The Unveiling Part 2*

      We are continuing our study from last week of The Unveiling By and Of Jesus Christ, which is a study of the Book of Revelation. We ended our study last week with the Church of Ephesus in Ch. 2. The seven churches to which Jesus sent His messages were located on a wealthy trade route area of western Asia. Today, we will begin with Jesus' message revealed to John for the Church at Smyrna: "And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 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. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you in prison, that you may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 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." (Rev. 2:8-11). The Church at Smyrna (meaning "myrrh", used to anoint the dead, including the body of Jesus) received no condemnation from Christ and was under persecution. Some associate this church with the age of persecution which we are seeing against the church of believers today. Jesus commanded them (and us) to remain faithful even unto death.

     Great tribulation and persecution will come upon those who refuse to take the mark of the beast who will rule before the return of Christ. (see Rev. 20:4). However, believers in Christ are seeing tribulation and persecution today as well, with some across the world being imprisoned and martyred for their faith. Many have been taught that the catching away of the Church, called the Rapture (1 Thess 4:13-18), will come before the tribulation, but the tribulation has already begun. The Rapture will come before the wrath of God falls, as we are not appointed to experience His wrath (1 Thess. 5:1-9). However, we must also keep in mind the fact that Jesus told His disciples to take heed to ourselves and to watch and pray that we may be accounted worthy to escape and stand before the Son of man, Himself (see Lk. 21:34-36). The prophet Jeremiah wrote the Word of the LORD to the people of God who were warned to stop their abominations but they continued without shame. Watchmen were set over them and the warning trumpet was sounded, but they refused to listen and repent. (Jer. 6:14-17). The sound of the trumpet will be heard during the upcoming Feast of Trumpets and is the sound associated with the Rapture as well.

     The second death mentioned in the above scripture is mentioned also in Rev. 20:11-15. The second death is reserved for those who are not written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Death and hell are then cast into the lake of fire. The first fall feast of the LORD, comes with the blessing "May you be inscribed in the Book for a good year," but I say instead, "May your name be written in the Lamb's Book of Life." The first resurrection is for those who shall be priests of God and will reign with Christ for a thousand years (Rev. 20:5-6).

     The Lord Jesus sends His next message to the Church at Pergamos (meaning height, elevation, tower): "These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 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. 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. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 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." (Rev. 2:12-17).

     The Lord mentions the plot of Balaam and Balac told in the Old Testament to entrap the Israelites into idolatry through the seduction by Moabite women who worshipped the false god, Ba'al. Similarly worldly and pagan doctrines were mixed with scriptural doctrines in the church to lead the believers away from the truth. We see that same thing today in the church. This is one reason why we celebrate Jesus' (the Son's) birthday as December 25, a date which was used by pagans to celebrate the sun's solstice. 

     The Nicolaitans mentioned by Jesus above ruled over the laity of the church, as is found in the Greek meaning of the word. In repentance and overcoming, a white stone, traditionally linked with acquittal from guilt, with a new name written upon it, a name known only between the person and Jesus, as well as hidden manna revelation would be given from Christ.

     The message of Jesus to the Church of Thyatira (meaning affliction) began with this introduction: "These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass. 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." (Rev. 2:18-19). This was a church of increasing works, assurance faith, dear love, and committed service. However, there was a false prophetess in their midst, whom the Lord called Jezebel, who was drawing others into idolatry and fornication. The Lord had given her the opportunity to repent but she refused. (v. 20-21). She and those whom she had seduced into joining her would be cast by Christ into great tribulation unless they repent. Death will come to her "children". Jesus said, "...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." (v. 22-23). For those who overcome and have not kept this corrupted doctrine, the Lord promised: "And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron...even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." (v. 24-29).

     There is a spirit of deception and delusion ruled by Satan to cause us to believe the lie: "Hath God said...?" There are those who are unwilling to repent and they choose to believe the seductive lie instead. Will the works of today's church be built upon the culture of the times and the world, as are the works of false prophets like Jezebel? If so, they will see great tribulation and ultimately death along with those false prophets that led them into the lies unless they repent. The truth is there to get us through the darkness into glory, and the lies are there from Satan to lead us into the destruction that was never meant for us.

     The message from Christ to the Church at Sardis (meaning red) is sobering for all of us: "These things saith he that hath the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, and thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee." (Rev. 3:1-3). This church is a dead church. It looks religious, but it has no Spirit, no life, and no power. There are churches today that are the same. They deny Him with empty formulaic practices, but Jesus is calling them to repentance.

     However, Jesus also pointed out that there were some in this church who are different: "Thou hast a few names even in Sardis, which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." (v. 4-6).  In Rev. 19:7-9, a celebration in heaven commences because the marriage of the Lamb is come and His wife has made herself ready: "And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." The Bride of the Lamb Jesus Christ, is not dead as the Church at Sardis, but alive, and clothed in the white raiment of righteousness.

      The Church in Philadelphia (meaning love of brother) received this message from Jesus: "These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;" (Rev. 3:7). The Lord said that He has set an open door before this church because while they have little strength, they had kept His word and His name. Because of this, Jesus said that He would keep them from the hour of temptation that was coming upon the whole world. The door that the Lord had opened was that all of those who claimed to be Jews but are not (see also Smyrna, Rev. 2:9 above), would come before this church and worship at their feet. They would know that Jesus loved this church. However, this church must hold fast to what they have: "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." (v. 8-13). 

     This church's name had the meaning of the love for the brethren, while in the attack of Satan upon that name, they were accused and challenged by brethren who thought they had a greater and truer faith than this church. However, Jesus was satisfied with this church at Philadelphia and told them to "hold on". They had already been given a crown, and the accusing brethren would turn and come to them. Hold fast and don't give up the revelation of truth!

     The seventh church to receive a message from Jesus Christ was the church at Laodicea. This church thought they were prosperous and rich in goods. However Jesus, "the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God", did not agree with them: "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." (Rev. 3:14-16). Jesus said that this church who thought they were rich were really "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." How shameful for a church to be spiritually blind by choice, and naked! The gold that they had need of could only be bought from Jesus. It is gold tried in the fire, or the spiritual gold of purity. Jesus told them that He was standing outside of their door (rather than inside) and knocking. It is a sad circumstance when Jesus must stand outside the church door and knock. Would they hear his voice, and open the door allowing Him to enter? Would they repent at His chastening? Jesus promised, "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." (v. 17-22). What a mighty reward awaited this church if they would repent and become zealous instead of maintaining their lukewarm indifference towards Christ. 

     The apostle James wrote of the corruption and cancer that riches create in the souls of men. Those who have the riches want more to set aside and hoard for the last days. Their riches become more important to them than the slaughter of the just, and they would do anything to attain those riches. However James tells the saints: "Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." (James 5:1-10).

     Do we see any of the characteristics of these churches in our churches? Deception is everywhere waiting for an opportunity to flourish in us. What are the churches listening to, participating in and trusting in that has nothing to do with Jesus Christ and His Word? According to the messages of Jesus to the churches, great trouble awaits those who refuse to repent, while great rewards are waiting for those who are willing to repent (see also 2 Chron. 7:14).

*Based upon Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson, Jr.'s 9/8/24 message to the church. If you would like to hear the complete message, you can find it on Dr. Stevenson's Facebook page. To contact or support this ministry, or to request prayer, you can write to PO Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705. To find out more about the Shroud of Turin, and to receive a free e-book now available in several languages, go to http://www.theshroudofturin.org/freebook.