SMYRNA CHURCH AGE, THE SECOND CHURCH AGE [Bro. Francis] Revelation 2:8, please read Revelation 2:8 [Sister] Revelation 2:8 And unto the angel of the church… [Bro. Francis] Before you continue I request everyone should look at the Scriptures, so I suggest those who doesn’t have the Bible sit beside to those who has a Bible. So, let’s share, let us share each other. [Sister] Revelation 2:8 [Bro. Francis] So let us read at the same time, Sis. Marivic will be the reader. Please start… [Sis. Marivic] Revelation 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; Revelation 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. [Bro. Francis] Ok let us pray, let’s close our eyes. LORD GOD we come to You in this moment in prayer in humbleness asking for Revelation, revelation who will speak to us through Your Word. Lord, I ask for your anointing grace and power, Thy Spirit, to anoint us, to open up our eyes. If there are things that are unworthy in our lives remove them, cleanse us oh Lord, make us worthy. Give us spirit in our hearts for the thirst in your righteousness for the Revelation of Your Word. Right now Your lovely Word in the church, the book of Revelation give us right now this grace and anointing to carry these Words These Revelation even to our household, give us this fire, this passion, for Your Glory. In Jesus Name we pray, amen. [Ptr. Aaron] Amen, Praise the Lord! [Bro. Francis] So, please be seated. So, we’re gonna talk about what we have just read. Let me give you some preview of what I had already discussed. This is what we discussed last time here to speak about the truth in Revelation. So, we started at chapter 1 and last week I stopped in chapter 2. I thought I can finish the whole chapter 2 in just one sitting, no! There’s a lot of revelation taken in Chapter 2, the Ephesian, the church in Ephesus. So, it took me almost an hour. So, it’s alright, if we think, in every church one hour, there’s nothing wrong. Let me give a background on what I have discussed before, I’m going to use this illustration. You see this? This is the 7 Church Ages. The 7 Church Ages talks about the period of time. Open up you Bible Revelation 1:19 write the things which are and the things where shall be hereafter. Mark that down. Preferably if it is King James. If it’s not King James look for the equivalent “hereafter”, those that would take place afterwards. Now, that represents the ages. So, the churches in Asia is not just a representation of a church/es in the time of John, or the representation of the churches today, it is also a representation of each age. What happened to the church? That’s prophetic like what I have said before and you know how important it is of course I am just repeating what I have said before, because it was the “love letter” of Christ to the church. He gave us prophecies, look at verse 3, we should keep. Blessed are those who keep the signs of His prophecy. how do you keep? You cherish it. You wanted to know the meaning of the love letter because you are the Bride of Christ. You must hunger those revelation. That is the difference between the true Bride of Christ, the true believer and the unbeliever. A make believer is just after the physical benefits. A true Bride believer hungers for the Spiritual benefits even though they don’t received material blessings. Even if they don’t received the physical healing, what is important for them like the gospel song goes “take the whole world but give me Jesus.” Though no one joins me I will still follow. And how will we follow? The Progressive Revelation of His Word. We need to hunger that. Why are there so many churches today, what are the differences? I cannot repeat everything I have said before just to summarize. This answers that Jesus Christ gave us the answer to the last book of the Bible what happened to the churches. And is shows it in here the 7 Church Ages. Last week I talked about the 7 Parables of Matthew 13, who remembers that? 7 Parables of Matthew 13? The 7 Parables of Matthew 13, parallels each Church Age we can review them, who wish to ask to review them? If you can open up to Matthew 13 just to give you a brief overview, before we go back to Symrnian Church Age. We will just review what we have said the previous week. What is the first (1st) parable in Matthew 13? What is 1st parable? The parable of the…? [Ptr. Aaron] The parable of the sower [Bro. Francis] Sower, The Parable Of The Sower, Ephesus Church Age, next parable is Wheat and Tares, and later on we goona discuss that. What we’re reading right now is the Second (2nd) Church Age SYMRNA. It parallels the 2nd parable in Matthew 13 the Wheat and Tares. Let’s just finish the 7 of them. What is the thirs (3rd)? By the way, while I’m talking about these, I’m going overly on these very fast open up your Bible in Matthew 13 if you see the parable I am talking about mark them down. I don’t memorize all the verses, sometimes your own Bible has their own headings. Mark them down, sometimes your Bible doesn’t have their own headings, make your own markings. So, if you could see it mark it down. The 2nd parable is about the Wheat and the Tares, the 3rd parable you may see it, Sis. Marivic you could see that somewhere in 45 or 50, no, no not in 50, somewhere in verse 35 or 40. The parable of the Mustard seed, that’s the third parable. The mustard seed, Sis. Marivic, yes open up Matthew 13. [Brother] Verse 1 [Bro. Francis] No, we’re no longer in verse 1, we’re going very fast, because I already tackled that. The 1st parable is about the sower, of course that’s verse 1. The 2nd parable the Wheat and Tares, now the 3rd parable where is it? The parable about the Mustard seed. Just give the verse. What verse did it start? Just one verse, what verse is that Sis. Marivic? 45, shall be liken unto, the kingdom of heaven shall be liken unto a, the kingdom of heaven shall be liken unto? [Sis. Marivic] Matthew 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid [Bro. Francis] Ok, go back a little, what verse is that? 45. [Sis. Marivic] 44 [Bro. Francis] Ok go maybe verse 40, [Sis. Marivic] Matthew 13:40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire… [Bro. Francis] Ok between 40 to 45 that is the Mustard seed, I challenge all of you maybe familiarize yourself with the Bible because that’s the love letter of Jesus Christ to you. And if you love Him then you cherish what’s written there. You want to know, you hunger for it. So, have you seen the parable of the Mustard Seed? What verse? After verse 40, maybe 43 or 42 Sis. Marivic. Just browse look it in to the verses. [Sis. Marivic] Matthew 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. [Bro. Francis] I am just challenging you to look for the verse of the Mustard seed. Oh, this is in verse 32, 21. In verse 44 is the explanation of the 2nd parable. [Sis. Marivic] Matthew 13:31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: [Bro. Francis] It is the list of all the seeds but when it has grown it becomes a bog tree. I discussed it last week. And all the birds in the air rest on its branches. So, I explained this last week. Just to give you an idea, the first Church Age Jesus Christ was the Sower, the Second Church Age the Apostles died out, while men left and enemy came and sold the Tares, and this is what we are going to tackle the SYMRNA CHURCH AGE. [Ptr. Aaron] 2nd Church Age SYMRA CHURCH AGE, Bitter, and that was the parable of the Wheat and Tares. How did the enemy sold Tares among the church? Le’ts continue, now, the THIRD (3rd) CHURCH AGE is the time of Constantine, the seed, the Mustard seed, the seed represents the 120 disciples in the upper room. They were few compared to thousands in Israel, but then they become a big church. They grew. They took half of the Roman Empire. Half of the Roman Empire became Christians. And Constantine wants to use that political power of the Christians. That’s why there are 13 verse… entering the tree, resting on the branches. They are not real Christians, they have just carry on to the bad wife, that’s the 3rd Church Age. I am just giving you an overview or a summary. What’s the fourth (4th)? Look at in your Bible, it is the Parable, just mark it up in your Bible. The parable of the treasure in the field. The treasure in the field that is the time of Martin Luther when he found… take note after this oh, I made a mistake, the next parable was not about the treasure in the field just look it up the next verse, it’s about the woman cleansing leaven, leaven, woman… [Sis. Marivic] Matthew 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. [Bro. Francis] This is the DARK AGES, this is the time when there’s no Protestantism yet only the Catholic Church rises supreme and she corrupted further the false doctrine. False doctrine actually started in Constantine. Let’s talk about false doctrines, there are false doctrine even in the beginning. But in the time of Constantine, the doctrine of the Trinity has become officialized, made official. And it became as main church. After the doctrine of the Trinity then the rest of the Dark Ages. In the Dark Ages there are many practices in the Catholic you already know. This is the time of the woman, what will be the type of the woman represents? The woman represented Jezebel, that is the Thyatira Church Age, but we’re not gonna discuss the Thyatira Church Age. How is it important to know the spirit of Jezebel? So that you will know which is corrupt and which is not. You could distinguish what is happening today, the corruption taking on the road. Even the church corruption entering the church. Ok, the woman represents, the Bride of Christ spoken of as a virgin 2 Corinthians 11: 2-3. So, just take note of it and in your quiet time study about it, in your personal devotional time. The woman in 2 Corinthians 11:2-3, Paul said he was afraid Eve as a chaste virgin would be corrupted like the church, or the church would be corrupted like Eve was corrupted. She was a chased virgin then she was corrupted by the serpent that’s what the Bible said there and he was afraid that the church would also be corrupted in their minds. And it did, once a virgin was corrupted what would happen to the other virgins? She becomes a what? [Sis. Marivic] Foolish virgins? [Bro. Francis] Once a foolish never repented from foolishness she loses her… [Sis. Marivic] Virginity [Bro. Francis] Virginity, and if she loses her virginity she becomes what? The Bible told us what? Whore, harlot, Revelation 17 “dakilang patotot”. This whore, harlot, Eden Mystery is the revelation of the Fall of Man. But as Eve was typed to the church, the church fell, the church was typed to a woman, she was originally pure, a virgin but she was corrupted. Actually the church split two ways, if you don’t repent from your foolishness, you will lose your virginity then you become a harlot, and this is a harlot church, the woman that place leaven, a free measures of meal. Free measures some Baptists represents that as Trinity no problem. But free measures of meal represents our stable food, our spiritual food. They are leaven, you know what leaven means? “Libadura” “tumpok ng libadura” it leavens the lamb, “pama-alsa” that means to say corruption increase, multiply. From a little leaven corruption multiply, so, this is the Dark Ages. Then as what I have written a while ago, let’s go back to Matthew 13, the next parable just mark it down, the treasure in the field, take note this is the summary of what I have just tackled last week TREASURE OF THE FIELD, this treasure in the field is in the time of Martin Luther, this treasure in the field represents “the just shall live by faith”. The revelation given by God to Martin Luther to begin the restoration, the restoration back to the original Apostolic Doctrine. And if you have lost track in this restoration, then you have lost track on going back. Because you have to be restored back to God. Let’s read about restoration, Martin Luther, when he received this revelation, justification, that was all Apostolic Doctrine, but it was lost in the Dark Ages. Because they fastened on works, or relics, but God to Martin Luther revealed this again to the Church. When he restored that it is like a treasure found in the field, he sell everything he had then buys the field just to get that treasure. There are many treasures found today huh, that you have to buy the field ha ha ha! Then dig up the treasure later. It’s just like that. Now, next parable, that is the time of John Wesley, Pearl of Great Price, just look up the next verse in your Bible, Matthew 13, the parable of the treasure is what verse? [Sis. Marivic] Matthew 13:44 [Bro. Francis] So 45 is the parable of the Pearl of Great Price. This is the time of John Wesley. [Sis. Marivic] Merchant men [Bro. Francis] Actually this is the same story, he sells everything, the treasure of the field, the merchant man sells everything he had just to purchase the field and get the treasure out of that field. And let me tell you what it represents for us the believers, do you dig up the Scriptures? Are you not a Berean to search day and night? I’m giving away several tracts, booklets, even you take note of this you should give time not just prayer and fasting but to study the Word, because it is your spiritual food. Because, how are you going to shine to other believers? And like the treasure in the field dig it up! And in the Pearl of Great Price there is something you can cherish. All things are secondarily, this is primarily, this is the priority in your life. So, the merchant man sold everything he had, just to buy that pearl. The parallel represents the “Sanctification” not just justification. Sanctification, without holiness no one can see God. [Brother] Amen! Clap! Clap! [Bro. Francis] So after, this is the Sixth (6th) parable, this is the time of Luther, this is the time of Sardis, so we’re just on the overview of the Church Ages, this is the time of John Wesley, this is the period of Philadelphia, in the book of Revelation, just hang it up. We’re not going to its detail, because we are going to the detail in Symrna. Then we are in what age? This is the 6th, the last age, what is the last part of it? The last parable, what verse? [Sis. Marivic] 47 [Bro. Francis] 47, oh write this down, mark it up I your Bible, take note of this, the last parable is… [Ptr. Aaron] The drag net [Bro. Francis] The Drag Net, this represents the great revival experienced in this last century and God also used Hid Prophet William Branham, bring that revival, even to the Pentecostals, Pentecostals expounds their gifts, because they had the revelation of these gifts and the restoration of the gifts it started out somewhere in 1900’s. And he epitomize even though he was a Baptist, he was an unbeliever God was moving in his life. And God through him restored these gifts even strengthen the movement of the Pentecostals. So, this is the drag net, and you know in the drag net they’re gonna drag many worthy fishes, and unwanted animals. And you could read that in that parable, when it’s drawn to the shore they separate the good ones from the bad ones. The bad ones will be thrown back to the sea, the good ones will be taken to the Rapture or the angels. So, this represents Laodecea, now, what is happening in the Church age? There is a falling away and there is a restoration, you know we are in a struggle right now whether you know it or not. If you are a true believer, a bride of Christ, you must aspire to be restored back to the original because we are coming out from the Dark Ages. Now, let’s read one Scripture about restoration then we’re going to the detail about Symrna. Let’s open up Acts 3:19-21 I request to read Ptr. Jun verse 19, do you have a Bible? Other people verse 20, Sis. Marivic verse 20, and verse 21 any volunteer, ok Ptr. Jun verse 19. [Ptr. Jun] Acts 2:19 Kaya nga mangagsisi kayo, at mangagbalik-loob, upang mangapawi ang inyong mga kasalanan, upang kung magkagayon ay magsidating ang mga panahon ng kaginhawahang mula sa harapan ng Panginoon; Acts 2:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted , that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; [Sis. Marivic] Acts 3:20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: [Bro. Francis] He will send Jesus Christ, let me draw something, actually I talked about this before. I’m just repeating it for the sake of the new comers. This is the crucifixion of Christ this is the Church Ages, when you read “He shall send Jesus Christ” that means to say that is the Second (2nd) coming, which before was preached unto you. Christ were already preached. So, Jesus Christ ascended up to heaven, mediating for us. So, Jesus Christ ascended up to heaven, mediating for us as our High Priest. And He will come down again, one day. That’s why He said, He will send Jesus Christ, sending Jesus Christ is the 2nd Coming, which before preached unto you, he was preached down here in ages. Verse 21, please open up your Bibles, you’re reading Acts chapter 3. And we are now in verse 21, [Sister] Acts 3:21 Na siyay kinakailangang tanggapin ng langit hanggang sa mga panahon ng pagsasauli sa dati ng lahat ng mga bagay, na sinalita ng Dios sa pamamagitan ng bibig ng kaniyang mga banal na propeta buhat pa nang una. Acts 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. [Bro. Francis] Whom heaven must receive until the restitution of all things in King James, “sa Tagalog pag-sauli ng lahat ng bagay.” Whom heaven must receive until the restitution, restoration, and you have to get on track where is God’s restoration right now. As I have said before there was Apostle’s Doctrine, and there was a falling away, and there is what we called the restoration. Starting from Martin Luther, and down to the Methodist, down to the Pentecostal, down to the Oneness, then to some message believers, there is what we called the restoration. Ok, so much for that introduction. This is just a review, this was discussed a long time ago. LET’S FOCUS ON SYMRNA, let’s open our Bibles, in the 2nd Church Age, where we left of, Revelation 2, on what verse we have just read. Revelation 2 that Sis. Marivic read a while ago, verse 8, let’s read them again. Follow up with us, received blessings from His Scriptures through His Word. [Sis. Marivic] Revelation 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; [Bro. Francis] Ok, let’s go by this, expository, who is that first and the last, which was dead, and is alive? Who is that? That should be a very simple question. Who is that was dead and is alive? Can anyone comment? Give some suggested answer. Who was dead then became alive? [Brother] Jesus Christ [Bro. Francis] Jesus Christ! Let us all say at the same time, Jesus Christ. [All] Jesus Christ! [Bro. Francis] Louder, Jesus Christ [All] JESUS CHRIST! [Bro. Francis] He was dead and now He is alive. A testament of what will happen to us also. Even though we died if we have this assurance of resurrection we will be like Him. Ok, you know why it is the statement? Let’s go to the Ephesian church age, let’s go to verse 1, chapter 2 verse 1, in chapter 2 verse 1, this things said He, look at verse 1, let me read. That hold the 7 Stars in His right hand, who walked in the midst of the 7 candle sticks. The Ephesian Church Age, the introduction, the solitation, the introduction was Jesus Christ holds the Seven Stars in His right hand, means the 7 Stars are His Five Fold Ministers, next He is walking in the midst of the Seven golden candle sticks, He is walking in the midst of the 7 Church Ages. Then, it was the beginning of the Church Ages, now here in Symyrna let’s go back to Symrna the 2nd Church Age, He was introducing Himself that He was dead and He is now made alive. You know why? In the Symrna Church Age they will experience persecution. [All] Amen [Bro. Francis] They will experience death, and you remember I said awhile ago, the Roman Empire became Christians, because there are sacrifices in the 2nd Church age. In the 2nd church Age they are willing to give their lives for the Gospel. Even their revelation have not yet get so far. Because they’re apprehended, their pastors, their teachers apprehended. The Roman soldiers, the Romans targeted the leaders. So, the teachers are gone. What will happen to the members? No one is gonna teach them, but they have faith, whatever they have. You know in China, the same spirit, in China they don’t even have any Bible, but just a portion of a song in a song book. They memorized that they teach the Gospel, they had faith. Imagine, only that kind of faith. Here in the 7 Church ages we have, we’re not persecuted, but the spirit of lukewarmness, but it was written for us to remember those Christian who gave their lives, their blood, their lives, are you willing to burn that steak for that Gospel, are you willing to die for Christ? [All] Amen [Bro. Francis] They were, even bringing Christ His Gospel. It should cherish you. How do we cherish this? How revelation. Our ending Christ must be connected to the Word. Of course there are many people who wants to be intimate with Christ but not to a nicolaitan way, avoiding to prove all things by Word. Then I will say you only thought that you were connected to Jesus Christ. But if you rejected His Word you’re not His, you’re just using His Name. let’s get back to what we were saying, here in the Symrna Church Age, Christ was talking about He was dead and now He was alive, because there were many believers there that will be persecuted and will be killed. Let’s read the next verse, verse 9. Revelation 2:9, I know thy works, I request those who has English Bible there to read. Do you have English Bible there? Ok, Sis. Marivic, temporarily he he he! [Sis. Marivic] Revelation 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. [Bro. Francis] Ok let’s go to these verse by verse, word by word. What is I know thy works? What kind of works? There’s also question about, wording about that in Ephesus. The work in Ephesus is being Berean. In Symrna Church Age can you still be Berean? In this time, there were great persecution in the Church. The works they had is not mainly on proving all things. Their struggled is own lives. Are they willing to give their own lives for the sake of the Gospel? There’s not mucg debate on doctrines here, it is not just like entering into the Tribulation. Who know that this Earth is going to enter the Tribulation? Who knows? Raise your hand. Do you know there is judgment coming to this earth right now? And we are living in the generation of the end of the world. End of the age. This is the church age and this is the Tribulation Period. Something would happen to the Earth. But during the 2nd Church Age, it was like that, it was like the end of the world. It was like Armageddon. The burning of Rome was an example. But of course it was not the end. But the Christians experienced persecution. One day Christians will experience persecution once again. But you have to know, what basis the Christians will be persecuted once again. It says here but thou art rich, I know thy works and TRIBULATION, what do you mean by tribulation? Write it down, tribulation means hardship, you experienced hardship for Jesus Christ. POVERTY, if you become a Christian will you become poor? Of course there are preachers, preached prosperity “Oh, if you’re a true son of God, you should be prosperous.” That is only one side of a coin. They are misleading the people of God. Prosperity, mainly is on the spiritual side. Now, prosperity on spiritual side depends, it is not always the case. Like here in Symrna, you know those who have money, those who have riches, properties were confiscated when they become Christians. Why? The Christians were the enemies of the state. So, when you became a Christian you are the enemy of the emperor and they have the right to take away your property. They didn’t just take away your property, you will be thrown in jail, you will be fed to the lions. You will be burned alive. The disciple of John Polycarp he was burned alive, but he was not yet dead. And they stroked him with a sword and the blood almost putting away the flames. That is how they experienced it. Polycarp was the teacher of Irreneous, Irreneous was a bishop of Symrna, and here in Symrna, prophet Branham used him as the Star Angel of the 2nd Church Age. Let’s continue, but thou art rich. Do, you know where this comes from? It comes from the beatitude, let’s open up Matthew 5, this is familiar, when Christ said, you are poor but you made rich. Matthew 5:3 Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. You understand what will happen to a true believer? They will be persecuted, they will be oppressed, they will be thrown in prison, Christ makes sure of that. The prosperity preachers, they omit this portion. Some churches goes so rich of course they are raking in the tithes and offerings, in return for giving a promise to the people. What kind of prosperity they are doing for? The kind of prosperity that Christ was talking about is spiritual prosperity. You are poor but you are rich. You are rich in spirit, because you sacrificed yourself for the Gospel, and you will be rewarded at the end of time, not necessarily in this life. Do not aspire prosperity in this life, God reward you in this life, Praise the Lord, thank Him! But that’s not the main focus in your heart. That should not be the main focus of your heart. There are many people testifying about that. “Oh, God blessed me so much, because I gave tithes!” I believe God still operates that gifts, that God still blesses materially, but is that your main focus? “Praise the Lord for the healing!” “Praise the Lord for the miracle!” I talked to some… when I was young, I passed to the fellowships, Jesus Miracle Crusade, also the people there, focus on healing, prosperity, miracles, and when I tried to share, even when I was young I studied about the Message. When I tried to share what’s in the Bible they told me, “don’t talk to me about the Bible, let’s drink poison, who among us will die for us to see, who is of God.” They saw after miracle, the are willing to drink poison at the contest with me. I’m not after that, but there’s a focus, they said “there is no miracle, your Gospel is nothing!” they looked upon the Gospel as demonstration of power. The Scriptures that talks about the demonstration of power, he focus carefully to the power of the Gospel! [All] Amen! Clap! Clap! [Bro. Francis] The power that can give you an Eternal Life! [All] Amen clap! Clap! [Bro. Francis] Your temporal healings would not give you eternal life. There were many people that were healed by Christ but they turn back to the world. Among the 10 lepers only one stay behind Him and followed Him in His ministry, majority turn their way. If they’re taught something that they couldn’t understand they left Him! They were just after the material benefits, the physical benefits. So, let’s get back to Symrna Church Age. It should be an example… you know here in the Philippines, we might not mostly experience this kind of persecution but if you study their lives you can identify yourselves to them. Is this part of your cleansing? You should know the heritage you’ve missed. Ok, let’s continue, I know the blasphemy, of them, which say they are Jews, follow on with me, I’m reading verse 9, and are not but are the synagogue of satan. Oh, what is he talking about? Now, what happened to the 2nd church ages? I tell you some history, the Trinity did not started in the time of Constantine, he just made it official. The Trinity started in this age. Tertullian invented the word Trinity to show God manifesting 3 different faces, later persons, later these persons became independent persons. Now, what is the synagogue of satan? Take note, there were no physical church in the first church age. They were fellowshipping at home. So, how do we get a fellowship hall? It came from the synagogue. But there’s nothing wrong with the synagogue, when Paul enters the synagogue preach the Gospel to them those who believe the whole synagogue became a church. They got baptized, then what about the synagogue of satan? First the enemies of Paul were not something new teachers that teaches something new, the enemies of Paul were his previous co-ministers. You know his co-ministers, those also believes in the original 12 Apostle’s belief. When I say twelve not including Judas, I’m talking about Matias, Matias will replaced Judas. The original 12 Apostles, were Jews. So they have the lifestyle of a Jew. They circumcised, they do not eat swine flesh, they keep the physical Sabbath, and many other things. They observed feast days, there is no revelation among the Jews that they should stop that, that is why the Protestants got it wrong. “Oh we are the New Testament, the Jews are not obliged in order to keep the Law.” Take note, God did not abrogate the Law for the Jew, but God never gave the physical law to the Gentiles. God gave the grace that was foreshadowed by the law to the Gentiles. When we experienced grace we should not be brought to the captivity again. Who among you encountered the Messianic Fellowship, Sacred ah, those who want to believe Jewish, Jewish in their faith? They believe in Jesus Christ but they prefer to call Him a Messiah, the Messianics? You have not encountered them yet? None of you encountered them yet? Did you encountered them? You have to say Yashua, Iesus, Messiah, rejecting Christ, and they keep the feast, they keep the Sabbath, foods? Those thing if you have ever encountered them, they started out in the time of Paul. They why it was called the synagogue of satan? Paul had an enemy and it was his previous ministers, that believes in Judaism, and they condemned all that Paul departed from the truth, departed from the Law, departed from the Law of Moses, the Oracles of God. Just because Paul preached to the Gentiles you are not obligated to keep those things. But these Jews when they’re converted a believer, they turned him on more like a Jew than a Christian. They make a believer as a proselyte, have you read the word proselyte in the Bible? These are converted from somewhere else. Why did Christ called this a synagogue of satan? They are not actually worshipping the devil, but how is it satan is here? These synagogues maybe Jews, theses synagogues maybe Judeo-Christians, but they become a synagogue of satan when they had this nicolaitan spirit. Let say at the same time, nicolaita, you read along with me? NICOLAITAN. [All] NICOLAITAN! [Bro. Francis] Say it again Nicoliatan [All] Nicolaitan! [Bro. Francis] I’ve explained the meaning of this last week, this means conquering the leity and this is what the Jews have been doing to the poor masses. This is what has happening today oh. For the Catholic church, even to the Protestant churches, Pentecostal churches, gone to the majority of Endtime churches. They had this nicolaitan spirit. What is this nicolaitan spirit? This suppressed the people to being Berean. And once you become a nicoliatan, then you become a synagogue of satan. While Apostle Paul allowing Ephesus to defend the truth, they could defend the freedom of proving all things. But once Apostle Paul died the Romans targeted the leaders. Then what’s left? Are the innocents, ignorant members. And they started the green thoughts entering Christianity. So let’s not focus on that, let’s focus on nicolaitanism, nicolaitanism begins to start their practice. You know before Constantine start to cover, during his reign announcing to Christians there are many churches believing in many different things. As you can see today, how many beliefs you can see they have it was the same typed at the time of Constantine. If Constantine doing them a favor why, how? By organizing a council, and deciding upon one singular truth. Did you know even if it was confusing it was the purpose of God to that different beliefs. You know why? It’s not that God was an author of confusion, remember the tower of Babel? The tower of Babel God separated their languages, why? Because when their languages are still united corruption sipped in and it was the antichrist controlling the people. When God differentiated their languages, they were able to have the freedom to worship God. That’s why Abraham called out of Ur. Because people are around all over the globe. Today if the Protestant Reformation brought about many breakaways towards the Catholic church, today we have lots of breakaways, you can say that’s the works of the devil, but that is the work of God. He wants to maintain your freedom to prove all things, because if there’s only one official church then there will be no freedom. They don’t have the right to prove all things. But let’s talk about what is happening today. Even if we have that freedom there is bondage within those denominational churches. The bondage on those denominational Christians is the Nicolaitan spirit. Which is Jesus Christ’s age. So, even though we have the freedom to prove all things majority of the members have their minds closed by their ministers. Instead of the ministers teaching them to be objective to prove all things, respect each other, they teach their members to close their minds and judge others. Judge other’s righteousness, judge others misrepresenting them, misjudging them. This is how they became the synagogue of satan. Now false doctrines follows after that spirit. So, you may have everything correct but if you harbor that spirit from a thing it become a doctrine then you become a synagogue of satan. The 2nd Church Age, the synagogue of satan, crept alongside. Look at the second part of, enemy sold tares among the wheat this is how the synagogue of satan started out. So, after the death of the original apostles, the last apostle of that time was John, he gave this book of Revelation as a seal for us here in the End Time, so that we could get back to the original. What happened then to the churches was spread out in many directions. Green thought entered in. Gnosticism if you heard of that entered into the church. Partial truth, he doctrine of the Trinity, Trinity did not started in the time of Constantine it started at this time somewhere in 150 A.D. Let’s continue, fear verse 10, Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Now in verse 10 Christ was encouraging the believers about the persecution that will arise, and full enough you can read history how the Romans murdered the Christians, made them a spectacles, tortured them, they’ve been tortured, their bodies were tortured, the fats of their skin made torques. So, Christ were encouraging the believers not to fear to those things they will encounter. Did you know in the time of Christ ministry, they talked about it. Let’s go back to Matthew 34 they shall deliver you up, Matthew 24: 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. Matthew 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. This happens in the 2nd Church Age. Aside from Christ as the Messiah, even those His flowers they could be false Christ if they become nicolaitan. Matthew 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for allthese things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. Matthew 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. Matthew 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. Imagine when they experienced these things in the 2nd Church Age it was fitting what Christ said here, what they will experience. But, of course we’re going to experience something else at the last age. Now, the 2nd Church Age experienced tribulation. Verse 9, you can underline this. Matthew 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, Did this not take place in the Romans time? This is still taking place in China, sometimes in Germany, the Nazzis, different parts of the globe is experiencing this. But there was a major tim in history in Symrna Church Age a massive persecution of Christians, a steak-wide persecution in Symrna Church Ages. This will return in Tribulation period here ok. You know that this is only one claim that will gonna happen in the future. On what basis? Because of the 2 prophets but it’s not our topic Matthew 24:9 ….and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my names sake. You know what is offended? It is between brother and brother, some brother offended you against the other. If they would learn how to forgive they would also destroy each other reputation. Matthew 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. By the way let me ask you something, you know that there are Judacist in the time of Christ, in the time of the first church? Had you experienced a brother offended you? Who among you experience betrayal? For those considered a brother in Christ, have you not experienced betrayal then? Has not anyone offended you yet? You have to prepare yourself, if you’re not yet prepared. If you’re not experiencing that maybe you think when you go to the church everything is rosy, Christ said take up your cross and follow with me. What Christ has experienced you may experience the same thing. So, this is a picture of what gonna happen, this will happen in the tribulation period. Matthew 24 is the picture of the Tribulation period, it is the picture of the Church Age, it is the picture of what had happened in the time of Christ, what happens to a true believer. Let us go back to Revelation 2, last verse, when you read this empire the emperor in here is Diocletian 10 years of persecution, terrible persecution just look it up on the internet, and be faithful unto death, even if… Revelation 20:6 follow up with me as I read. Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. If you received this resurrection you will not be hurt by the second death what is the second death? This is the Lake of fire. What is the lake of fire? Let’s open up the lake of fire, Revelation 20:15. Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. So you will not be thrown to the lake of fire, as part of the 1st Resurrection, because if you’re not part of the first Resurrection, and how are you going to be a part of the 1st Resurrection what we have been discussing in the Symrna Church Age, what aspect of the true believer? Their perseverance, their patience, the patience of the saints in facing the persecution. Of course today if you do not experience the persecution sometimes you’re not persecuted out of torture, sometimes you’re persecuted maybe of your faith, your spirits, your problems, your parents, your peers, because of your faith. There are some struggles to follow the faith. Of course you have difficulties on finding a job, problems with your co-believers, walking in the truth, ok we’re gonna stop here, Symrna Church Age, we’re gonna continue this next week, the Pergamos Church Age. Let’s give God a big hand! (clapping!) And hmmm… 5 minutes, who among of us has have questions? No questions? Ok, so, I’m gonna close for now. So let’s close with a prayer. Lord, we thank You for this moment…. MAY 9, 2014 ENDTIME ENGLISH REVELATION SERIES PART 3 JESUS CHRIST KNIGHT OF THE WORLD CHURCH TOPIC: SYMRNA CHURCH AGE, THE SECOND CHURCH AGE PREACHER: BRO. FRANCIS SCRIBER/TYPIST/UPLOADED/POSTED BY: Sis. Remy
Posted on: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 22:04:27 +0000
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