Revelation Part III, Bible Study 07/20/11

Posted on July 26, 2011 by growintheword

Revelation Part III

Synopsis of Bible Study 7/20/11

Delivered by Bishop Walker III

Please note that John gets a glimpse of what heaven currently looks like. Remember that the angels said that these are things that are and that will come to pass.

The vision of around the throne

  1. Trumpet voice – Revelation 4:1 says 1After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. – The trumpet represents that of warning or war.
  2. The one on the throne – Revelation 4:2 says 2And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. – “One” that is mentioned in this scripture, represents God who sits on the throne.
  3. He on the throne was look like jasper and sardine. Revelation 4:3 says 3And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.  – Jasper and sardine is a bright red and purple crystal. They both symbolize authority. Most Bishops wear these colors, because it represents ecclesiastical authority. The rainbow represents the covenant between Noah and God.
  4. 24 seats/24 elders – Revelation 4:4 says 4And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.  – .There 24 seats or thrones are placed around the one throne. 24 elders set on those thrones placed around the one throne. Matthew 27:51-53 says 51And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 52And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Ephesians 4:8 says 8Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.  – So from these two scriptures, we see that the 24 elders are some of those that were raised at Christ’s resurrection that he took back with him when he went back to the right hand of the Father. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 says  7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. – This scripture talks about a crown of righteousness. It represents a reward for labor for all the tribulations that the 24 elders had gone through. They had white robes and crown for their labor.
  5. Thundering, lightning, and voices from around the throne- Revelation 4:5 says 5And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. Remember Ezekiel 1:14 says 14And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning. Ezekiel 10:5 says 5And the sound of the cherubims’ wings was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of the Almighty God when he speaketh.  – The lightning and thundering went on when the angels moved. Returning to Revelation 4:5, it says there were 7 lamps. The number 7 means completion. The fire represents the complete glory of God. Now before explain verse 6, we must review. Just to recap, the bible says that at the throne there is One on the throne (God), he looks like red (sardine) and purple (jasper) representing authority. There are 24 seats or thrones around the throne and there are 24 elders who sat upon these thrones. They have crowns on their head for there labor and they have on white robes.
  6. Sea of glass – Revelation 4:6 says 6And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. – The Greek word for glass deals with transparency. You could see your reflection when you close to the throne. When you get close to the throne, you see who you really are. This will bring you to a place of humility rather than a place of pride.
  7. The 4 Beasts – Revelation 4:7-8 says 7And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. 8And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, LORD God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. – There 4 living creatures around the throne. They are four beasts. They have eyes in front and behind them. The first creature had a face like a lion and had an angelic human like body. The second beast had the face of a calf. The third beast had a face like a man. The fourth had a face like that of a flying eagle. When Israel was divided into 4 groups, each had a standard symbol. Judah was the lion. Ruben was the man. Ephraim was the Ox or calf and Dan was the Eagle.
    1. Lion stands for kingship or Rulership of Christ. The Ox stands for servant. The Man face stands for humanity. The eagle stood for divinity. These heads represented each symbol of the 4 groups that Israel was divided into.
    2. Each beast had eyes in front and back. There are 4 gospels. All four gospel writers wrote what they saw happen in the Ministry of Jesus Christ. Matthew depicted Jesus as King of kings, Mark depicted Jesus as a servant (the Ox), Luke depicted Jesus’ humanity (man- Ex- the prodigal son), and John depicted Jesus’ divinity. Matt, Mark, Luke start out talking of Jesus being born of Mary, but John starts out explaining that in the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God. Jesus reminds the disciples in the Gospel of John, that he is the way the truth and the life. These 4 beast represent the 4 gospels proclaimed in the earth.
  8. The Beasts worship – Revelation 4:8-10 says 8And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, LORD God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 9And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 10The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, – These beast are cherubim angels. The worship God day and night and to not sleep. The Elders cast their crowns before the throne when they worship as if to say, these crowns mean nothing when giving glory to God. Like the elders, we must lay down our crown when your give glory to God. We were only created to give God glory. Ex- Look at the throne room. In its description, it shows you what God was used to. It is glory, glory and holy, holy all day long; yet we want God to leave that atmosphere just to come down and tolerate us in our mess. Around his throne, the scripture says they worship him and rest not.
  9. The Seven Seals – Revelation 5:1-9 says 1And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. 2And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 4And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 5And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 6And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. 7And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 8And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; – We are talking about Christ. This powerful scene was that Jesus was the only one worthy to loose the seals, because he walked the earth without sin. Something happened that will change your perspective on how you live your life. We are between Revelations chapter 5-6 now in this day and time. Revelation is unfolding as we speak. Christ has taken the scroll and is about to release the seals.

The Rapture

  1. 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 says 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.  – This scripture is talking about your loved ones who died in the Lord (those who sleep in Jesus). Paul brings clarity to this in the next scripture. 1 Corinthians 15:51-55 says 51Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? – At some point in the future (nobody knows the day or time) the trumpet will sound. 2 people will be in the field and one will be taken. Those who died in the Lord will be raised first. They will be raised in incorruption and immortality (There spirit will be reunited with their body, but with incorruption this time). Those who remain will be changed immediately and we will be caught up and the Lord will meet us in the air and we will be able see who is left behind on earth. The wicked will be left on the earth.
  2. Ways in viewing the rapture
    1. Amillennialist – They believe God’s promises regarding the end time is only a figure of speech and will not literally be fullfilled.
    2. Premillennialist- They believe that Christ will return to the earth prior to his literal 1000yr on the earth. There are 3 groups of this premillennialist.
  1.                                                                i.      Post-tribulationists- They believe rapture will not occur until 7 yrs of tribulation.
  2.                                                              ii.      Mid-tribulationists- They believe that 3 1/2 yrs into the tribulation, the rapture will occur. This means that the righteous would be involved in the tribulation until half way, and then they will be raptured.
  3.                                                             iii.      Pre-tribulationists- They believe God will get the righteous out first and only the ungodly will go through this tribulation. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 says 9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, – The wrath that is coming is only appointed for the unsaved.
  1. Jesus speaks an amazing revelation in the gospels. Revelation is progressively unfolding things. We see in the earth that which was prophesized by Christ, but these things are only symbols of things to come.
  2. Hubris is a Greek word meaning pride. Pride goes before destruction. The thing that happens at the end of the day will be do to man’s pride. He will contribute to his own demise.
  3. Matthew 24:3-8 says 3And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8All these are the beginning of sorrows.   – The disciples wanted to know how they would know when it would be time for Jesus to come back. This (these signs) is just a precursor, says Jesus. We will see these things play out. People are running to find food in Somalia today (like the famines mentioned) is just a precursor.

Rev 6 – The 4 horses

  1. These 4 horses will be powerful. When the rapture comes, they will usher in something.
    1. White horse– This stands for Religious deception.
    2. Red horse– It is a symbol of war.
    3. Black Horse – This one represents famine.
    4. Pale horse – This represents pestilence.
  2. Believers will be caught up when the rapture comes. Those who died in the Lord will be caught up. The Wicked will be left behind when the tribulation begins.

Seals

  1. 1st seal – White horse– Anti Christ- Revelation 6:1-2 says 1And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. 2And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. – People rising up to lead people astray. It is all about the leaders. They will think he (the Anti Christ) has come to save them, but he has come deceive them.
  2. 2nd seal- Red horse– This is a symbol of war. Revelation 6:3-4 says3And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. 4And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. – He has been there from the beginning. He lets brothers kill each other and there will be holy wars. They think they are fighting for God. The closer we get to this, note it is still not the end. When this starts we will see a mighty war. As we are speak, you might notice that we are letting nuclear war heads get into the wrong hands now. Remember that man will contribute to his own demise.
  3. 3rd seal- Black horse– Famine. Revelation 6:5-6 says5And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. 6And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. -The famine that you see now; how can one country spend enough on a war that could end famine for a year in another country? What it takes for one week salary, during this time, will only pay for one meal. He will disrupt the commerce of the land. Man will be stumbling over each other just to try and get something to eat. Man brought this on himself.
  4. 4th seal- Pale Horse -Death. Revelation 6:7-8 says 7And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. 8And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. – He was to the pestilence in the earth. Unusual viruses will enter the earth during this time. Even with our best efforts, there will be diseases that can’t be explained.
  5. 5th seal- Revelation 6:9-12 says 9And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. – Under the altar where the throne was, those souls that had been slain in the name of the word of the Lord, wanted their blood avenged, but they were given white robes (rewards) and told to go back and rest a little while longer.
  6. 6th seal- Earthquakes– Revelation 6:12-18 says 12And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; 13And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. 14And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? – Some people see events and say these things that are happening are coincidental. We have all this unusual stuff coming on. It is leading to the great earthquake. God is trying to shack things up and trying to get you to get your life together. When this earthquake comes, the sky will roll back. Everything will be moved out from its place. People will run to try and hide themselves. All the folk that had great power that are not saved will run and try and hide themselves. We allowed our Hubris (pride) to think we could do it our own way. All we had to do is surrender to the Lord. On that day, there won’t be any hiding places. Who will be able to stand? If you can, you need to thank God that you are saved. We can’t open 7, because it opens untold horrors and secrets. Everything was created to give God glory. When the trumpet sounds the king is coming.

 

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Revelation Part II, Bible Study 07/13/11

Posted on July 19, 2011 by growintheword

Revelation Part II

The 7 churches of Asia Minor (laying a foundation)

Synopsis of Bible Study 07/13/11

Delivered by Bishop Walker III

 

Remember that the book of Revelations is progressive. We are still seeing it unfold day by day. When we are looking at history, church history in particular, we have to look at the events that happened and see them in particular. We call them dispensation or periods (chunks) of time where God is revealing certain things to the body of Christ.

The 7 churches of Asia Minor and their descriptions

Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea

  1. Ephesus – Means first or desirable. It was kind of known as the influential capital of the city Asia Minor. It was also known to be huge metropolis or place of commerce. Looking at this church is like seeing the church (as a body) in its purest apostolic state that a church could be in. When we say apostolic we mean that when the Disciples became Apostles after Jesus ascended and established the churches, we see the Holy Spirit descending on the people where they gathered just as it did in Acts 2:1-4. As a result, they began to speak in tongues and lots of gifts began to manifest in the early church. This was the church that was first and desirable. Acts 2:1-4 where says 1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
  2. Smyrna – Myrrh or sweet smelling savor. This was a poverty church that survived martyrdom. To be a martyr was to be someone who died for the cause. This church was also a powerful trading spot. It had a sea harbor. If you were to look for it today it would be found around Izmir Turkey. They were known for making Myrrh which was a healing ointment for the dead. Myrrh was made by crushing and bleeding a plant at the same time. Myrrh tasted bitter, but smelled sweet (also called a sweet smelling savor).
  3. Pergamum – Means Height or Elevation. This was a church mixed with lots of mixed church doctrines. It was built on a 1000 ft hill. This made it easy for them to defend themselves from their enemies.
  1. Thyatira – Means Savor or labor or sacrifice of contrition . It was known as the false church that followed the seductive prophetesses. Consisted of poor folk who were willing to sacrifice. God honored them for being willing to labor. They produced instruments of Brass and bronze. They also produced dyed cloth in scarlet and purple. What’s interesting about this is there was the  entrepreneurial woman in Acts 16:12-14 . It says 12And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days. 13And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. 14And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. –  This scripture tells us of a lady at a prayer meeting. The women were praying and this woman was an entrepreneur. She did very well, because she sold scarlet and purple cloth and linen at the church. When she heard Peter and Paul preach about Jesus, she got saved and went home and got her whole household saved.
  2. Sardis – This means Song of Joy or that which remains. It was known as the dead church that fell asleep.
  3. Philadelphia – Church of brotherly love. Known for variety of temples and worship centers they had.
  4. Laodicea – A just people or people being judged. They were known as the lukewarm church. It was a hub for the Roman Water System. It was strategically located.

What is more important was where these church wasn’t located

  1. None of these churches were in the land of Israel. They were not associated with Israel either. AD90 is about the time.
  2. Jerusalem had been wiped out and the temple was destroyed. God is not dealing with Israel as nation anymore. At this time he is dealing with them as a church.
  3. Historically, everyone thought Jesus would come back only for the Jews.
  4. When God delivered the children from Egypt, they were his chosen people. When Paul writes in Romans 11:24-25: 24For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? 25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.- Here is saying that some people are still operating under the old system. , Romans 10:12: 12For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him., Galatians 3:28: 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.  – Things have shifted now. When you look from the New Testament, through the Apostolic Age, up until now, you have to know that God didn’t intend sexism, racism, or classism to ever be part of the church. Salvation was not just for the Jew, it was to the Gentiles too. Whosever will, let them come.
  5. When we say the church, we are not talking about physical building. They were places where they gathered to worship. AD 29-33 was the time period of Jesus’ ministry. Somewhere in there he speaks what Matthew records in verse 13.
  6. About the Parables:
    1. We have these 7 parables listed in Matthew 13. Parables were earthly stories that with spiritual meanings that were used by Jesus in his teachings.
    2. You have the Parable of Sower, the Parable of the Mustard seed, the Parable of the Leaven, the prophecy of Parables, the Parable of the Hidden Treasures, the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price, and the Parable of the Dragnet. The reason you have to study these 7 parables, written around AD90, 60yrs after Jesus walked this earth, you can line up what Jesus was referring to in these parables with the 7 churches of Asia Minor. For ex: The first parable was talking about the first church (Ephesus), the second parable was talking about the second church (Smyrna), and etc… In the parables, Jesus talks the churches to come in these parables, because he knew what they would become.
  7. About the Nicolaitans:

We will run into these people in Revelations Chapter 2, 14, and 15. The origin of the Nicolaitans is not exactly known. We do know that they were a sect that started in faith and then started teaching contrary towards to what they had been taught.

    1. The first school of thought says the Nicolaitans started following a Deacon named Nicolas. Acts 6:5 says 5And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: – This is a list of the 1st Century Deacons. This same school of thought says that Nicolas turned from the faith. His name means on who conquers people. This same school of thought explains that he took on the doctrines of Balaam or those of the Devil and taught Israel to eat food that was sacrificed to idols and to he taught them to sin by committing sexual immorality.
    2. Another train of thought is that is was not so much after Nicolas. The word Nicolas which suggests that they were encouraged to eat things sacrificed to idols. (tape).
    3. These false people led people into licentiousness. This is simply lewd behavior. Peter and Jude described this.  2 Peter 2:15 says 15Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 2 Peter 2:19 says 19While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. Jude 1:4 says 4For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. – He writes that certain men have gotten in and look just like you and I. Lewdness means to unrestrained by laws or general morality. This means having no boundaries.

A look at Each Church

Ephesus – Look at the time period AD time period which means the year of our Lord. Then look at the first 100yrs of church history and then the next 300, and the next 500yrs. These 7 churches represent time periods in history. We are talking about a literal church and literal things that were starting to unfold. When John writes about eh Ephesus prophecy (church), these were things that he was seeing right now. When we get to Smyrna, it represents what would happen in the next time period and so and so on until now.

  1. Ephesus – AD 33-100 –Revelation 2:1-7 says 1Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. 7He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.  – The stars mean angels or messengers. The lamp stand (candlestick) symbolizes God’s presence. Here we have a church who labors. They represent the first desirable. They did all these great things, but they left God. They were guilty of working for him, instead of with him. Ex- Just because you’re faithful and just because you are always present at church, doesn’t mean a thing. God can tell that you have moved. If you don’t repent he will remove the candlestick (remove his presence). Ever seen someone try to sing or preach with no candlestick? They will be trying their hardest, but God’s presence is not with them. When God removes his candlestick it means that God has fired you. God doesn’t save by works; he saves by faith lest any man would boast. This was a literal church, in a literal time period, but the implications permeate the church today.
  2. Smyrna– What does it mean?  It means Myrrh. Remember Myrrh which was a healing ointment for the dead and was extracted by crushing and bleeding a plant at the same time.  Revelation 2:8-10 says 8And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 9I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.- Here God is saying, if you overcome this, you will escape a 2nd death. God will not exempt you from suffering. You might be the church according to its description that was meant to suffer. Remember that crushing causes a sweet smelling savor. It is through the crushing that you get the best glory to God.
  3. Pergamum– This is the time period where paganism first came into the church. It was about AD 300-500. Pergamum is known as the compromising church. Revelation 2:12-13 says  12And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 13I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. – Satan’s seat was where paganism was. Here God explains that they were the church positioned in Satan’s territory. They saw people killed for the cause, yet they remained faithful. God says he still held the fact that they had followers of Balaam in there with them.

Revelation 2:15-17 says 15So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. 16Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. . – The Sword of his mouth. This is the word. During this church’s time period, we have witchcraft and paganism coming in. Ex- You will have churches positioned in Satan’s territorial dominion. There are churches that must remain faithful in that city and not to let Nicalaitanes pull people out of the church. It is important to know that Satan is territorial. This mean Satan assigns himself to certain territories.

  1. Thyatira –Revelation 2:18-29 says 18And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; 19I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 20Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 24But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. 25But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. 26And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 28And I will give him the morning star.29He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. –  – This covers the period around the 1500s. We are talking about Papal Supremacy. This is Roman Catholicism. It is an Apostolic succession of the Pope and how all of that comes down through history. They (Popes) see themselves in Apostolic bloodline succeeding Peter.

We know about the spirit of Jezebel in the Old Testament. The Spirit of Jezebel uses seduction to promote power. It is a spirit that has to be seen. It is important to know that this spirit does not just affect women. This spirit exists in men too. The bible calls it a false prophetess. She knows the word, uses seductive sexual persuasion to gain power or position or promote his or her agenda. This spirit will not accept rebuke. It is a spirit of rebellion which is witchcraft.

The scripture says he will kill her babies. Ex- This is mean figuratively. You will connect with this spirit and decide to birth this vision and God said he will kill it as soon as it is born, because the motivation of this vision was never right. This spirit exists even today. This is why the majority of great falls in Christian leadership has been sex. It doesn’t matter what your sexual preference is, this spirit wants you. This spirit applies to both genders. The craftiness is, you put stuff away and get closer and closer to God, and then the anxiety intensifies. This is why Satan don’t want you to worship because in worship you out of the flesh. If you really think about it, the majority of the struggle in this house (church) today is sex (not drugs, alcohol, and etc …). The only way you will overcome it is to know that Satan don’t want you, he wants you position.

  1. Sardius – Time period from the 1600s until 1700. Revelation 3:1-3 says 1And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. – Here God says he knows their works. God knew that there would be some people who wouldn’t defile themselves. He knew their works wasn’t perfect, but he knew they would strengthen those who remained in the faith and for these things, God said he would reward them.
  2. Philadelphia –  Remember this is the church of brotherly love. Revelation 3:7-11 says 7And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.9Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 10Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. – This represents the time period of the 1800s. It is the time period which the bibles were being printed. God says he would strengthen them by his word and strengthen those who overcome.
  3. Laodicea – All those other churches (1-6) have come to pass. Those churches were literal churches during literal seasons of time that have come to pass. Laodicea is the 7th church, the end of time church. It represents the time period of the 1700s until Jesus Christ comes back. This church represents the presents the current time now. We are in the Laodicea time zone. Revelation 3:14 says 14And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; – There will be no other time period after this. We are in this time period. In fact, we may be the generation that could see the coming of the Lord. No other time period could have said this, because the other time periods had to unfold first.

Revelation 3:15-21 says 15I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. – God says here is a church, now a contemporary church. This is us.

 

God says he knew we wouldn’t be all the way in or out (lukewarm) and this makes him sick. He says as a result, he will vomit us out of his mouth. He says we believe it is alright to have one foot in the world and one in the church and you have made it ok. God says every time he sees us like this, it makes him sick. He says we think it is alright to be full of the Holy Ghost one day and full of liquor the next. He says we have made our sins convenient enough to accommodate it.

 

God says we don’t want to hear sermons about conviction, holiness, or living right. We think that this would be judging us. We don’t want to hear the real word of God. We want to hear people talk about positive living and how everyone should be happy. God says we don’t want to hear anything about repenting and turning away from your wicked ways. We just want a positive message that tells about the house or car we are going to get. We don’t want anyone to tell us that we are living in sin and that we ought to repent and turn from our wicked ways! If they do, we will leave that church and find somebody to accommodate our sin because we are lukewarm!

 

We don’t even recognize that we have jobs making more money than anyone in our family has made. We have bigger cars and bigger churches and we don’t even realize that because of our dysfunction of satisfying our lukewarmness, why we are always depressed. We can’t figure out how we are in this big house, yet no one in it is speaking to each other. You don’t realize why your children can’t stand you, because they see you shout in church and curse each other out on the way home! God says we don’t even realize how dysfunctional we really are. He says he is telling us what to do. We have big churches, but little Christians. He tried to tell us to buy gold from him that was tried. We thought the tangible stuff was where it was at. This was prophesied in AD90. We are in 2011. We think our stuff adds value to us, because we are a stuffy generation. We are a name brand generation. We are so consumed with stuff, that we are in so much debt. God said he tried to tell us if we buy gold from him that is tried, it has been through some things. Gold has been tried by fire and like it, if we would go through some things, we would start reappropriating things in life and you will start thanking God for the thing money can’t buy, instead of the things money can buy. Then you will start giving God glory for his mercy and grace. Know that your car will fade away, your house, and your bling bling will fade away. There will be no UHaul behind your hearse when you die. What shall it prophet a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? Jesus says I love you so much, I could come at any moment. If he came tonight, some of us would be up the creek. He said that he loves us so much, that he stands at the door knocking. He knows the party is going on so loud, we don’t hear him. He says if we can turn the noise down and get all the seducing spirits out of our ear, maybe we will realize that the door. It is not in relationship or another drink. It is at the door. He says he is at the door knocking. He is not going to force his way in. If he comes like a thief, we won’t be ready. He just wants us to let him in and he will forget all things that we did. Like the thief on the cross, he says this day you can be with him in paradise. God is giving us time, this generation, time to get this thing right.

 

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Revelation Series Part I, Bible Study 07/06/11

Posted on July 19, 2011 by growintheword

Revelation Series Part 1

Laying the foundation

Synopsis of Bible Study 07/06/11

Delivered by Bishop Walker III

Dates and Times

  1. A.D. – Stands for Anno Domini which is Latin for “year of our Lord”. Stands for the number of years since Christ lived. 1 A.D. for example, stands for the year Christ was born. We are still in A.D. today.
  2. C.E. – Stands for Common Era. History books often refer to A.D. with this, C.E, because they try to shy away from religious references.
  3. The apostle John was the author of Revelation. In AD 28/30, he became a disciple. The death of Christ was in AD 33. In Rome, though it was a prosperous city, it was treacherous for Christians. They had rulers thought it no greater than to persecute Christians. They beheaded them, fed them to lions, and etc… One of those leaders was Nero who reigned from AD54-68. He was a Caesar in Rome. Note that Caesar is a title not name.
  4. The Destruction of the temple in Jerusalem occurred in  AD70
  5. Domitian reigned from AD 81-96

Interpreting

  1. When interpreting Revelation there are 4 views people use:
    1. Preterist – Suggests the events are historical events of the 1st Century.
    2. Idealist – They look at Revelations as a collection of allegories depicting good and evil.
    3. Historicist – Views Revelation as an over view of the churches’ history. They believe the events are past events and have already taken place.
    4. Futurist – it is a prophetic book to be taken literary. They believe these things will happen. Note that for this series, we will be teaching from a futuristic interpretation.

Meaning

  1. Revelation comes from the Greek word Apokylpsis or Apocalypse- It means disclosure, revelation, or manifestation. Deuteronomy 29:29 says 29The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. – We are saying like this scripture that Revelations is a comprehensive look revealing the manifestation of God. It is happening.

People’s views

  1. Syndical – They think that the things that are happening in comparison to Revelations is all coincidental.
  2. Spiritually discerning – There is a connection in events. These people think something is happening concerning all the tsunamis, dust storms, earthquakes, tornados and other events are occurring in today’s times.

Revelation chapter 1

Revelation 1:1-3 says 1The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 2Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 3Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. –  Revelations is a revelation of Jesus Christ, given to his servants of things that are coming to pass shortly.

God revealed himself by signals.

  1. God sent his angel to John. This angel was Gabriel, the angel of prophecy. Daniel 8:16 says 16And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. – Gabriel was that same angel that is mentioned in this scripture.
  2. The message comes from God, he gives it Jesus, it is put in signs and symbols, and then it is given to Gabriel who gives it to his servant John who in turn gives it to us by writing.
  3. John gives record of:
    1. The word of God
    2. A testimony of Jesus
    3. Everything that he saw
    4. When John wrote this, he makes no changes. He simply wrote what he saw. John wrote words based on the things he saw. 73 times, he writes of things he saw and 38 times he writes of the things he heard.
    5. Christians were mostly being persecuted in Rome. Paul writes a letter to the Romans found in  Romans 13:11-12 where it says 11And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. –  Paul is saying that these things are being revealed now. You can’t look at these events as single isolated spiritual events. It is a series of events that are unraveling collectively.
    6. We won’t know when the day is coming when Jesus is coming back, but the time is near or at hand. We are in that period of time right now. We could be the generation that sees the coming of the Lord.
    7. How do we know that we could be in the time where we could see Jesus’ return? The bible says that Jesus won’t come back until the gospel is preached in every crevice of the world. In this day and age, with internet and satellite TV, the gospel can be preached to any part of the world. This ought to tell you that It is time to wake up.
    8. Revelation 1:4-6 says 4John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 5And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. – Here John is talking to the 7 churches that existed in Asia Minor not Asia. In this scripture, John reveals:
      1. He is writing a literal letter to a literal church.
      2. He shows the time period of the Christian church until Christ’s return
      3. A look at our own Christian life.

Further explanation of Revelation 1:4-6

  1. 7 means completion.  God is moving through the church even today. Asia (talked about in Revelation) is the roman province of Asia: Republic of Turkey.
  2. Him who is who was and is to come. Why is this significant? Psalm 90 says 1Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. 2Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. – In other words, God is not in time. He is in eternity. John was there when Jesus was persecuted and crucified. He was also there when Jesus ascended back to heaven. John said the God who was, is now, and is to come.
  3. Science has to even acknowledge based on archeological evidence that there was a man named Jesus that lived back in the bible day. Even if you don’t believe that Jesus is the son of God, you cannot deny his existence, because science has proven it. He is he was and is coming.
  4. John says God is not bound by time and dates. This is why none can give a time when he is coming back.

7 attributes of the Holy Spirit

  1. The number 7 represent the fullness and the perfection of gifts operating in the lives of the believers.
  2. Isaiah 11:1-2 says 1And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; – Isaiah had a messianic prophecy. Here we get a glimpse of Isaiah prophesying about Jesus years before he comes.
    1. 7 spirits of the Lord:

i.      Spirit of the Lord

ii.      Spirit of wisdom.

iii.      Spirit of understanding.

iv.      Spirit of counsel.

v.      Spirit of might.

vi.      Spirit of knowledge.

vii.      Spirit of the fear of the Lord.

Jesus was the first begotten of the dead.

  1. Jesus was not the first raised from the dead, but he was the first begotten. There are two doctrines of resurrection.
    1. Resuscitation- Jairus daughter died and was raised from the dead, but she died again. The widow woman’s son died and was raised from the dead, but he died again. This implies that she was just resuscitated.
    2. Resurrection -Jesus died and is still alive today.
    3. Colossians 1:18 says 18And 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 the preeminence.  – He is the prince of the kings of the earth this earth. His domain was gotten back after Adam lost it.
    4. Ephesians 1:20-21 says 20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: – Remember when Adam and Eve sinned? Satan became the prince of this dimension at that time. When Jesus died, he took this authority back. When he died, we now get a packaged deal which is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. When you are saved, the devil is scared of you. Fear is what allows him to have authority over you. This is why the bible says greater works will we do. When Jesus comes back, he is coming for the church without spot or blemish. When he is talking about coming back for the church without spot or blemish, he is not talking about a sinless church. He was talking about the church that is operating the way he intended it too, with power manifested in the earth realm. The devils only weapon is to make you not know who are.

The Vision

Revelation 1:9 says 9I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. -John he has a companion. The 1st century is from the time period of A.D. 1-100. Many Christians were persecuted in public. Even in James 1:1 it says 1James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. – This scripture shows how James wrote to the scattered tribes. They were scattered because they were all on the run.

  1. Patmos-was a small island in the Aegean Sea. It was about 10miles long and 6 miles wide. It was a rocky and barren place. It was a penal place where they would send prisoners.  Remember Domitian the ruler in Rome? Well he was the one who sent John to this island after failing to boil John in oil.
  2. Those who sow righteousness are remembered. How many of you have heard of Domitian? How many of you have heard of John? Those who don’t aren’t. Proverbs 10:7 says 7The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot. – Hope somebody will remember me. Some people and some credible Theologians think that being in the environment that John was in, he had to be hallucinating when he saw these visions. Our argument to this is this, we have never heard of anyone hallucinating and journaling about it at the same time.
  3. Vision of Christ- Revelation 1:13-15 says 13And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. – You will short change yourself trying to argue the authenticity of Jesus from this verse. You need to lay the next scripture beside this one to really get the real picture. Daniel 10:5-6 says 5Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: 6His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.-What John saw was the same as what Daniel saw.
  4. Revelation 1:16 says 16And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. – 7 stars were in his right hand. The right hand is a position of power. 7 stars represent angels or messengers. The word aggelos ang’-el-os in the Greek means messenger whether human or divine, which means these stars represented messengers. John saw 7 stars in his right hand.
  5. Daniel 12:3 says 3And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. – Firmament is a space. People that do righteousness is called stars in the bible. If you look Jude 1:13, it says that those who sow wickedness, are called wandering stars who end up in darkness. Jude 1:13 says 13Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
  6. Revelation 1:16 says 16And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
  7.  – He had 7 stars and out of his mouth a twoedged sword which means it could cut you or bless you. The Greek word suggests that starring at God was like starring at the most direct point of the sun. This means he only saw a glimpse of God’s glory, because no one can stare at the sun. Revelation 1:17 says 17And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: – John explains that the sight of God was so powerful, it knocked him down as of he was dead. Noone can stand the sight of God’s Glory.

The revelation has begun.

Malachi 4:2 says 2But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. Remember Matthew 17:2 when it says 2And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light- Jesus was transfigured before the disciples. Jesus’ face shone as the sun.

  1. Paul who was Saul killed Christians in the 1st century. He testified in Acts 9, a light hit him and blinded him on Damascus Rd. He says he heard a voice say why are you persecuting me. Saul asked who he was persecuting and the voice said, “This is Jesus”.  This mean his experience with Jesus’ glory was brighter than the sun.
  2. Genesis 1:5 says 5And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. –  God separated day from the night. Later in the scripture, the bible says God put the sun in sky. Genesis 1:14-15 says 14And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: 15And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.- his means the light was present before the sun and moon was present. This further illustrates that God’s glory brought light before the sun even shinned. Remember him saying he was the light of the world. When they crucified Jesus, the moon dripped in blood & the sun refused to shine. When you have an experience with God’s glory, it will knock you to your feet.
  3. Revelation 1:17 says 17And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: – God took his right hand and laid it on John and told him that he was the first and the last. In other words, God says to John in other words, “I am he that got this thing started.” God spoke it and it was and he was that word. He is the first and the last, he is about to rap this thing up. He started it and can’t nobody else finish it but him.
  4. Revelation 1:18 says 18I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. – God says he has the keys to hell and death and he tells John that he needs him to tell the saints. Ex – When Adam & Eve were placed in garden, they were placed in a perfect environment destined to live forever. Death came in where it was never supposed to be, because Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit. God sent his prophets and they laughed and did not listen.  He sent Noah the flood and John the Baptist and no one listened. He finally sent his son and Jesus  said whosever will let him come. God sent Jesus, because he loved the world. We are not just trying to live, we want eternal life.
  5. Jesus dies and he snatches the keys and he appears to John and says tell them not be afraid no more. Hebrews 2:14-15 says 14Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. – Because I am saved, I don’t have to fear death, because death for the believer is not death. Saved people go from eternity back to eternity. We go back to live with him. We don’t die, we sleep.
  6. There is one enemy left. 1 Corinthians 15:25-26 says 25For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. – God created a perfect environment where man could live forever in his will. God communicated with Adam without prophet. They had a direct line to God. There was no struggle or pain. It was heaven. Sin contaminated it. Christ redeemed us. When Christ comes back, we won’t go to heaven. Heaven will come to us. Fret not your loved ones who have gone on, who love the Lord or who are asleep in him. When he comes back, we shall not prevent them, because the dead in Christ will be raised and they that remain will be caught up and will reign with him after the 1000yrs has happened. It will be what God promised.
  7. +Revelation 1:19 says 19Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; -The things that took place after that is what we will talk about next way. I hope this has blessed you.
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Patience and Hope Part II, Bible Study 06/22/11

Posted on July 1, 2011 by growintheword

Patience and Hope Part II

“Hope”

Synopsis of Bible Study 06/22/11

Delivered by Bishop Walker III

Hope is something that is so critical to your survival as a believer that the Devil works overtime in this area to try and take you out. Think about the rate of suicide, depression, alcoholism, and drug abuse, in our society today. All of these things are really a result of people that feel that all hope is gone. Once the Devil robs you of your hope, you might as well take a car and run off into a river, because that is what the Devil wants you to do. The Devil wants to take your hope away!

I.                   How do we hold on to hope?

  1. 1 Corinthians 13:13 says 13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. – One of the key elements of the ideal Christian character is hope. Remember the bible says these abide faith, hope, and love. Of these 3, the greatest is love or charity.
  2. Hope is a major ingredient and element to our Christian character.
  3. When we talk about hope, we are talking about trustful expectation. We are talking about the ability to really trust in God’s word.
  4. When we trust God, according to Isaiah 49:23, we won’t be ashamed of waiting on the Lord. Isaiah 49:23b says … and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me. –Wait in this scripture means hope.
  5. Hebrews 11:1 says 1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. -– Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Faith (or the word) of God is the stuff (or substance), that gives credibility or (that which justifies) what we are expecting. This is what hope is. The word is the stuff, the credible source that justifies what we are expecting. We would not hope for it if the word did not tell us it was going to come. Why would anyone hope for something, if the word didn’t say it was going to happen?
  6. The world loves to go after and hope for things in their own way (instead of God’s way). Proverbs 16:25 says 25There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. – It says there are ways that seems right to man, but the end is the way of death.
  7. Carnal hope is hopeless hope. It is that which is not of the spirit. When we hope in our flesh, we have to recognize that the world’s wealth cannot save us. The world’s resources, military power, and the world’s system can’t be trusted with our hope. Ex- So many people put hope in their finances. They think that the more they accumulate, the better off they will be. They think this is where their security is and therefore they hope in this. If there is anything the recession taught us it is that we can’t put our hope in our money. It can be here today and gone the next day. Some people even believe they can use their money and resources to make a spiritual exchange in terms of salvation, but Psalm 49:7 says 7None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: –  – You can’t buy salvation.
  8. Psalm 49:8-9 says 8(For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) 9That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption. – In other words, all the stuff you are hoping for will one day have to be left behind. We need something that is eternal and something that can keep us no matter what.

II.                Hope in God will never fail you

  1. You got to rejoice in the hope of God, while sharing in the glory of God. Romans 5:1-5 says 1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. – This scripture tells us the following:
  2. Justification is a part of the process of salvation – We are saved this way. We are regenerated. This means we turn from the world and turn to God. This is to re-genesis or to start over. When we turn from the world and turn to God, we have all the guilt and shame from the stuff we have done and as a result we don’t feel worthy enough to be here. God tells us that he justifies us. He makes it as if we have never done it. He acquits us from our guilt and stain. It is not that we are not guilty; he just chooses to give us an acquittal. In summary, we have been converted, we return to God, and he says that we have been justified by faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for. Ex- Based on his word, we know we have been justified. Some people try to hold our past against us, but his word says we have been acquitted of our past. Regardless if you have an issue with me or not, the text says we have peace with God (verse1). You might have anxiety about my issues, but me and God are cool about it!
  3. We have access (verse 2) – We have been converted and acquitted and now God has opened up access to us. Doors have been opened up to us that others thought would not open up for us. We walk into those doors and we stand not in our arrogance, our pride, our degree, or our money. We stand on grace. Just like you might be surprised that we are here, we are more surprised that we here. We are standing on a job that we don’t deserve, standing in a house we don’t deserve, and standing in a program that we don’t deserve. Somebody reading this knows that it is grace that we stand in. Again we got converted, acquitted, doors opened up for us (which is access), and we stand in it by faith. We are in the door, but just because we are standing in the door, don’t mean we have accomplished everything God has for our life. We are in the door (started the program, the job, and etc…), but this isn’t where we are trying to end up. We are standing here grateful, because of grace.
  4. We are rejoicing in the hope of the glory of God (verse 3) – On a theological level, this verse indicates an apocalyptic theology. Apocalyptic deals with the end time of thing. For example, Revelation is an apocalyptic work, because it deals with the end of time. When you see the glory of God, it is the idea in Paul’s day that they were waiting for God to come back through Jesus Christ in his full glory. In a relevant and practical sense, we have been acquitted, we have been converted, doors have opened for us, and we are standing in this place by grace. I can’t believe that I am here, but I am here! We believe God for some things, because his word said it was going to happen. Verse 2 says I am rejoicing in the hope that God is going to show up.
    1. Hope is the manifestation of God’s promise. It is the belief that what God promised is going to manifest. We are giving God the glory. This isn’t an issue of faith; it is an issue of hope. Ex- In Mark 9, there is a father that takes his son to Jesus. The son has a dumb and deaf spirit. He took his son to Jesus, because he heard Jesus was a healer. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Jesus asks a series of questions. The father tells of his son foaming at the mouth and other things and Jesus asks how long he had been like this. The father says since he was a child. He asks Jesus to have compassion on the both of them. Jesus says all things are possible to those that believe. The father explains he doesn’t have a faith problem, because he believes. But he did ask Jesus to help his unbelief. That is hope. Ex- We fundamentally believe that God can restore our marriage by faith, but it ain’t looking good. That’s what hope is. We believe fundamentally that God can heal our body, but based on the report we got, it ain’t looking good. This is hope. You got faith, but hope is asking if it is going to manifest. We know God is able, but we are struggling with the manifestation of it.
  5. Now that we are clear on hope, let’s go back to Romans 5:2– We believe that God is going to show up. When the glory of God shows up, he is going to manifest what he said he was going to do. We could stand here and be negative and have a pity party, but we remember that God saved us, acquitted us, and opened the door up. God will never open a door up that he wasn’t going to manifest, because God don’t start nothing that he won’t finish. You can sit there and have a pity party if you want, but we got a feeling that God is going to show up!
  6. We have developed the capacity to give God the glory in the tribulation (Verse 3) – We are not in denial nor are we a religious fanatic. We have simply chosen in tribulation to give God the glory. Why is this? It is because of what we know. Ex- The world is looking at people that have no hope. They look at us and wonder what we know that they don’t know. This is what we know; we understand that tribulation produces perseverance. The trails we have gone through have made us a perseverer. We are a survivor of the stuff we have gone through. You can’t call yourself a survivor, if you haven’t survived anything. The stuff we went through had to be overcome in order for us to be called survivors.
  7. Surviving it gave me character (verse 4). – Character is behavior on display. Ex – Based on what we have gone through, we don’t have time to key your car or time for breaking the windows out of your car, because we have character. We have been through too much to let you pull us down to your level. Some people are going to look at your character and they will be saying crazy stuff to you to challenge your character. You will be able to prove your character to them. It will be proven by the mere fact that they are not on the floor and we are not in jail. They ought to give God the glory we are not where we used to be! It is our character that has produced hope. Backing the text up: People who have hope, are people of high character.

III.             People of high character have survived significant trials.

  1. Even though we have hope in God, we are still going to face challenges. 1 Peter 3:14 says 14But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; -Even if you suffer for righteousness sake, you are blessed- Don’t be afraid of their threats or trouble. Sanctify the Lord in your heart and be ready to give defense for the reason you have hope within you. Ex- You should always be ready to tell people how you got to this place of hope. We been through things and survived them and they produced character. Trials can produce character. For example, you might promise the Lord that you will be in church every Sunday if he gets you out of this. Trials produce character. In a hopeless world, people need to know where our hope comes from.
  2. Christians are not just wishful thinking or dreaming. It is not just presumption on our behalf. It is not just yearning or longing for a thing. It is not just positive thinking or an anticipated waiting game. It is confident expectation. We are confidently expecting God to do something or to manifest something in our life. It comes from the Greek verb 1679. elpizo el-pid’-zo which means to expect.
  3. Christian hope is personally based. It is not hope in one thing, but instead hope in someone. 1 Timothy 1:1 says 1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; – The bible says our hope is in Christ Jesus. Paul greets them and says his hope is in Christ Jesus. When we begin to access and appropriate this hope, we realize that it is hope in the finished work of Jesus Christ. In John 19:30 says 30When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. – After been given the bitterness, Jesus said, “It is finished”. What does that mean in relationship to hope? It means Jesus took our sins. It should have been us on the cross, but Jesus paid a price that he didn’t even know for you and I. Jesus recognized that in order for us to be redeemed, something had to die. Consequently he became the Lamb of God slain from the foundations of the world for the remissions of our sins. That is how we got saved. Jesus died on his own terms. When he said it is finished, he transacted heavenly business. At that moment, he moved from death to life. The moment Jesus said it was finished, we lived when he died. 3 days later, Jesus rose from the grave to give us a powerful moment of hope. When the world thought it was over, he rose. This is where our hope is. Why? It is because when you begin to look at all the problems that you go through, tell me one thing that is greater than a dead Jesus on Easter Sunday morning that God raises up. If you have something bigger than that you need to make it known. There is nothing we are going through bigger than that. If God can raise a dead Jesus on Easter Sunday morning, then we know God can pay our rent, pay our tuition, and heal our body. Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. Dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.
  4. Remember the Devil has a systematic approach in hope. The devil is calculated in how it attacks a believer’s hope. Ex- The attack on Job was really about his hope. He told God if he took Job’s stuff away, he would curse him to his face. The Devil thought he would take his hope away and make him a desperate and mad man. When God allowed the Devil to come in, the Devil started a systematic attack against Job’s hope.
  5. How did Satan’s systematic attack begin? Economically, physiologically, psychologically, domestically, socially, and theologically.
    1. Hope- The devil comes in and takes his money – Economically. No matter how much word you quote, when your money is under attack, we act different. It can really mess with you.
    2. When you are attacked economically, it will make you sick. This is physiologically.
    3. When you stay sick long enough, it effects you psychologically. You start having conversations with yourself. You begin contemplating things you never have, because you are under psychologically attack.
    4. Now that Satan has you almost crazy, he will attack domestically. The place that should be safe, he will make chaotic. Jobs wife said he should just curse God and die. Job says she is crazy. Now there is drama inside the attack and inside Job’s home.
    5. We look for an escape. Now we are attacked socially. Our friends like Job, want to know what we did to cause this attack
    6. Now we have problems with our theology. We want to know what is really going on. It is a theological attack. He is after our hope. Satan wants us to doubt that God is going to manifest what he promised. When Job was under all these attacks, he said, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust him.” Job says in essence, he doesn’t care what it looks like, he was still going to hope in God, because he knew that God has the power to turn his situation around.
  6. There was a prophet in the Old Testament that had the assignment to bring judgment upon the people of God. His assignment was to cry out. For 50yrs he did this. Nobody paid him any attention. His assignment was to cry out, even though people wouldn’t pay him any attention. He was called the weeping prophet. Jeremiah got to the point he wanted to resign, because he thought it was hopeless. Ex- What is the point? I am not making a difference? They are laughing at me (Jeremiah 20) says Jeremiah. Later on Jeremiah said his word (God’s word) was like fire, shut up in his bones. We come to tell you that God can ignite a fire back in your life. God sent a word to tell you that you can’t quit or give up. God can ignite a fire and tell you to run on and see what the end is going to be.
  7. Jeremiah comes to a place of extreme contemplation. He is the author of two books in the bible; Jeremiah and Lamentation (which means to lament, cry, weep or whale). In chapter 3, he says he feels like wormwood being eaten from the inside out. Now it is starting to affect him. He knows God exists, but it doesn’t look good. He feels like his hope is about to leave him. He says this in a moment of extreme frustration and weariness. But this is what I recalled to my mind. Therefore I have hope, it is because of the Lord’s mercies that I am not consumed, and they are renewed every morning. Great is his faithfulness! You could have been consumed, but you ought to thank God you are in hope! You will not quit or put a razor to your wrist. God is going to heal you completely. God said he is going to provide for you and he will. Whatever you do, do not lose your hope!

 

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