Revelation of John Part 33

Part 33

The REFORMATION

But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. -- Rev 10:7 (KJV)

And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. -- Rev 10:8 (KJV)

And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. -- Rev 10:9 (KJV)

And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. -- Rev 10:10 (KJV)

And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings. -- Rev 10:11 (KJV)

REMEMBER WHAT WAS GOING ON THROUGHOUT THE CHURCH

Worship of Mary as virgin with child and mother of god

Immortality achieved through catholic rituals

Many begin preaching against papacy in Europe

The dispensation of Sardis (1500 - 1750 A.D.)

Sardis means the escaping one

or those who come out

And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. -- Rev 10:3 (KJV)

Wycliff translates the bible into English.

For one thousand years the Latin language was predominant in the Western world. The Latin Vulgate version of the Bible which was translated by Jerome 405 A.D. was the only translation accepted by the Roman Catholic Church. The Word of God was locked up in the Latin language and the language was unknown to the unlearned and ignorant. The Printing of books as we know it was still far in the future and the common people only knew what the priests taught them concerning the truth and the bible.

The first English translation actually was a translation of the Latin into English by Wycliff. Prior to this there is evidence that such books as Psalms and John's gospel had been translated into english and circulated throughout the church as early as 700 A.D. How many of these books had actually been translated is unknown as Rome destroyed whatever copies they discovered.

The growth of national spirit in England prepared the way for John Wycliffe. For almost 65+ years, the english kings, parliments and bishops had been resisting papal control attempting to throw the harlot woman off of their backs so to speak. They refused papal control over church affairs throughout england.

The so-called Morning Star of the Reformation, whose surname is also spelled Wyclif or Wicklife, he taught philosophy at Oxford throughout most of his career, while nominally serving as a priest in a succession of parishes. Wycliffe gained prominence in 1374 during a prolonged dispute between Edward III, king of England, and the papacy over the payment of a certain papal tribute. Both king and Parliament were reluctant to pay the papal levies. Wycliffe wrote several pamphlets refuting the pope's claims and upholding the right of Parliament to limit church power. King Edward appointed him to a commission that in 1375 conferred with papal representatives at Brugge (Bruges), Belgium, on the differences between the Crown and the papacy. The conference failed, but Wycliffe won the patronage of John of Gaunt, fourth son of King Edward and leader of an antipapal faction in Parliament.

II ATTACK ON CHURCH AUTHORITY
In 1376 Wycliffe enunciated the doctrine of "dominion as founded in grace," according to which all authority is conferred directly by the grace of God and is consequently forfeited when the wielder of that authority is guilty of mortal sin. Wycliffe did not state explicitly that he considered the English church to be sinful and worldly, but his implication was clear. On February 19, 1377, he was called before the bishop of London, William Courtenay, to give account of his doctrine. The interrogation ended when John of Gaunt, who had accompanied Wycliffe, became involved in a brawl with the bishop and his entourage. On May 22, 1377, Pope Gregory XI issued several bulls accusing Wycliffe of heresy. In autumn of the same year, however, Parliament requested his opinion on the legality of forbidding the English church to ship its riches abroad at the pope's behest. Wycliffe upheld the lawfulness of such a prohibition, and early in 1378 he was again called before Bishop Courtenay and the archbishop of Canterbury, Simon of Sudbury. Wycliffe was dismissed with only a formal admonition, however, because of his influence at court.

During 1378 Wycliffe and certain Oxford associates defied church tradition by undertaking an English translation of the Vulgate, or Latin Bible.

III THE POOR PREACHERS
In 1379 Wycliffe repudiated the doctrine of transubstantiation. This bold declaration caused such a furor that John of Gaunt withdrew his support. Standing his ground, Wycliffe in 1380 began to send out disciples, called Poor Preachers, who traveled the countryside expounding his egalitarian religious views. The preachers found a ready audience, and Wycliffe was suspected of fomenting social unrest. He had no direct connection with the unsuccessful Peasants' Revolt in 1381, but it is probable that his doctrines influenced the peasants. In May 1382, Courtenay, now the archbishop of Canterbury, convened an ecclesiastical court that condemned Wycliffe as a heretic and brought about his expulsion from Oxford. Wycliffe retired to his parish of Lutterworth.

IV HIS TEACHINGS After Wycliffe died on December 31, 1384, his teachings were spread far and wide. His Bible, which appeared in 1388, was widely distributed by his followers, called Lollards. Ultimately Wycliffe's writings strongly influenced the Bohemian religious reformer John Huss (Jan Hus) in his revolt against the church. Martin Luther also acknowledged his great debt to Wycliffe. In May 1415 the Council of Constance reviewed Wycliffe's heresies and ordered his body disinterred and burned. This decree was carried out in 1428.

In its most developed form, Wycliffe's philosophy represented a complete break with the church. He believed in a direct relationship between humanity and God, without priestly mediation. By a close adherence to the Scriptures, Christians would, Wycliffe believed, govern themselves without the aid of popes and prelates. Wycliffe denounced as unscriptural many beliefs and practices of the established church. He held that the Christian clergy should strive to imitate evangelical poverty, the poverty of Christ and his disciples. Finally, Wycliffe disavowed serfdom and warfare.

Further Reading^{^[1]}

Wycliff had been a priest of Lutterworth where he continued to gain strong sympathy for the poor. His first attack against the papacy was in their rights to collect tribute money from the people of England. He began to denounce the papacy and the entire clerical organization maintaining that there should be no rank among the clergy. He also boldly denied the catholic doctrine of transubstantiation.

The papacy condemned Wycliff but Wycliff had already began to spread his tracts throughout all of england. The tracts written in the common man's english declared that the Bible alone was the supreme authority on the christian religion and not the papacy or the priesthood. This lead to the need for the common man to have a copy of the scriptures which resulted in Wycliffs translation of the New Testament into english.

For the first time the complete New Testament bible became as an open book to the common man. Wycliffe formed his own order of priests, called the poor priests and known officially as "The Lollards", for the purposes of circulating the english New Testaments throughout the land. They travelled throughout all England wearing just a robe, barefoot, and having only their staves in their hands. They depended completely upon charity for their food and shelter. They carried and distributed tracts, sermons, and copies of the bible with them every where they went.

In 1384 Wycliff completed the first complete English Bible. Today there are still 170 hand written copies of this bible in existence. Wycliffs friends continued his work long after he died.

After the death of Wycliff the Roman Church gathered a council together called the Council of Constance (1415 A.D.). The purpose was to discuss this heretic and the results was that his bones should be exhumed and burned. This wasn't accomplished until 44 years after his death.

Following Wycliffs death his followers were encouraged to produce a more accurate english translation since Wycliff used the Latin Vulgate but Archbishop Arundel decreed that no one should be allowed to translate any text of the scripture by way of a book, a tract, or any means whatsoever. This constitution led the way to a great persecution and many persons were severly punished and even put to death just for reading the English scriptures.

Six earth shaking events followed

1. Revival of learning or Renaissance

2. Printing was invented 1456 A.D.

3. Columbus discovered America 1492 A.D.

4. King Henry VII broke with Catholicism.

5. Erasmus (1516) aroused intrest in reform. Using his special gift of wit and satire, He criticized the great ignorance of the clergy, their failure to educate the people, their reliance to dumb ceremonies and the letter of the law to the neglect of charity and the study of the Bible.

6. Martin Luther led a revolt , breaking away from Roman Catholicism and taking millions with him which ultimately resulted in what we know as the Great Reformation (1483 - 1546).

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)

TYNDALE

1525 First Printed Bible - Martyred by strangulation and his body burned

His final words was the prayer "Lord, Open the King of England's eyes"

COVERDALE

1535

King Henry VIII agreed to cause a new english translation

MATTHEWS BIBLE

1537

John Rogers was granted a license from the King of England to print his bible.

Afterwards, Queen Mary came to power and he was imprisoned and hung upon a stake.

The Great Bible

1539

Became the first authorized version

GENEVA BIBLE

1560

Due to the persecutions of Bloody Mary, scholars fled to Switzerland where they produced the geneva bible. It became a matter of law in Scotland that every home must contain a copy of the bible of be charged a finaincial penalty. This bible became the bible of our Pilgrim Fathers.

BISHOPS BIBLE

1568

Second Authorized Bible used buy the English Clergy during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. This was the predecessor to the King James

DOUAY BIBLE

1582-1609

The Catholic Church version of the english bible which they began to circulate.

e. 1603-1683 Roger Williams - 1st Baptist (America)

KING JAMES 1611

The Puritans asked the King for a new translation to be made. King James was a Bible Scholar and agreed to have the new translation made in English based upon the best Greek and Hebrew manuscripts.

New versions etc., etc., etc.

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.

Measure the Temple (True Believers)

And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. -- Rev 11:1 (KJV)

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? -- 1 Cor 3:16 (KJV)

We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. -- Heb 13:10 (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

Clarence Larkin

1918

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)

Court of the Gentiles (False Believers)

But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. -- Rev 11:2 (KJV)

The dispensation of Laodiceans (1939 A.D.)

Laodicea means Rights of the People

Laodiciea Church Age

Faith in medicine replaces faith in God's healing

in spite of

pioneering the field of theological blindness

church is comfortable clothed in black wool

richest church in history

great wealth among christian community

Today's church tradgedy

94% Americans claim to believe in God yet

Americans spend 6 times more $ on their pets

than foreign missions

1948 - Formation of the World Council of Churches

World Council of Churches, international organization of some 306 Protestant, Anglican, Old Catholic, and Orthodox churches, World Council of Churches, international organization of some 306 Protestant, Anglican, Old Catholic, and Orthodox churches, founded in Amsterdam in August 1948 to promote ecumenical fellowship, service, and study.

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. -- Rev 3:15 (KJV)

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. -- Rev 3:16 (KJV)

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: -- Rev 3:17 (KJV)

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. -- Rev 3:18 (KJV)

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. -- Rev 3:19 (KJV)

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. -- Rev 3:20 (KJV)

The Two Witnesses

And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. -- Rev 11:3 (KJV)

These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. -- Rev 11:4 (KJV)

And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, -- Zec 4:1 (KJV)

And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: -- Zec 4:2

(KJV)

And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. -- Zec 4:3 (KJV)

So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? -- Zec 4:4 (KJV)

Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. -- Zec 4:5 (KJV)

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. -- Zec 4:6 (KJV)

Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? -- Zec 4:11 (KJV)

And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? -- Zec 4:12 (KJV)

And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. -- Zec 4:13 (KJV)

Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth. -- Zec 4:14 (KJV)

And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. -- Exo 25:21 (KJV)

To the law and to the testimony ( tWd[e) : if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. -- Isa 8:20 (KJV)

The Two Witnesses

And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. -- Rev 11:3 (KJV)

1260 Years of prophesying in sackcloth

1378 Wycliffe English translation of the Latin Bible.

Ten Horns on the Roman Beast

1st horn. Hadrian 117-138

These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. -- Rev 11:4 (KJV)

And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. -- Rev 11:5 (KJV)

Faith in the Word of God releases supernatural power

These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. -- Rev 11:6 (KJV)

Theological Blindness wars against the scriptures

in our days

Remeber how the Third Seal represented FAMINE of the WORD OF GOD ?

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: -- Amos 8:11 (KJV)

And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it. -- Amos 8:12 (KJV)

In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst. -- Amos 8:13 (KJV)

And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. -- Rev 11:7 (KJV)

In 303 A.D. Diocletian, emperor of Pagan Rome, concentrated all the wealth and power of his empire against the Bible. Christianity was outlawed. Diocletian's persecution was probably the most devastating onslaught ever made against a single book. All meeting places of the Christians were demolished; their property was confiscated, and their Bibles committed to the flames. A systematic attempt was made to destroy every single copy of the Scripturesin existence. Death was decreed for any person who owned a copy of the Word of God. After years of ruthless persecution, in which thousands of Christians and their Bibles perished, Diocletian struck a medal to commemorate the complete destruction of the scriptures, and erected a column of triumph bearing the boastful inscription: "EXTNCO NOMINE CHRISTIANORUM" meaning, The name of the christians has been extinguished.

In 1530 A.D. in the days just preceeding the Reformation in the 16th century, the State Church waged relentless warfare against the free use of the Bible by the common people throughout almost all of Europe. When her efforts to keep the bible locked away in the dead Latin language proved futile, the Church did not hesitate to confiscate and burn the book. In 1530, the Bishop of London burned William Tyndale's printed English New Testaments outside St. Pauls. As we have already observed, Tydale himself was then strangled and his body burned on the Continent. This would be followed by the public burning of Martin Luther's German bibles.

In 1750 A.D. Voltaire, the prominent instigator of the French Revolution, set himself at war against the bible. He vowed that he would eliminate christianity altogether. Being himself a prodigious writer, there followed a flood of infidel works attacking the bible. Many continually follow in their train forever attacking the bible and attempting to elimiate altogether.

And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. -- Rev 11:8 (KJV)

Who is the great city ?

8 times the great city is called Babylon which we know to be equated with Rome

What does all this mean ?

Rome is the one who is attacking the scriptures !

Rome is the Beast who will eventually kill the peoples faith in the scriptures.

And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. -- Rev 14:8 (KJV)

And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. -- Rev 16:19 (KJV)

And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. -- Rev 17:18 (KJV)

Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. -- Rev 18:10 (KJV)

And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! -- Rev 18:16 (KJV)

And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! -- Rev 18:18 (KJV)

And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate. -- Rev 18:19 (KJV)

And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. -- Rev 18:21 (KJV)

Note how the people of the world rejoice once the Bible can no longer trouble their conscience

And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. -- Rev 11:9 (KJV)

And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. -- Rev 11:10 (KJV)

But the preaching of the Word will gain new strength just preceding the catching away of the true church

And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. -- Rev 11:11 (KJV)

And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. -- Rev 11:12 (KJV)

And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. -- Rev 11:13 (KJV)

The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. -- Rev 11:14 (KJV)

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. -- Rev 11:15 (KJV)

But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. -- Rev 10:7 (KJV)

And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, -- Rev 11:16 (KJV)

Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. -- Rev 11:17 (KJV)

And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. -- Rev 11:18 (KJV)

And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. -- Rev 11:19 (KJV)