congregation. Later, God gave the Apostle John a vision, while he was in exile on the Island of Patmos, and specific messages to the churches in Asia.
Revelation 1:3 KJV Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
Revelation 1:10-16 KJV I (John) was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, (11) Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. (12) And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; (13) And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. (14) His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; (15) And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. (16) And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
Revelation 1:20 KJV The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
Although these were actual churches that existed in Asia which were also on a trade/messenger route; it is clear that they represent characteristics of the Church in The End Time. It is also possible that they are seven eras of the church and represent a history of the Christian Church. The last church is Laodicea and it is implied that they would go through the coming holocaust called “The Great Tribulation.”
Revelation 7:14 ESV I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
The Messages to the Seven Churches are for us today; we are in “The End Time.” The time of “The Great Tribulation” is near and there is a good chance that we will see it in our lifetime. It will usher in the return of our LORD, Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God. As we will see ahead in these messages, there is a church era, attitude and/or people will be saved from thee hour of trial (The Great Tribulation) that is coming on the whole world. On the heels of that time, Jesus says that He will return. You need to be a part of that Church; possess that character/attitude and be found doing the work of the Master! It is up to you friend. You can be saved!
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