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Post by boraddict on Dec 3, 2021 20:18:00 GMT -6
Please consider my examination of Rev. 2:1-7 that is a message from the Savior to us as follows:
1) To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
2) I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.
3) I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.
4) But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.
5) Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.
6) Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
It is reasonable to conclude that the angel (v. 1) is the one who has an ear to hear (v.7); because, He who holds the seven stars and walks among the lampstands is the Savior (v. 1, Rev. 1:12-16) and He offers (v. 7) to those who conquer, to eat of the Tree of Life that metaphorically represents the Savior. Thus, the chiasmus can be considered as follows:
1) the angel and the Savior
2-6)
7) he who has an ear to hear and the Savior
Thus, the message as addressed to the "angel" is also addressed to "he who has an ear to hear" making these two metaphors synonymous.
In the parallel of Verses 2 and 6 we see the "works" in contrast between those works of the angel (us, v. 2) and the works of the Nicolaitans (v. 6). Secondly, we are given the contrast between "you can not bear those who are evil" (v. 2) and "you hate the works of the Nicloaitans" (v. 6) showing us that the Nicloaitans are evil. Lastly the Savior draws our attention to those who call themselves apostles and are not" (v. 2) and His statement that He also hates the works of the Nicolatians. Here we can conclude that the Savior sees the false apostles in the same light as he sees the Nicloatians. It may be the case that He is saying that the false apostles are the Nicolatians and he hates their deeds.
From the above parallel between Verses 2 and 6 we can conclude that the Savior approves of us challenging the veracity of false apostles. So what is the calling of an apostle but that of a special witness as is implied in Luke 6:13, 22:14, Matt. 10:2, 19:28, Rev. 21:12, 14, etc. Thus, there are only twelve apostles. Further, when Judas fell then the Savior chose Paul. Therefore, I conclude that Saul (Paul) was present at many occasions where the Savior taught His gospel message in preparation as a replacement for Judas. Just my personal thoughts on that subject; nevertheless, the Savior chose Paul as a special witness to his resurrection (1 Timothy 1:1, 2 Timothy 1:1, Ephesians 1:1, 1 Cor. 1:1, Acts. 23:11. etc. In other words, there are only twelve apostles and all others claiming to be apostles are not.
Next is the Verse 3 and 5 parallel and here we have the Savior providing reassurance (v. 3) and calling us to repentance (v. 5). And lastly the Savior is reproving us for not holding to our first love as when we first learned about the gospel.
Hope you like my analysis.
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Post by boraddict on Dec 4, 2021 8:00:21 GMT -6
Previously in my analysis of the Savior's message to the angel of the church of Ephesus, I explained that the Savior is calling our attention to false apostles whose deeds we hate (Rev. 2:2, 6) and our fallen state (Rev. 2:5) and our need to return to our first love (Rev. 2:4). That contrast between hate and love so we can improve ourselves shifts the message away from the deeds of false apostles to our own deeds; the contrast between the works of the false apostles and our own works (Rev. 2:2). That we should be less concerned about the deeds of the false apostles and more concerned about returning to love His gospel message as we were at the first. So basically the message is for us to not be so concerned about removing the beam from others eye but removing it from our own eye. That we should not focus upon others mistakes but focus upon our own improvements.
On to the message from the Savior to the angel of the church of Smyrna (Rev. 2:8-11).
8) And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.
9) I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
10) Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
11) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.
Just like the first message (vv. 1-7) "the angel" and "he who has an ear to hear" are synonymous metaphors; because, this is who the message is to. Again, please notice the chiasmus as follows:
8) "the angel" and "the first and the last" that is the Savior
9-10)
11) "he who has an ear to hear" and "the Spirit" that is the Savior
Thus, "he who has an ear to hear" is "the angel," and since we have ears to hear then we are the angel; meaning, that the message is to us individually.
In this message the Savior is telling us that some of us will suffer in prison and be tested for ten days meaning that some are tested as a tithing; as a witness from him to the world. I hope this concept is not to difficult but in the Savior's economics there are payments and in this case he is saying that some here in the last days will be counted as a payment for his justification against the wicked. Thus, a tithing (10 days) is made by Him in the lives of his servants (Rev. 6:9-11, 18:20, 19:2). That is, the word "days" in the verse is a metaphor meaning "percent" of his church. I realize that reading the metaphors is not an exact science but in cases like this verse it should be quite easy to see. He is not saying that some will be thrown into prison and then have tribulation for 10 days but that the number of those thrown into prison is 10 percent of his church. Naturally this is my opinion but there are many other circumstance where the Savior requires payments like prayers for example. Often we do not receive blessings from God until we pray for those blessings. Another example is Rev. 8:4 that it was the prayers of the saints that was included with the actions of the smoke of the incense. Thus, the prayers of the saints plays an important part in prompting the Savior's actions and in this verse (10) He is saying that the tithe of the church in testing will be required for His actions against the beast. (IMO)
To those whom are among the tithe and holding fast to their testimony will be given the crown of eternal life for their sacrifice (v. 10). The verse reads (IMO) "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten percent you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life."
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Post by boraddict on Dec 4, 2021 11:21:22 GMT -6
Continuing with my analysis of the Savior's messages to the seven churches (Ch. 2-3) is the third that is to the church in Pergamos (Rev. 2:12-17). And, from my previous posting the message to the first is that we are to improve ourselves, and the message to the second is that some will be called upon to give their lives as a testament.
12) “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.
13) I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
14) But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.
15) So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
16) Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.
17) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.
Again we have the confirmation that the message is to us here in the last days with the address to the angel (v. 12) from Jesus (Rev. 1:16) that is the individual that has an ear to hear (v. 17) from the Savior (Rev. 22:17). For a greater explanation of this please refer back to my previous postings.
In Verse 13 we dwell where Satan's throne is because we are upon the earth, and in the parallel (v. 16) we are called to repent. Secondly, we are given a type that the saints in the days of Antipas did not deny the faith (v. 13) and we here in the last days are in the shadow of that type. We must not deny the faith.
In the central emphasis (v. 14) we are told that some of us hold to the teaching of Balaam (Numbers 22-24, Joshua 13:22, 24:10, 2 Peter 2:15) who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel in worshiping idols and practice sexual immorality. That is, some of us worship idols and practice sexual immorality. In addition to this, some hold to the doctrine of the Nicolaitans which is to work for prestige as we do in our capitalist society. This doctrine was referenced in my previous posting where the false apostles (Rev. 2:2) were claiming to be something that they are not. The primary goal of this group is to be deceiving to acquire some personal gain. Thus, the Savior is calling us to the carpet on three things, 1) idolatry, 2) sexual immorality, and 3) the promotion of ideas that are not true for personal gain. We see this conduct throughout our society and it is repulsive. All the scamming that is going on today is the outward appearance that we see but the clever deceptions that people enter into is by far the sickest; to take advantage of others.
Lastly at Verse 17 the Savior mentions the reward of "hidden manna" that is hidden food that is among other things further revelation. This has a connection to the white stone that has the individuals new name. Basically what this means (IMO) is no damnation; no restriction to learning forever and that is a nice reward. The white stone relates to the earth as the home because the stone comes from the earth. Thus, the individual in addition to no damnation has a home with Christ forever.
Thus we have three of the seven messages in my three posting thus far on this subject:
1) we are to improve ourselves
2) some will be called to give their lives as a testament
3) some are worshiping Idols, engaging in sexual immorality, and taking advantage of others
4)
5)
6)
7)
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Post by boraddict on Dec 4, 2021 18:23:40 GMT -6
This post is an examination of the message to us from the Savior in Rev. 2:18-29.
18) And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.
19 I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.
20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.
21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.
22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works,
23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.
24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden.
25 Only hold fast what you have until I come.
26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations,
27 and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father.
28 And I will give him the morning star.
29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches
Again we have the introduction that follows the same pattern as before (3 previous posts) where the first verse (18) connects the the last verse (29).
Then at Verse 19 the Savior highlights that some of his saints have excelled in the exercise of their faith so much that their commitment to Him has grown. To this (v. 19) there is the chiasmus parallel in Verses 26-28 meaning that the construct of the chiasmus should be modified as follows:
18) And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.
19) I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.
20) But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.
21) I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.
22) Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works,
23) and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.
24) But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden.
25) Only hold fast what you have until I come.
26-28) The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. And I will give him the morning star.
29) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches
This parallel is easy to see with the word "works" in Verses 19 and Verses 26-29 and the contrast being "your works" in relation to "my works." Basically this is referencing Chapter 7 where the saints are sealed to have authority over the nations and rule with a rod of iron (Rev. 19:15). The morning star that is given is the Savior as referenced in Rev. 22:16. Again, this is the sealing marriage to these saints who excel in their testimonies. As you can see this is about a period of time in the tribulation to which the saints are sealed in the marriage that is similar to the Savior being sealed to the Father (v. 27). Naturally, this sealing extends into the eternities.
Next we have the verses that are about Jezebel (vv. 20-21) and so the chiasmus is modified to accommodate this construct as follows:
18) And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.
19) I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.
20-21) But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.
22-23) Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.
24-25) But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. Only hold fast what you have until I come.
26-28) The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. And I will give him the morning star.
29) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches
From this it should be easy to see that Jezebel (vv. 20-21) has a relationship to the doctrine of Balaam (Rev. 2:14) that seduces the Savior's servants to practice sexual immorality and idolatry. Whereas before in Rev. 2:14 it was a stumbling block before the children of Israel, but now it is a seduction to the Savior's servants. These are nearly the same thing but the emphasis is now upon those servants that are going into the tribulation. The parallel to this (vv. 2:20-21) is Verses 24-25 and the Savior states that the rest of you who do not hold to this teaching of sexual immorality and idolatry only need to hold fast till He comes.
Now for the emphasis of the message in Verses 22-23 is that those servants who follow Jezebel to be sexually immoral and worshiping idols unless they repent will be struck dead in the tribulation. The evidence for this is that "those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation." In other words, if these practices are not repented of then these servants will be thrown into the tribulation.
Thus we have four of the seven messages in my four posting thus far on this subject:
1) we are to improve ourselves
2) some will be called to give their lives as a testament
3) some are worshiping Idols, engaging in sexual immorality, and taking advantage of others
4) those servants following Jezebel will be cast out, those servants staying true need only to hold fast
5)
6)
7)
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Post by boraddict on Dec 4, 2021 22:23:13 GMT -6
Next is my analysis of the Savior's message to the angel of the 5th church in Rev. 3:1-6.
1) And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. "I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead."
2) Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.
3) Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.
4) Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.
5) The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.
6) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
As is the case with each of the messages to the angels of the seven churches we see the following:
1) angel, Savior (Rev. 1:4, 16)
2-5)
6) he who has an ear, Savior (Rev. 1:11)
This repeated construct shows that the one who has an ear (v. 6) is also the angel (v. 1) and visa versa. Since we have an ear to hear then we are the angel to whom the Savior sends the message (IMO).
The Savior begins that we have "the reputation of being alive" but we "are dead" and this is followed by the Verse 2/5 parallel wherein He tells us to "Wake up." Because, He has not found our works complete (v. 2) in His sight. Then His narrative returns to the one who conquers (v. 5) that is a main theme throughout each of the messages (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26, 3:5, 12, 21). Thus, in each of the seven addresses to us, the angels of the churches, the Savior is repeatedly calling us to overcome and conquer; and this is our works. That we are to follow him and not give into the world dominated by Satan (Rev. 2:13). If we do this then He will never blot our name out of the book of life.
In the Verse 3/4 parallel He tells us that we can yet repent, but if we will not wake up then he will come against us. In contrast are those who have not soiled their garments and are worthy. Thus, the Savior is saying that repentance is available for a limited time, and to those who have not soiled their garments via the previous constructs of wickedness (Rev. 2:14, 15, 20, 21) then they are worthy to walk with the Savior in white.
Thus we have five of the seven messages in my five posting thus far on this subject:
1) we are to improve ourselves
2) some will be called to give their lives as a testament
3) some are worshiping Idols, engaging in sexual immorality, and taking advantage of others
4) those servants following Jezebel will be cast out, those servants staying true need only to hold fast
5) contrasting those who will not wake up to those who are awake
6)
7)
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Post by boraddict on Dec 5, 2021 7:24:17 GMT -6
This post is my analysis of the Savior's message to the angel of the 6th church in Rev. 3:7-13.
7) “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.
8) I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
9) Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.
10) Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.
11) I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.
12) The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.
13) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Again there is the repeated introduction and conclusion that are parallels showing the angel is he who has an ear. The interesting thing about this introduction is the reference to the "key of David." Please consider the other introductions and how they relate to Chapter 1 as follows:
Rev. 2:1) To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands (Rev. 1:16, 12-13).
Rev. 2:8) And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life (Rev. 1:8).
Rev. 2:12) And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword (Rev. 1:16).
Rev. 2:18) And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze (Rev. 1:14-15).
Rev. 3:1) And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars (Rev. 1:4, 16).
Rev. 3:7)
Rev. 3:14) And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation (Rev. 1:18, 5, 8).
Since each introduction relates to one or more verses in Chapter 1, then Verse 3:7 also relates to one or more verses in Chapter 1. Thus, the Key of David that opens and no one will shut, and shuts and no one opens is the key of authority given to John over hell and the key of authority given to John over death (Rev. 1:18), and these two individuals are referenced in Rev. 6:8 that go to the lake of fire in Rev. 19:20, 20:10. Further, that the angel who opens the bottomless pit in Rev. 9:1 (see the side note) has authority to do so and this is John who has the key of authority to open, and the key of authority to shut (Rev. 20:3). Thus, John places himself into the storyline as the 5th angel (v. 9:1) IMO, where he opens, and as the angel (Rev. 20:1) where he shuts.
Side note: Rev. 9:1 is a chiasmus as follows:
1) And the fifth angel blew his trumpet, (here John places himself in the story line as the 5th angel)
2) and I saw a star fallen from heaven to earth, (this is the dragon as referenced in Rev. 12:3-4)
3) and he was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit. (this is John as referenced in Rev. 1:18)
Next, in the Verse 8/12 parallel the Savior states that he has opened the door to us that no one will shut; he holding the key of David, and this promise is to those who have kept his word and not denied his name. Further, that these individuals will enjoy life in New Jerusalem as shown in Rev. 21-22.
In the Verse 9/11 parallel (above) the Savior returns to the synagogue of Satan language that was used in Rev. 2:9 confirming that this 6th church message links to the 2nd church message in the chiasmus (below). In addition there is the crown reference that links to the crown of Rev. 2:10 again showing the link between these two churches messages.
The emphasis of this 6th message to us is in the chiasmus above at Rev. 3:10. "Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world" and this is the reward for being faithful.
Thus we have six of the seven messages in my six posting thus far on this subject.
1) we are to improve ourselves
2) some will be called to give their lives as a testament
3) some are worshiping Idols, engaging in sexual immorality, and taking advantage of others
4) those servants following Jezebel will be cast out, those servants staying true need only to hold fast
5) contrasting those who will not wake up to those who are awake
6) those who have kept his word will be kept from the tribulation
7)
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Post by boraddict on Dec 6, 2021 21:45:27 GMT -6
This is the 7th (Rev. 3:14-22) and last posting in the series of the messages to the angels of the churches (Ch. 2-3).
14) And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.
15) I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!
16) So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
17) For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
18 ) I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.
19) Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.
20) Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
21) The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.
22) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Like the other messages to the angels of the churches we see the introduction (v. 14) that links to the ending (v. 22). The pattern, like the others, is "angel" / "Savior" and "he who has an ear" / Savior; showing us that the "angel" is "he who has an ear" and visa versa. And this supports my analysis that the Savior is speaking to us here in Chapters 2 and 3.
Next, in Verse 15 the Savior tells us that he knows our works and this links back to Rev. 2:2 confirming that a link exists between the first message (Rev. 2:1-7) and here in this, the last message to the angel (Rev. 3:14-22). This supports my conclusion that a chiasmus spans Chapters 2 and 3 with the center at the message to the angel of the 4th church; and I have shared this chiasmus at the bottom of each of my seven postings in this series. Secondly, we are told that it would be better if we were hot or cold; ie. strongly for Him or just giving Him lip service. And this links to Rev. 2:3 wherein the Savior tells us 1) that we have borne and 2) that we have been patient and 3) we have for his name sake labored and not fainted. I hope that you can see the connection between these things in Verse 2:3 and the statement that we are neither hot or cold in Verse 3:15. In other words, the things enumerated in Verse 2:3 are neither hot or cold (v. 3:15).
Interestingly, the subject continues from Rev. 3:15 to Rev. 3:16 where the Savior tells us that because we are only lukewarm he is going to spit us out of His mouth and this connects to Rev. 2:4 that we have left our first love which is the Savior and his gospel message.
Ending this three verse set is that we have deceived ourselves into believing that we need nothing, but we are in fact 1) wretched, 2) pitiable, 3) poor, 4) blind, and 5) naked (v. 3:17).
Since Verses 3:15, 16, 17 are a set, then the chiasmus for Verses 3:14-22 is as follows:
14) And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.
15-17) I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
18 ) I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.
19-21) Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.
22) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
And the parallel to Verses 3:15-17 is Verses 19-21 wherein the Savior tells us that he disciplines those whom He loves. So, we are to consider the first part of this parallel (vv. 3:15-17) as the reproving, and the second part of this parallel as instruction for us to be zealous and repent (vv. 3:19-21).
Lastly, Verse 3:18 is the grand finally to the seven messages to the angels of the churches and it contrasts with Verse 3:17 as follows:
v. 3:18, "I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich (3 poor v. 3:17), and white garments so that you may clothe yourself (5 naked v. 3:17) and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen (1 wretched v. 3:17, Rev. 16:15), and salve to anoint your eyes (2 pitiable v. 3:17), so that you may see (4 blind v. 3:17)." Naturally the gold crown (Rev. 4:4) is the gold that can be purchased via his refining fire IMO.
Thus we have seven of the seven messages in my seven posting on this subject.
1) we are to improve ourselves
2) some will be called to give their lives as a testament
3) some are worshiping Idols, engaging in sexual immorality, and taking advantage of others
4) those servants following Jezebel will be cast out, those servants staying true need only to hold fast
5) contrasting those who will not wake up to those who are awake
6) those who have kept his word will be kept from the tribulation
7) become zealous in Christ or be left to the tribulation
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Post by boraddict on Dec 8, 2021 18:32:08 GMT -6
As I have shown in my previous posting, the angels of the churches can reasonably be the saints of the last day churches. From this conclusion then the saints are the seven stars of the seven churches (Rev. 1:20). And, this would make the saints of the churches the seven spirits of God (Rev. 4:5). From this conclusion then the seven spirits are the saints that are sent forth throughout the earth (Rev. 5:6); as in missionary work over the past 2,000 years. It is for this reason that the greetings to us here in the last days is from those saints that have gone before us (Rev. 1:4). The verse would read:
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Post by boraddict on Dec 16, 2021 0:01:40 GMT -6
Please consider Rev. 5:1 that God the Father has in his hand a scroll that is sealed with 7 seals. In contrast to this is Jesus whom has paid with his life (Rev. 5:6), and has the right to take the scroll and open each of the 7 seals. So He takes the scroll (Rev. 5:7-8) and the very act of opening the seals redeems the saints of God. This means that the 7 seals have an association to the redemption of mankind. It is for this reason that John was weeping (Rev. 5:2-5); because, no one could redeem the souls listed in the book, until Jesus gave his life as a payment for mankind.
This redemption in Chapter 5 appears to be the payment for Adams judgment; that all mankind must die, and in Christ all mankind are redeemed. Some to the first resurrection (Rev. 20:6), and some to the second resurrection (Rev. 20:15). Thus, the seals of Chapters 5, 6, and 8 can be considered to be 1,000 year periods of time, and the opening of each of these results in the resurrection of those souls; some to the first resurrection and the remaining to the second resurrection.
Since Jesus gave his life in payment 2,000 years ago, then the seals would have been unsealed at that time and allowing all the people up to that point, the previous 4,000 years, to qualify for the resurrection. That is, those dead would rejoice in the knowledge that they were going to be resurrected IMO. Also, the generations from that point in time forward (the church age) would live with the knowledge that they are going to be redeemed from the deceased condition.
Since Jesus opened the seals of the scroll 2,000 years ago and that payment released everyone from death to resurrection, although not being resurrected yet, then what is John seeing as Jesus opens the seals in Chapter 6? That is, Chapter 6 must be describing the events that relate to the resurrection. So the 1st through the 6th seals are opened in Chapter 6 and events relating to the resurrection begin. These events transpire in succession with the chapter being in order; 1st through the 6th. That is, the events described are events just prior to the resurrection and Chapter 7 appears to be the resurrection chapter.
This information also suggests that the 7th one thousand year period of time (Rev. 8:1) begins at the same time as the beginning of the 1st resurrection or shortly after. With this we can understand that the trumpets take place in the 7th seal; the 7th one thousand year period of time.
So the events described in Chapter 6 take place at the ending of the 6th one thousand year period of time, and then the 1st resurrection begins (Chapter 7), and this is followed by the destructions at the beginning of the 7th one thousand year period of time; the trumpets. The trumpets can not begin until the 7th one thousand year period of time begins; the 7th seal (Rev. 8:1).
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Post by boraddict on Dec 17, 2021 6:57:10 GMT -6
Since the seals reflect two conditions:
1) the first being a representation of the 7 one thousand year periods of time where mankind is condemned to eternal death and they need a Savior to open the seals to redeem them in a resurrection
2) and the second being that the resurrection begins with a set of things occurring in succession as outlined in the 6 seals of Chapter 6 and then culminating in the resurrection of Chapter 7 followed by the pause in the 7th seal at Rev. 8:1.
Then it is reasonable that the trumpets reflect a similar two conditions:
1) the first being God's response to mankind's wickedness in each of the 7 one thousand year periods of time
a) the 4 thousand years of which Jesus came at the end of that 4th thousand year period of time
b) the 5th thousand year period that begins with the church surviving in this world of wickedness (the first woe)
c) the 6th thousand year period that ends with a gathering of saints in Chapter 10 that corresponds to the resurrection in Chapter 7. This suggests that the temple construction and the two witnesses of Chapter 11 takes place in the 7th one thousand year period of time.
2) and the second being that a series of seven things take place after the opening of the 7th one thousand year period at Rev. 8:1.
Since the transition from the 4th one thousand year period to the 5th occurred after Jesus was crucified, and that time of crucifixion was at 27 or 30 or 33 AD, and if our calendars are correct, then the ending of the 6th one thousand year period of time is at 2027, or 2030, or 2033 AD. Hopefully it is at 2027 and backing away from that 3.5 years to the beginning of the tribulation, then this places us at 2023 and change for the tribulation to begin. This seems most likely due to the other indicators that show 2024 as the year to look to for that tribulation beginning.
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Post by boraddict on Dec 19, 2021 23:22:56 GMT -6
Please notice that John, the author of The Book of Revelation, provides multiple starting points throughout the book. For instance, Chapter 4 has a link at Rev. 4:1 wherein he states:
"After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”
So let's consider what John is saying:
1) "After this I looked" and from this we can deduct that John is saying "after the instructions provided by the Savior in Chapters 2 and 3; I looked."
2) "and behold a door was standing open in heaven!" And, this refers to the previous Chapter at Rev. 3:8, 20. So, the door is open for what purpose? Clearly the door is open by the Savior to the individual and in this case it is John. The door is open for communication between the individual and the Savior.
3) "And the first voice which I had heard speaking with me like a trumpet" and this refers back to Rev. 1:10 where the Savior had engaged in conversation with John previously. So here we see that the Savior has reengaged conversation with John. This means that some time has lapsed between the first interaction and this second interaction. It also means that this is a new starting point in the book as I have stated above.
4) "said, Come up here" and this is interesting because how is John to come up to where Jesus is at. Clearly John does not "come up here" in Verse 4:1, but immediately after this instruction as stated in Rev. 4:2. And not physically but in spirit as an out of body type of experience with full memory retention.
5) "and I will show you what must take place after this." After what? After what was discussed in Chapters 2 and 3. This means that the events of Chapters 2 and 3 must take place first and then Chapter 4 follows.
In other words, the set of Chapters 1, 2, and 3 must also include Chapter 4. I have for several years considered the dividing line to be between Chapters 3 and 4, but it appears to be between Chapters 4 and 5. So the first sets of Chapters in the BofR is:
1) Chapters 1-4
2) Chapters 5-7
3) Chapters 8-11
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Post by boraddict on Dec 20, 2021 21:47:48 GMT -6
I would like to share the third start point. And to recap, the first start point was Rev. 1:1 and John shares that this message began with him being contacted by the Savior (Rev. 1:10) wherein he, John, was to write to the churches which he does in Chapters 2 and 3. This was followed by the second start point at Rev. 4:1 that was a continuation of the message and that after these events of Chapters 2 and 3 was the events of Chapter 4. Basically Chapters 2 and 3 were providing instruction about how we come to the open door that begins at Chapter 4. Then within Chapter 4 we see unfolding events with interactions between the Savior and the saints because of the open door IMO.
There are links throughout Chapter 4 with the most prominent being the sea of glass in Rev. 4:6 that links to Rev. 15:2. This link shows that the events pertaining to the sea of glass occur after the beast has been destroyed. Another prominent link is the crowns in Rev. 4:10 that links to Rev. 19:12 which shows the Savior with the many crowns verifying that "The Lord" that is worthy is the Savior. Then we go into Chapter 5 with the message of how the Savior is worthy at Rev. 5:9. And as you can see, He was worthy to take the scroll from God the Father (Rev. 5:1) because He gave his life (v. 5:6).
So the basic concepts up to and including Chapter 5 are:
1) John is contacted by the Savior to share a message with the churches.
2-3) The Churches are saints that are told how to embrace the open door.
4) After they embrace the open door and interact with the Savior then they are with the Savior.
5) The reason they are with the Savior is because he was worthy to resurrect them which is what the seals are about; they confine the saints over the seven 1,000 year periods of time to eternal death via the judgment upon Adam IMO.
I had thought that the division was between Chapters 4 and 5 but again the subject flows between these chapters. One point of interest is that at Rev. 5:2 the individual interacting with John is no longer The Savior but an angel. This seems to be a transition point that is a result of Rev. 1:1 wherein the angel is tasked with showing John the vision. Thus, the angel is clearly showing John the vision at Verse 5:2 with the question of who can open the seals; who can free the people from the condemnation of death. John weeps because no one is found who can free the souls of man from this judgment (Rev. 5:3-4).
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Post by boraddict on Dec 21, 2021 13:38:15 GMT -6
Continuing from my previous post is Chapter 6 that is dynamic compared to the previous chapters. Again, John is in spirit as continued from Rev. 4:2, and this is his second reporting of being in the spirit; the first was at Rev. 1:10. So what appears to exist is separate times that John is interacting with the Savior and his angel in what might be out of body events. And, we are in the second event that started in Rev. 4:1 where John was invited to come up through the open door. I have been calling these "start times" but that may not be as accurate.
So in Chapter 6 at Rev. 6:1 we see that John is either viewing back to the time that the Savior opened the seals, or that the Savior is opening the seals as John is watching. I have considered these unfolding events both ways but for this exercise I think the second is preferred. Keep in mind that the Savior started the visions when he began speaking to John at Rev. 1:10 and Rev. 4:1 and then the angel was interacting with John at Rev. 5:2. And, as shown in Rev. 1:1 there are only four individuals interacting that are, God the Father, Lord Jesus, the angel, and John. From this and the fact that only Lord Jesus and the angel have been interacting with John thus far in the vision, then one of the four beasts of Rev. 6:1 is either Jesus or the angel. I hope that you can see this that the four of Rev. 1:1 are the four of Rev. 4:7. Thus, the one tasked with showing John the vision at Rev. 1:1 is now showing John the vision at Rev. 6:1. And as I said before, the seals of Chapter 6 represent two things the first of which is the six one thousand year periods of time that that mankind is condemned to eternal death, that Lord Jesus has freed mankind from through the atonement, and secondly the events leading to the 1st resurrection here in the Book of Revelation.
As you can see there is no other start times for the vision other than the two in Chapters one and four, that is, until we arrive at Rev. 10:8. And, it is here that John receives instruction again from Lord Jesus and then from the angel at Rev. 10:9. As you can see, the vision is over at this point in Chapter 10, or rather, the vision has paused while these three individuals interact with one another. After this interaction John is again seeing the vision or he is simply stating prophetic facts. I think the latter is correct that the vision that started at Rev. 4:2 has ended at Rev. 10:6 and from that point on John interacts with the Savior and the angel, followed by stating prophetic facts in Chapter 11 up to Rev. 11:11, or somewhere in that vicinity. That is, from Verse 10:9 to Verse 11:11 is a pause wherein John is told to prophecy and he does prophecy about the temple and the two witnesses. Then, at the end of that prophecy John once again begins viewing the vision that started at Rev. 4:2. So, the following appears to be the case:
1-3, John is told to write to the saints and he gives them the Savior's message
4-10:9, John reports the vision that he sees
10:10 - 11:11, an intermission wherein John interacts with the Savior and angel and is told to prophesy and he does concerning the temple and two witnesses
11:12- 11:19, John reports the remainder of the vision.
Post Script: Although there are the two start points at Rev. 1:10 and Rev. 4:1 and the vision pause at Rev. 10:7-11:11, there is also a pause at Rev. 5:2-5 wherein John weeps. Additionally, there are occasional instructions from one to another such as the interactions between John and the angel (IMO) at Rev. 6:1, 3, 5, 7, 7:13-17, and the interaction between one of the four horns (Rev. 1:1, 4:7, 9:13) and the sixth angel who releases the four (Rev. 9:14) that had been stayed at Rev. 7:1-3. Basically this means that although John is seeing the vision, he is also interacting with the Savior and the angel as designated in Rev. 1:1, as well as watching these individuals and others interacting with one another in the vision. However, the interactions with John are limited to the Savior and the angel from Verse 1:1. The elder at Rev. 7:13 that is interacting with John is one of the four beasts from Rev. 5:6 that in that verse is also called an elder. That is, the elder speaking with John in Verse 7:13 is the angel that has been designated to show John the vision in Verse 1:1. In short, John does not interact with anyone but the Savior and that angel throughout the entire book.
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Post by boraddict on Dec 24, 2021 0:54:53 GMT -6
The Gospel According to John is referenced in Rev. 1:2 as having three parts:
1) who bore witness to the word of God (Chapter 1)
2) and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, (Chapter 21)
3) even to all that he saw. (Chapters 2-22)
Likewise, in his second book that is The Book of Revelation, it is referenced in Rev. 1:19 as having three parts:
1) Write therefore the things that you have seen, (Chapter 1)
2) those that are (Chapter 22)
3) and those that are to take place after this (Chapters 2-21)
This association can be seen in the chapter chiasmus as follows:
v. 1:1
v. 1:2
vv. 1:3-18
v. 1:19
v. 1:20
And this association between Verses 2 and 19 in the chiasmus shows that they are parallel verses.
Since the three parts of Rev 1:2 in reference to The Gospel According to John are: the beginning of the book, the ending of the book, and all things between the beginning and ending, then the same should be true for Verse 1:19. That, it shows the beginning, then the ending, and then all things between the beginning and ending.
I do not know how to interpret the link between Rev. 1:1 and Rev. 1:20 but it is there. Perhaps it is showing four parts of Verse 20 to correspond to the four individuals of Verse 1 and nothing more than that; just to highlight the number 4.
God the Father, God the Son, angel, John that show the 4 individuals, and correspondingly in Verse 20 is seven stars, angels of seven churches, seven candlesticks, seven churches. I have noticed the number 4 repeated quite often in scripture and it was one of the markers that I looked for to prove the work of Denver Snuffer to be false.
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Post by boraddict on Dec 25, 2021 8:23:28 GMT -6
Interestingly, Rev. 22:11 shows 4 states of being that are:
1) Let the evildoer still do evil,
2) and the filthy still be filthy,
3) and the righteous still do right,
4) and the holy still be holy
And, by the way, this verse is the center of the chapter and this is easy to see by looking at the parallel verses on either side of Verse 22:11 as follows:
vv. 22:1-8
Rev. 22:9, the angel states that he is a fellow servant and "Worship God"
Rev. 22:10, the time is at hand
v. 22:11, Chapter center
Rev. 22:12, I come quickly
Rev. 22:13, I am Alpha and Omega
vv. 22: 14-22
I mention this because the verse is showing that those doing evil will continue to do evil, and those who are filthy will continue to be filthy; however, those who are righteous will continue to do what is right, and the holy will continue to be holy. This distinction is between those who are following Christ; because, like John's gospel work, this book is to those who have a testimony of Christ and this is shown in Chapters 1-3. It means that some followers of Christ are being evil, while others are filthy, or righteous, or holy.
Since our primary instruction from the BofR is in Chapters 2 and 3 (IMO) then those followers of Christ who open the door as referenced in Rev. 4:1 are holy by virtue of following the instructions in those two chapters. And, it appears to me that the book is a call for the followers of Christ to become holy.
Anyone following the instructions in Chapters 2 and 3 has the door opened to them and is a holy person. However, most people can not reach this level of commitment; to move beyond the casual (Rev. 3:16) to the zealous (Rev. 3:19).
Post Script: A friend of mine shares with me that Ephesus (Rev. 2:1-7) is praised by the Lord but they are slipping into idolatry. That, anything that takes the devotion of the followers from the Lord is idolatry. The Lord warns the church to repent of their idolatry or they will be cut off. My friend continues that the great appeal of paganism today is idolatry and materialism.
2) My friend continues that Smyrna (Rev. 2:8-11), was a port city with much trade, and was a wealthy city but the saints there were financially poor. That many of the Jews who were not converts in turn corrupted those Jews who were converts. So much in fact that these saboteurs had a hand in killing Polycarp in 155 AD, who had been among other things bishop of the church in Smyrna. The Lord has nothing bad to say about the saints in Smyrna.
3) Pergamos, (Rev. 2:12-17), according to my friend, was the capital of the province of Asia until the third century and the Savior calls it Satan's seat.
4) With regard to Thyatira (Rev. 2:18-29), I am told that this church made concessions to accommodate both the government and it's idols by participating in the more-or-less official social and ritual activities of the state.
5) Sardis (Rev. 3:1-6) and here the Lord has little to say that is good; the church is spiritually dead but some of it's members have a chance.
6) Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7-13), and here the reference to the Key of David is used; the power to open and shut doors. There is a lot to this portion of Chapter 3 because it leads to the open door in Chapter 4.
7) My friend tells me that Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-22) was a great banking center. It is here that the people of wealth are told to buy from the Savior.
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