K-3. THE BOOK OF REVELATION CHAPTER 3. Rev. 3:1 "AND unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things says he that has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know your WORKS, that you have a name that you live, and are dead." Rev. 3:2 "Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have NOT found your WORKS perfect before God." Rev. 3:3 "Remember therefore how you have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore you shall NOT watch, I will come on you as a thief, and you shall not know what hour I will come upon you."
The phrase "You have a NAME that you live, and are dead" tells me that there are those that SAY that they are Christians, but are NOT walking in love and obeying the teachings of Jesus, because the fruit that they bear shows that they are not obeying the teachings of the New Testament under the new covenant. In other words, just because a person bears the NAME CHRISTIAN does not necessarily mean that they are saved, as in, they are in right relationship with God obeying the words of his covenant in the New Testament. Some who say that they are Christians but they do not obey the teaching in the New Testament to bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit are in truth following a "RELIGION", which is a man-made teaching using select verses taken from the Bible out of context to try and support what they teach. Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:22,23
"You shall know them by their fruits.(or by their WORKS) Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17. Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. 18. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19. Every tree that brings not forth GOOD FRUIT (or GOOD WORKS) is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20. Wherefore by their fruits (or by their WORKS) you shall know them. 21. Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that DOES the WILL of my Father which is in heaven. (the WILL of Almighty God the Father is that we hear and OBEY the WORDS of his Son Jesus written in the New Testament. Matthew 17:5 "While he yet spoke, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; HEAR YOU HIM." The Old Testament prophesied about another prophet God would raise up like Moses and whosoever did not hear HIS words would be cut off or cast into the lake of fire. See Acts 3:22,23. "For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; HIM shall you hear in ALL THINGS whatsoever HE shall say unto you. 23. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will NOT hear THAT PROPHET, shall be destroyed from among the people." That prophet is the beloved SON OF Almighty God himself and it is the WILL of the Father that we hear and obey the WORDS and teaching of Jesus, which are the words of the NEW covenant.) 22. "MANY will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? And in your name cast out devils? And in your name done many wonderful works? 23. And then will I profess unto them I never knew you: depart from me you workers of iniquity."
Those Christians who teach once saved always saved use verse 23 here to try and prove that those who Jesus will say depart from me were never truly saved because Jesus said that he NEVER knew them. This just shows how some Christian take verses out of context to have them save what they WANT them to say. First of all, an UNSAVED person has no authority to use the name of Jesus and cast out devils. The devil will laugh and say to those who are not truly saved, "Jesus I know and Paul I know but WHO are you". Secondly, the Greek words TRANSLATED as I never knew you could equally be translated as I NO MORE KNOW YOU. Also, there are some, who are indeed true born-again Christians, but they have lost their first love and they are backsliding as some say, which means that they have made excuses for their sin so much that their conscience is beginning to become seared or hardened. Therefore they have become COLD, because of sin like Jesus says in Matthew 24:12,13.
"And because iniquity (or SIN) shall abound (or be all around to vex Christians like Lot in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah), the love of many shall wax cold (or GROW cold, as in, the FLESH of many will love the pleasure of sin more than they love God, so they will give into the temptation to sin not obeying the law God has written on their HEART by EXCUSING their sin where it becomes a lifestyle of sin, which they no longer consider sin.) 13. BUT he (of you) that shall ENDURE unto the END, the SAME shall be SAVED."
So ONLY those of us who are found FAITHFUL unto the END shall receive our reward or promise of eternal life in the world to come. The END means the end of a Christians physical life when they die. And/or the END also means the SECOND coming of Jesus whichever comes first, because some Christians will not die physically, but rather remain alive unto the SECOND coming of Jesus. Remember what we just learned in Revelation chapter 2 about our WORKS. Remember that if so be that a Christian's WORKS are not found to be WORTHY, then that Christians will NOT receive their reward or promise of ETERNAL LIFE and they will be cast out into outer darkness. Rev. 3:2 warns us that we need to be watchful. To be watchful not only means that we need to judge ourselves lest we are judged, but ALSO that we need to watch in prayer so that our inner man will be strengthened to overcome temptation. To judge ourselves lest we are judged means that we are to search our own hearts and repent of any sins we have not repented of already lest we are found unworthy on the day of judgment. But not only on the day of judgment are we judged because of sin that we have excused and have not confessed to be forgiven. When one is living in sin or has sin that they have not confessed opens that person up to the attacks of the enemy to oppress them. The laxer we become in our relationship with Almighty God the Father and his Son Jesus and the reading of his word the more vulnerable we become to the attacks of the enemy.
In Rev. 3:3 we find again a warning for us to watch.
"IF therefore you shall NOT watch, I WILL come upon you as a THIEF, and you shall NOT KNOW what hour I will come upon you."
Jesus said in Matthew 24:36
"But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."
I was first taught the PRE-tribulation rapture of the church when I first became a true born-again Christian to have a personal active relationship with Almighty God and his Son Jesus where I talk with them both as I would a close friend. And according to what pre-tribulation rapture teaches I was taught that NO man knows the day or the hour that Jesus comes again as a thief in the night to SECRETLY catch up or rapture his church to escape the time of great tribulation, and this verse in Matthew 24:36 was given to support this teaching. Here is how the pre-tribulation teaching argument goes: Those who teach a rapture of the church before the great tribulation argue that since men WILL KNOW the day and hour of the SECOND coming of Jesus when the SIGNS begin to come to pass and they can count 1260 days from the abomination of desolation, then this verse PROVES a pre-tribulation rapture, because Jesus says NO man knows to day or hour. Therefore there MUST be TWO comings of Jesus: one before the great tribulation with NO SIGNS of his coming and his SECOND coming right after the great tribulation having many SIGNS to watch for to KNOW his coming. Now I agree with this teaching in part, in that, no man knows the day or hour right NOW. But again even the pre-tribulation view and the mid-tribulation view teaches that WHEN the abomination of desolation occurs THEN those going through the great tribulation can count 1260 days FROM the abomination of desolation TO the SECOND coming of Jesus and therefore KNOW the day and the hour of the SECOND coming of Jesus. So then, I do not believe this verse where Jesus says no man knows the day and hour of his return teaches us that no man can NEVER know the day or hour. Let me explain what I mean. Take another look at Rev. 3:3, which we are studying and read a paraphrased version of mine that clearly shows that the OPPOSITE of what Jesus said in this verse is EQUALLY true, "Therefore IF you SHALL watch you SHALL KNOW what hour I will come and I will NOT come upon you as a thief." Now let's go back to Matthew 24:36. The word "KNOW" here in this verse carries the idea of perceiving. In other words, "... but of that day and hour, no man has perceived as yet..." Then Jesus goes on to say, "BUT know this or BUT this much I have perceived so know and understand this much..." In Habakkuk 2:3 we read,
"For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end IT (referring to the vision, it) shall speak, (or at the end of days the vision will be made known) and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it, because it will come, and it will not tarry."
In other words, in the last day, the vision will be made KNOWN to us. So what does this mean? I see two things that this means. #1. It means that we shall know with absolute certainty which teaching is the truth. Today in the church depending on which church denomination you attend there are three MAIN teachings as the WHEN the rapture of the church will occur. There is the PRE-tribulation view. There is the MID tribulation view. And then there is the TRUTH, the POST tribulation teaching. Please notice that this verse says that the vision will speak and NOT LIE. This teaches us that there are false teachings in the church body, but as the end draws closer the TRUTH will become known. Not just concerning the second coming of Jesus, but revelation knowledge in all church doctrines where we will know which teaching is the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of God. For a deeper understanding of the rapture, the second coming of Jesus, and the end times please read all the related studies on this subject. I might suggest starting with the "THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS". Or you can jump right in will both feet and read the study "WHEN IS THE RAPTURE?"
#2. Not only will the church as a whole know that the rapture will occur AT the second coming of Jesus immediately after the time of great tribulation, but the church, as a whole, will know the day and the hour by counting the days from the abomination of desolation, which will bring the knowledge or the understanding of the exact day really close to being known. We may not know with absolute precision the exact day or hour, until we begin seeing the signs in the sun, moon, and stars, which will usher in the WRATH of God that we, as Christians, are NOT appointed. Again read the studies I have on the second coming of Jesus.
Then in the next chapter of Habakkuk in chapter 3 verse 2 we read,
"O Lord I have heard your speech and I was afraid; O Lord, revive (keep alive, energize or restore strength to) your work in the MIDST of years, in the MIDST of the years MAKE KNOWN; in wrath remember mercy."
Now when the Holy Spirit first revealed to me the TRUTH as to WHEN the rapture will without fail occur I was extremely AFRAID. I did not want to know this truth and I shut my Bible and refused to look at the verse in Revelation 20, which opened my eyes to the truth. You can read my full testimony in the studies on the end times of that experience in my life, but my main point right now is for you to notice the phrase "in the MIDST of years" repeated TWICE. To those of you, who have at least some teaching of the last days, this phrase should ring a bell for you pointing to the seventieth week of Daniel. There are more scriptures that point to the fact that one day we WILL KNOW the day of our Lord's return well before he comes again. And by "well before" I am speaking of 3 1/2 years before, which will be the MIDST of years, as in, the middle of the seventieth week of Daniel. But this is another study in and of itself. If you would like to know more on the topic of the rapture and the second coming of Jesus please read the study called "MORE ON THE RAPTURE: NO MAN KNOWS THE DAY NOR THE HOUR" or one of the many other studies I have on this topic. But for now, let us continue on with this verse by verse study in the book of Revelation here in chapter 3. Rev. 3:4 "You have 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. 3:5 "He that overcomes, 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 3:6 "He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches."
The letter to Sardis differs a little from the letters to the other churches in that Jesus gives a rebuke first and then follows with an exhortation whereas up to this point Jesus exhorted first and then gave the rebuke. I also find it interesting that Jesus said EVEN in Sardis there are a few names that have kept themselves from sin, and those who are found spotless without sin shall be clothed in righteousness because they are found to be worthy. Again the opposite is equally true, which means that those whose garments are NOT spotless being without sin shall NOT walk with Jesus to be found worthy to be clothed in white. In other words, a true born-again Christian can lose their salvation by being disobedient to the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit. Jesus goes on to say in the next verse that whosoever shall overcome the temptations that are tempting them to sin and not deny my faith shall be saved. In other words, he who ENDURES unto the END the SAME shall be SAVED, and he who does NOT endure unto the end the same shall NOT be saved or found worthy to receive eternal life in the world to come. Again ONLY those who remain FAITHFUL unto the end shall be saved. Their name shall NOT be BLOTTED OUT of the book of life, and Jesus will confess their name before his Father and his angel. Notice that it says the names of those who remain faithful shall NOT be BLOTTED OUT of the book of life. Tradition in some church denominations has taught us that when a person comes to know the Lord as their personal Savior that their names are written in the book of life at that point in time, BUT some have gone TOO far to the extreme to teach that a true born again Christian name can NOT be blotted out of the Lambs book of life. In other words, some wrongly teach the man-made doctrine of once saved always saved. However, this scripture tells us when our names are actually written in the book of life and that they CAN be BLOTTED OUT if so be one in NOT found faithful in the END. Here is what I believe. It is my opinion that when Jesus said to his Father when he was hanging on the cross, "It is finished" and then gave up the Ghost is the "WHEN" when every man, woman and child on the earth was saved in the eyes of God, as in, a SPACE for their names to be written in the book of life was prepared. What I mean by this is that Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the WHOLE world. This means that a WAY of salvation has been PROVIDE and made AVAILABLE for ALL of mankind. So then, as soon as a person BELIEVES the gospel of Jesus Christ and repents of their sins they are saved, as in, they are forgiven of all their past sin and placed in a right relationship with God and their names are written in the Lambs book of life at that moment in time. It is also my opinion that the names of every person, who BELIEVES on Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God who died for their sins, will remain written in the book of life UNTIL they take their last breath and die, or Jesus comes again. It is at precisely that exact moment in time that I myself believe their name is either left written in the book of life or it is BLOTTED OUT of the book of life being based on their WORKS whether they are found worthy living RIGHTEOUSLY, that is without sin in their lives, OR they are living with unrepented sin in their life and found NOT to be worthy, Keep in mind that he that sins willfully crucifies Jesus a new himself, or in other words, rejects Jesus. And by willful sin, I am speaking of EXCUSING one's sin calling it NOT sin, or knowing that it is sin, but being deceived that they can never lose their salvation. And thus they blindly accept sin as a part of their lives and no longer resist sin as they should. There is also a teaching among some once saved always saved believers that there is no need to confess any sins after a person has accepted Jesus as their savior. Please do not be deceived by such false teaching. Read Ezekiel 33:11-20. It is vital that you understand this, please read the study "DOES THE BIBLE TEACH THAT ONCE WE ARE SAVED THEN WE ARE ALWAYS SAVED?" He that has an ear PLEASE I implore you to HEAR what the Spirit of the living God is begging you to hear. This brings us to the end of the letter to Sardis. Rev. 3:7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadephia write; These things says he that is holy, he that is true, he that has the key of David, he that opens, and no man shuts; and shuts, and no man opens;" Rev. 3:8 "I know your WORKS: behold, I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it: for (or because) you have little strength, AND have KEPT my word, and has NOT denied my name. (in other words, you have made it by enduring unto the end to be found worthy to be clothed in white) Rev 9. Behold I will make them which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you."
Jesus said in John 10:7
"...Verily, verily (or truly, truly), I say unto you, I am the DOOR of the sheep."
In verses 1-5 of this same chapter in the gospel of John, we find an interesting parable that will shed some light on what Jesus meant when he said,
"Behold, I have set before you an open door and no man can shut it."
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and no man comes to the Father, but by Son of Almighty God. In other words, we must believe in BOTH the SON and the Father and if one does NOT have the SON, then they do NOT have the Father either. Daniel teaches us that in the last days that there will be those that will try to persuade us that holding on to our faith and suffering even unto death is foolish, and not needful. They will say something like, "Islam is the true faith, and Christianity is not the true faith because Orthodox Christianity says that Jesus IS the one true God." Then they will show from the Bible that Jesus is NOT Almighty God himself and convince some to convert to Islam, which denies that Jesus is the SON OF God. Islam also denies that Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the entire world so the WHOSOEVER BELIEVES that Jesus is the Christ, the SON OF the living God should not perish but be given an OPEN DOOR, which leads to eternal life in the world to come. There are many false deceivers even in the world right now. I have seen weak Christians being converted to Islam in just a matter of a few minutes by exposing the ERRORS in orthodox church doctrine and then saying to them, "How can you trust those who LIED to you?" So I implore you, dear children of God, to NOT be deceived to take the MARK of the beast which is Isalm. I implore you to read the study "COULD ISLAM BE THE MARK OF THE BEAST?" Jesus said, " they shall say that they are Jews and they are not". They are liars and are deceiving their own selves and other by their lies. Do not believe their lies Jesus says, for I am the only true door that I have opened to you. They cannot close the door by taking your life." In other words, no man can take your crown of eternal life unless you GIVE it to them by denying Jesus as the SON OF God and your messiah. They can DECEIVE, but they cannot FORCEFULLY take your crown of eternal life. Only your FEAR of death to DENY your faith will cause that open door to be closed. Only YOU can close the door. God will never leave nor forsake any person, but any person can walk away from God or not come to God's drawing them. The open door is like an OPEN INVITATION to come in. The door remains OPEN so ANYONE may enter. And when one enters the open door it does NOT close locking them in. NO, it remains OPEN and thus anyone can become deceived to walk back OUT of that open door. There can be a number of things these verses mean, but the one thing I know is what God has already said he is not going to go back and change it. Almighty God simply WILL NOT go back on his word. God is forever faithful to perform his word. For a deeper understanding on this subject please read the study called "THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD" Also, as I have already said above. I myself believe that Jesus is saying by these words that they have FINISHED their course and are found to be that good and faithful servant. And then as one of our rewards Jesus will have those who are NOT found worthy at the time of his coming, the remnant of Jews and those left of the nations to come and bow down at our feet. The first shall be last and the last shall be first. Rev. 3:10 "Because you have KEPT the word of my patience, I will ALSO KEEP you from the HOUR of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try THEM that dwell on the earth." Some Christians, who teach on prophecy, teach that the HOUR of temptation or trial referred to in this verse is speaking of the time of great tribulation. However I myself believe that Jesus is referring to the WRATH of God when he said I will keep YOU from the HOUR of temptation. Look at Revelation 18:1-24, which teaches us about the rapture of the church and the pouring out of the wrath of God. The end of verse 19 says, "...for in ONE HOUR is she made desolate." Also the CONTEXT of this verse here in Revelation 3:10 is written to the CHURCH going through temptations, trials, tribulation and even being martyred, but yet not denying their faith in Jesus. The whole context is about OVERCOMING and being found faithful. Remember just a few verses earlier Jesus WARNS us, the church, that if we are NOT watching, then he WILL come upon US as a THIEF. And thus if we are watching and keeping our garments spotless then Jesus will NOT come upon us as a thief in the night. When we compare these verses where Jesus comes as a thief with 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 we learn that WHEN Jesus comes as a THIEF in the night is speaking of his SECOND coming to execute the WRATH of God and NOT some so-called pre-tribulation rapture to escape the period of great tribulation. "But of the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I write unto you. (Times and seasons of WHAT? The times and season of the RAPTURE of the church taught to us in chapter 4 of 1 Thessalonians. We must keep the verses we are studying IN their CONTEXT.) 2. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a THIEF in the night. (But NOT come on us who are WATCHING for his coming keeping his WORD to keep sin out of our lives and not to deny his name.) 3. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; (now some who teach a rapture before the great tribulation INTERPRET these words as the antichrist signing a peace treaty with Israel. But this interpretation cannot possibly be correct seeing that Jesus places the WRATH of God AFTER the time of great tribulation and the CONTEXT of this verse is speaking of the WRATH of God and NOT the 3 1/2 years of great tribulation. So then when they are crying out for peace and safety) then sudden destruction comes upon THEM, as travail upon a woman with child; and THEY shall NOT escape. 4. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day (the DAY of the Lord when Jesus executes the WRATH of God upon the world as a THIEF in the night) should overtake you as a THIEF. 5. You are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7. For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. 9. For God has not appointed us to WRATH,(so again the CONTEXT of the DAY of the Lord coming as a THIEF in the night is the WRATH of God and NOT the 3 1/2 years of great tribulation.) but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10. Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do."
So then ALL of what is written to the letters to the seven churches spans from the early church all the way through TO the SECOND coming of Jesus and ONLY those found WORTHY at the time of his coming will hear the words of Jesus saying, BECAUSE you have KEPT the word of my patience, then I will KEEP YOU for the WRATH of God that shall try all the world. Well done my good and faithful servants, you have been faithful in few things will be made ruler over much, enter you into the joy of your Lord. And Luke 19:17 says, that on that day when we will rule and reign with him on the earth that the faithful in little things will be given much is speaking of having authority or rule over the cities of the nations. Luke 19:17 "And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have you authority over ten cities." Again please read the studies I have on this subject for all to scriptures which prove beyond any shadow of a doubt that the church will go through the ENTIRE period of GREAT tribulation and that the rapture of the church will take place AT the SECOND coming of Jesus. Let us continue with the next verse. Rev. 3:11 "Behold, I come quickly; hold fast that which you have, that no man take your CROWN."
Jesus said in Matthew 24 that ONLY he that endures unto the END shall be saved. Many will grow cold in their walk with the Lord and cast away their faith in the last days. Jesus is admonishing us here to be patient to ENDURE persecution and hold fast to our faith to overcome sin. Rev. 3:12 "Him that OVERCOMES 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 the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name:" Rev. 3:13 "He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches."
This word pillar here is used only four times in the New Testament and means leader. This word also bears the meaning of one, who is grounded and firmly fitted or established upon the truth. The church is also referred to as a pillar in 1 Timothy 3:15, which says,
"...that you may know how to behave yourself in the house of God, which is the CHURCH of the living God, the PILLAR and ground of the truth."
In Proverbs 9:1 we read,
"WISDOM (Jesus) has built her house, she has hewn out her SEVEN PILLARS (the seven churches which are in Asia);"
It may be that Jesus will divide the world into seven regions where seven groups will be over these seven regions or districts having one region for each group. I do not know and I am just speculation some thoughts. But what I do know is that I see the distinction that John has and is still making between Jesus and Almighty God the Father. Now I want to draw your attention to the distinction found in this verse that is repeatedly made between Almighty God the Father and his Son Jesus. Remember it is Jesus, who is the one talking to John and telling him what to write to the church at Philadelphia. Jesus says not one, but four different times in this same verse MY God. Jesus refers to Almighty God his Father as HIS God four times in this one verse of scripture, which is after Jesus was raised from the dead, given eternal life by his God and Father and ascended up to heaven to be given the right the be highly exalted to sit at the right hand of Almighty God on the throne of his God and Father as second in command to rule FOR his God and Father for 1000 years. It is my opinion and my belief that the church has missed out on the WHOLE truth of God's word because we have not totally discerned the difference between God Almighty and Jesus his only begotten Son. The church, for the most part, teaches the Jesus is Almighty God himself and there is no difference Almighty God and Jesus. However, I do not believe that the WHOLE word of God teaches this. You will find many, many more references showing a clear distinction between Almighty God and his Son Jesus in the book of Revelation as well as throughout the entire New Testament of the Bible. Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church. This brings us to the end of the letter to the church at Philadelphia. Rev. 3:14 "And unto the angel of the church of Laodiceans write; These things says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;"
What I am about to expound upon next may strike a nerve with some, but I believe the truth is important and must be taught. That is why I have shared with you what God has shown me about the truth of the rapture of the church. Therefore if we have been taught incorrectly in one area, might not it also be possible that we have been taught other things that are in error as well? Things that may sound logical and may appear on the surface to be based upon the word of God, but when closely examined they are found NOT to be what the WHOLE word of God actually teaches. As I have said many times in the many studies I have written that any verse when taken out of context and viewed alone and apart from the rest of God's word may seem to say or be made to say something that it is not truly saying when it is correctly interpreted in the LIGHT of the WHOLE word of God. Sometimes the truth is hard to receive at first due to what we have previously been taught, but if we look to God's word as our foundation ALONE, rather than look to the tradition of men, then the TRUTH will become apparent. Please keep in the forefront of your mind Proverbs 18:13 and do not make a judgment until you have heard the entire matter, the WHOLE MATTER. Again keep in mind that this is Jesus speaking when he calls himself the BEGINNING OF THE CREATION OF GOD. This phrase can be interpreted in no less than three ways. But always remember that whatever one conclude or INTERPRETS a verse to mean, then that interpretation must without fail AGREE with the REST of God's word. And if it does NOT agree with the WHOLE word of God than that INTERPRETATION is NOT the correct interpretation. One view of this verse is that Jesus was the BEGINNING of the creation of God, in that, Jesus was the spoken LOGOS of God or the spoken WORD of God, or the spoken SAYING of God, which God spoke, and as soon as God spoke forth his Word, his logos, his saying, then things began to come into being. Or in others words, creation began by Almighty God speaking forth the IMAGE that was WITHIN him out of his mouth as his spoken WORD or SAYING, keeping in mind that we have been taught by John 1:1-14 that Jesus is the WORD that was WITH God, which literally means TOWARDS God and WITHIN the God. So Jesus, as the spoken Word, began creation or was the beginning of the creation of God, the Father. If you would like to know more on the subject of who is the creator please read the study called "DID JESUS CREATE ALL THINGS?" Another way of looking at this phrase, "Jesus was the BEGINNING of the creation of God", in that Jesus, the Son of God was the very FIRST CREATION of God. In other words, Jesus was the first thing God brought forth into existence. This view, of course, would require Jesus to have a BEGINNING, and therefore Jesus could not be God himself as some have taught, but NOT what the WHOLE word of God actually teaches. What OTHERS mean by this is that THEY teach that God created his SON whom he called the Word, and then his Son called the Word created all other things. Then the third view is that the creation which is being spoken of here in this verse is God's NEW creation where Jesus is the FIRST fruit of God's NEW creation being the FIRST born from the dead, the FIRST born among many brethren. If you would like to study this topic more in depth I have written a study devoted totally to this truth that Jesus is truly the Son of God, and NOT ALMIGHTY God HIMSELF as some have taught, please read "THE DEITY OF JESUS AND THE TRINITY" and "JESUS THE SON OF MAN" Also, read the above study Ephesians 3:9-11-Did JESUS CREATE ALL THINGS?". But for now here are a few verses that show us the TRUE meaning of Jesus being the BEGINNING of CREATION to mean that Jesus is the FIRSTBORN among many brethren speaking of Jesus being the beginning of God's NEW CREATION, which is what the word of God is all about. Colossians 1:15-18 says,
"Who is the IMAGE of the invisible God, the FIRSTBORN of every creature: 16. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17. And he is before all things (as in, preferred above all things), and by him all things consist.(as in by reason of what Jesus did for us made it possible for things to consist) 18. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the FIRSTBORN from the dead; that in all things HE might have preeminence."
Notice that this verse says that Jesus is the FIRSTBORN of every creature, which I believe means that Jesus is the BEGINNING of God's creation, as in, God NEW CREATION. I also firmly believe that the WHOLE word of God clearly teaches us that Jesus has a BEGINNING and is NOT co-eternal with Almighty God the Father as the doctrine of the Trinity teaches. The mere fact that Jesus was begotten of God clearly teaches us that the SON had a beginning being BORN. In other words, Jesus was born or brought forth by God the Father when God sent his word down to the earth by his angel Gabriel, who then SPOKE God's word to the Virgin Mary, who then BELIEVED God's word and said, "be it done unto me according to your word". Then at that moment in time, it was the spoken word of God that was conceived in her womb to be born a human being. Jesus was the first begotten of the Father or as John 3:16 puts it. Jesus is God's only BEGOTTEN Son. The word begotten means born and only begotten means UNIQUELY born like no other human being. Jesus had NO earthly father but rather was brought into existence in the womb of Mary by the SPOKEN word of Almighty God. Also, notice that Col 1:15 tells us that Jesus is the IMAGE of the invisible God. The American Heritage Dictionary defines the word image as a reproduction of the appearance of someone or something. This agrees with the LITERAL meaning of John 1:1 where the word was WITHIN THE God. Jesus said he came OUT FROM God in John 16:27. "For the Father himself loves you, BECAUSE you have loved me, AND (because you) have BELIEVED that I CAME OUT FROM God." Please read the study "JOHN 1:1 THE WORD WAS GOD!" and the related studies for a deeper understanding on the subject of Jesus having a beginning.
Hebrews 1:3 says,
"Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express IMAGE of his person, and upholds all things by the word of his power, when he by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:"
Here again, Jesus is described as the express IMAGE of God. This means an exact image of God's character. It also means that God expressed the image that was WITHIN himself SPEAKING forth out of his mouth what he desires to BE and the spoken logos BECAME that EXPRESS or expressed IMAGE of God's person Notice also the Jesus sat down on the right hand of his Father, Almighty God and Majesty on high. This tells me that the THRONE still belongs to God and that Jesus has been GIVEN authority to rule on his Father's throne. Jesus also PROPHESIED what will be and his spoken word now upholds all things, speaking of the all things related to the NEW CREATION of God by which is BECAUSE OF Jesus and FOR the SAKE OF Jesus. God will give all mankind TO his SON Jesus. 1 Corinthians 15:24-28 tells us that Jesus will one day at the END of his 1000 year reign commit all this authority of rulership he was given by his God and Father BACK to his Father and his God and then Almighty God will be all in all once again. I am not making this up. This is what the word of God teaches. People say to me, I have never heard this before in my life. But this is all right there in the word of God. However, sometimes we must UNLEARN some things that we have been TAUGHT in order to be able to see the TRUTH. Read it for yourself.
1 Corinthians 15:24-28
"Then comes the end, (speaking the end of the 1000 years reign of Jesus) when he (Jesus) shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and authority and power. 25. For he (Jesus) must reign, till he (speaking of Almighty God, the Father) has put down all enemies under his feet. 26. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27. For he (Almighty God) has put all things under his feet (referring to Jesus). But when he (Almighty God) says all things are put under him (Jesus), it is manifest (or clearly shown and made known) that he (speaking of Almighty God) is excepted, which did put all things under him (Jesus). 28. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the SON ALSO HIMSELF be SUBJECT unto him (Almighty God the Father) that put all things under him, that GOD may be all in all."
Everything that Jesus is and everything that Jesus has was GIVEN to him by HIS God and HIS Father, the one true and only Almighty God. You see, Almighty God HIMSELF is the one who has highly exalted Jesus and gave him the name above every other name. I know most of us have been taught by the doctrine of the Trinity and that Jesus is God, as in, Jesus is Almighty God himself, being fully Almighty God and fully a man at the same time, but again I believe the word of God itself teaches us differently. So why not just teach what the plain simple word of God teaches, which is that Jesus is the SON OF God whom Almighty God ANOINTED and empowered and gave all power and authority? WHY complicate the clear, plain, and simple word of God by trying to prove that Jesus IS Almighty God HIMSELF, when there is NO verse, no not ONE single verse that CLEARLY and PLAIN states that Jesus IS the Almighty God. All the verses that are used to teach the man-made DOCTRINE of the Trinity are the INTERPRETATIONS of those, who teach the doctrine of the Trinity, which states that Jesus and God the Father are EQUAL in every way, where neither is GREATER than nor less than the other. But CLEARLY and PLAINLY the WHOLE word of God teaches that Almighty God the Father is GREATER than his Son Jesus. Please read John 14:28, which says,
"You have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If you loved me, you would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is GREATER than I."
Also, we read in 1 Corinthians 8:6,7, which teaches us that there is but ONE God and then that same verse CLEARLY and PLAINLY shows us that this ONE God is the FATHER. Then this same verse teaches us that there is ONE Lord, and also that this ONE Lord is Jesus the Christ, or Jesus the ANOINTED one of Almighty God. For you see, the word CHRIST means the ANOINTED one of God or the one ANOINTED of God.
"But to us there is but ONE God, the FATHER, of whom are all things, and we in him; and ONE Lord JESUS CHRIST, by whom are all things, and we by him. Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge;..." No, not everyone is going to accept this truth right away, and some may never accept it, because of what tradition has taught them. Well as I said before if you want to study this topic more in-depth read my study entitled "THERE IS BUT ONE GOD" But before we leave this verse I would like to share one more scripture from the Old Testament that I believe clearly teaches us that Jesus has a BEGINNING.
Proverbs 8:1-35 talks about wisdom and understanding, which are types of Jesus. This passage of scripture is written in the narrative with wisdom and understanding doing the speaking. In other words, the pronouns I, my, and me refer to Jesus, and the pronouns he and his refer to Almighty God, the Father. With this in mind let's begin with Proverbs chapter 8, verse 21 and read through 35. And please keep in mind that this is a PROPHECY of Jesus where Jesus is in the MIND of God and the Almighty is planning his creation the earth and heavens for his Son to INHERIT.
"That I (Jesus) may cause those that love me (Jesus) to inherit substance and I will fill their treasures. 22. The Lord (God the Father) possessed (or acquired or to get by one's own efforts) me (Jesus) in the BEGINNING of his way (or, before his works of old. 23. I (Jesus) was set up (or inaugurated) from everlasting, from the BEGINNING, or ever the earth was (Jesus was also SLAIN from before the foundation of the world as well, but this does not mean literally slain my men who have not yet been created. Rather this means that in the MIND of God in his plan of salvation he set up his Son to one day be his King of kings over the earth). 24. When there was no depths, I (Jesus) was BROUGHT FORTH (or travailed. God was birthing his Son in the image within himself as the reason FOR creating the heavens and the earth); when there were no fountains abounding with water. 25. Before the mountains were settled (or sunk), before the hills was I (Jesus) BROUGHT FORTH (or travailed): 26. While as yet he (Almighty God) had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world, 27. When he (Almighty God) prepared the heavens, I (Jesus) was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: (this means that God had his Son in his mind or in his view or image in delineating or sketching out the heavens and the earth) 28. When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: 29. When he gave the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: 30. Then I (Jesus) was by him (Almighty God) AS one BROUGHT UP with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth (this teaches us that this is a PROPHECY of Jesus and NOT a HISTORY of what has already taken place, because Jesus was God's DELIGHT watching Jesus IN the HABITABLE part of his earth BEFORE God ever created the earth. This is a record of the IMAGE God had WITHIN himself that he SPOKE forth out of his mouth a PROPHECY to bring forth his Son into existence. It was AS his Son was brought up with him and NOT literally brought up with him); and my delights were with the sons of men. 32. Now therefore hearken unto me, O you children: for blessed are they that keep MY WAYS (This teaches us that the OLD covenant is no longer in force and we are now to obey the words of the NEW covenant). 33. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. 34. Blessed is the man that hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 35. For whoso finds me finds life, and shall obtain favor of the LORD. (Yahweh, Almighty God the Father)."
Jesus is the BEGINNING of all creation. Jesus was there at the BEGINNING of all creation in the MIND and plan of Almighty God WITHIN the God as the IMAGE God desired to BE. Jesus came OUT FROM God by God SPEAKING the IMAGE that was WITHIN him out of his mouth and Jesus came into existence in Mary's womb to be born a human being, who was then ANOINTED with the Holy Spirit at his baptism. This is what the WHOLE word of God teaches us. Again please read all the related studies on this subject as to "WHO IS JESUS?", but for now, let us continue with the next verse in Revelation chapter 3. Rev. 3:15 "I know your WORKS, that you are neither hot nor cold: I would you were cold or hot. Rev. 3:16 "So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue you out of my mouth." Rev. 3:17 "Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods and have need of nothing; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:" Rev. 3:18 "I counsel you to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich, and white raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness do not appear, and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. Rev. 3:19 "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." Rev. 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in unto him and will sup with him, and he with me."
This passage of scripture could be speaking of Christians, who are living in sin, but they are reasoning away their sin or excusing their sinful lifestyle. Or this passage of scripture could be referring to the Jews, who think they are already saved. Or this passage could be referring to those, who are unsaved and don't think they need a Savior. But recently it came to my attention that there is a sect of Black African American Christians, who are CLAIMING that they ALONE are the TRUE Jews and that the Jews in the land of Israel are FAKE Jews. Please read the study "WHO ARE THE TRUE JEWS?" In any case, all four of these groups of people are being exhorted and implored to repent and open the door of their heart and let Jesus come into their lives to save them and lead them into all TRUTH. And then once they are placed back into right relationship with God, they are to KEEP SIN out of their lives in order to RECEIVE ETERNAL LIFE in the end. I do not believe there is enough emphasis placed on the TRUTH that we must without fail live our lives without sin just as Jesus did in order to RECEIVE ETERNAL LIFE. This does NOT mean walking perfectly without ever sinning again, but rather repenting quickly when we do sin and continually seeking God to HELP us do better. I encourage all my readers and seekers of the TRUTH to read the first twenty or so studies that I have written, which deal will being SAVED and RECEIVING ETERNAL LIFE. I say twenty or so because I keep adding more studies. What most believers do not realize is that salvation is a PROCESS that only BEGINS with our accepting Jesus as our savior. This is ONLY the FIRST STEP in a LIFELONG process of OBTAINING ETERNAL LIFE. We must all OVERCOME in order to be accounted WORTHY to RECEIVE ETERNAL LIFE in the world yet to come. I cannot stress this TRUTH enough, because some in the church believe that there is NOTHING that we need to DO after we have accepted Jesus as our savior and that once a person accepts Jesus, then according to them who teach once saved always saved they can never lose their salvation no matter what they do or do not do. However, this is NOT what the WHOLE word of God teaches us. So be not deceived by these doctrines of men. Read the word of God for YOURSELF! Go back just in these letters to the seven church and see how many warnings Jesus gives to us the church about our WORKS and receiving eternal life. We in the church are indeed SAVED, but we have not yet received our reward of eternal life. Again when the word teaches us to live WITHOUT sin, yes the GOAL is to not have ANY sin in our life. But being PERFECT does not mean that a person must NEVER SIN again, or it is over for that person, as in, one strike and your out. No a thousand times no! Rather we are to obey the LEADING of the Holy Spirit. This means that when we do sin then the Holy Spirit will lead us to REPENT and confess our sin so do NOT sit and ARGUE with the Holy Spirit to EXCUSE your sin, but rather OBEY the leading of the Holy Spirit and CONFESS your sin. Each and every time you OBEY the Holy Spirit to confess and repent of your sin then you are made PERFECT in the eyes of God. So STAY in that PERFECT relationship by OBEYING the Holy Spirit to confess your sins IMMEDIATELY. And again always continually seek God and HIS strength to do better and better as you grow in the Lord. Do NOT believe the lies that you can never live without sin and you will always be a filthy sinner. You are NOT a sinner. You are a NEW creature in Jesus Christ. Jesus would have never told us to put off the old man of sin if it was impossible to do. With MAN it is impossible but NOT WITH God! Now if you are tired of sinning and repenting and sinning and repenting being a roller coaster Christian, then I implore you to read the study "HOW YOU CAN LIVE YOUR LIFE FREE FROM SIN!". Moving on to the next verse.
Rev. 3:21 "To him that OVERCOMES will I grant to sit with me in my throne, EVEN AS as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. Rev. 3:22 "He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches."
Here again, we see Jesus making a distinction between himself and God his Father. Also please notice that Jesus says to us who OVERCOME are granted to sit WITH Jesus in his throne in the same manner that Jesus was granted to sit WITH his Father in his FATHER'S throne BECAUSE he OVERCAME the enemy to do all his Father's will EVEN to suffer and die on the cross. The throne still belongs to Almighty God and is on temporary loan to his Son for a 1000 years. Isaiah 40:10 teaches us that the ARM of Yahweh shall RULE FOR Yahweh.
"Behold, the Lord GOD (Yahweh or Almighty God the Father) will come with strong hand, and his ARM (Jesus the SON OF Almighty God the Father Yahweh) shall RULE FOR HIM (or Jesus the SON OF God shall rule FOR the Lord God Yahweh the Almighty for a 1000 years): behold, his REWARD is with him (compare to Revelation 22:14,15), and his work before him."
Revelation 22:14,15. "Blessed are THEY that DO his commandments, that (or so that) THEY (speaking of ONLY they who are KEEPING the commandments of God which HE gave to his Son Jesus to give to US to give to the world) may have RIGHT to the tree of LIFE, and may ENTER IN in through the gates into the city. 15. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whore mongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loves and makes a lie."
This brings us to the end of chapter three of the book of Revelation. To continue with CHAPTER 4 where we will see the first of the seven examples of the RAPTURE of the church found in the book of Revelation just click on the link or go to the menu. Thanks for reading and may God bless you as you continue to seek the truth of God's word. |
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