Synopsis of Bible Study 8/23/17

Delivered by Bishop Walker III

Rev 12:11  says , “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”

Introduction

1. Before we start in this study, let us examine who the disciples were and how they died. How did the disciples die?

• Peter – Simon, AKA Peter: Simon-Peter, who was appointed by Jesus the leader of the new sect, is viewed by Roman Catholics as the first pope, was eventually martyred in Rome during the reign of the emperor Nero. As the story goes, Peter asked to be crucified upside down, so that his death would not be the equal of Jesus and the Romans supposedly obliged.
• Andrew, According to 15th Century religious historian Dorman Newman, Andrew—the brother of Peter—went to Patras in western Greece in 69 AD, where the Roman proconsul Aegeates debated religion with him. Aegeates tried to convince Andrew to forsake Christianity, so that he would not have to torture and execute him. But when that didn’t work, apparently he decided to give Andrew the full treatment. Andrew was scourged, and then tied rather than nailed to a cross, so that he would suffer for a longer time before dying. Andrew lived for two days, during which he preached to passersby.
• James , son of Zebedee, known by James the Greater, was killed with a sword. In Acts 12:1-19, James was jailed by a newly-appointed governor of Judea, Herod Agrippa, who had decided to persecute leaders of the new sect. After James was arrested and led to place of execution, and his unnamed accuser repented and was converted on the spot, because he was moved by James bravery. As result, he requested to be crucified next to him. Both were beheaded simultaneously.
• Phillip the first of Jesus’ disciples, became a missionary in Asia. Eventually, he traveled to the Egyptian city of Heliopolis, where he was scourged, thrown into prison, and crucified in 54 AD.
• Bartholomew, Bartholomew supposedly preached in several countries, including India, where he translated the Gospel of Matthew for believers. In one account, “impatient idolaters” beat Bartholomew and then crucified him, while in another, he was skinned alive and then beheaded.
• Thomas, preached the gospel in Greece and India, where he angered local religious authorities, who martyred him by running him through with a spear.
• Matthew, According to legend, the former tax collector turned missionary was martyred in Ethiopia, where he was supposedly stabbed in the back by an swordsman sent by King Hertacus, after he criticized the king’s morals.
• James, son of Alphaeus, known as James the lessor. According to Foxe, James, who was elected by his fellow believers to head the churches of Jerusalem, was one of the longest-lived apostles, perhaps exceeded only by John. At the age of 94, he was beaten and stoned by persecutors, and then killed him by hitting him in the head with a club.
• Thaddeus, AKA Lebbaeus– According to several stories, he was crucified at Edessa (the name of cities in both Turkey and Greece) in 72 AD.Judah, hung himself.
• John, was to be sent to an island to die a slow death. John was the only one of the original disciples not to die a violent death. Instead, he passed away peacefully on the island of Patmos in his old age, sometime around 100 AD.While he was there, he wrote the book of Revelation.
• Simon the Canaanite AKA the Zealot: Simon preached in Mauritania on the west coast of Africa, and then went to England, where he was crucified in 74 AD.
• Judas Iscariot: According to Matthew 27:3-6, the treacherous apostle quickly felt remorse over his betrayal of Jesus and went to the Temple to recant. When the high priests ignored his plea, he threw down the 30 pieces of silver that he had been paid, and went off and hanged himself. But Acts 1:15-20, gives a different and even grislier version of Judas’ demise. He says that Judas used the blood money to purchase a piece of land and then fell headlong from a high place there, so that “he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.” Jerusalem residents subsequently named the place Aceldama, which means “the field of blood.”

Interesting facts about Revelation

1. The Book of Revelation is written by John. It was written to the 7 churches of Asia.
   1. Revelation 1:1 (NKJV) 1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, – This was during the time of martyrs. Those who were apostles were being killed to detour others from become followers.
2. Revelation means apocalypse which means to be revealed, to be enlightened, manifestation, coming, and appearing.
3. The book of Revelation is a difficult book to read, because of all the symbolism found within it.
4. In this book, what you encounter is an accurate portrayal of what happened to John and what is about to happen to the world.
5. Also in this, evil will sometimes look like it is winning, but be assured that God wins in the end.
6. Revelations is the 27th book of the New Testament.
7. Revelation contains several sets of sevens:
   1. The Seven Churches of Asia (1:9-3:22)
   2. The Seven Seals (5:1 -8:5)
   3. The Seven Trumpets (8:6 – 11:19)
   4. The Seven Significant Signs (12:1 – 14:20)
   5. The Seven Last Plagues (15:1 – 16:21)

8. Christians often use Revelation as a good book to tell about the end of time and the inevitable

Revelation of Christ

• Revelation 1:9-10 (NKJV) 9 I, John, both[a] your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, – John was in the spirit. He wanted us to know that he was not dreaming.
  • The voice sounded like a trumpet. – Trumpet or sound in the Bible always indicates a shift or move of God. John says he heard a voice that sounded like a trumpet sound, behind him.
• Revelation 1:11 (NKJV) says 11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and,[a] “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia:[b] to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” – First we have to ask the question, where was the voice? The answer is, it was behind him. John says, it sounded like a trumpet.
• John went further to say that the voice said He was, “I am”. You have to go to Exodus to really appreciate the magnitude of this statement.
  • God never called himself Jehovah Jireh. It was the people who did, because God did provide. Remember Moses says to God in Exodus 3:13-14, “Who should I say sent me?” “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”- This is the same “I AM” that is standing behind John.
• His name is Jesus Christ, the anointed one. He was born and given the name Jesus. His name really preceded his mother. Even though Mary gave him birth, Jesus was really older than her. – Remember the scripture says in John 1:1 (NKJV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Jesus was here, before his mother was even created.
• Jesus started giving hints as to who he was. He says things, like: “I am the true vine” and “I am the way, the truth, and the life”. This same “I AM’ in exodus is the same “I AM” that is behind John.
• Revelation 1:11a (NKJV) says 11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and,[a] – God is saying, “I am the one that jumped everything off”! He was He was and is all things that are and everything that happened after Him. He is the Omega, meaning he is the final act. God goes further to let John know that there are some things that he was going to see that is going to happen in later days that may trouble him. By God saying that he was the Omega, God was saying that whatever happens in between, know that He controls how it ends up. If God starts it, can’t nobody finish it but him!

1. God gives John the Command to Write.
   1. God tells John to write what he saw. He instructs him to write it just like he saw it and send it to the 7 churches of Asia.
2. The Vision of the Glorious Lord
   1. We find out that John saw things. God showed them to him. Revelation 1:2-3 (NKJV) 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.- Jesus is going to give John a prophecy. If there was ever any prophecy you believe is going to happen, you need to believe this one.
   2. John greets the churches. Revelation 1:4-5 (NKJV) 4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed[a] us from our sins in His own blood,- When Jesus died, he gave the dominion back that we lost in the Garden of Eden.
   3. God is the one who transcends time. He Is!
   4. The In-ness of God is to reconcile the was-ness of God. This is to reconcile that Jesus actually lived on earth. Throughout history, you have to admit that there is a Jesus that walked the earth and who was crucified. Even if you are not spiritual, you have to recognize that this is an historical fact. Spiritual believers however, believe further. We believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead.
   5. He is not just the is God and was God, He is the God to come. He is coming back again!
   6. What would you do if there was a voice behind you that sounded like a trumpet? Guess what John saw when he turned around? John saw this glorified image.
      1. John saw 7 golden lamp stands. He also saw someone that looked like the Son of God. Revelation 1:12-16 (NKJV) 12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.- Imagine turning around and seeing the glory of God like this.
         1. Being somewhat a trained Theologian, Bishop lets us know that he is supposed to warn us about emotion interpretation. The pictures that we see of a white Jesus with blue eyes and the black Jesus with a Jerry Curl are both incorrect images of Jesus Christ. If you look at the region that came from, you would know that Jesus wouldn’t look like either of these images that we argue about. More importantly, neither of these matter. This is much bigger than getting hung up on what Jesus looks like. This is about God’s glory, not His ethnicity.
         2. Jesus on one occasion said he was living water. He said another time, if we drink of his water, we would never thirst again. It is so much bigger than what we think. When John saw Him, he had to fall down as one dead. Revelation 1:17-18 (NKJV) 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me,[a] “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.- God told John not to be afraid. If you go back to Genesis, when Adam and Eve fell, Satan beguiled the woman. As a result the Devil came in control and took control over death. When Jesus died on the cross, he went to hell and snatched up the keys from the devil. What the devil used to have control over, he no longer has control of.
         3. Revelation 1:19-20 (NKJV) says 19 Write[a] the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. 20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw[b] are the seven churches.

The First Letter: To the Church of Ephesus

• Ephesus was influential because it was located by water which made it important to commerce.

1. The works of the Church of Ephesus

Revelation 2:2-3 (NKJV) says 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.

1. There are three things noted in the letter to the Ephesian church that Christ knows:
   1. Their deeds
   2. Their hard work
   3. Their preservice.
      1. These good things were noted about this church, but the problem God had with them was they had left their first love. – God said, “You are good with your hands but you heart is not where your hands are.

The Second Letter: To the Church of Smyrna

• Smyrna was located north of Ephesus.
• Revelation 2:8-9 (NKJV) says 8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

1. The Struggle over Identity
   1. This church was in a poor area. Even though they didn’t have an economic base, they were rich in their spiritual life. God said that they we’re going to need their spirituality, because of the things that were going to happen. Revelation 2:10-11 (NKJV) 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until 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. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”’ – God warns that this church would have to go through some stuff. He warns them to be faithful unto death. You will never be faithful, until you move past being faithful, until… Let nothing separate you from the love of God.
   2. God promised that if they would overcome, they would not be hurt by the second death.

The Third Letter: To the Church of Pergamum

1. The Location of Satan’s Throne
   1. Pergamum was located in what was known as Satan’s Throne. In this church, they were right in the heart of sin. Revelation 2:13 (NKJV) 13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
2. The Lessons by Opposing Teachers
   1. Revelation 2:14-15(NKJV) 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.[a]- We have to reference Numbers 25 to understand this. There was teaching separating God’s people from him. It was the teaching of Balaam. The problem God really had was, He couldn’t tell a difference between the Balaam worshippers and people that worshiped God. For example, in worship they looked like they were worshiping God, but after that, when intermingling with others, they didn’t look like they knew who God was.

Conclusion

1. Revelation 1:3 (NKJV) 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.- The most important thing is we understand intimacy. The things we are about to explore in this study of Revelations is all of these things are going to come to pass.
2. Monday, during the Total Eclipse, everyone was looking up in awe of God. Matthew 24:36 (NKJV) says 36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven,[a] but My Father only., what we are going to learn, the day we are talking about, non one knows . Even the angels in heaven. – God is going to come back, and no one knows when or where, but when he returns, we should be in the same posture as we were during the Total Eclipse. We should be looking in awe towards the hills, waiting for His return.