Return to First Love and First Deeds

(Revelation 2:1-7)
“¹ To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this: ² ‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; ³ and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. ⁴ But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. ⁵ Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent. ⁶ Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. ⁷ He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’ ”

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This message begins with “to the angel of the church.” The word “angel” is the English translation of the Greek word [G32] ἄγγελος aggelos (ang’-el-ahs), which means messenger. The word often refers to angels, an order of created beings superior to man (Psalm 8:5; Hebrews 2:7); however, by implication, it could also mean a pastor. This word is also used of a guardian or representative (Revelation 1:20), but in Greek literature as a whole and on several occasions throughout Scripture, this word refers to human messengers (Matthew 11:10; Mark 1:2; Luke 7:24,27; 9:52; James 2:25). So, the “angel” might be a typical human messenger, a pastor, or a literal angel sent as a messenger to the church. Regardless, the most basic meaning of this word refers to a messenger. And because the original revelation came to John, it is most reasonable to believe that John entrusted human messengers to take the messages to the pastors of the churches rather than commanding angels to be his messengers. According to Scripture, angels receive their instructions directly from GOD rather than humans (Psalm 103:20; Luke 1:19).

But who is this message from? The One who sent the message is more important than the messenger. In Matthew 10:40-41, Jesus said, “⁴⁰ He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. ⁴¹ He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.” So, who is the One who sent this message to the church in Ephesus? Revelation 2:1 says the message came from “The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands.”

What are the seven stars and seven golden lampstands? The word “star” is the English translation of the Greek word [G792] ἀστήρ astēr (ahs-tare’), which refers to the stars spread out in the sky. And Revelation 1:20 says, “the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.” Thus, the stars represent the messengers of the churches; the lampstands represent the churches; and the number seven represents completeness. Therefore, the One who sent the message holds all messengers of all churches in His right hand (which represents possessing all power and all control). And if the Lord is the One who holds all things in His right hand (Psalm 63:8), then Jesus is the One true King who sends the messengers (Deuteronomy 10:17; Psalm 136:3; Isaiah 45:21-25; Philippians 2:5-11; 1Timothy 6:14-16; Revelation 17:14; 19:11-16).

If this message is for the church, it is important for us to understand the significance of the church for the importance of this message to be rightly understood. The English word translated as “church” is the Greek word [G1577] ἐκκλησία ekklēsia (ek-klay-see’-ah), which is a compound of the words [G1537] ἐκ ek (eck) and [G2564] καλέω kaleō (kal-eh’-o). The word ek denotes origin, meaning from or out of and can also convey the idea of an exit or a separation. The word kaleō means to beckon, to call, to invite, or to summon, and is used particularly of the divine call to partake of the blessings of redemption (Romans 8:30; 1Corinthians 1:9; 1Thessalonians 2:12; Hebrews 9:15). The word kaleō is used 148 times in the New Testament, but two examples highlight the importance of this invitation. In Matthew 22:1-14, this word is used in Jesus’s parable to describe a special invitation extended by a king who was asking people to attend a great marriage feast. Such royal events were closed to the public; a person could not attend without being invited. Thus, receiving an invitation to attend this type of special occasion was considered a great honor and privilege. In fact, this parable ends by explaining that if someone were to be discovered at the feast who did not belong, that person would be cast out. And in Luke 14:7-24, Jesus taught two parables in which various forms of this word are used 12 times to denote invitations given to people to attend a wedding and a great feast. The main message taught through the parables is that the invitation is a great honor and privilege; therefore, we should prioritize our lives around the king’s feast so as to show great gratitude to have been invited. No matter what happens in life, no event is more important than accepting the king’s invitation and ensuring attendance to the wedding and feast; consequently, no excuse will be valid for rejecting the invitation, no excuse will be valid for your absence. In fact, all excuses given will only amount to the reason why the person will not be inside, but will be found outside. Paul used this same Greek word multiple times to describe GOD’s call for people to repent, to come out of the darkness and to be part of the Kingdom in the light. For this reason, Revelation 22:14-15 says, “¹⁴ Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. ¹⁵ Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.”

The entire New Testament plainly teaches that all of us who have been called or invited to enter into the Kingdom and into the joy of our Master received the honored and privileged position as adopted children of GOD, which is a position we never would have received had the King not extended His loving invitation to us (Matthew 25:21,23; Romans 1:6-7; 8:28,30; 9:24; 1Corinthians 1:2,9,24,26; 7:18,20-22,24; Galatians 1:6; Ephesians 4:1,4; Colossians 3:15; 1Thessalonians 2:12; 4:7; 2Thessalonians 2:14; 1Timothy 6:12; 2Timothy 1:9; Hebrews 9:15; 11:8; James 2:7; 1Peter 1:15; 2:9,21; 5:10; 2Peter 1:3; 1John 3:1; Jude 1:1).

Therefore, when ek and kaleō are compounded together, the new word ekklēsia describes a chosen group of people who are called out from their homes in order to gather into some public place as a separated and prestigious assembly. The word stresses a special group of people called out for a special purpose. And to be deemed special is a great honor and privilege.

The earliest examples of the word ekklēsia is found in writings about Athens, where it was used to denote a prestigious assembly of Athenian citizens who regularly met to discuss civil matters (ex: Acts 17:19-34; 19:39). At those meetings, the distinguished citizens determined laws, debated public policy, formulated new policies, argued and ruled in judicial matters, elected the chief magistrates of the land, decided who should be banished, etc. To be called out from average society and invited to be a member of this special assembly was a great honor and privilege. However, it is worth noting that political parties and factions were strictly forbidden in this respected assembly. It was a body of equal citizens with equal voices who gathered to assist in the orderly development of society. The implication, therefore, is that the body of Christ (the church) have equal voices and should all collaborate together in order to achieve the same end goal. And this is why Paul reprimanded the church at Corinth for allowing strife and divisions among them (1Corinthians 1:11-15; 3:1-9).

In 2Timothy 4:1-5, Paul told Timothy, “¹ I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: ² preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. ³ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, ⁴ and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. ⁵ But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

The word “preach” is the English translation of the Greek word [G2783] κῆρυξ kērux (kay’-roox), which means a herald who conveys official messages on behalf of authority at the ekklēsia (assembly). During Homer’s time, the word kērux referred to a spokesman for a king, a prince, or some other superior authority. But in Athens during the Classical Greek period, the word primarily referred to the person charged with overseeing the official assembly, which included several different responsibilities: summoning the citizens of Athens when it was time to conduct an assembly, opening and closing each session, maintaining order and providing oversight, bringing correction to members who were out of order, publicizing the final decisions of the assembly, and calling soldiers to battle in times of war. In Paul’s letter, he instructed Timothy to be the herald on behalf of Christ. Just as the kērux of Athens lifted his voice loud and clear to accurately deliver the message that had been entrusted to him regardless of the crowd’s response to the message, Timothy was to be ready in season and out of season to preach (herald) the Truth regardless of the crowd’s response to the Truth. As a representative of the King of kings, the speaker does not have the authority to misrepresent the Truth or change the message in order to appease the audience. Regardless of the crowd’s response to the Truth, the speaker must proclaim the message boldly and accurately.

The use of the word ekklēsia informs us that it was never GOD’s intention for the body of believers to be a small group of silent cowards who remain isolated within a “holy” huddle. The purpose of the assembly was to discuss all details that affected their society and what needed to be done to ensure the best possible society. Just as the Athenians ruled in all matters regarding society, GOD calls upon the church to exert its influence in every aspect of society. Thus, the biblical concept of the church can be described as a body of believers who are called out from darkness and summoned into the light as representatives of Heaven in order to apply the Kingdom’s laws in the affairs of this earth. For this reason, the assembly (which is held in the light) will be sent back out into the darkness as lights for all to see (Matthew 5:14-16; John 15:16,19; 17:15-18). And to be called/invited as members of such a distinguished body is both an honor and privilege! However, it is not infrequent to observe that when humans become accustomed to honor, they often lose the ability to remain humble. When humans become accustomed to privilege, they often take for granted that which should be praised with gratitude.

In this modern time in which we all live, the word “church” is often taken for granted and is used to describe a building where religious services are conducted. But the luxury of meeting in or owning a building didn’t exist in the first century. The church (body of believers) did not have any formal meeting locations such as a public building which advertised itself as a meeting place for Christians; rather, they met in homes or in secret locations so as to avoid being persecuted by the Roman authorities.

As representatives of the Lord, we are supposed to be like the stars in the sky whose lights shine in the darkness, calling attention to the Creator. As lampstands, we are supposed to shine our light. For this reason, in Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus said, “¹⁴ You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; ¹⁵ nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶ Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

In Revelation 2:2-3, Jesus told the church at Ephesus that they were extremely hard workers, they endured through all pressure and suffering, they did not tolerate evil, they put to the test and identified liars who deliberately misled people for their own glory, and they had not given up or abandoned faith in Christ. However, in 2:4, Jesus said, “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”

The word “left” is the English translation of the Greek word [G863] ἀφίημι aphiēmi (af-ee’-ay-mee), which means to send away, depart from, divorce, neglect, keep no longer, abandon, to desert wrongfully, to leave something behind. In other words, this action describes the voluntary release of something once held dear so as to walk away from it, caring about it no longer. It describes a love that was once warm and inviting that became cold and unpleasant. Therefore, they wrongfully abandoned the “love” they once held dear, caring about it no longer.

The word “love” is the English translation of the Greek word [G26] ἀγάπη agapē (ag-ah’-pay), which means a selfless and sacrificial love. This love occurs when an individual sees, recognizes, understands, and appreciates the value of an object or a person, causing him/her to behold this object or person in great esteem, awe, admiration, wonder, and sincere appreciation. This type of love is irresistible, where one feels compelled to act on someone else’s behalf for that person’s benefit. This love is willing to sacrifice self for the sake of another. Thus, agapē is the supreme love.

But what is this “first” love? Jesus was pointing to the esteem, awe, admiration, wonder, and appreciation that was first awakened in their hearts for Him when they received Him as their Savior many years earlier. It seems as if Jesus was unhappy that they had been doing the same thing for so long, merely going through the motions of religious rigmarole, that what they were doing lost its excitement and joy. Though they still had faith in Christ, they no longer had the deep passion they once had. In other words, they became so good at playing the roles of the religious church who fought for Christ that they walked away from passionately pursuing Christ while loving GOD and loving others with an inspired selfless and sacrificial love. After fighting spiritual battles year after year – testing false apostles, training leaders, starting new churches, overseeing entire groups of churches, and dealing with spiritual wolves who were constantly trying to ravage their ministry base – it seems that the Ephesian congregation became so focused on protecting their church that they were no longer able to enjoy their relationship with Jesus as they had many years earlier. They had fought as soldiers for so long that they became expert fighters; however, they lost their ability to love their enemies with a selfless and sacrificial love. In other words, they were allowing their fire to go out. Their fire dwindled down to mere red hot coals.

Acts 19:18-20 describes a “first love” moment in Ephesus: “¹⁸ Many also of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices. ¹⁹ And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of everyone; and they counted up the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. ²⁰ So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing.”

The “first love” someone experiences after repentance produces an exciting, joyful, radical, far-reaching, profound transformation that completely alters every choice made in life. Truly, when someone becomes “born again”, that person experiences life from a new perspective and it’s exciting and joyful. I remember when I first became a follower of Christ, everything seemed new and I viewed life through a different lens which brought awe, inspiration, and creativity. Everything I did was passionately motivated to love GOD and love others.

In Revelation 2:5, Jesus continued, “Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.”

The word “remember” comes from the Greek root [G3417] μνεία mneia (mni’-ah). In ancient literature, this word denoted a written record used to memorialize a person’s actions; a sepulcher; a statue; a monument; or a tombstone. This relation with death is significant because it suggests that their first love had been buried and needed to be exhumed and examined. In other words, their first love needed to be resurrected back to life. They were not to allow their first love to become the writing of an obituary. They needed to examine the written records of the past, bring them to life in the present, and keep the first love alive in the future.

In 2Kings 22, a new king, Josiah, came into power. One day, king Josiah sent the scribe to Hilkiah, the high priest, in order to retrieve and allocate funds for repairs to be made to the house of the Lord. He was merely going through the motions, business as usual. However, while retrieving the funds, Hilkiah found the book of the Law that had been ignored and forgotten. He then gave the book of Law to the scribe, who then read it to king Josiah. Upon hearing all the words the Lord had spoken, Josiah tore his clothes in anguished lament. King Josiah examined the written record of that which had been lost and forgotten, but when he did, a renewed fire ignited within him to seek the Lord as he should have been seeking the Lord all along. Likewise, we must also do the same with the recorded history of our lives.

However, because the word mneia also refers to a statue or monument, this informs us that some memories serve as memorial stones to help remind us of important times we experienced GOD’s power, glory, and goodness.

In Genesis 28:16-18, after Jacob had a vision of the ladder where he saw angels moving up and down from Heaven to earth, “¹⁶ Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, ‘Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.’ ¹⁷ He was afraid and said, ‘How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.’ ¹⁸ So Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on its top.” Likewise, we must also remember the memorial stones we have erected in the past which proclaimed the goodness of GOD in our “first love” experiences.

It is written that the church of Ephesus needed to remember from where they had fallen. The word “fallen” is the Greek word [G4098] πίπτω piptō (pip’-tow), which describes descending from a higher place to a lower place, and it could mean to lose authority, to come down to a place of judgment, or even to fall down dead. However, the Greek tense doesn’t describe a present action of being in the process of falling; rather, it refers to a past experience of one who already fell and is now living in that fallen state.

Jesus essentially told the church of Ephesus to stop everything they’re doing and to spend time remembering. When was their point of departure away from their first love? When did they lose that awe, wonder, excitement, joy, and passion? When did they lose sight of the main goal? What is the main goal? Is it not relationship? To love GOD and to love others? They needed to remember why they do what they do. What were they willing to do in the past prior to experiencing so much rejection, persecution, intimidation, heartache, pain and suffering? When did they become less willing to take risks? When did they become less adventurous? When did the passionate pursuit become religious routine? When did their desire to thrive become merely trying to stay alive? When did their celebration of being considered worthy to be persecuted in the name of Christ become a fearful punishment that kept them in hiding? When did their dedication become desensitization? When did their commitment become complacency? When did their joy in serving become drudgery? When did their conversations with people change from sharing the Gospel out from love to arguing with people out from hatred in their hearts? When did the feeling of being an excitable child become the hopelessness an old bitter man? When did your blessed service become your servitude of burden? When did you become double-minded and split your complete devotion in half? Remember! What was it like when you first started following Christ? Did you not find joy in the simplest of things? Did you not see GOD in everything? Did you not have a childlike faith and an optimistic outlook? Did you not love people while also loving GOD?

Jesus commanded the church of Ephesus to repent. To repent simply involves recognizing that you lived wrongly in the past and now determining to live rightly in the present and dedicating yourself to living rightly in the future. Repentance is a change of mind that results in change of actions in a new direction; it is one major decision to place your trust in Christ Jesus for your salvation and multiple minor corrections along the way of following Christ in order to stay in alignment with GOD’s will.

When Jesus said to “do the deeds you did at first”, it means that returning to their first love would also mean replicating the works that accompanied their early on-fire faith. This means that they needed to return to the basics and do what they did before they got distracted and redirected. So, what did they need to start doing again? Jesus explained the basics to an “expert” in the Law in Matthew 22:37-40: “³⁷ And He said to him, ‘ “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” ³⁸ This is the great and foremost commandment. ³⁹ The second is like it, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ⁴⁰ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.’ ”

When Jesus said He would remove their lampstand out of its place unless they repented and did as they did in the beginning, it essentially meant that if they were going to merely exist as a lamp without fire, then there would be no need for that lamp to take up usable space. Again, in Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus said, “¹⁴ You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; ¹⁵ nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶ Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Therefore, if what we do does not glorify our Father in Heaven, we’re a lamp without fire, and so we will be removed and replaced with a lamp that is burning with fire.

So, what were the deeds they did in the beginning?

• They possessed a great spiritual hunger (Acts 18:20).
• They enjoyed fellowship among the brethren (Acts 18:27).
• They had an eagerness to repent and to receive what GOD had for them (Acts 19:1-6).
• They cherished the Word of GOD (Acts 19:8).
• They sacrificed their religious reputation for Jesus (Acts 19:9).
• They were committed to applying GOD’s Word to their lives (Acts 19:10).
• They were receptive to the power of GOD and to the gifts of the Spirit (Acts 19:11-12).
• They were quick to confess their sins and turn from their evil works (Acts 19:18).
• They were faith-filled and known for their love of the brethren (Ephesians 1:15).

Revelation 2:6 says, “Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”

The word “hate” is the English translation of the Greek word [G3404] μισέω miseō (mis-eh’-o), which means to hate, to abhor, or to find utterly repulsive. It describes a person who has a deep-seated animosity or one who is antagonistic to something he/she finds to be completely objectionable. The person not only loathes that object but rejects it entirely. Thus, it would not be a case of merely disliking something, but thoroughly hating something.

But what were the deeds Jesus hated? According to Scripture, not much is known about the Nikolaités except that which is exclusively mentioned in both Revelation 2:6,15. In 2:6, Christ is speaking to the church of Ephesus and is commending them for hating the deeds of the Nicolaitans. In 2:15, Christ is speaking to the church of Pergamum, telling them to repent for holding to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. But what exactly are the teachings and deeds of the Nicolaitans that the Lord hates? Well, in the passage to the church of Pergamum, the Lord compares the Nicolaitans to the Balaam/Balak group, who urged people toward the unholy combination of eating meat sacrificed to idols and sexual immorality. Obviously, according to what is written in 1Corinthians 8:1-13; 10:19-21, the problem is not unknowingly eating meats that had been sacrificed to idols; rather, the problem is the willing participation in pagan rituals and sexual immorality, thus violating the mitzvot (command) laid down for Gentile believers in Acts 15:28-29, which says, “²⁸ For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: ²⁹ that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”

In Numbers 22-24, it is evident that Balaam/Balak tried to put a stumbling block before Israel by cursing them. Numbers 25:1-2; 31:16 tells us that Balaam’s counsel led to trespass against the Lord by use of Moabite women to seduce Israel into sexual immorality and idolatry. Deuteronomy 23:4-5 informs us that the sin revolving around Balaam was the evil desire to curse GOD’s chosen people. Micah 6:5 tells us to remember Balak and Balaam so that we might know the righteous acts of the Lord. And then GOD informs us in Micah 6:8, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” And then Micah 6:10 warns us against the treasures of wickedness.

In 2Peter 2:13-22, Peter gives us insight about such people who suffer “wrong as the wages of doing wrong. They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, as they carouse with you, having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children; forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness. These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb, ‘A dog returns to its own vomit,’ and, ‘A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire’ ” (see Ezekiel 18:24; Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:26-29; James 4:17).

Jude 1:4 tells us, “For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ” (see Luke 6:46; Romans 6). Also, Jude 1:11 says, “Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah” (see Genesis 4:7; Numbers 16:3). And then Jude 1:12 tells us that these people were “caring for themselves.” Further, Jude explained in 1:15-16 by stating of the Lord against these people: “to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him. These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage” (see Matthew 23:11-12; Mark 9:35; Luke 22:24-27). And Jude concluded, in Jude 1:18-19, quoting both Paul and Peter, Jude says, “they were saying to you, ‘In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.’ These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit” (Acts 20:29-30; Galatians 5:13-26; 1Timothy 4:1-2; 2Timothy 3:1-9; 4:2-5; 2Peter 3:3).

Therefore, it is evident that the Nicolaitans were guilty of being worldly-minded and compromising the commandments of Christ, just as Paul and James had warned against in 1Corinthians 2:14-16 and James 3:14-16. In Philippians 2:3-4, Paul says, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” And then Paul goes on to explain how Christ is our ultimate example of selfless and sacrificial love who we need to imitate. But the Nicolaitans, putting themselves first, catered to their fleshly desires and used GOD’s grace as an excuse to sin, even though we should never do such a wicked thing (Romans 6).

Apart from what Scripture tells us, some early writings of church history (around a century after Revelation was written) identified the Nicolas from Acts 6:5 with the heretical sect of the Nicolaitans (Irenaeus, Against Heresies, I.xxvi.3.; Hippolytus, The Refutation of All Heresies, VII.24.; Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 3.29.1-3). Both Irenaeus and Hippolytus wrote that Nicolas taught a doctrine of compromise, implying that total separation between Christianity and the practice of occult paganism was not essential. In other words, Nicolas taught that Christians could do what Paul blatantly told us not to do: “I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons” (1Corinthians 10:20-21).

The name of the Nicolaitans stems from the name [G3532] Νικόλαος Nikolaos (nik-ahl’-ah-ahs), which is a compound word from [G3534] νῖκος nikos (nee’-kahs) and [G2992] λαός laos (lah-ahs’). The word nikos comes from the word [G3529] νίκη nikē (nee’-kay), which means victory, success, overcome, conquer, prevail, or subdue. The word laos means the people (in general), as would be seen in a large assembly. It is also the word from which “laity” is derived. Thus, the name Nikolaos means one who conquers and subdues the people. Now, whether the Nicolas from Acts 6:5 and the heretical sect of the Nicolaitans are actually connected, we do not know for certain. Some scholars believe that the name is roughly the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word for “Balaamites” (from בֶלַע and עָם, i.e., swallowing-up, or destruction, of the people). Regardless, the message is clear: even if in the beginning a person has a good reputation, possesses wisdom, and seems to be full of the Spirit, only the end of a person’s race will determine if that person was deeply rooted in Christ and whether he/she produced fruit or was a barren tree. In the end, the truth will be known as to who chose compromise over Christ.

In Matthew 10:37-39, Jesus said, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.”

In John 12:24-26, Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.”

1Corinthians 9:24 says, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.”

Hebrews 12:1-3 says, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

1John 2:15-17 says, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.”

Therefore, the Nicolaitans were corrupted, worldly-minded, pseudo-saints who compromised on their commitment to Christ in order to seek gain for themselves at the expense of others. Whereas the Pharisees were too legalistic and demanded too much from people, the Nicolaitans were too loose, loving the world and the wages of unrighteousness. But the one who is focused on his/her first love, that person will be 100% completely devoted to the Lord and will fix his/her eyes on Jesus, living in faithful obedience to His commandments.

Revelation 2:7 says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.”

Seven different times in the synoptic gospels, Jesus announced that whoever had ears to hear, let that person hear (Matthew 11:15; 13:9,43; Mark 4:9,23; Luke 8:8; 14:35). Thus, this phrase was a familiar one to John – one that he most likely remembered Jesus saying many years earlier. However, in John’s revelation, Jesus included a new phrase with the familiar phrase by adding “what the Spirit says to the churches.” Though Jesus was speaking to the church of Ephesus in this specific message, all truths were to be received and applied to all churches as a message from the Holy Spirit. After all, what church wouldn’t benefit from the refreshing words of praise and the penetrating statements of instruction and rebuke? For this reason, Jesus goes on to say in Revelation 3:19, “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.”

Proverbs 3:11-12 says, “¹¹ My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord or loathe His reproof, ¹² For whom the Lord loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.”

Hebrews 12:7-11, referring to that proverb, says, “⁷ It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? ⁸ But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. ⁹ Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? ¹⁰ For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. ¹¹ All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”

Again, Jesus said, “To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.” The word “overcomes” is the English translation of the Greek word [G3528] νικάω nikaō (nik-ah’-o), which denotes a victor, a champion, or one who possesses some type of superiority. It can also refer to a military victory over an enemy. From this word came the name Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. To be an overcomer, the full commitment and passion of a champion would be required. In fact, the tense of the Greek informs us that this word speaks of a continuous and ongoing victory. And so yet again, Paul’s description of a champion winning the crown informs us how to be a victor. 1Corinthians 9:24 says, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.” For this reason, Paul instructed his disciple in 2Timothy 2:3-5, “³ Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴ No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. ⁵ Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.”
Therefore, Christians, refusing to be worldly minded, live their lives as completely committed soldiers for Christ the King, faithfully obeying His commandments.

In Luke 23:43, Jesus, speaking to the repentant criminal on the cross beside Him, said, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” That word “Paradise” is the English translation of the Greek word [G3857] παράδεισος paradeisos (par-ad’-i-sahs), which means a garden or park, which refers back to the Garden of Eden, which would be restoration of the original design (Genesis 2:8-9). The Greek word is from an ancient Persian word depicting a garden inside a walled enclosure. In Hebrew, it is the word [H6508] פַּרְדֵּס pardēs (par-dace’), which describes a forest, pleasurable park, orchard, or enclosed garden (Nehemiah 2:8; Song of Solomon 4:13; Ecclesiastes 2:5). In 2Corinthians 12:1-4, Paul used this Greek word to describe “the third heaven,” which means beyond the heavens of the natural creation. And this same region is mentioned in Revelation 2:7 when the Lord said to the church of Ephesus, “To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.” And this is the river and tree of life on the New Earth under the new heavens as described in Revelation 22:1-2. The Septuagint used the Greek word to refer to the Garden of Eden; thus, Paradise is the new garden on the New Earth.

Therefore, the one who finishes the race as a victor will be granted eternal life and will be able to dwell with the Lord in the garden as the Lord originally intended. However, it’s possible to be saved though all works get burned up in their testing. In 1Corinthians 3:11-15, Paul warned, “¹¹ For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, ¹³ each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. ¹⁴ If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”

However, in order for a church (or even a single believer) to prevent from being removed and replaced as a chosen vessel, the church (or believer) must return to the first love and do the deeds done at first so as to be on fire for the Lord. To be on fire for the Lord means to love GOD with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind while also loving other people as you would love yourself. But how do we do this? Like Paul, we must die daily to our flesh (Romans 8:8; 1Corinthians 15:31), walk by faith while being led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14; 2Corinthians 5:7; Galatians 5:16), and produce the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25) while continuously seeking to please our Father who is in Heaven.

Examine the following words of David in his repentant prayer to GOD in Psalm 51:10-17: “¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. ¹¹ Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. ¹² Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. ¹³ Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will be converted to You. ¹⁴ Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation; Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness. ¹⁵ O Lord, open my lips, that my mouth may declare Your praise. ¹⁶ For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering. ¹⁷ The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”

In Matthew 18:3-4, Jesus said, “³ Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

In Mark 10:15, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”

Psalm 123:1-2 says, “To You I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens! ² Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, until He is gracious to us.”

1Peter 2:1-3 says, “¹ Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, ² like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, ³ if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.”

Conclusion:

Who is our first love? The Lord and His Word. In Luke 10:38-42, it is written that Mary was seated at the feet of Jesus, listening to His Word, while Martha was distracted with acts of service she considered to be important and mandatory. Martha got upset because, in her mind, Mary was neglecting religious duty and cultural obligations; however, Jesus praised Mary’s devotion to her first love and said, “⁴¹ Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; ⁴² but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

In Ephesians 6:24, Paul concluded his letter to the Ephesians by writing, “Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love.”

Have you ever wondered why GOD called David a man after His own heart (1Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22)? Examine what David wrote in Psalm 63:1-8, which showcases the child of GOD’s “first love” devotion: “¹ O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; my soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. ² Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. ³ Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips will praise You. ⁴ So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. ⁵ My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth offers praises with joyful lips. ⁶ When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches, ⁷ for You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy. ⁸ My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.”

What are the “first deeds” that should be done? They are the deeds that were done when people received salvation. What do newly saved people do? Examine Acts 2:42-47: “⁴² They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. ⁴⁴ And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; ⁴⁵ and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. ⁴⁶ Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” [see also, Acts 4:32-37]

Therefore, newly saved people experience a sense of awe, they seek to know the Lord more and more while praising Him in great gratitude, and they also seek to commit themselves to fellowship with other believers while holding all things in common in order to help all people in need. Newly saved people also invest their time into studying GOD’s Word, meditating on His Word, communicating with the Lord in prayer, sharing the Gospel, and loving their neighbors as they would love themselves.

In Ephesians 1:15, Paul commended the Ephesians for their love for all the saints. In Ephesians 5:1-2, Paul wrote, “¹ Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; ² and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”

In 2Peter 1:5-11, Peter wrote to those who had received the great gift of salvation: “⁵ Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, ⁶ and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, ⁷ and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. ⁸ For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. ¹⁰ Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; ¹¹ for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.”

At first, a Christian might possess passion and love without having knowledge or position, but then after obtaining knowledge and acquiring position, the Christian might lose passion and love, becoming focused on “important” and “mandatory” religious duties. But all qualities are required to exist in a harmonious balance for a Christian to be a representative of the King and to be the light that shines into the darkness. For this reason, in Hebrews 10:32-34, the author instructs his audience to remember the former days after they had been enlightened when they endured great conflict and sufferings while showing sympathy to prisoners and even accepting joyfully the seizure of their properties. For this reason, Paul reminded the church at Corinth that if they did not have love, all that they had and all that they did would amount to nothing (1Corinthians 13). Therefore, we must remember our former days and humble ourselves before the Lord so that we will never judge an unbeliever as being unworthy to receive salvation. As difficult as it may be, we must always speak the Truth out from love (Ephesians 4:15), praying that the seeds we sow might fall onto the good soil (Matthew 13:3-9,18-23).

In Matthew 5:21-24, Jesus said, “²¹ “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ ²² But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. ²³ Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, ²⁴ leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.”

1John 4:19-21 says, “¹⁹ We love, because He first loved us. ²⁰ If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. ²¹ And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.”
[see also, Deuteronomy 15:7-11; Proverbs 3:27-35; Micah 6:8; James 2:1-9,14-17]

In Matthew 5:38-48, Jesus said, “³⁸ You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ ³⁹ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. ⁴⁰ If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. ⁴¹ Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. ⁴² Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. ⁴³ You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷ If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? ⁴⁸ Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
[see also, Luke 6:27-38]

In John 13:34-35, Jesus said, “³⁴ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ³⁵ By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

In John 15:12-14, Jesus said, “¹² “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴ You are My friends if you do what I command you.”

In 1John 3:14-24, John reminded all followers of Christ where the Christian’s focus should be set: “¹⁴ We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. ¹⁵ Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. ¹⁶ We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. ¹⁷ But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? ¹⁸ Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. ¹⁹ We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him ²⁰ in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things. ²¹ Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; ²² and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. ²³ This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. ²⁴ The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.”

In Romans 12:9-21, Paul summarizes what it means to live out “first love” and “first deeds” as a follower of Christ: “⁹ Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; ¹¹ not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; ¹² rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, ¹³ contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. ¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. ¹⁷ Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. ¹⁹ Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. ²⁰ ‘But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Church History – Part 1 (AD 30-177)

[ If you missed the introduction to this series, you can read it here: “Church History – Introduction” ]

Christian church history did not begin at the birth of Jesus [like many assume]; rather, it started “in the beginning” (Genesis 1:1). Christianity is the continuity and completion of Judaism. To see how this is so, read my other article, “Is Judaism and Christianity Complementary or Contradictory?”

In AD 30, Jesus was crucified, He resurrected, and then ascended into Heaven after revealing Himself to multiple people. Also in that same year was the Holy Spirit’s arrival at Pentecost. In 33, Stephen was the first Christian martyr. Saul of Tarsus had been one of the people responsible for the death of Stephen. In that same year of 33, Saul encountered Jesus, became a Christian, and was from that point on known as Paul. Around 43, Antioch became the center of Christian activity. In 45, Barnabas brought Paul to Antioch. In 47-48, Paul and Barnabas visited Galatia during their first missionary journey. In 49, the Jerusalem Council recognized that the Gospel is also for Gentiles. In that same year, Roman emperor, Claudius, forced the Jews out of Rome; Priscilla and Aquila left Rome and ended up in Corinth where they meet Paul. Around 49-52, Paul had a vision of a man from Macedonia and visited there for the first time during his second missionary journey; Timothy traveled with Paul and Silas. In 50, Paul, Silas, and other missionaries landed at Philippi and the church was established there. In that same year, Paul also went to Thessalonica and established a church there. Around 50-52, Paul visited Corinth for the first time on his second missionary journey. Around 51, Luke joined Paul, Silas, and Timothy during Paul’s second missionary journey. In 52-54, Paul taught in Ephesus. In 52, Emperor Claudius installed Felix as procurator of Judea. From 52-62, Paul defended his faith before Roman procurators Felix (52-60) and Festus (60-62). From 54-68, Emperor Nero ruled the Roman Empire. Around 57-59, Paul was imprisoned in Caesarea. In 60, Paul had been shipwrecked on the island of Malta en route to Rome. Around 60-63, Luke wrote his Gospel and the book of Acts.

In AD 64, there was a great fire in Rome that destroyed 70% of the capital city. Emperor Nero (AD 54-68) blamed the fire on Christians. Prior to the Jewish revolts and the great fire, Christians had been largely ignored by those in power, with of course some martyrs sprinkled throughout the timeline. According to the Jewish-Roman historian Josephus, the Sanhedrin ordered James (linking James as the brother of Jesus) to be stoned to death around AD 62. But because of the great fire two years later (AD 64), persecution came down hard on Christians because Nero blamed the fire on the Christians. According to early church tradition, Peter died in Rome during Nero’s persecution, crucified upside down. It is said that Paul also died during the intense persecution between AD 64-65. And because of the Jews’ open revolts against the empire’s overstepping of boundaries, Nero eventually gave General Vespasian 60,000 soldiers to regain Galilee and Judea. And because Vespasian conquered Galilee, we have the writings from Josephus. It is said that Josephus surrendered to Vespasian. Before attacking Jerusalem, Nero had apparently committed suicide and Vespasian returned to Rome to claim the imperial throne. Josephus went with him and ended up writing his major treatises there. An important mention in the historian’s writings (Antiquities of the Jews) is the reference to Jesus as a historical figure who was reputed to be a prophet and miracle worker who had been crucified under Pontius Pilate.

After becoming emperor, Vespasian sent his son, Titus, and an army back to Jerusalem to besiege the city. However, before besieging the city, the Jews were allowed to enter into the city for the Passover celebration, thereby collecting more Jews in one area than might have been possible otherwise. But just like in the lyrics of Hotel California by the Eagles, they could come in, but they were not to leave. The Temple was eventually destroyed in AD 70, thereby fulfilling the prophecy of Jesus (see Matthew 24:2). Only one wall of the temple mount (known today as the “Wailing Wall”) remained. And because of all this, many Jews who desired to avoid further tragedies, excluded all fringe groups, including Christians, from their synagogues. But where had the Christians been during the siege of the city? Eusebius tells us that the Christians, acting on a revelation, to flee to a certain town called Perea, which they called Pella. After the disastrous Jewish War of AD 66-73, large numbers of Jews moved away from their traditional homes (Dispersions). And then up until AD 81, Christians were largely ignored again. But then Vespasian’s son, Domitian, became emperor (AD 81-96) and demanded divinity status (divus) and to be declared as Dominos et Deus Noster (‘Our Lord and God’). But persecution continued even after a new emperor, Trajan, took the throne.

Polycarp was one of the martyrs — he had been burned alive because he refused to deny Christ. According to Irenaeus, Polycarp was his spiritual mentor and Polycarp was a disciple of apostle John. In the second century century AD, apologists began defending their faith and their innocence, desiring to prove that Christians weren’t criminals. The most famous of the apologists was a man named Justin. Justin studied the philosophies of Aristotle, Plato, Pythagoras, and the Stoics. Around AD 132, he eventually came to the conclusion that Christianity was the “one sure worthy philosophy.” In AD 165, he was beheaded and soon became known as “Justin Martyr.” Christianity was unpopular in the first and second centuries for a few reasons: Christianity went against the social order and opposed the pluralistic, polytheistic, and relativistic ways of life that catered to the pursuit of pleasure. And if we substitute polytheistic for atheistic, we find the reasons for Christianity being unpopular remain the same today of the Western world in 2017. And much like today, GOD used human factors to produce spiritual results. The allowance of the Roman empire produced the dissatisfaction of the empire; consequently, many found refuge in the grace of Christ. Those in power produced persecution, which caused the stirring of faith and the scattering of believers; consequently, seeds of salvation grew in areas that needed the Gospel. Think about it: in the depth of the darkness, surrounded by soil, the future of the buried seed always looks hopeless. But that’s where growth takes place; that growth will eventually be known when it shoots up, breaking through the soil to proclaim life.

[ To read Part 2, CLICK HERE! ]

Church History (Introduction)

What does church history look like? When reading and studying the entire history of the church, we must keep our focus on the bigger picture and compare what GOD’s Word actually teaches to what GOD’s people actually did or did not do. There has always been and will always be deviation from Truth and lights that get extinguished from the church, leaving only darkness in some areas and at some times. This all is from the Fall. From Cain murdering his brother, Abel, to the Day of Christ’s return and the battle of Armageddon, GOD’s people and the church will always be forced to shine light through the darkness of this world. Sadly, when evil infiltrates and contaminates GOD’s people, the world is left with doubt about GOD and His Word. And when they look at the stained glass in the church window, they are uncertain if the color red should represent the claim of Christ’s sacrificial blood or the notorious fame of a blood-thirsty mass of supercilious saints who masquerade about with malicious motives and pious performances. GOD’s people must live out a delicate balance of love and Truth. Even the slightest ‘one-degree’ deviation demonstrates demonic deeds that make the world believe blood-saturated saints to be devils in disguise and Christ a mere guise.

This is what church history looks like — it is one long war with many battles of GOD’s people trying to keep the faith, defend Truth, yet all the while correct the mistakes that have tarnished the perfect name of GOD. As representatives of GOD, Christians, with wrong actions, are capable of driving people away from right belief. I recently encountered the trending hashtag on Twitter, “ChurchToo”, which essentially was used for people to share their horrible stories of how church members or church leaders abused their position and power in order to sexually assault people, or mentally or physically abuse people. Are all the accusations true? Probably not. This hashtag popped up only after sexual allegations against celebrities became popular news headlines and Hollywood started devouring itself like a king snake swallowing another snake. Many unbelievers probably took advantage of the situation in order to throw mud on the church. However, many of the “ChurchToo” accusations are undoubtedly true, coming from victims who had once been afraid to speak up but now emboldened to do so because of what’s happening in Hollywood. It is all a sobering reminder of the real problem of sin in this world and humanity’s inability to save themselves. While reading and studying church history, it is important to keep in mind the bigger picture of the Creator’s original design and intent, the Fall, and the purpose of Christ to reunite the creation with Creator. Keep these following points in mind while reading and studying church history:

• Humanity’s inability and often refusal to abide by the absolute moral standard does not prove GOD’s standard to be wrong, it only reveals that the Law is good and necessary (read Romans 7).
• Purity is good & commendable, which is highlighted by the uproar against immorality. The Law is good and necessary, which is highlighted by the uproar against injustice.
• The church is not a country club for saints but a hospital for sinners (read Matthew 9:11-13). The church is not a place for perfect people, but for finite and fallible fallen people who need a perfect GOD.
• Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone needs Jesus, all the time, even those in the church — especially those in the church.
• The church is not above correction; in fact, all Christians should be held to a higher standard because they should know better (read James 3:1; 4:17).
• We should not confuse the problem of sin with the only solution of Jesus and the absolute moral standard as being the problem. The mistakes of humanity are not accurate reflections of the character quality of the perfect GOD.
• To purge the church of sin is to restore the church to righteousness; restored churches will help victims heal from pseudo-saints.
• Sin is the problem, not the church, unless sin is in the church, then the church becomes a problem, but not the problem.

It all leads back to the beginning and we must keep our focus on the bigger picture and compare what GOD’s Word actually teaches to what GOD’s people actually did or did not do. For it is GOD’s Word and only GOD’s Word that should define how the church is to be both operated and viewed. And with that said, may GOD’s light of Truth shine as you read and study even the darkest periods of the church and remember that the church is the purified Bride of Christ at the end of days. View the church as a total makeover transformation, much like we have seen on reality television shows. The church is to be viewed as a whole and seen as Christ will see her at the end of days — she’s beautiful! Just as individual humans have had bad pasts before becoming good later in life, the church is the same. Just as individual humans have seemed ugly prior to receiving a total makeover transformation and then looking marvelous, the church is the same. Don’t judge the church by her past, judge the church by who she strives to become and who Jesus tells us she will be. Church history reveals the growth of the church. Just as Abraham’s descendants are beyond counting (Genesis 15:5), the church started out with a dozen disciples and it will end with a countless number (Revelation 7:9). Don’t judge a sequoia tree by the sprout or seed — only in its final stage will you know what its glorious state will be.

If you are already a Christian, then church history is your family history. Studying church history is like opening a photo album with commentary and exploring family heritage. If you are a Christian and do not know church history, it is imperative that you take the journey to learn the past. Our past history will help mature us for the future by rooting us in reality, replacing ignorance with Truth, and opening us up to understanding of what actually happened rather than us assuming what might have happened or what we wished would have happened. The beauty of church history is that it enables us to learn from past mistakes, which will help us to grow in righteousness and help us to stay in alignment. Church history provides us with perspective and helps us plan for our purpose. As you learn church history, may you be in awe of GOD’s faithfulness despite humanity’s unfaithfulness. Though church history is the study of the works of men and women, it is ultimately the study of the work of GOD.

[ Read: Church History – Part 1 ]

Understanding Revelation

Before reading this article, I highly recommend that you first read my other article: Should The Bible Be Taken Literally?

Also, before you begin reading this [lengthy] article, you should do two important things:
(1) Pray to GOD that the Holy Spirit would fill you with wisdom so that you may understand all that is written in His Word and this article.
(2) Commit yourself to investigating every Scripture that I quote. They are easy to skip over while reading this article, but don’t allow yourself to do that. The Scriptures I quote are necessary to understanding what is written.

Now that you have [hopefully] prayed and made a commitment to dedicating yourself to discovery, there are three important things that must be taken into consideration prior to discussing the contents of the book of Revelation.

The first and most important thing to consider is that no one completely comprehends the book of Revelation in its entirety. If anyone should tell you that he/she has decoded it and figured it all out, that person is unaware of his/her blind spots and is ignorant of his/her ignorance. Revelation is riddled with echoes of the Old Testament — especially the books of Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah, and Isaiah. Daniel had even admitted that he didn’t completely comprehend what he had seen and heard (Daniel 8:27; 12:8). Furthermore, GOD has not revealed everything to us because there will be things that will only be revealed at the end of days (Deuteronomy 29:29; Daniel 12:4,9; Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32; Revelation 10:4). But having clarified that concern, may it be understood that a lot can be known about the book of Revelation simply because Revelation is a recap of the entire Bible. One cannot attain a good understanding of Revelation without first knowing the rest of the Bible. Revelation is last in the Bible and it is so for good reason.

A second important thing to consider in light of the first is that there are a few different ways to interpret the book of Revelation and the position depends upon the perspective of the reader. Over centuries, four main approaches of interpretation have developed: Preterist, Futurist, Historicist, and Idealist. Each approach has had capable supporters, but none has proved itself to be the only way to read the book. Regardless of what position the reader holds, we need to interpret with caution and care. We must remind ourselves that most biblical prophecy has both an immediate and a future application. We should never assume that we have “figured out” the future, and we should be careful before labeling current events or leaders as fulfillments of the book of Revelation. In addition to the interpretive approaches, there exists three major positions on the issue of the 1,000 years mentioned in chapter 20: Postmillennialism, Premillennialism, and Amillennialism. These different views about the Millennium need not cause division and controversy in the church because each view acknowledges what is most crucial to Christianity: Christ will return, defeat Satan, and reign forever! Whatever and whenever the Millennium is, Jesus will unite all believers; therefore, we should not let this issue cause division amongst us.

The third important thing to consider is the fact that Revelation, in common with other apocalyptic writings, makes frequent use of numbers. These numbers have special significance:

4: Usually refers to the earth or a place
6: Falls short of perfection
7: Perfection or completeness
12: speaks of GOD’s people
1,000: stands for ‘a great number’

It is also important to remember that John wrote Revelation around AD 95 from the island of Patmos while in exile (1:9). Emperor Domitian had John sent to an isolated place where his spirit may be broken and his words could not be heard. With that in mind, read Romans 8:31-39 and allow the truth of those words to fill you with courage. Though the Roman empire desired to squelch the spread of the Gospel, GOD’s plans always prevail. Through the book of Revelation, it was almost as if GOD had said to the Roman empire, “Your phalanx can never be tight enough nor big enough to push back the army of GOD. Your armor will never be strong enough nor thick enough to prevent the penetration of My Word. For every disciple you kill, more messengers will multiply. Though you imprison or isolate My messengers, My Holy Spirit can never be contained. I will transform stagnation into Revelation and in the depth and darkness in the soil of your dirty deeds of death I have planted seeds of life that will emerge and come to Light. Though you believe your empire to possess power, you will see My power come through you and ultimately consume you.” (See Isaiah 40:8; 1Peter 1:23-25)

“The more often we are mown down by you, the more in number we grow; the blood of Christians is seed [for the church].”
(~Tertullian from Apology, around AD 197)

The book of Revelation is a letter to seven churches in the province of Asia: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea (1:11). This unusual letter is a revelation — an unveiling, uncovering, or revealing — of past, present, and future (1:19). Do not continue reading this until you allow what I just wrote to sink in. Find 1:19 in your Bible and highlight it. To understand Revelation, you must understand that the entire book is about the past, the present, and the future. After highlighting 1:19, find 1:8 and highlight that as well. And somewhere next to 1:8, write “Hebrews 13:8” and then go find that and highlight that as well. Was, is, and will be. Past, present, and future. This is the key to understanding Revelation [apart from knowing the rest of the Bible].

The fact that John was directed to write to seven churches is important because numbers are important in Revelation. Numbers are important in Revelation because numbers are often symbolic; symbolism is prominent within prophecies; Revelation is a prophetic book (1:3; 22:18-19); consequently, many of the numbers found within Revelation are symbolic. John was instructed to write to seven churches. The seven churches were real churches; however, the number seven represents completion. Because GOD has a message for seven churches, GOD also wants all churches to learn from the letters to the real churches (see 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22). And as we will discover, the message GOD wants all churches to know will be needed in order to digest the prophetic words that are to come in later chapters. So what message does GOD want all churches to know? To discover this, we must examine the seven letters to the seven churches.

Ephesus:
GOD states that they do the right works, but they have lost the love that should motivate the works. In other words, GOD’s message is that they need to get back to the basics of love being the core and that everything else will come from that love (see Matthew 22:36-40; 1Corinthians 10:12). Keep the passion burning! Keep the fire flickering flames of love! Don’t let the fire burn out! Keep the main thing the main thing! If you don’t have love, you have nothing (see 1Corinthians 13). A promise to the victor is the right to eat from the tree of life in GOD’s paradise, which is the great reversal and restoration of Genesis 3:22-24.

Smyrna:
They are persecuted and in poverty, yet GOD declares them to be rich (2:9; see also Matthew 5:10; 6:19-21). This church receives no rebuke because they are faithful. In fact, the main message to this church is this: when it comes time to either compromise or Christ, be faithful and do not fear (see Matthew 24:13; Philippians 1:21; James 1:12). We must endure until the end even unto death. Life is found only through Jesus. And that is perhaps why a promise to the victor here is that he/she will never be harmed by the second death (see 20:14-15).

Pergamum:
Though they reside at the location of “Satan’s Throne” — which is a difficult place to live — they held on to His name and did not deny their faith (2:13). However, GOD has some things against them. GOD’s main message: Cooperate with those around you, but do not compromise (see Leviticus 18:3-4)! Don’t be a stumbling block to others (see Numbers 31:16; Micah 6:5; Romans 14:13,21; 1Corinthians 8:9; 1John 2:10)! Essentially, you are either gathering or scattering, which means you are either helping Christ or helping Satan (see Matthew 12:30). So choose whom you will serve (see Joshua 24:15)! Jesus concludes by telling them that the victor will receive some hidden manna and a white stone with a new name on it. The hidden manna is Jesus Himself, the Sustainer, the Source of energy and the Bread of Life (see John 4:32; 6:47-51). Scholars are not certain about the meaning of the white stone, but among the most-likely interpretations that may fit the context is a suggestion that the white stones, with names of the recipients inscribed, were given to contest winners of the Roman sport races. This would explain why Jesus said the “victor” will receive it. The white stone inscribed with a personal name presumably served as a pass to a prestigious banquet only attended by the winners (see 19:9). This stone would have been received upon completion of the race. While this is not a particularly Jewish cultural reference, we do know of many biblical examples of the use of Greco-Roman cultural references as illustrations for and by the Jews (see Philippians 3:12-14; 1Corinthians 9:24-27; 2Timothy 4:6-8; Hebrews 12:1). The victor is the one who endures to the end and is granted access to the marriage feast of the Lamb (see “Marriage of the Lamb” for details).

Thyatira:
They have love, faithfulness, service, and endurance; however, they tolerate ‘Jezebel’ and commit sexual immorality. GOD gave ‘Jezebel’ time to repent, but ‘she’ does not want to repent. In 1Kings 16:30-32, we see that Ahab married Jezebel, who worshipped Baal, which caused Ahab to accept, condone, and even promote Baal. This is what I call sleeping with Satan because the one who worships idols and commits sexual immorality is having sex with sin itself. Be careful — the person who sleeps with the enemy and becomes pregnant from sin will give birth to death (see James 1:14-15). Because Ahab was unequally yoked (see 2Corinthians 6:14), Jezebel had contaminated and corrupted the people of Israel and even murdered many of them. You must flee from sexual immorality (see 1Kings 21:23-25; 1Corinthians 6:12-20; 10:8) and stay yoked only to a partner of righteousness who will travel in the same direction as you. Truly, the One we should be yoked to is Jesus (see Matthew 11:28-30). This letter concludes with a promise to the victor that he/she will receive authority over the nations (see 1Corinthians 6:2-3) and the morning star (compare 2:28 and 22:16). Again, Jesus is the prize.

Sardis:
GOD has harsh words for this church: Though there remain a few people who have not defiled themselves (3:4), the church at large is dead (3:1). They have a reputation for being alive yet they are dead inside (see Matthew 23:27-28). They are superficial saints with pious performances, only going through the meaningless motions of redundant rituals of the rigmarole of religion. They were admonished to be alert and strengthen what remains because He has not found their works complete (3:2). They were also warned that He will come like a thief in the night at an unexpected time (3:3; see also Matthew 24:43; Luke 12:39; 1Thessalonians 5:2; 2Peter 3:10). The letter concludes with a promise that the victor will be clothed in white and will walk with Jesus (compare 3:4-5 to 16:15; 19:8; 22:14 or see “Sixth Bowl” for details).

Philadelphia:
Though they have limited strength, they have kept His Word and didn’t deny His name (3:8). And GOD will work within their weakness (see 2Corinthians 12:9).  We must be faithful with what we have; we must be good stewards (see Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 12:48; 1Corinthians 4:2). This church receives no rebuke because they were faithful and kept His command to endure (3:10). This letter concludes with a promise to the victor that he/she will receive His name, which represents the loving gesture of claiming us as His children. The victor will also be made a pillar of the sanctuary. A pillar is used as support to strengthen a structure and make it more complete. Though we will not be the foundation, we will all be a part of what makes Heaven so great. And because we are a part of the structure, this implies our permanency in the place of paradise.

Laodicea:
This church receives no praise. GOD states that because they are neither hot nor cold and merely lukewarm, GOD is going to spit them out of His mouth (3:15-16). The people claimed that they need nothing because they are wealthy, but GOD called them wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, naked, and shameful (3:17-18). GOD proclaims His love, advises they accept His discipline, and admonishes them to repent. The insipid are intolerable; their indecisiveness leads to indigestion. Indifference leads to idleness. Fence-sitting, couch-potato, comfort-Christianity receives no praise! (See Hebrews 10:38; 12:4-13; Proverbs 3:11-12) In 3:20, Jesus tells us that He stands at the door and knocks, simply waiting for someone to respond and allow Him in. And when that person allows Jesus within, He will have dinner with that person. Why is this important? In Mark 2: 15-17, we see that this is how Levi — a tax collector — became Matthew, the disciple. Once we allow Jesus within and we fellowship with Him, hearing His Word in itself would be the meal we would be eating; consequently, being filled with the Bread of Life, life would exude out of our very pores and we would be on fire for Christ, thus incapable of being lukewarm. This letter concludes with a promise to the victor that he/she will have the right to sit with Him on His throne. This promise is to say that we will be part of the family and will share in His glory.

Summary of the seven church letters:
Each of the seven letters contained a promise to the “victor.” In order to receive the promises, you must be a victor. How do we become a victor? Stay in alignment with GOD’s Word and His absolute moral standard! Keep the faith and endure until the end! The only way to be a victor is to fight the good fight, endure it until the end, and finish the race. Everyone who finishes the race will be exhausted, but they will also come into rest. Just as GOD rested from His work on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2), we too will come into rest on our ‘seventh day.’ We can picture this life here on Earth as our six days of work and Heaven will be our seventh day of rest. Everything we accomplish in life here on this Earth within our ‘six days’ falls short of perfection. It is only in our ‘seventh day’ that we will come into perfection and receive rest.

Every church leader and congregation member will need to keep their faith and stay in alignment with the Truth of GOD’s Word and absolute moral standard for two important reasons:

1. A lot will happen in the final days that will test our faith. Without knowing what to expect, you may be deceived and fall away.
2. No one knows the day nor hour when Jesus will return.

Chapter 4:
John, “in the Spirit,” is invited into Heaven and sees GOD seated on the throne with 24 thrones around His throne and in those thrones are the 24 elders. Because 12 represents GOD’s people, and since “elders” refers to leaders in both Israel (Numbers 11:16) and the church (1Timothy 1:5), 12 of the 24 represent the tribes of Israel and 12 represent the apostles of Christ, mirroring the reference in the new Jerusalem (Revelation 21:12,14). The 12 from the Old Testament and 12 from the New Testament equal 24, which represent all of GOD’s people over time, whether under the Law of Moses or grace of Christ. The seven torches are the seven spirits, which represent the perfection of the Holy Spirit (see Isaiah 11:2). The sea of glass like crystal represents the purity and holiness of GOD. John also sees “four living creatures” (4:6) covered with eyes in front and back, which represents GOD’s ability to see all. They each have six wings (4:8). Four creatures; six wings. 4 x 6 = 24. There are 24 wings and 24 elders. Everyone is covered by the grace of GOD!

Chapter 5:
This chapter introduces the scroll with the seven seals. The scroll has writing on the inside and on the back. There is no wasted space and no room for words from anyone else. GOD’s Word is the only Word and the final Word (see 22:18-19). John discovers that no one is worthy and able to open the seals on the scroll — no one except the Lion from the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:9; Micah 5:2), the Root of David (Isaiah 11:1), the Slaughtered Lamb (Isaiah 53:7) with the seven horns (omnipotent) and seven eyes (omniscient), which are the seven spirits (Holy Spirit) of GOD sent into all the earth (omnipresent). Of course, the One who is worthy is Jesus! And why is Jesus the One who is worthy? Because Jesus is the One on the throne; Jesus is GOD, the second person in the Trinity. (compare 4:10-11 with 5:12; see also John 10:30)

Introduction to the Seven Seals:
The first four seals reveal the four horsemen (see Zechariah 1:8-11; 6:1-8). There is debate as to whether any or all of what is pictured has already taken place or if it will happen sometime in the future. While conquest (6:2), widespread warfare (6:4), and devastating effects from famine on economies (6:5-6) have occurred throughout history since the first century AD, no catastrophe has devastated a full fourth of the earth, as is described in the fourth seal (6:8), at least not all at once. It is possible, however, that war, famine, plague, and the animals have killed a fourth of the earth’s population over a span of time. For a few reasons that will be explained later in greater detail, I hold the position that the book (or letter) of Revelation was written to help the first century AD Christians stay faithful; however, the depth of GOD’s wisdom in this letter is also for future events. It was first first century Christians, but it is also for us in this present time, and everyone in the future until Christ returns. Some parts of Revelation concern the past, some speak to us in the present, and some are for future events. I can make this claim confidently from the simple fact that the other prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah, Malachi, Zechariah, etc.) spoke to the current situations of their time while also prophesying of the future. To say that the book of Revelation concerns only the past is [in my opinion] rather nearsighted and almost irresponsible. Many predictions from the Bible were made between 500—1,200 years in advance. An exhaustive study of the Bible reveals around 1,800 predictions: about 70% of the predictions are found in the Old Testament and about 30% in the New Testament. Different scholars have counted around 190 prophecies concerning the anticipated Jewish Messiah and Savior, around 50% of which were fulfilled at Christ’s first coming. A lot from Revelation must concern future events (see the section “The Angel and the Smaller Scroll” below). The “birth pains” spoken of in Matthew 24:5-8 and Mark 13:5-8 are the signs of the end of age and they match the descriptions of much of the first four seals.

First Seal:
Jesus opens the first seal and we see a horseman on a white horse, holding a bow (no arrows mentioned) and with a crown on his head. This horseman represents military, empire, or even political dominance. For reasons that will be explained later in greater detail, I don’t believe this horseman represents Jesus like the white horseman of 19:11-16 clearly does. One reason is that John saw Jesus open the seal and then saw the horseman immediately after. I believe this specific horseman to be the one from Daniel 9:27 (see Matthew 24:15-20) who brings in pseudo-peace that will lead to the abomination of desolation. It is that abomination that initiates GOD’s wrath and causes the great tribulation. This horseman is a demonic mockery of Jesus, who is the true white horseman.

Second Seal:
This seal pictures the release of a horseman on a red horse, which represents  violence, warfare and bloodshed. This horseman is empowered to remove peace (that was present for a short time in the first seal) from the earth and people will slaughter one another. This horseman serves as a mirror-image of one truth seen in two different time periods: in the first century with the Roman empire, but also in the future as well. Ponder on the greatness of GOD and you will realize that GOD explained the end times in a way that first century Christians would understand yet future Christians would also understand. (see Jeremiah 32:27; Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:27; Luke 18:27) Because it is written that a large sword was given to this rider, it seems to be a critique of the pax Romana (Latin for “Roman peace”). The Roman peace was both policy and ideology. Augustus Caesar had boasted that the Roman military machine had established a peaceful order to disparate lands and united the civilized world. But empires rise and empires fall. And peace enforced by the sword is not true peace at all (see Matthew 26:52). Just as the Romans used their swords for authority and judgment, Jesus’ sharp two-edged sword represents ultimate authority and judgment. GOD will have the last word. (see Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 1:16; 2:16; 19:15,21) In whom will you place your trust? (see Psalm 118:8-9) Sadly, humanity is going to place their trust in the empire (see “First Seal”), peace will be removed, and people will eventually fall apart and slaughter one another.

Third Seal:
This seal pictures the release of a horseman on a black horse, which represents famine. The horseman holds a set of scales, which represents unbalanced and unfair inflated prices in the market place. The economic crisis produces injustice and most likely chaos.

Fourth Seal:
This seal pictures the release of a horseman on a pale-green horse, which represents death; in fact, this is the only rider with a name and that name is Death. It is written that Hades followed after him. Hades is the greek version of the Hebrew sheol, which is the realm of the dead. Death passes with Hades (sheol) as a net behind him, gathering the dead. This rider comes because of the first three: wherever there is empire, warfare, and famine, death is sure to follow.

Summary of the Four Horsemen:
GOD uses what humans consider as their refuge to reveal His ultimate power and authority. What had once been humanity’s security blankets that gave them a false sense of security have now been turned upside down. The government they relied upon for their pleasure and benefits became the evil master who put them into hardship, the peace they enjoyed turned into war, prosperity and plenty turned into famine and misfortune, and the good life turned into death, which was no life at all. The four horsemen expose the corrupt and fragile idols for what they truly are.

Fifth Seal:
This seal reveals martyred people of the great tribulation (see 7:13-14). (See “Sixth Seal” for explanation regarding the great tribulation.) The people cried out and wanted to know how much longer it would be until GOD delivers His justice and avenges their blood. GOD tells them to rest a little longer because more must first be killed just as they had been. This reveals GOD’s patience and His desire to see more people come to Him (see 2Peter 3:9). It is written in 2Thessalonians 2:3-4 that rebellion and the man of lawlessness precede the Day of the Lord.

Sixth Seal:
There’s a lot of information and happenings packed into this one seal. To better understand this seal, see Isaiah 2:6-22; 13:10,13; Joel 2:10,31; 3:15-16, Zephaniah 1. When this seal is opened, a violent earthquake occurs, the sun turns black, the moon turns red, the stars fall to the earth like figs dropping from its tree, the sky rolls up like a scroll, and every mountain and island move from their places. Matthew 24:29 and Mark 13:24 tell us that the 6th seal events happen after the great tribulation. Therefore, the tribulation most likely occurred in the fourth or fifth seal. As for the stars falling to earth like figs, we know that this is the sign that Jesus is about to return (see Isaiah 34:4; Matthew 24:32-33; Mark 13:28-29). When the events take place, everyone will hide in caves and among the rocks out of fear from the wrath of the Lamb. Jesus’ first coming was love and Truth; His second coming will be Truth and justice. His second coming to us will bring us coming to Him for the final judgment. This section concludes by asking a very important question: Who is able to stand?

Are We In The Last Days?
According to some scholars, the “last days” began with the resurrection of Christ (see Acts 2:17; Hebrews 1:2). Two possible options to consider: the abomination of desolation must have occurred prior to or during the breaking of the first seal. So either the first seal was broken back when the Roman emperors demanded to be worshipped as gods or we are still awaiting for Jerusalem to have a Temple again and the abomination of desolation has not yet happened. Either the great tribulation already occurred when Christians were persecuted by the Roman empire or the great tribulation has not yet happened. Either way, I believe we are definitely in the last days because Christ already came once before and the next time He comes again it will be to bring everything to an end. Therefore, the question should not be as to whether we are in the last days or not, but the question we should be asking is, “Where are we in the timeline of the last days?” And that of course, is the great debate. I’ll provide my answer (opinion) to that question at the end of this article.

Those Who Are Sealed:
Chapter 6 ended with an important question: Who is able to stand? Of course, everyone will stand — they will stand in front of the great white throne of judgment (see 20:12-14). But GOD marks His children to be saved (7:3; 9:4). This seal of GOD is confirmation that we have been examined and inspected. Once inspected, we are approved and then sealed for security purposes, protected from tampering, and authorized by the King (see Exodus 12:1-13; Ezekiel 9:4; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 2Corinthians 1:21-22). A seal can represent a finished transaction (Jeremiah 32:9-10; John 17:4; 19:30); it can represent ownership (Jeremiah 32:11-12; 2Timothy 2:19); it showcases security (Esther 8:8; Daniel 6:17).

Who Are The 144,000?:
In 7:4, it is written: “And I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 sealed from every tribe of the Israelites.” It goes on to list 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes; however, the 12 tribes are not the usual listed tribes (see Numbers 1:5-15; 1Chronicles 2:1-2). Judah is listed first because Jesus is the Lion of Judah. Dan is missing because Dan had a history and reputation for apostasy (1Kings 12:28-30). It most likely serves as a warning that only those who persevere to the end will be saved. Sadly, not everyone who starts the Christian race will finish the race. Regardless, we know that Israel is GOD’s chosen people and Israel will be redeemed and restored. (See Genesis 13:15; Matthew 19:28; Romans 11:23-26.) The number 12 represents GOD’s people; 1,000 represents a great number. 12 x 1,000 = 12,000 (a great number from each tribe). And 12,000 x 12 = 144,000 (a great number of all tribes of all GOD’s people). Regardless of who the 144,000 are, the important thing to know is that the seal of GOD is given to all believers (3:12; 7:3-5; 14:1; 22:4). We also know that the Jews are not the only ones who are to be saved — the gentiles will be grafted in (Romans 11:11-24; Ephesians 2:11-22; Galatians 3:26-29). We also know that Heaven constitutes a vast multitude of every tribe, nation, and language (Genesis 17:4; Revelation 5:9,11; 7:9). We should not allow the debate of the 144,000 to derail us from the main point: GOD’s people are sealed and protected from GOD’s wrath. Though our earthly bodies may perish, GOD’s people are promised a new spiritual body (1Corinthians 15:40-55).

Seventh Seal:
In 8:1, the opening of the seventh seal brings a long moment of silence as everyone becomes still in revenant awe (see Exodus 14:14; Zephaniah 1:7; Psalm 46:10). We can also say that this is the calm before the storm. The Day of the Lord begins with trumpets. Smoke, incense, and prayers go up and then justice comes down. In 6:10, the martyrs asked how long it would take for justice to come. The answer to their prayers now arrives (see more in “First Trumpet”). In 8:5-6, it is written: “The angel took the incense burner, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it to the earth; there were rumblings of thunder, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake. And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them.”

The Connection:
The thunder, lightning, and earthquake together is an important sign. The three occur together for the first time at the conclusion of the seventh seal (8:5) and beginning of the first trumpet. The seven trumpets are actually contained within the seventh seal. The opening of the seventh seal reveals the seven trumpets. The sign is next seen together in 11:19 at the conclusion of the seventh trumpet and beginning of the first bowl. The seven bowls are actually contained within the seventh trumpet. So the bowls come out of the seventh trumpet just like the trumpets come out of the seventh seal. This can be compared to perhaps a set of Matryoshka dolls (Russian nesting dolls; stacking dolls) or even a telescoping ladder. Out of one comes another until the plan is fully unraveled and unveiled or revealed. The thunder, lightning, and earthquake sign is next seen together in 16:17-21 at the conclusion of the seventh bowl and beginning of the fall of Babylon and the coming of Jesus.

First Trumpet:
The seventh seal caused an angel to hurl fire to the earth. The first trumpet is the same action, delivered from the prayers of 6:10. The angel hurling down fire is doing this as the first trumpet blows; the events are tied together. If you recall, the martyrs of 6:10 asked, “how long until You judge and avenge our blood from those who live on the earth?” The first trumpet is the beginning of the judgment in order to avenge their blood. Once the trumpet sounds, hail and fire, mixed with blood, were hurled to the earth to burn up a third of the earth. Why was it mixed with blood? Because GOD is the avenger of blood because blood is life. (See Genesis 4:10; 9:4; Leviticus 17:11; Psalm 9:12; 72:14; 79:10; Isaiah 26:21; Ezekiel 36:18; Revelation 6:10; 19:2.) However, the real avenging of their blood doesn’t culminate until 16:3-6. The first six trumpets echo the plagues in Exodus 7-12.

Second Trumpet:
A huge rock like a mountain ablaze with fire was hurled into the sea and a third of the sea became blood and a third of the living creatures in the sea died. (see Jeremiah 51:25)

Third Trumpet:
A great star blazing like a torch fell from Heaven onto a third of the rivers and springs of water, turning the water bitter. People died from the water because it was bitter. This judgment seems to contrast the blessing and miracle at Marah (which means “bitter” in Hebrew), when Moses — because of the Israelites’ grumbling — threw a piece of wood into the region’s bitter waters and turned them sweet (see Exodus 15:23-25).

Fourth Trumpet:
A third of the sun, moon, and stars (see 12:4) were struck and were darkened. A third of the day and night was without light. (See Exodus 10:21-29; Amos 8:9; Mark 13:24.) This trumpet tells of an eagle crying out a “woe” to the ones living on earth because of what the final three trumpet blasts will bring. The next three trumpet blasts will each be a “woe.” The eagle symbolizes GOD’s imminent judgment swooping down on Israel’s enemies (see Jeremiah 48:40-42). The eagle is also meant to conjure up dread for the unrepentant — they might as well be called the walking dead — but also produce hope for GOD’s people — those who have been sealed (see Exodus 19:4; Isaiah 40:31).

Satan Wages War:
Between the fourth and fifth trumpets, there is a time period of Satan waging war against all of GOD’s children on Earth. In 8:13, we see the warning of the “woes” to “those who live on the earth” because of what will happen next. The next three trumpet blasts (fifth, sixth, and seventh) affect the people of the earth. If we compare 8:12 to 12:4, we can see that the third of the stars are affected because of Satan (dragon). In 12:1-6, we are shown that Satan desperately desired to prevent Jesus from ever being born and coming into the world. In Matthew 2:13-20, we see the events that took place. Satan used Herod in an attempt to kill Jesus and prevent Him from coming into the world. An angel warned Joseph and Mary and they fled to Egypt to escape Herod’s reach (thus fulfilling the prophecy of Hosea 11:1). Herod was so angry that he gave orders to massacre all the male children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under (which fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah 31:15 and coincides with Revelation 12:17). And this is why Satan was thrown from Heaven down to earth (12:7-9) and the reason for the ‘woes’ to those living on the earth (8:13). There is a ‘woe’ to those on Earth because Satan is now there, thrown down from Heaven, and he is furious. And for all of this, we know that Satan was thrown down after the fourth trumpet but before the fifth. Because in the fifth trumpet, Satan is bound and thrown into the abyss.

Fifth Trumpet:
The fifth trumpet is the first of three “woes.” A ‘star’ falls from Heaven to Earth. The key to the shaft of the abyss is given to him (star = him). Jesus had said He saw Satan fall from Heaven like a lightning flash (Luke 10:18); Satan was thrown out of Heaven down to Earth (12:9); however, this star is not Satan because Revelation always refers to Satan as the dragon or by name. In addition, it is written that the key to the shaft of the abyss was given to him. I believe the star is the angel who received the key from the Key Holder, Jesus. We know that an angel possesses the key to the abyss (20:1-3) and also opens the abyss after binding Satan and throwing him in. (Therefore, 9:1-2 is the same event as 20:1-3.) We also know that Michael was the angel who fought Satan and threw him down to Earth (12:7-9); therefore, this star is definitely an angel and most likely Michael. And this is why the abyss is opened (9:2) and the smoke and locusts came out. The abyss is a horrible place and that’s where Satan is imprisoned for ‘1,000 years’ (see 20:2,7). Here’s something to ponder: the abyss is so horrible that demons didn’t even want to go there (Luke 8:31)! The abyss is the bottomless pit or the depths (of the sea); it is the prison for Satan and the demons. Is it possible that the demons that begged not to go to the abyss didn’t want to go there because Satan was inside? Is it possible that Jesus didn’t send the demons to the abyss (Luke 8:32-33) because it wasn’t time for the abyss to be opened again? We don’t know. But what we do know is that once Michael unlocks the shaft of the abyss and it is opened, thick smoke comes out and the sun and air are darkened. Then locusts come out of the smoke (see Joel 1:1-2:11; Exodus 10:12-20) and are given power like that of scorpions to harm only the people without the seal of GOD (see 7:3). It would seem that having the “seal” is possessing the Holy Spirit (see Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 2Corinthians 1:21-22). The main focus of the fifth trumpet is that unbelievers will be tormented. Perhaps only the unbelievers are tormented at this time because Satan is imprisoned in the abyss (see 20:3).

Sixth Trumpet:
This is the second “woe.” Four angels who had been bound at the great River Euphrates are released and kill a third of the human race by fire, smoke, and sulfur. John heard that the number of mounted troops was 200 million. It is written that the people who were still alive afterwards still did not repent from their evil ways. Like Pharaoh of Egypt (see Exodus 8:15,32), their hearts remained hardened.

The Angel and the Smaller Scroll:
The sixth and seventh seals are separated in the book of Revelation by two sections discussing a small scroll and two witnesses. In this first section, a “mighty” angel holds a smaller scroll and stands with his right foot on the sea and his left on land. Both land and sea are covered — GOD is in control. In 10:4, John is told not to write what the “seven thunders” had said. This (combined with Deuteronomy 29:29 and Daniel 8:27; 12:4,8-9) lets us know that we don’t have to understand every detail of Revelation; the point is made clear in 10:7 in that GOD’s hidden plan will eventually be revealed (after the seventh trumpet blast). It is at this point within this section that John is directed to take and eat the scroll (see Jeremiah 15:16; Ezekiel 3:1-3). Just as we have seen before, GOD’s Word is sweet as honey, but the truth is painful to digest. GOD’s love is sweet, but justice and judgment can seem rather bitter. Here’s the bitter truth: things will get worse before they get better. In the same way that Ezekiel received GOD’s Word with joy but also received an impossible mission to proclaim judgment to a hardened people, John, the seven churches, and all of us in the present day are called to preach a sweet yet bitter gospel that offers grace yet demands repentance.

The Two Witnesses:
John was given a measuring reed (see Zechariah 2; Ezekiel 40) and was told to measure GOD’s sanctuary but to exclude the courtyard outside the sanctuary because it will be given to the nations and will be trampled (see 22:15). Ponder on that for a moment. The temple had been destroyed in AD 70 and John wrote the letter of Revelation around AD 95. There was no temple when John wrote this letter, there is no temple right now, perhaps a new temple will be built in Jerusalem in the future(?); however, there won’t be a temple in the New Jerusalem because GOD is the sanctuary (21:22). We are to find everything we need in GOD. We ourselves will be the new temple because Christ dwells within us (1Corinthians 3:16; Hebrews 3:6; 1Peter 2:4-5). Two become one — that is what the marriage is all about (see 19:7-9 and Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:31-32). There is no courtyard outside the sanctuary because Christ is the sanctuary and you’re either in or you’re out (Matthew 12:30). If in Christ, you will find protection (you have been sealed); however, outside the safety of Christ, you are subject to the world and its ways, which is devoid of GOD’s love, mercy, and grace.

But it is written (11:2) that the holy city will be trampled for 42 months (3 and a half years of 30-day months). Some say this refers to the great tribulation that will happen for half of seven years. Truly, we don’t know. In 11:3-5, it is written that GOD will empower two witnesses to prophecy for 1,260 days (3 and a half years of 30-day months) and they are “the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. If anyone wants to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and consumes their enemies.” (See Jeremiah 5:14) Whether the 42 months / 1,260 days / 3.5 years are literal or not does not matter in the bigger picture. We must remember to keep the main thing the main thing. The timing of GOD’s plan is fixed and GOD will be in control, just as He has always been. The important thing for us to keep in mind are the signs (birth pains) that we should be looking for in order to recognize the coming of Christ.

The two olive trees and two lampstands are important symbols. In Zechariah 4:1-14, the two olive trees represent “the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” But who are these two witnesses? Some argue that they are Moses and Elijah because they had been the two standing next to Jesus in His transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-7). Some argue that they are two future prophets. I don’t care to get caught up in the details that could derail us from the main message. What is more important to know about these two witnesses is that they fulfill what is written (Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15) that two witnesses are required for a valid testimony. (Also, contrast these two witnesses with the two beasts in 13:1,11 and it clearly depicts the Holy Trinity against an unholy trinity, which represents the bigger picture of Satan against GOD’s authority and His beloved creation. See “The Beast From The Earth” for details.) These two witnesses represent the entire prophetic tradition in the history of GOD’s people. In fact, it is written that these two will have the power to perform miracles and cause plagues — just as it had been in the days of Moses and Pharaoh. So what about the two lampstands? The two olive trees pour their [anointed] oil into the lampstands; the lampstands represent the churches. Thus, the witnesses and their valid testimonies shall empower the churches. Leon Morris once said that the churches are no more than lampstands. The Light is Christ, and they are to show Him forth (see Matthew 5:14-16; Mark 4:21-22; Luke 11:33-36).

It is written (11:7-10) that the two witnesses will finish their testimony and then the beast from the abyss will wage war against them and kill them. As it has been throughout history, GOD’s anointed usually receive persecution and sometimes get martyred (see Hebrews 11:32-40). So who is this beast? Though this beast will be revealed in chapter 13 (see “The Beast From The Sea” for details), we also know him from Daniel 7, 2Thessalonians 2:1-12, and 1John 2:18. This beast is commonly referred to as the antichrist. Once the two witnesses are killed, their bodies will remain out in the open for all to see in the same place where Jesus had been crucified. Their bodies will not be allowed to be put in a tomb and will remain there for three and a half days. The evil people will gloat over them and celebrate over them and even send gifts to one another. However, it is also written (11:11-14) that after the three and a half days, the two witnesses will be resurrected by the breath of GOD and will stand to their feet. A great fear will fall upon the people, the witnesses will ascend up into Heaven as everyone watches, and then a violent earthquake will cause a tenth of the city to fall and kill 7,000 people. A praiseworthy moment of repentance arrives in 11:3: “The survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.” So we know that some people will come into repentance; good does come out of the the bad. William Barclay said that the real victory is not to live in safety, to evade trouble, cautiously and prudently to preserve life; the real victory is to face the worst that evil can do, and if need be to be faithful unto death. This section ends with the second “woe” passing and with the third “woe” promised to come quickly.

Seventh Trumpet:
As written in 10:7, the time has come for GOD to begin His reign, to judge, and destroy those who destroy the earth (15:17-18) and for His hidden plan to be revealed. Though the seventh trumpet and the first bowl are separated by many sections of explanation, they are connected. The seven bowls come out of the seventh trumpet and 11:19 continues again at 15:5. The sections of explanation between the seventh trumpet and the first bowl are placed between them to help us understand what was going on behind the scenes and why they are related. (See 1Corinthians 15:52-58)

The Woman, the Child, and the Dragon:
A pregnant woman clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, and with a crown of 12 stars on her head gives birth to a Son. The 12 stars represent the 12 tribes of Israel; in fact, the woman is Israel (see Genesis 37:9; Isaiah 13:6,8; Jeremiah 6:24). The Son, of course, is Jesus. Jesus came from the chosen people of Israel, as was always prophesied. A dragon (Satan) stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth in order to devour the child (see Matthew 2:13-20), but the child was protected and is going to shepherd all nations with an iron scepter (see Psalm 2:9). The woman fled into the wilderness. The Israelites fled from Pharaoh into the wilderness; Jesus overcame the Tempter in the wilderness. The wilderness is a place to seek GOD.

The Dragon Thrown Out Of Heaven:
Ephesians 6:11-12 explains that there is a spiritual battle raging all around us. War broke out in Heaven, Michael (see Daniel 12:1) fought Satan, and Satan and his angels were thrown out of Heaven down to Earth (see 20:1-3; Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Luke 10:18; Proverbs 16:18). In 12:11, it is written that believers “conquered [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they did not love their lives in the face of death.” We conquer evil by remaining faithful, obedient, and by enduring until the end (see Philippians 1:21).

The Fallen Dragon And The Woman:
When the dragon (Satan) saw that he had been thrown to earth, he persecuted the woman (Israel) who gave birth to the male child (Jesus). In other words, Satan persecuted GOD’s chosen people, the original branches. However, the woman was saved from the dragon. The dragon, furious with the woman, left to wage war against the rest of her offspring (see Romans 11:11-24). Know this: If Satan cannot get to you, he will go for the ones you love.

The Beast From The Sea:
To better understand the beast from the sea, read Daniel 7-12. The beast from the sea with the blasphemous names on his heads is referred to as the antichrist, the one whom Satan gives power (13:2; see also Matthew 4:8-9; Luke 4:5-7). This creature with all his characteristics represents his pseudo-power and pseudo-perfection. Also, see Isaiah 27:1. Since Satan had been defeated by Jesus’ sacrificial death, resurrection, and ascension, and the beast had been embarrassed by the resurrection and ascension of the two witnesses, some people believe that 13:3 refers to a false resurrection in order to entice people to worship him. We don’t know. What we do know is what is described immediately after: the whole earth was amazed and followed the beast (antichrist) and worshipped the dragon (Satan) because the dragon was the one who gave the beast authority. We also know that a mouth was given to the beast (13:5), he was permitted to wage war against the saints and conquer them (13:7), and was given authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation (13:7-8). This beast will captivate everyone — everyone whose name is not in the Book of Life! And this is why 13:10 tells us that this will demand perseverance and faith. In fact, along with the good news of Christ’s return and ultimate victory, the main theme found in the book of Revelation running parallel to the good news is that we must endure until the very end, remaining faithful and obedient. (See Matthew 10:28; 1Corinthians 9:24-27; Philippians 3:14-16; 1Timothy 6:11-16; 2Timothy 4:3-5; Hebrews 10:35-39; 2Peter 1:5-11; Revelation 3:16)

The Beast From The Earth:
As if having the beast from the sea (antichrist) isn’t bad enough, another beast comes up out of the earth with two horns like a lamb yet sounded like a dragon. This is the false prophet who will end up helping the antichrist. He looks or performs like Jesus (the lamb), yet his motives are evil like that of Satan (the dragon). The dragon plus the two beasts equals an unholy trinity alliance that unites as a mockery of the Holy Trinity to stand in opposition of GOD’s authority. It is written that this beast will exercise the authority of the first beast on his behalf in order to compel everyone to worship the first. So the false prophet will compel everyone to worship the antichrist (see 2Thessalonians 2:7-12). This second beast performs great signs and deceives people because of these signs. An image of the first beast (antichrist) will be made and anyone who does not worship the image is to be killed (see Daniel 3:17-18). And everyone will be given a mark on his right hand or forehead; no one will be able to buy or sell unless they have the mark. I want to linger on this ‘mark’ for a moment. Before sailing on to the next subject matter, I want to dock here for a brief moment in order to think this one through. This subject matter is important because we will be brought to the crossroad of Christ or compromise and when that day comes, you need to be ready and know when to say no (see Acts 5:29).

The Mark:
Many people have argued that the two beasts and this ‘mark’ refers only to the past. These people argue that the first beast represents the Roman imperial rule and the second beast represents the wealthy social elite of Asian Minor, its magistrates, city officials, and trade guilds, who not only held political office but were also priests in the imperial cult. The argument is that they erected imperial temples, set up “the image” of the emperor on statues and other icons, and sponsored extravagant festivals. Since the success of the festivals guaranteed political favors from Rome, those who refused to participate in the imperial cult could not buy/sell since they were ostracized by the trade guilds. While it is true that the Christians in the past had to decide whether to Christ or compromise, is it wise to believe that the two beasts and this ‘mark’ refers only to the past? If we assume that they refer only to the past, does that mean it won’t happen in the future? I believe it is wise to consider the possibility that someone in the future could persuade nations to follow him and that it could happen to us just as Nero and Hitler happened to people in the past (see 1Corinthians 10:11-13).

On the other side of this coin, many have argued that the two beasts and the ‘mark’ refers to a time in the future and that it will be a literal mark upon the hand or forehead. It is not unthinkable that Christians will be unable to buy/sell in the marketplace due to their allegiance to Christ. It is easy to see how a future society could ‘force’ a literal mark upon someone’s hand or forehead. After all, cash has been slowly becoming obsolete; debit/credit cards became the new normal and accepted way of buying/selling. And now we have chips in debit/credit cards that came to be only because they were marketed as being more convenient and safer to use. It’s not absurd to believe that our government could sell the idea of chips implanted within our hands or foreheads. Ponder on it: So long as the ‘mark’ is marketed as being for our benefit due to its convenience and safety, I believe people would accept it. Over time, we have accepted and integrated into our lives the allowance of facial recognition and even using our fingerprints as our passwords on our phones. It has literally gotten to the point where everything is becoming digital and all accounts are starting to merge into one. Can you imagine the ad campaign for the ‘mark’? I believe it would be something like this: “With it being implanted inside of you, you will never lose it! You will never again have to worry about losing coins, bills, or cards! There is no longer a need for a wallet to weigh you down! It is the ultimate convenience! And you also don’t have to worry about about identity theft! What is yours belongs to you and only you! With facial recognition and/or the use of your fingerprint for confirmation, making purchases or confirming your identity will now be simple, easy, and quick!”

To some people that scenario might sound like something a conspiracy theorist or science fiction writer might conjure up, but it truly is quite possible. If you examine how far we have allowed ourselves to push the line that separates right from wrong, a future scenario such as that is not unbelievable. The ‘mark’ wouldn’t be something forced upon those who resist until the majority accepted it. Much like everything has become nowadays. Once the majority accepts something, the government can enforce that something without much of a struggle.

However, let us focus on the reality of this topic instead of the theories that come from it. Remember: past, present, and future! There had been churches in the past who had been unable to participate in the imperial cult due to their convictions in Christ as the only Lord. However, we must also keep in mind that Christ has not yet returned and life most certainly will get worse before He returns. Rather than allowing this topic to divide us, let us focus on what is definitely true. The ‘mark’ is in opposition to the seal of GOD (7:3; 14:1) and is the demonic mockery of the shema and the use of phylacteries on the foreheads of the Jews (Deuteronomy 6:8). Essentially, Satan is pridefully boasting to GOD something like this: “You’ve got your weak and pathetic people who have your seal, but I’ve managed to steal the loyalty of much of Your beloved creation and they’ve got my mark. If You’re all-powerful, why did a third of Your angels and much of your beloved people follow me? I can reign and rule just as well as You can, if not better!”

666:
And this, of course, leads us to 13:18, which is the most famous and argued text of Revelation. John writes that this is going to require wisdom, but if you calculate the number of the beast — which is a number of a man — his number is 666. Many have attempted to calculate not just the number (666) but also the exact identity of the man to whom it refers. Since 1John 2:18 states that “many antichrists have come” (i.e., as foreshadowing the ultimate Antichrist figure), there may be some marginal usefulness in noting that names such as Nero and Hitler can be shown to have a numerological value of 666 by assigning a numerical value to each letter of the alphabet (research: gematria). However, it is wise to realize that such a numerological calculation will be clear only as the actual events unfold. I believe that John had Nero in mind, but I am also aware that GOD’s depth goes beyond current circumstances and extends to the future. Instead of placing our focus on an exact identity of the Antichrist, let us focus on the fact that 666 is the number of the beast, which refers to the first beast (antichrist). And we already know that the first beast was given power by the dragon, which is Satan. Therefore, the number 666 ultimately represents a person who is anti-Christ. And who is the person who is anti-Christ except the person who denies Jesus (1John 2:22; 4:3; 2John 1:7)? Ultimately, everyone who follows the ways of Satan and possess such arrogant pride will fall (Proverbs 16:18). This is just another way for GOD to say that He knows the people who have His seal and those who don’t. The number 666 can be seen as the code of rejection. The person who is anti-Christ will always lead people astray and into an evil way. The best advice we can take away from the mark of the beast and the number 666 is this: If someone’s terrific words don’t match the Truth of GOD’s Word, that person’s words are glamorous lies; if someone’s call-to-action would cause us to step outside the sanctuary of GOD’s absolute moral standard, that person is against us, not for us. Stay awake and alert (1Peter 5:8).

The Lamb and the 144,000:
In 14:1-5, the 144,000 are mentioned again and they are seen having the Father’s name written on their foreheads. It is written that they sing a “new song” (see 5:8-14 and Psalm 96) and no one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. Who are the redeemed from the earth? Everyone who places their faith in Christ (see Ephesians 1:7-10; Romans 9:11-28). In 14:4, it is written that the redeemed are the undefiled virgins. Okay, so who are the undefiled virgins? Literal virgins? No. To discover the meaning of the virgins, we must know the entire book of Hosea. The impure, the adulteress prostitutes are those who are unfaithful to GOD. At one time, the entire nation of Israel was compared to a prostitute — that’s what the book of Hosea is about! Even though Israel was unfaithful, GOD decided to love them anyway and create a way to make sure they can be together. That way was Jesus. The faithful are the pure just as the Church is the Bride of Christ, and the Bride is undefiled; therefore, the faithful are also undefiled. How? By acceptance of the gracious gift of salvation through Jesus. Our sins were like scarlet before Jesus made them white as snow. The sacrificial Lamb made pure the Bride (see 19:7-8). In 2Corinthians 11:2-3, we see that the defiled are those who are led astray. In 14:4-5, it is written that the virgins are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They were redeemed as firstfruits. So who are the ones who follow Christ wherever He goes? All His faithful followers. Because Jesus is the Shepherd and we are His flock. But what about the firstfruits? The firstfruits is that which is harvested first. John would not have known the “new song” because he had not yet passed from the first death into Heaven. He only received the revelation in spirit. It’s a “new song” because we will only know it in Heaven. Those who are in Heaven are the redeemed and they would know the “new song.” For everyone who is already in Heaven is the redeemed and firstfruits (see Exodus 23:19; James 1:18) — they’ve already been gathered or harvested. In 5:8-14, the “new song” is sung by the 24 elders. Again, we must go back and remember who the 24 elders are. The 24 elders represent the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles; thus, the 24 elders represent every believer whether under the Law of Moses or the grace of Christ. In addition, 5:11 states that the number of the 24 elders singing were “countless thousands, plus thousands of thousands.” Also, 5:10 tells us that the kingdom has people from every tribe and language and people and nation, which is in alignment with who the 144,000 represent. This is just another way of stating that GOD’s people will be separated from those who deny and reject Christ. Only those who are sealed and found in Christ will ever know and learn the “new song.” In Psalm 96, “all the earth” is told to sing and it is written that the singing precedes the coming of Christ for Him to judge. Appropriately placed, this section in Revelation (14:1-5) comes prior to what is next, where angels provide one last opportunity to repent (14:6-13) before the Harvest begins (14:14-20).

Proclamation of Three Angels:
John then saw a total of three angels proclaiming messages, one at a time, each with a different message. The first angel proclaimed the Gospel to every nation, tribe, language, and people. In other words, everyone was told the truth. The second angel proclaimed that the great Babylon has fallen (see 18:1-8). In other words, everyone was told that the worldly ways have crumbled and there is nothing left to stand on except for Christ. The third angel proclaimed that anyone found with the mark of the beast will drink the wine of GOD’s wrath (see Isaiah 51:17; Jeremiah 25:15-29; Psalm 75). The three messages come together to form one last chance of repentance. It will not be said that GOD didn’t give people a chance to repent. The third angel concludes his message by stating the recurring theme that salvation demands perseverance of the saints. Endurance requires trust and obedience (see Proverbs 3:5-7). This section concludes by saying that everyone from that point on who dies in the Lord will be blessed, but for those who have hardened hearts there will be no rest (see Psalm 95:8-9; Hebrews 3:7-19).

Harvest Time:
In 14:14, it is written that Jesus returns on a white cloud. The cloud represents GOD’s presence and protection (see Exodus 13:21; 14:19-20; 24:15-18; Numbers 9:16); GOD led the way before His people and even stood between them and their enemies. In Acts 1:9-11, we were told that Jesus, who was taken up into Heaven, will return in the same way as He was seen going to Heaven. In 14:14-20, the time for Jesus to return and claim what rightfully belongs to Him has come. The time to reap has come because the harvest of the earth is ripe. The best way to understand the Harvest is to read what is written in Scripture regarding the event (Isaiah 24:13; Micah 7:1-7; Matthew 3:12; 10:32-33; 13:29-30,37-43,47-50; 24:31; 25:41-46; Luke 3:17).

The fire mentioned [in the Scriptures regarding the Harvest] calls to mind two things: First, it is a great reversal of all prior so-called kings who would throw GOD’s people in the fire for not bowing to them (see Daniel 3:6) — there is only one King and He is Jesus! Second, only what is pure can withstand the fire and the wicked will be utterly consumed in their impurity and wickedness and will therefore be in anguish because they will realize that they are not in alignment with GOD’s absolute moral standard; they are unclean (see Psalm 12:6; Proverbs 25:4; Isaiah 48:10; Jeremiah 6:29; Daniel 3:25-30; 12:10; Zechariah 13:9; Malachi 3:2-3; Matthew 5:8; 2Timothy 2:21). Again, those who are pure are the ones redeemed through the blood of Christ (Isaiah 1:18). From the Harvest, some people will know and experience eternal joy; some people will experience the winepress of GOD’s wrath (Isaiah 18:5-7; 63:3-6; Jeremiah 25:30; 51:33; Lamentations 1:15; Joel 3:12-13) and know eternal anguish. On the Day of Judgment, blood will flow in about 1,600 stadia (4 x 4 x 1,000 = 1,600; or, the area of a place squared multiplied by a great number equals a large area). If we are to take the 1,600 stadia literally, it will be about 184 miles. The area of blood would cover all of Palestine (from Tyre in the north to Egypt in the south) and immerse a person as high as his/her chest. The image of the Harvest calls us all into question: After the swing of the sickle, will you be found to be one of the fickle unfaithful? This recalls to mind the challenge of Joshua 24:15: Choose whom you will serve! The Lamb or the Liar? Lion of Judah or the Beast of Babylon?

Preparation For The Bowl Judgments:
This section brings us right back again to the seventh trumpet. Compare 11:19 to 15:5 and you will see that they are the same event. In addition, we can see that this is the seventh trumpet by comparing 10:7 to 15:4, which makes known that the revealing comes at the seventh trumpet. The blast of the seventh trumpet, the Harvest, and the first bowl all occur simultaneously. All of the bowls are a part of the Harvest process in which the “weeds” are gathered first (see Matthew 13:29-30). Chapter 15 opens up with everyone who shares in victory over the beast singing the song of GOD’s servant Moses and the song of the Lamb while standing on a sea of glass. Because the victorious person is standing on the sea of glass, that image calls to mind Peter in his victorious [yet brief] moment of standing on the sea of doubt and fear (see Matthew 14:22-32). Those who remain faithful stand on a sea of glass just like Peter stood on the sea when he remained in faith. The song of the Lamb is essentially multiple ways of singing praise (see Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 98:1-2; 111:2-9; Jeremiah 10:7; 16:19; Amos 4:13). And because those victorious people were singing the song of Moses (see Exodus 15:1-18), the sea of glass they were standing on also calls to mind how the wicked are below, drowned in the depths of the sea. The victorious are above the drowning depths of demonic deeds and therefore stand victoriously on the sea [of glass]. Just as the evil Egyptians had been swallowed, the evil wicked people of the earth are now about to be swallowed in GOD’s wrath. And Pharaoh/Egypt had been likened to Leviathan/Rahab (see Isaiah 30:7; 51:9-10) and Satan likened to the dragon. GOD will defeat the ancient serpent; in addition, the sea (often a symbol of cosmic evil) will be no more (21:1). Whereas the depths of the ocean can hide or conceal, the sea of glass is transparent because nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known (see Matthew 10:26; Luke 12:2). Whereas the trumpets produced partial judgment, people were indirectly affected, and they were still able to repent, the bowls will be complete judgment that directly attacks those who are no longer able to repent (see Amos 8:2). They made their choice and now they will have to live with it. Or as the old saying goes, they made their bed and now they will lie in it. And truthfully, each one of us have the same decision to make (see Deuteronomy 11:26-28; 30:15-20).

First Bowl:
I believe the seven bowls are all poured either simultaneously or one immediately after another. The first bowl affects land and severely painful sores break out against the wicked.

Second and Third Bowls:
If you recall, the martyrs of 6:10 asked, “how long until You judge and avenge our blood from those who live on the earth?” The second and third bowls affect water: the second bowl turns the sea into blood and all life in the sea dies, the third bowl turns the rivers and springs of water into blood, leaving only blood for the wicked to drink (see Exodus 7:17-21; Psalm 78:44). It is here in the third bowl we see GOD avenging the blood of all the righteous martyrs.

Fourth Bowl:
Now affecting the sun, people are burned with fire and intense heat. Remarkably, these people blaspheme the name of GOD and still do not repent. And truly, that is why they suffer — the wicked refuse to align themselves with the absolute moral standard. GOD doesn’t punish those whom have been sealed. And GOD never desired for these people to experience any of these horrible events. The only reason why they suffer through them is because they have decided not to be with or around GOD. Like in Jeremiah 14:16, evil gets poured out on the wicked who do evil. James 1:12-15 tells us why judgment takes place: sin leads to death.

Fifth Bowl:
Affecting the throne of the beast, his kingdom is plunged into darkness and people gnaw their tongues because of their pain. This seems to be more of a spiritual affliction of darkness much like Saul felt when GOD’s Spirit left him (see 1Samuel 16:14). Without GOD’s Spirit (the Source of life), all that remains is torment and a desire for death (see Isaiah 24:11). Both the darkness and the gnawing of the tongues calls to mind the image of those apart from GOD with weeping and gnashing teeth (see Matthew 8:12; 13:42,50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30). And just like Pharaoh who kept a hardened heart, these wicked people remain with hardened hearts as well; they refuse to repent. The wicked refuse to acknowledge GOD due to the pain they feel which they themselves cause (see Proverbs 19:3). Why are they the cause and not GOD? Simply put, sin cannot be with that which is Holy; darkness cannot exist in the Light (see Genesis 1:4; Leviticus 10:10; Ezekiel 44:23; Matthew 6:24; 1Corinthians 10:21; 2Corinthians 6:14-16). The wicked refuse to accept the love and gracious gift of salvation which turns scarlet into white (Isaiah 1:18). Without accepting Christ, there is no refuge. Without Jesus, there is no way into Light (see Isaiah 42:6; 50:10; John 8:12); all that remains is darkness, gnawing of tongues, and gnashing of teeth (see John 14:6).

Sixth Bowl:
Affecting the great Euphrates River, its water dries up, making a way for an easy invasion from the east. In Jeremiah 51:59-64, Jeremiah wrote a scroll regarding all the disaster that would come to Babylon. After having the scroll read, he had it thrown into the middle of the Euphrates River, stating, “In the same way, Babylon will sink and never rise again because of the disaster I am bringing on her.” Of course, that referred to the actual Babylon and the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, but all the evidence seems to point to it being a double-entendre. Interestingly, those were the last words of Jeremiah and the next chapter (chapter 52) is the last chapter of the book of Jeremiah, which describes the fall of Jerusalem. Because Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and Babylon the Great (see “The Notorious Prostitute” for details) is destroyed before the New Jerusalem (see “The New Jerusalem” for details), the evidence seems to support a deeper meaning behind Jeremiah’s prophetic words. Keep in mind that the words Jeremiah shared came from GOD who knows the future. The sixth bowl dries up the Euphrates River, where Jeremiah’s words had been hidden. The drying of the river water is the unveiling of Jeremiah’s words that would allow them to be seen again. That is important because Jeremiah’s words return, activating yet again the promise that Babylon will sink and never rise again. Babylon is going down! But this time it’s a different Babylon. (This will all make more sense after reading the two sections previously mentioned.)

After the drying up of the Euphrates River, the sixth bowl reveals unclean spirits coming out from the mouths of the unholy trinity: the dragon (Satan), beast (antichrist), and false prophet (beast from the earth). It is written in 16:14,16 that these are spirits of demons performing signs, who travel to the kings of the whole world to assemble them for the battle of the great day of GOD, assembling them at the place called Armageddon (see 14:14-20; 19:17-21). Armageddon is traditionally known to be the hill of Megiddo, a great city that guarded the pass between the coast and the valley of Jezreel or Esdraelon (see Judges 5:19; 2Kings 9:27; 23:29), about 60 miles north of Jerusalem. In ancient times, the Megiddo valley was the site of many crucial battles that determined who possessed control of valuable trade routes connecting Egypt with Mesopotamia. Today, it is an expansive flat area which is home to rich farmland, livestock, and agriculture. In a great reversal, Jesus will use this location to prove His authority over all and showcase His power — He is the One who possesses control and there is no other king who can take His authority away! The spirits coming out of the mouths of the unholy trinity is Satan’s attempt to create his own environment using his words just as GOD created with His Word (see Genesis 1). GOD’s Word created; Satan endeavors to undo GOD’s “very good” work by his own words in order to show GOD that creation is not good as He said it was (see Genesis 1:31), which would prove GOD wrong. And this is the reason behind the entire final battle and Satan’s fall and eternal banishment: pride. The final battle will be a showdown to determine who is right, who is wiser, and who should possess all power and control. In the midst of this description is the third blessing statement of the book of Revelation, which keeps with the recurring theme of perseverance and endurance. It is written in 16:15 that the one who is alert and remains clothed is blessed. What is this clothing? I believe it to be none other than the full armor of GOD that we should be wearing at all times (see Ephesians 6:10-20), but also the “white clothes” of the victor (see 3:4-5,18), for once we graduate from this life to the next, we will no longer need the armor and can put on the white clothes of comfort. Until Christ comes, we must be clothed and ready (see Luke 12:35-40). This warning to be alert is also seen in 1Peter 5:8, but especially in 1Thessalonians 5:1-6. Only those who are ready will make it (see Matthew 25:1-13) into the Kingdom of GOD.

Seventh Bowl:
The seals, trumpets, and bowls all conclude with final judgment in each set. The seventh [and final] bowl is poured into the air and a voice says, “It is done!” (see John 19:30; compare Revelation 16:17 with 21:6) As seen before (8:5; 11:19), the flashes of lightning, rumblings of thunder, and severe earthquake occur and signify a transitional change, but this time “it is done.” The seven bowls conclude with an earthquake so great that the ‘great city’ (see 17:18) splits into three parts (see Isaiah 24:19), islands moved, mountains disappeared, and enormous hailstones weighing 100 pounds fell from the sky onto people. What the conclusion means is as follows…

The Notorious Prostitute:
Then one of the seven angels showed John the judgment of the “notorious prostitute who sits on many waters.” The many waters are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages (17:15). When the angel said that the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality with her, he meant that the powerful leaders and people of prominent positions all sleep with Satan under the covers with this sinful slut. (Contrast this notorious prostitute with the woman of 12:1-6 and also the pure Bride of Christ of 19:7-8.) The Notorious Prostitute is pictured as a woman sitting on a scarlet (saturated in sin) beast that was covered in blasphemous names (antichrist; see 13:1). The woman was dressed in purple (pseudo-royalty) and scarlet (sin), adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls (representing status and importance). Despite her facade, in her gold cup was filled with everything vile, which represents her true nature. On her forehead a name was written: Babylon the Great; the mother of prostitutes and the vile things of the earth. The woman was drunk on the blood of the saints and on the blood of the witnesses to Jesus.

The Notorious Prostitute is Babylon the Great and also the “great city that has an empire over the kings of the earth,” which splits into three parts in the seventh bowl (see 16:19; 17:18). Basically, we can call her Sin City (not a reference to Las Vegas, but that sinful city too will one day fall). ‘Babylon’ has essentially the same relationship with the earth inhabitants as ‘Jezebel’ did with the sinners in the church at Thyatira (see 2:20), who was named after the real Jezebel who was evil and against GOD’s people (see 1Kings 21:23-25). Babylon also has a close relationship with the beast. Undoubtedly, the Babylon of John’s time was Rome; however, Rome was merely the most recent archetype of humanity’s rebellion against GOD (see 1Peter 5:13). Jezebel was a codename taken from the name of a real person just as Babylon is a code name taken from the name of a real place. Some people have argued that Babylon was a code name only for Rome in John’s time, but I believe that to be nearsighted. There does exist a Babylon the Great that will fall; if not, Jesus cannot return and announce that it has fallen (see 18:2). And if Babylon only meant Rome, it would be a little strange for Jesus to return about 2,000 years later in order to announce Rome’s fall. Moreover, the fall of Babylon the Great occurs after cataclysmic events such as the sea, rivers, and springs turning to blood (16:3-6), intense heat burning people with fire (16:8-9), the Euphrates River drying up (16:12), islands and mountains moving, and 100-pound hailstones falling from the sky (16:20-21). Because none of this has yet happened, I am certain that Rome was only a Babylon, but not the Babylon the Great. Because Babylon the Great is the mother of prostitutes (implying that all prostitutes come from her) and the mother of the vile things of the earth (implying the root of sin), I believe that Babylon the Great is none other than Satan’s domain of darkness, which has an empire over the ‘kings’ of the earth (see 18:2). Babylon the Great represents that which is demonic and evil; it represents humanity’s pride and opposition to GOD. While Babylon could include an actual city in the last times, it is more likely the lament in chapter 18 is modeled after Jeremiah 51, which speaks of the wider Babylonian Empire, represented by the city of Babylon.

In what should be an anticipated outcome, both the “10 kings” awaiting their day of power and the beast turn on the notorious prostitute, making her desolate and naked, devouring her flesh, and burning her up with fire (17:16). This is the image of evil and how Satan operates. Sin’s insatiable appetite devours even its own; evil causes its own destruction. There is no loyalty on Satan’s side. Can you picture it? The notorious prostitute sits on all the people (acting as their covering) while they whore around and she even rides on the beast (antichrist). The beast allows Babylon to be on its back until the beast desires to go elsewhere and then he will throw the great city Babylon off his back without care or concern for her or the people she covered. Like a decorator crab that will use almost anything to disguise itself, Satan’s counterfeit and camouflage ways operate in the same manner. And once Satan tires of his attire, he will shed it off like the serpent he is and decorate himself with something new. Empires rise; empires fall. There has always been a new empire to take the place of the old one, but those days will end. Think about it: if the beast destroys the prostitute (Babylon), evil would be casting out evil, which means it would be a house divided against itself and would therefore not be able to stand (see Mark 3:23-26; Luke 11:17-18). But that has always been GOD’s plan (see Isaiah 25:1). GOD is the GOD of the Great Reversal, using the devil’s own deeds to boomerang them back on him. Satan simply cannot stand (see 6:17) and his empire will come to an end (see Daniel 8:25).

The Fall of Babylon the Great:
Think about this: The notorious prostitute is Babylon the Great (17:5), which is the ‘great city’ (17:18). The ‘great city’ splits into three parts (16:19). I believe this represents what Jesus said regarding a divided house that will not stand (Mark 3:26). The dragon and the two beasts had formed an unholy trinity alliance, but now the ‘great city’ splits into three parts, showing that the unholy trinity — which mocks the Trinity and righteous fellowship/teamwork (see Ecclesiastes 4:12) — cannot overpower GOD and inevitably collapses in on itself. Why would the unholy trinity be unstable and collapse in on itself? A foundation not built on The Rock is unstable and will collapse (Matthew 7:24-27). In 18:2, an angel announces that Babylon the Great has fallen (see 14:8 and Isaiah 21:9). An important description of this ‘great city’ follows, stating she is the dwelling for demons, a place for everything unclean, and that all nations have drunk the wine of her sexual immorality. Certainly, this ‘great city’ is Satan’s domain where demons dwell in dedication to the darkest deeds. In the Old Testament, the city was often a false course of security for those who left the presence of GOD. In fact, after Cain murdered his brother, Abel, he formed his own city (Genesis 4:16-17) and it became a cesspool for sin. Cain’s Sin City eventually falls because it should never have been built — it had been built on a godless foundation. The ‘great city’ will fall because its inhabitants were deceived and believed that the best foundation to build on was sinful sand and not the saving Rock of the Cornerstone. And then a voice from Heaven says, “Come out of her, My people, so that you will not share in her sins or receive any of her plagues.” (See Jeremiah 51:45) The only way out of the ‘great city,’ the domain of darkness, is through Christ into Heaven. The only way out is through the Harvest when the weeds will be separated. But we can all make personal decisions on a daily basis to exit out of sin, align ourselves with GOD’s will, and live righteously (see 1Corinthians 10:13).

The World Mourns Babylon’s Fall:
All people who committed sexual immorality and lived luxuriously with Babylon the Great are the ones who indulged in a sinful lifestyle, who built on the wrong foundation; they will weep and mourn when they see the smoke of her burning. The merchants of the earth will also weep and mourn (see Isaiah 24:2) because no one buys their merchandise any longer — and that merchandise includes slaves and human lives. Evil will no longer win! Satan the salesman is no longer Kingpin; those who sell sin find themselves in tailspin. In 18:20, we are told to rejoice because GOD executed judgment!

The Finality of Babylon’s Fall:
In 18:21, a mighty angel picked up a stone like a large millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “In this way, Babylon the great city will be thrown down violently and never be found again.” (See Jeremiah 51:63-64 and Isaiah 24:20) Once again, the same sign stands for the destruction of Babylon, except this time it’s a little different. In Jeremiah 51, Jeremiah had his scroll thrown into the Euphrates River. Here, an angel throws a large stone like a millstone (see Matthew 18:6) instead of a scroll. Also, the angel threw the stone into the sea (which should still be blood; see 16:3). The stone is to represent the finality of the judgment and it being thrown into the sea (blood) suggests that Babylon the Great will drown in the blood. In 18:22, it is written that no music shall ever be heard from Babylon again (see Isaiah 24:8-9). Never again will the sound of celebration come from Babylon. No work will be heard — evil works are no more! In 18:23, light will never shine there — only darkness! People will never get married there — marriage will be restored to its original design, but in the form of one bride (all believers; the church) and one groom (Jesus). Cain had sinned, murdered his brother, built his own city on a godless foundation, called the city Enoch after his son, and then Lamech eventually came from Enoch and defiled and destroyed the design of marriage by taking a second wife (Genesis 4:18-19). For this reason and many others, GOD is going to restore marriage (see 19:7-8). All of this will happen because all the nations were deceived by this Babylon and all the blood of prophets and saints, and of all those slaughtered on earth — all that blood was found in Babylon! Who else could be responsible for all people? Who else could have deceived all the nations? The same sinful serpent who caused the separation in the first place (see Genesis 3:13)! That serpent has a name and his name is Satan.

Celebration In Heaven:
If all of Heaven celebrates due to one single sinner who comes into repentance (see Luke 15:7), then Heaven has a reason to celebrate! A vast multitude shout, “hallelujah,” which means, “praise the Lord!” Judgment has come. GOD has avenged the blood of all faithful believers. Babylon has fallen and the Harvest has arrived. This is an important message to all Christians — especially those suffering for their faith. No matter how much Rome or any other power wants to stop the church’s witness, a church that sings out resistance to evil and absolute faith in Christ cannot be defeated! The faithful who can praise Him in the storm are the same ones who can dance in the rain (see Matthew 8:23-27; Acts 16:25-34; Romans 8:28). Keep this in proper perspective: While everything looks like a bloody war zone on Earth, Heaven is celebrating at this time because they know all the good that is happening and is about to happen. Our joy should be unstoppable and we should be unbreakable because we know there will be a Day when Jesus will return as the Bridegroom to claim His bride (the entire church; all believers). (See Isaiah 61:10)

Marriage of the Lamb:
The marriage of the Lamb has finally come and the Bride of Christ (see Ephesians 5:22-32) is given fine linen to wear, bright and pure, which represents the righteous acts of the saints. The bright and pure clothes are the same as the white clothes found in Revelation (see 3:4-5; 7:13; 16:15; 22:14) because those are the clothes of the victors, those who have been sealed by GOD. Those invited to the marriage feast of the Lamb are fortunate! (See Matthew 8:11; 22:2-9; 25:10; Luke 13:29; 14:15-17)

The Rider on a White Horse:
Heaven opens and Jesus appears on a white horse. Again, much like the white clothes the victors wear and the white stone the victors receive, this white horse represents the pureness of Jesus, and the many crowns on his head represent His holiness and authority. This is the great reversal of when Jesus humbled Himself as a suffering and sacrificial servant on a donkey (see Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:4-5; John 12:14-15). Now Jesus returns as the expected powerful Messiah King that the Jews had always expected. Yet He wears a robe stained with blood (see 5:6,12; Hebrews 9:20-28; 1Peter 1:19) before the battle even begins and His name is the Word of GOD (see John 1:1,14,18). A sharp sword came from His mouth (see Isaiah 11:4; 49:2; Hebrews 4:12). He is the Shepherd (see John 10:11-16). He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Much detail is provided about this rider and His white horse so that the rider of the white horse in 6:2 will not be mistaken as Jesus. Though the rider of 6:2 seems to be a close comparison, a closer investigation reveals the counterfeit. But by now, we shouldn’t be surprised to know this because we should already realize how the decorator crab operates (2Corinthians 11:14).

The Beast And His Armies Defeated:
An angel commands the birds to come gather to eat the bodies of the defeated armies (see Matthew 24:28?; Luke 17:37?). The beast (antichrist) and false prophet are captured and thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. The rest are killed with the sword that came from Jesus’ mouth (see 1:16; 2:16; 19:15; Matthew 26:52).

Satan Bound:
An angel comes down from Heaven with the key to the abyss and a great chain in his hand. He seizes the dragon (Satan) and binds him for 1,000 years (see 9:1-2; 20:1-3). Satan gets thrown into the abyss, it gets closed and sealed until the 1,000 years are completed. After that, he will be released only for a short time. First, let’s examine the angel who binds Satan. In 12:7-9, Michael fights Satan in Heaven and throws Satan down to earth. Who else would be powerful enough to bind Satan if not Michael through the power of GOD? I believe that the angel who binds Satan is Michael. And what about the 1,000 years? Truly, we don’t know. I have read multiple opinions on this matter, but nothing sticks out as being certain. Because most of the numbers in Revelation are symbolic, I believe that this means Satan is bound for an indefinite length of time. But when in the timeline would this occur? Just like no one knows the Hour of Jesus’ return, this is most likely one of the great mysteries that will be revealed later on, but I believe Satan was imprisoned at the beginning of the fifth trumpet (see “Putting The Pieces Together” for details). Isaiah 14:12-15 and Ezekiel 28:11-19 prophesied about Satan’s fall, and the only other two places where the fall is mentioned is in Luke 10:18 and Revelation 12:7-18. From Revelation 12, we know that Satan was thrown down to earth (12:9). We also know that after Satan was thrown down, he was able to roam about in order to wage war against people (12:12,17). In Luke 10:18, Jesus told us that He saw Satan fall (past tense). The context of Luke 10:18 (because of Luke 9:46-48) indicates that the disciples were in danger of allowing the power and authority Jesus [temporarily] gave to them go to their heads. Satan’s fall was due to pride and Jesus was steering His disciples away from the same mistake. Jesus’ response in that context was to tell His disciples to be humble and just be thankful they will make it into Heaven. Altogether, all we know is that Satan was thrown out of Heaven sometime after the fourth trumpet and was imprisoned at the fifth trumpet. We don’t know when Satan was/is released (see 20:7) and that’s perfectly acceptable because it doesn’t take away from the main message.

The Saints Reign With The Messiah:
Those who have been martyred are there; they came to life and reigned with the Messiah for 1,000 years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the 1,000 years were completed. This is the first resurrection. It seems that everyone up until the point of Satan being bound in the abyss reign with Jesus. Because it is written that the rest of the dead do not come to life until the 1,000 years are complete, it seems that the ‘1,000’ years is a time period without the full power of Satan (because he is imprisoned in the abyss). It is also written that those who share in the first resurrection are blessed and the second death (see 20:14-15) has no power over them. Because this section is connected with the section where Satan is bound and the section of Satan’s release, this section is uncertain. The understanding of this entire section is dependent upon what the “1,000 years” means.

Satanic Rebellion Consumed:
When the 1,000 years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations and gather them for one last battle. (This entire section is best understood in light of Daniel 7 and Ezekiel 38-39.) The army’s number is like the sand of the sea and they surround the saints, the beloved city. So we know from this that when all the armies surround Jerusalem, fire comes down from Heaven and consumes them. Then Satan is thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, to remain there forever. Why is Satan bound and imprisoned in the abyss only to be released again? We don’t know. To ask that question would be like asking why humans had to live through the painful process of suffering in the temporary old Earth in order to experience, enjoy, and appreciate the eternal joy within the everlasting new Earth. Sometimes, we must accept the truth found in Isaiah 55:8-9: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Great White Throne, Book of Life, Judgment:
There is a great white throne and Jesus is seated on it. All the dead stand in trial and books were opened. Another book was then opened — the book of life! The dead are judged according to their works by what was written in the books. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire (death will no longer exist). Anyone not found in the book of life will be thrown into the lake of fire. (See 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 21:27; John 5:19-30)

New Heaven And New Earth:
John then saw a new Heaven and a new Earth, but the sea no longer existed. The first Heaven and Earth had passed away (see Isaiah 65:17; 66:22). Then John saw the new Jerusalem, prepared like a bride. (see Ezekiel 37:21-28) GOD’s dwelling is with humanity and He will live with them. GOD will wipe away every tear from their eyes (see 7:17; Isaiah 25:8) because these things no longer exist: death, grief, crying, nor pain. The previous things have passed away. GOD makes everything new! This new Heaven and new Earth is the final promise to the victor. There will be a new Eden to replace the old (see Genesis 2; Ezekiel 47). And there will be a new Jerusalem (see Isaiah 2; Zephaniah 3).

New Jerusalem:
In 21:9-27, we see the Bride, the wife of the Lamb. There are 12 gates and the names of the 12 tribes of Israel’s sons are inscribed on the gates. This represents the fact that the 12 tribes of the Old Testament is the starting point. Before we can even enter the city, we must acknowledge that the Old Testament must first be encountered, entered into, and experienced. The city wall has 12 foundations and the 12 names of the Lamb’s 12 apostles are on the foundations. This represents the fact that the 12 disciples laid down the ground work and because of them and every faithful person who came after them, we can be secure in the knowledge of our faith just like a wall provides security for a city. In addition, we know that we will be surrounded by other believers just like the wall surrounds the city. Of course, we know that Jesus is the Cornerstone, the foundation of everything (see Isaiah 28:16; Deuteronomy 32:4; 2Samuel 22:2-3; Psalm 118:22; 1Corinthians 10:4; Ephesians 2:20; 1Peter 2:6-7). The measurement of the city is 12,000 stadia (12 x 1,000 = 12,000). The measurement of its wall is 144 cubits (12 x 12 = 144). This represents the perfect size for a whole host of GOD’s people. The foundations of the city wall are adorned with 12 precious stones, which represents the 12 tribes of Israel (see Exodus 28:15-21). The broad street of the city was like transparent glass, which represents the pureness and holiness that is to be found there. There is no sanctuary because GOD is the sanctuary. The city does not need the sun nor the moon because GOD illuminates His light (see Isaiah 24:23; John 8:12). The gates will never close, which represents the everlasting peace that will be found there. Everything is good because GOD is good and only the good will be allowed in (see Leviticus 11:45; 19:2; 20:7,26). This is the restoration of what GOD had originally intended; thus, GOD completes His great reversal of Genesis 1:26-27 and everyone is truly in His image and will dwell with Him as He intended from the beginning.

The Source of Life:
There is a river of living water that flows from the throne of GOD down the middle of the broad street and the tree of life is on both sides of the river, bearing 12 kinds of fruit. There are 12 because it’s sustenance for all of GOD’s people. The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations and there will no longer be any curse (see Ezekiel 47:12). This is the great reversal and restoration of the garden of Eden (see Genesis 2:8-14; 3:22-24; Zechariah 14:11). We will see His face [clearly] and His name will be on our foreheads (see 1Corinthians 13:12). We will reign forever (see Daniel 7:18).

The Time Is Near:
Then an angel told John that GOD has sent His angel to show everyone what must “quickly” take place. How could this message be for 1st century AD believers and only those believers if Christ was to come quickly thereafter? Because Christ has not yet returned and it has been around 1,922 years since Revelation was written. That’s because Revelation concerns the past, present, and future. John was instructed not to seal the prophetic words because “the time is near.” How could it be near at the time when John saw and heard the mysteries of GOD? The answer is found in 2Peter 3:8-9 and Isaiah 55:8-9. It’s all in GOD’s perfect timing, but GOD’s timing is not as we know timing to be. And so John (and all of us) is told that those who wash their robes are blessed (see 7:14); the blessed are the ones who come in through Christ. Those not allowed in, who will be kept outside are the darkness dwellers, the evil-doers (compare 11:2 to 22:15). The book of Revelation ends with an invitation for anyone to “come” (compare 3:20 to 22:17), but also a serious warning that if anyone adds to the words of this book, GOD will add to him/her the plagues that are written in the book and if anyone takes away from the words of this book, GOD will take away his/her share of the tree of life and the Holy City (see Deuteronomy 4:1-2). And yet again, the book concludes with another promise that He is coming quickly. But how soon? We don’t know.

Putting The Pieces Together:
I do not believe that all of Revelation is in chronological order; some things need to be pieced together. And that doesn’t seem to be out of character for GOD to do; after all, His prophecies were centuries in advance for people to understand later and even Jesus spoke in parables (see Matthew 13:10-16; Isaiah 6:9-10) with the purpose of eluding the ‘children of Satan’ (see John 8:39-47). Just like 13:18 calls us to seek wisdom to discern the meaning behind ‘666,’ the entire book of Revelation demands wisdom in order to be understood. Revelation can be understood by the children of GOD with the help of the Holy Spirit to interpret. Because wisdom comes from GOD (see Proverbs 2; Jeremiah 33:3; Daniel 2:20-22; Amos 3:7; Matthew 13:11; John 8:31-32; Colossians 2:2), we can ascertain the main message of this book.

In 19:11, Heaven opens and there is a Rider (Jesus) on a white horse. Heaven opening is important for determining the Revelation timeline. If we examine Isaiah 24:18-19, we see that Heaven opens and there is a great earthquake that splits the earth. If we examine 16:17-19, we see that during the seventh and final bowl, there is a great earthquake, the ‘great city’ splits into three, islands flee, mountains disappear, 100-pound hailstones are riddling the earth, and Jesus announces, “It is done!” If we examine 2Peter 3:10-13, we see that the coming of Christ brings about the destruction of the old Earth. If we examine 21:1-2, we see that there is a new Heaven and a new Earth. In 21:6, we see Jesus announcing, “It is done!” So it seems that the seventh bowl and the ‘great city’ splitting is the old Earth being destroyed as the Harvest (14:14-20) happens and everyone is being separated and finding themselves at their trial for judgment (1Thessalonians 4:17). The ‘great city’ is Babylon (17:5,18); Babylon is Satan’s domain; Earth was where Satan was thrown to, becoming his domain (12:17); Earth is the prostitute who acts as a covering for its inhabitants; Babylon is Earth because it is saturated in sin; hence, the rapture/Harvest and then a new Heaven and new Earth. It also makes sense that Babylon the Great is Earth because the beast and the kings turn on her. Earth’s destruction is because of the antichrists and all the ‘kings’ who have the mark of Satan. Because the only way to make things right is to start anew in the new Heaven and Earth, which is ready for GOD’s people. It makes sense that chapter 17 is giving us insight to Babylon the Great that is seen as already fallen in chapter 18 and that’s why Heaven celebrates in 19:1-5. And then 19:6-10 provides an introduction to Jesus who arrives in 19:11-16, who comes to defeat the beast and his army in 19:17-21. And the conquering of the beast and his armies happens before the seventh and final bowl. If we examine 16:14-16, we see that the armies have assembled and are ready for war, but then 16:17 states that “it is done” and Babylon has fallen; therefore, a lot happens between 16:16 and 16:17. In 16:19, it states that Babylon the Great was remembered, as if the descriptions are what happened (past tense) and how it came to be that it was done. The lightning, thunder, and earthquake together form the sign that indicates transition. The only transition left after Christ conquering the beast and his armies is our final judgment, which we see in 20:11-15. And after the final judgment, GOD’s people experience the new Heaven and new Earth, as is seen in chapter 21. And 22:1-5 seems to be an explanation about that new Heaven and Earth. And then John’s vision concludes in 22:6-21. However, 22:6-9 seems to be the same exact scene from 19:9 when John was in Heaven. This is most likely why both concern the new Heaven and new Earth. It is unlikely that John would have mistakenly worshipped the same angel twice. The only information that is uncertain as to how it fits in the timeline of events is the release of Satan and the ‘1,000’ years that is mentioned. Has Satan already been released? Is he currently gathering everyone for a final war? Will he be released at some point in the future? However, knowing the time of Satan’s release is not necessary for comprehending the main message of Revelation.

Summary and Conclusion:
The book of Revelation is the story of the great reversal and restoration of the Creator’s original good design. Revelation brings us back to Genesis. It is a message of hope filled with warnings. To have faith in the slaughtered Lamb is to share victory with the Lion of Judah; the victor only conquers under the covering of Christ. The conquering is completed by Christ and His angelic clean-up crew (see Deuteronomy 32:35-36; Romans 12:19). Though persecution may be imminent to believers, our greatest danger is actually complacency and compromise with the evil world system. The central message is GOD’s sovereignty over human history. Cataclysmic disaster is predicted for the world, yet through it all GOD is in control. GOD will deliver His people and create a new Heaven and a new Earth where His people will dwell with Him for all eternity. GOD is doing all the work; all He asks of us is three things: be faithful, be obedient (obedience produces fruit), and endure until the end (see Matthew 24:13; Revelation 13:10). The message of the book is clear and can be summed up in two words: “GOD wins” or “Love wins” — they are the same. Everything will eventually be unveiled; therefore, stay faithful, do not be afraid, and remember that you are loved (see Matthew 10:26-33). Revelation is the conclusion of the Bible, which is a long love letter. The ending reads something like this: “I love you and one day, we will be together again.” And for that reason, we need to live as if Jesus died yesterday, rose this morning, and is coming back tomorrow.

Was GOD In Greece?

While doing laundry one day, I began reading a textbook by Oxford University Press on Ancient Greece history. In the introduction, the authors presented their case so as to prove the validity of their text as being historically accurate and reliable. Using those same points, I found it easy to use the authors’ own words to make the case for Christianity. Was GOD in Greece?

In reference to the virtually indestructible clay pots that have been found: The pot was able to hold more than the potter ever intended for it to hold and capable of storing more than he ever imagined. If the potter would have known that his creation could hold the historic time period in which he lived, what would he have placed inside that pot? Would he have stored it in an aryballoi (perfume flask) or maybe a pithoi (much larger container)?

In reference to how the written records make for a solid case due to them having been written and copied by hand yet preserved so well so that it’s a miracle, it must be said that the the writings of the Bible are reliable and accurate.

The soil in Greece may not have been good at preserving things, but what about a Qumran cave? Weren’t the Dead Sea Scrolls found within a clay pot? In this case, I believe the Potter knew the potential of His creation. That particular pot held more than mere words – it stored sacred Scripture and did so securely for centuries. Wordless objects can tell us only so much about how people lived, what they experienced, or what they thought. Thus, “It is written” is the necessary revelation of GOD and the chosen method for what has been revealed.

As the story goes, a shepherd of the Ta’amireh tribe left his flock of sheep and goats to search for a stray. Isn’t it interesting that the Biblical concept of the Shepherd leaving His flock to seek the lost is how Biblical text was found? Isn’t it interesting that a shepherd would be used for GOD’s glory? Isn’t it interesting that a book written to essentially glorify Greece still ended up glorifying GOD as the Potter and the Shepherd and also His written Word? Truly, the written Word is a miracle!

• The Potter •

Isaiah 29:16; 64:8;
Jeremiah 18:6;
Lamentations 4:2;
Zechariah 11:13;
Romans 9:20-21

• The Shepherd •

Psalm 23; 78:52,70-72
Isaiah 40:11
Jeremiah 23:2-3; 31:10
Ezekiel 34:11-16,22-24; 37:24
Micah 2:12; 5:4
Zechariah 9:16
Matthew 2:6; 9:36; 25:32; 26:31
Mark 6:34; 14:27
Luke 12:32; 15:4-7
John 10:7-18
Hebrews 13:20
1Peter 2:25
Revelation 7:17

A lesson to be learned from ancient Greece and ancient Rome: Alpha male dominance is primal animal instinct. This primal priority, which is formulated from fear, permeated the people. Consequently, competition, if not confined and controlled, becomes conquest. This demonic desire for dominance will later be showcased in the weeping of Alexander the Great and in the cheering crowd of the Roman Colosseum. If your desire is to dominate and lord over the rest, to hear others declare that you are best, then you will never know what it is to be blessed. If your desire is to control and conquer, to claim your own kingdom, your ears may hear people proclaim your name; however, your eyes will never see the true Kingdom of the Name above all names. How can you reign as king when Christ is already King? To truly conquer, you must master your sinful desires and align yourself with GOD’s will. (see, Matthew 23:11-12; Philippians 2:9-11; Matthew 10:32-33; Genesis 4:7; Revelation 3:5)

A lesson to be learned from archaic Greece can also be learned from a child’s book. Allow me to link the two together for you.

As population grew in the archaic time period of Greece, each new generation of oikoi (households) found it increasingly difficult to gain access to good land. The result was the widening of the existing economic and social gulf between the small group at the top – about 20% of the families – and all the rest. Most significant for the profits of those on top was their ability to exploit the plight of the poorest farmers, who made up a third or more of the demos (region). Many got reduced to the status of thetes.

Division of classes separated people. The ‘higher’ class tended to protect their economic and social exclusiveness by marrying only among themselves. They also cultivated an image of group superiority, calling themselves “the good” (hoi agathoi) and the ones beneath them “the bad” (hoi kakoi) and “the many” (hoi polloi). From a number of poleis come various slang terms denoting persons of inferior status. An example would be “dusty-feet” (Epidaurus). So here’s my question to you: What has changed in 2,500+ years?

The Sneetches, by Dr. Seuss, will teach you all you need to know about this. The hoi agathoi have stars upon thars.

A difference between then and now is that now our sinful and superficial society of those ‘above’ feed the fear of those ‘below’ with false hope. Now, instead of describing the inferior status of those ‘below,’ the ones ‘above’ offer the opposite in that the elites encourage effort for those ‘below’ to reach for their dreams – the dreams that are being dangled down by those above, just slightly out of reach from those below. Those below are reaching for the stars – the stars upon thars. And so long as the ones below have stars in their eyes, they will never realize that what is out of reach is their prize. Those below are carrying the ones above and being pushed down yet they foolishly believe that the ones above will soon pull them up. It is that hope that keeps them afloat. Therein lies the mistake of eternal significance: the ones below invest their hope in the people above rather than the Lord above.
(Read Psalm 118:8-9 & Romans 8:28; 12:2)

Reflection: How do the Scriptures relate? What is the goal you’re trying to achieve? Why? For yourself? For the praise of others? For GOD?

The Spartans were not allowed to get drunk because inebriation could lead to death in conditions of perpetual warfare. The hoplites were ready for the helots or anyone else for that matter. Unlike the rest of the Greeks, who made war only in the summer, the Spartans were perpetually at war with the helots and therefore needed to be prepared to fight year round. Always be alert and ready. Even the simple Spartans understood the need to always be ready. Don’t you get it? Don’t you understand? We are in perpetual warfare! That’s why Peter told us to be sober-minded and to be watchful (1Peter 5:8). That’s why Paul told us to put on the whole armor of GOD (Ephesians 6:10-20)! Complacency kills. Are you ready for what’s coming?

What do these three images have in common? What message do these three images convey? Well, the Justice League, a fictional group of superheroes, is the altruistic ideal that was created from the same concept by which the historic Peloponnesian League was formed: The purpose was mutual protection. Greater than the sum of their awe-inspiring parts, an alliance was formed to respond to threats too massive for any single hero. Each Spartan hoplite came together to form the phalanx; all Spartans came together to be one Sparta. Leonidas wasn’t great alone. (He was a great warrior, but that does not make him great.) In fact, Sparta wasn’t able to be great alone and that’s why the Peloponnesian League formed. Even Superman chose to be a single link in a mighty chain.

Christ Himself – the One who single-handedly defeated evil, conquered death and saved us – showed us the importance of teamwork by forming the ‘Righteous League,’ which consisted of 12 unique disciples (and expanded from there). Further, Jesus emphasized the importance of fellowship which highlighted humanity’s inability to live life alone. But then again, GOD made that evident when He created Eve for Adam (Genesis 2:18-24).

The Peloponnesian League remained in existence until the 360s when Corinth and other member states were obliged to quit and separate after Sparta’s defeat by Thebes. And why did the Peloponnesian League fail? The foundation was built on quicksand; Sparta only cared about itself. In stark contrast, It is the selfless and sacrificial love of Jesus that is the ultimate standard by which we should all strive to reflect. Christ is the Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20), the foundation on which all creation firmly stands; all other ground is just sinking sand.

The Righteous League’s Leader became a servant and sacrifice to insure the protection of everyone who seeks to be covered. Jesus Christ is the greatest insurance policy you will ever be able to obtain. Nationwide insurance might claim to be on your side, but they are more like a leech that latches onto your side to suck your blood. Jesus isn’t on your side – He leads the way in front of you, clearing paths before you, yet He also completely covers you! Christ doesn’t take your blood, didn’t require your blood for sacrifice like Sparta demanded of its hoplites; instead, He covered you with His own.

We (Christians) are the Righteous League! Rise in righteousness! Not as a self-righteous and self-proclaimed super saint who believes him/herself to be superior over others – no! In fact, we huddle together in humility, knowing we are saved by grace and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9)! We are not an elite group who excludes others; rather, we invite everyone to join. It’s time to form our own phalanx; however, rather than creating a wall of shields and spears, let us hold up our Bibles as our defense and outstretch our arms with love in order to combat evil. Get into formation! Peter instructed us to be sober-minded, alert, and to keep watch (1Peter 5:8). Paul instructed us to put on the whole armor of GOD (Ephesians 6:10-20). As a member of the Righteous League, I exhort you to heed the wise advice found in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12:

“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”

What do these images have to do with GOD? Pisistratus, power, pride, Muhammad, manipulation, mafia, and typical tyranny… What can we learn from Pisistratus, Muhammad, and the mafia? Pisistratus was a manipulative man of Attica who wanted to be the boss, to lead and to lord. His desire for dominance led him to seize the Acropolis and with it the reins of government. Eventually, Megacles joined with Pisistratus’ enemies and drove him out. During his exile (555-546 BC), Pisistratus gathered a force of mercenary soldiers. When he returned, he conquered and became the new leader.

Muhammad, the founder of Islam, would have a similar story about 1,000 years later. Muhammad was driven out, exiled from Mecca to Medina. In both cases of Pisistratus and Muhammad, the exiles lasted nine years and ended with a victorious return due to the gathering of a large following of people willing to die for them. The major difference, of course, is that Muhammad claimed to be doing the will of the most powerful monotheistic GOD; thus, he could create his own rules while creating his own holy book.

Pisistratus, on the flip side, gave his tyranny legitimacy by maintaining Solon’s system in force while manipulating the laws so that his friends and relatives were elected archons, as mercenaries held in check potential opponents, whose children he used as hostages. Much of Pisistratus’ ways seem to be like those of the infamous mafia. The mafia members had been strategically placed in positions of power or influence and unless you were one of the ‘family’ or their friends, you were subject to them and had to play along with their rules. They could either offer you “protection” or “correction.” And believe me, you wanted the protection from the correction. If you had to be corrected, you might not have lived to learn from your mistake and might have ended up digging your own grave. Many people ended up “sleeping with the fishes” or simply disappeared never to be seen again.

But like the mafia (and every other tyrannical empire), the Pisistratids eventually crumbled, faded away, and then both Athens and Greece as a whole developed into the democratic new way. When the last of Pisistratus’ sons was expelled in 510 BC, the way lay open for the development of the democratic institutions that are associated with the city of Athens.

Humanity’s ways are finite and fallible and always subject to change. Islam, however, has always been revered as holy, and that which is holy is never subject to change unless the Holy One sanctions it. And because Islam branched off from Judaism and Christianity, they still exist even without Muhammad. (But is Judaism and Christianity complementary or contradictory?)

And this is why a secular society hates religion: the society that desires the world to change in order to suit their desires will never desire the absolute moral standard of the Holy One that is never subject to change. In a secular society, humans desire to be their own gods and make their own rules. But that is exactly what Muhammad did and it is what all cult leaders do. If the one who desires to be a god cannot convince others that he/she is a god, he/she must either convince others that he/she has been sanctioned by the monotheistic GOD (or one of the many polytheistic gods) and given authority or that GOD does not exist and all morals are relative. But we know that morals cannot be relative because to say that anything at all is either good or bad, there must be a best by which the comparison may be made. C.S. Lewis said it like this: “The moment you say that one set of moral ideas can be better than another, you are, in fact, measuring them both by a standard, saying that one of them conforms to that standard more nearly than the other.”

History has revealed that humans always associate their own prideful purposes with the idea of progressiveness, that the changes are accomplishments and that the accomplishments equate to progress. But are the changes made true progress if they only advance the agenda of the human’s concept of accomplishment? Should this be tolerated? And what of GOD’s will? Humans who desire to be their own gods are a prideful people. Pride desires power, but power can only be accessed from the Source of power. Have you considered the Source?

What does these images have to do with the Battle of Marathon of Ancient Greece and Jesus Christ? How can they possibly relate to form one message?

The Battle of Marathon of ancient Greece is one that should be remembered. But every battle is a marathon! What do I mean by that? What can be learned from that battle and the few that followed it? As told in Herodotus’ Histories, the invasion of the Medo-Persian empire upon Greece was imminent following the failed Ionian revolt, the burning of Sardis, and the falling of Eretria. Miltiades persuaded his fellow men to attack the incoming Medo-Persians at once rather than wait for the Spartans to arrive. Herodotus documented Miltiades’ stirring words: “We ten generals are split right in two, with half saying fight and the other half not. If we don’t fight now, I am afraid that a storm of civil strife will so shake the resolve of the Athenian people that they will go over to the Medes. But if we fight now, before the cracks can show in our society, and provided that the gods take no sides, why then we can survive this battle.”

And so, one particular morning in September of 490 BC, the Athenians and their Plataean allies attacked, sending the surprised and confused Persians back to their ships. I personally believe that Miltiades was right in what he said. The surest way for a united nation to become a conquered nation is for that united nation to become a divided nation. (See Matthew 12:25-30)

Unfortunately, the United States of America has become the ‘Divided States.’ The Great America is cracking; the cracks of division have become large enough to attract the attention of other nations who oppose the Western ways. Cracks that form usually get filled, whether in a good way so as to be repaired or in a bad way where what is unwanted wheedles its way in.

If I were at war with the Western ways, I would penetrate the cracks, break through the weakest points, infiltrate and then contaminate. I would seek to destroy from within. A large and mighty empire cannot be defeated by anything outwardly declaring battle against it. Even with cracks of division evident, a bold outward attack would cause the nation to unite in order to conquer the threat. And this is why the Medo-Persians lost the Battle of Marathon and the Battle of Salamis. Their attack was too bold, too blatant, and only caused Greece to unite together.

But it is not that way in our present day of AD 2017. It is extremely rare for anyone to boldly declare battle. Those who do, such as ISIS or other terrorist organizations, have most ignorantly made themselves to be targets of all civilized nations who desire peace and prosperity. Nowadays war is waged in subtle ways, the cracks of disunity allow access to the ants of anti-Christ invasion. Cracks get filled. But with what and by whom? If I, an American, am able to clearly see the division and stirring strife happening within my own nation, do you not think that those who oppose our Western ways also take notice? I assure you that they do. Ants seek to enter through the cracks, to find their way in by the path of least resistance. I assure you that the American empire is being invaded and slowly conquered. The complacent get conquered and/or killed. There is a leak and mold is growing.

George Santayana wrote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” It is true that we must learn from the past. It is written in 1Corinthians 10:11 that GOD’s Word was written so that we may all keep Truth alive in memory and learn from the mistakes of those in the past. That’s what the entire Bible is about: it’s loving guidance. For Greece, one of the lessons they learned was from a shipwreck Mardonius suffered in 492 BC; consequently, around 482, with the inevitable invasion of Xerxes on its way, the Greeks cut a canal across Athos so that the same type of shipwreck could be avoided in the future.

The invasion of Xerxes was coming and Greece knew it. At a congress held at Corinth in 481 BC, 31 states limited mainly to Athens and the Peloponnesian League formed an alliance that historians call the Hellenic League. Nevertheless, the fact remains that only a tiny minority of the more than 1,000 poleis actively opposed Xerxes, and many fought for him. Why would those in Greece fight for Xerxes? How many people fight for Satan or against GOD because they are ignorant and don’t know what they’re doing? (See Luke 23:34) How many people don’t fight for what is right out of fear? Fortunately, there exists people who are willing to stand up and speak out against evil. Xerxes was an evil man and his only desires were conquest and to be viewed as a god. The Hellenic League represented the good who were willing to stand up against evil and fight for liberty as opposed to slavery, and for responsible democratic government as opposed to capricious autocracy and monarchy. Though the Medo-Persians won the smaller Battle of Thermopylae, in the end, they lost at the Battle of Salamis and then Xerxe’s forces were totally destroyed at Plataea in 479 BC. They lost the war. Xerxes’ pride was the reason for the fall of the Persian empire as it had once been known. (See Proverbs 16:18) However, the Persians were not decisively defeated until their conquest by Alexander the Great (from 334-323 BC).

So, what are we going to do about our cracks of disunity here in America? If we don’t fill the cracks with the uniting cement of Truth and love (Ephesians 4:15), the cracks will either be filled with lies or they will only grow larger until separation is unavoidable. A divided empire will either become a conquered empire or two opposing empires constantly at war with each other. But if two empires are at war with each other, one of them always gets swallowed.

Just like Greece that had Greeks fighting for the enemy (Xerxes) instead of uniting with the Hellenic League, America has Americans who are fighting for the enemy (the Counterfeiter and false doctrines) when they should be standing in solidarity with the Righteous League. War is waging all around us (Ephesians 6:12) and we are being bullied into battle on a daily basis; therefore, we need to put on the whole armor of GOD (Ephesians 6:13-20). But being in perpetual war demands of us to do our due diligence so that we are prepared to fight, whether in season or out of season (2Timothy 4:2). First, we must have and know GOD’s Word. We cannot use what we do not have; however, what we have is useless unless we know what it is and how to use it (see the example in Matthew 4:3-11). Next, we must have an excellent defense as to why we believe (1Peter 3:15). If you don’t know why you believe, you shouldn’t expect anyone to believe what you believe.

Only after we do our due diligence can we be allowed to go into the battlefield as a warrior. Until you are a warrior, you are a student. But as warriors, we must use the double-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12) we have to cut people free from bondage (2Corinthians 10:3-5). GOD’s Word is Truth and only Truth can set people free (John 8:31-32).

This is war. Endurance is necessary. The war lasts for a lifetime; every battle is a marathon (Luke 21:19; Romans 5:3-5; 2Corinthians 6:4-10; Hebrews 12)! Therefore, run in such a way as to not burn out so as to win the race (1Corinthians 9:24-27). We already know who wins the war in the end – it is written! But each battle has its number of casualties. Don’t be an unnecessary casualty. Many members of the Righteous League have died so that the torch would remain lit when passed on. You can possess the wisdom that many died to pass along. But you must do your due diligence (Matthew 7:7-8).

What does a broken peace treaty have to do with your salvation? Ponder on all the broken peace treaties throughout history. Why were they broken? Well, a peace treaty of perishable paper produced by conditional policy, protocol, or procedure possesses no real power for permanence.

An example would be the “30 years peace” treaty of ancient Greece signed in 445 BC and yet was broken in 431 BC because of the Peloponnesian War. Would you consider that a 50% success or 100% fail? If the ultimate goal was to achieve lasting peace (and it was), then it was a 100% fail. Why did it fail? The treaty was formed by finite and fallible people who established reason for peace on the foundation of conditional selfish terms. Peace could only exist so long as they got what they wanted. Seeking to satisfy the self will never sustain a healthy relationship with someone else. To have a relationship with someone else, love needs to be the bonding agent that holds the relationship together. And love is unconditional and seeks the best for the other. Love is the only bonding agent able to sustain peace because love is unconditional (1Corinthians 13:4-8).

Also, ponder on this: who acted as mediator in the broken peace treaties? Who should be the mediator? Well, GOD, of course! The Mediator is the Mentor, the Teacher, the One and only undefeated Champion, the sacrificial Savior – the Messiah (or Christ) Jesus! Only in abiding by the absolute moral standard will everyone be on the same page of the real peace treaty. The real peace treaty (the covenant) has already been written. It’s called the Bible. Peace doesn’t exist because people ignore what is written. We entered a covenant with GOD and we continue to break that covenant every day. Let’s examine the real peace treaty. It is written in Matthew 22:37-40: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

It is in the absolute moral standard that GOD commands us to love and it is in love that true peace will be found. Why? Because love is unconditional. While abiding by the absolute moral standard, it simply is not possible to cheat, steal, hate or murder. And a true leader who desires true peace will lead by example. Did Jesus lead by example? Absolutely! It is written in Romans 5:8: “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Can be peace be attained? Yes. All you need to do is let go and let GOD be GOD. Let Jesus lead the way. Take rest in Christ and peace shall rest within you: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 4:7)

We don’t have to wage war anymore. There’s no need for war – Christ already won the war for us! The war was never against humans. A fellow brother or sister of humanity is not the enemy. The enemy has been defeated. Death couldn’t hold Him down. In Jesus, love is all that is to be found (1John 4:8). And where there is love, there will be peace. If you don’t know Jesus as your personal Savior, I invite you right now to accept Christ in your heart. “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
(Matthew 11:28) -HCSB

Let’s get back to the question at the beginning of this article: Was GOD in Greece? Yes. History tells us so. GOD is our intelligent Creator (argument one and two). Philip II and the rise of Macedon was the reason for the foundation of colonies such as Philippi.
Philip –> Philippi –> Philippians –> Jesus.

Philip was the father of Alexander the Great. Alexander the Great had Aristotle as a teacher. From Alexander the Great, Greek spread throughout their entire known world. In a single decade, Alexander the Great established a Greek foundation that would later be integrated into the Roman Empire and used by the first disciples of Jesus to advance the Kingdom of GOD to grow what is now known as Christianity. Alexander founded Alexandria in 332 BC and it was at Alexandria in Egypt that the Old Testament was translated into Greek (A.K.A. the Septuagint). The Jewish people of the 3rd century BC produced the Septuagint which was used for reading aloud in many synagogues of the Roman Empire in Greek-speaking cities, such as Corinth, Antioch or Rome. Was GOD making decisions for all the conquest and murders? No. But GOD is Sovereign and used everything that humans did to our eventual advantage when Jesus was born from the virgin Mary. Jesus’ arrival was perfect timing and in the perfect location. The Greek domination laid the foundation for the Roman Empire and it is in the Roman Empire that the entire New Testament blossomed.

Can GOD reign while the Romans rule? (article coming soon…)