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Revelation
Chapter 3
Part 11
The dispensation of Ephesus (70 - 170 A.D.)
Left its First Love - Backslidden
The dispensation of Smyrna (170 - 312 A.D.)
Ten periods of Great Persecution
The dispensation of Pergamos (312 - 606 A.D.)
1. Movement of throne from Rome to Constantinople
The second Rome at Byzantium
2. Roman Empire Divided
3. Conversion of Constantine
Constantine's Vision
The dispensation of Thyatira (606 - 1520 A.D.)
Jezebel
b. whoredoms and witchcrafts
Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. -- Rev 18:2 (KJV)
Isis, Horus, Seb
Magic and the Priesthood
White Priestly Magic against the Black Arts
Worship of the Virgin
Holy Roman Empire (800 A.D)
Charles the Great
1096 - 1204 Crusades against the Muslims
- Many Jews and Muslims slaughtered
beginning with the Jews in Europe
Dark Ages and the Inquisition (1200 A.D.)
claims about 68 million victims
Many begin preaching against papacy in Europe
Anabaptists were beheaded
Behold, I will cast her into a bed (of sickness and suffering), and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation (of intense suffering), except they repent of their deeds. -- Rev 2:22 (KJV)
And I will kill her children with death (with pestilence and thouroughly exterminate them); and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. -- Rev 2:23 (KJV)
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? -- 2 Cor 6:15 (KJV)
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. -- 2 Cor 6:16 (KJV)
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, -- 2 Cor 6:17 (KJV)
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. -- 2 Cor 6:18 (KJV)
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. -- 2 Cor 7:1 (KJV)
And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. -- Rev 18:2 (KJV)
For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. -- Rev 18:3 (KJV)
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. -- Rev 18:4 (KJV)
But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. -- Rev 2:24 (KJV)
But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. -- Rev 2:25 (KJV)
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: -- Rev 2:26 (KJV)
And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. -- Rev 2:27 (KJV)
And I will give him the morning star. -- Rev 2:28 (KJV)
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. -- Rev 22:16 (KJV)
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. -- Rev 2:29 (KJV)
The dispensation of Sardis (1500 - 1750 A.D.)
Sardis means the escaping one
or those who come out
Worship of Artemis (Cybele) as protectress of the city
contrasted with
Worship of Mary as protectress of the church
and the Queen of Heaven
Worship of Dionysus and his mother as the
mother of god i.e. mother child cult
contrasted with
Worship of Mary as virgin with child and mother of god
Immortality achieved through pagan rituals
contrasted with
Immortality achieved through catholic rituals
1. Luther breaks away from Catholicism.
a. 1483-1546 Martin Luther - Lutheran
Inquisition continued throughout Europe against protestants
1. Reformation spreads - Others break away from Catholicism
Government comes to the aid of the reformers
And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. -- Rev 17:16 (KJV)
For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. -- Rev 17:17 (KJV)
b. 1489-1556 Thomas Cranmer - Anglican
c. 1505-1572 John Knox - Scotch Presbyterian
d. 1509-1564 John Calvin -
Called Presbyterian in Europe
" Huguenots in France
" Puritans in England
Presbyterian
Congregationalists
Baptists in U.S.
e. 1603-1683 Roger Williams - 1st Baptist (America)
And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. -- Rev 3:1 (KJV)
Even while Luther had been alive !
The Gospel becomes a matter of doctrine to argue about rather than the power of God unto salvation.
By the 1700s
Intellectual theologians denied Ressurection and Second Coming
Many began to drift towards godlessness
Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. -- Rev 3:2 (KJV)
1. Restored the doctrine of justification by faith.
2. failed to recover or stress the promise of the
second coming. No real expectation of his returning.
Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. -- Rev 3:3 (KJV)
Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. -- Rev 3:4 (KJV)
He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. -- Rev 3:5 (KJV)
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. -- Rev 3:6 (KJV)
The dispensation of Philadelphia (1750 - 1939 A.D.)
Philadelphia means brotherly love
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; -- Rev 3:7 (KJV)
I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. -- Rev 3:8 (KJV)
1. Great Revivals.
a. 1739-1740 George Whitefield
Great awakening in New England
Congregational
Presbyterian
Baptists
Western Britan
b. 1740 John Wesley - Methodists
c. 1793 William Carey
Organized Baptist Missionary Society
(India)
d. Missionaries to China, Japan, Korea, Africa, etc.
Charles G. Finney
1875
f. D. L. Moody
Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. -- Rev 3:9 (KJV)
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. -- 2 Cor 11:13 (KJV)
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. -- 2 Cor 11:14 (KJV)
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. -- 2 Cor 11:15 (KJV)
A. Much attacks against the New Testament writings
contrasted with
Much attacks against church doctrine
B. refused acceptance of apostolic authority
contrasted with
refused acceptance of church tradition
C. emphasis upon Jewish Old Testament Canon
Unless I find it in the archives I will not believe it
contrasted with
Unless I find it in the scriptures I will not believe it
D. historically noted for being center of christian prophecy
contrasted with
prophecy is being emphasised
E. book of Revelation under attack
contrasted with
book of Revelation being of the upmost importance
Clarence Larkin
1918
1914 - World War I
1915 - Apparition Our Lady of Fatima
1917 - Second apparition of Fatima
Worship of Our Lady of Fatima
1918 - World War I ends
The Rapture promise ?
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. -- Rev 3:10 (KJV)
Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. -- Rev 3:11 (KJV)
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. -- Rev 3:12 (KJV)
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. -- Rev 3:13 (KJV)