The Sanctuary and Atonement

Spiritual eyes opened never to be closed.  Truth that can't be untold. The revealing that can't be unrevealed.  Yes, doors can be shut, but no man can shut the door that our Savior has opened. This open door to the truth, this knowledge that was allowed at its proper time to come forth and change the spiritual world as well as the physical, is something amazing, this is a door that can never be shut.  Unfortunately, the narrow way is one FEW will find.  People love to stop their spiritual journey at a few favorite verses, a few nice ideas, a lovely concept here and there.  Some enjoy attending sermons, seminars, lectures and such to hear things that make their lives more meaningful. And some even do want the truth but those are FEW. I have to keep saying it over and over throughout my studies because it's what GOD'S word says! It's God's truth that the narrow way is HARD to find, that FEW will find it!

Doesn't it warrant our utmost undivided attention to study deeply a book once shut that is now open? A book of prophecy! A book that would foretell history right up until the end of our world as we know it.  It's a book that can be understood through history but only with the Holy Spirit's guidance. Many have perverted its contents in many ways to suit their own end. Many don't even try to comprehend because it's so confusing to them and they believe it to be impossible to understand. 

The truth is available to us through our Savior!  You may be wondering how I know what we are studying is the truth.  I know I believe in my Savior and through Him, I will know the truth whatever that may be.  If you believe you know the Savior and He has guided you to a different truth, that is between you and Him, just as my own beliefs are between me and my Lord. 

May He guide us all to HIM and only HIS truth!

Continuing with our study, we talked about the temple- the type and anti-type.

There is so much to this that we have to take a bit to study it once more-- 

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Why is it important that we study the sanctuary?

Hebrews {8:1} Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; {8:2} A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

This is why.

We have a minister of the sanctuary.

A minister of the true tabernacle.

A minister of the tabernacle the Lord pitched and not man.

We have a High Priest.

Hebrews {9:11} But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; {9:12} Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

But Christ being come an high priest.

By a greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands.

Not by blood of goats and calves.

By His own blood he entered in once into the holy place.

Do you see why we should study the sanctuary? What it meant to be given the sanctuary, what it meant so that we can understand even more fully what our Lord and Savior has done in becoming a High Priest for us.

Some might think all that sanctuary stuff has been done away with and is nonsense destroyed by Jesus, but I don't think that at all. I think the old covenant with the earthly sanctuary served its purpose in being an example. Jesus' birth, life, death, and resurrection are all tied into the old covenant as He made a new one.

Sometimes in life we don't *have* to understand the old way of things to be part of the new way, but history is taught in all our schools because history shows us where we've been, how far we've come, it reveals the good and the bad and we constantly seek to make our present and future lives something meaningful so that one day when it to is history we'll be able to say that we progress, we learned from the old and welcomed the new.

Learning from the old can sometimes fully explain the new for those seeking a deep understanding of things more than a superficial one. Sometimes we are called to a deeper understanding, sometimes it is very necessary especially when Satan would have us give up hope and make it all a lie. The deeper rooted we are into the Word of God the harder it will be to uproot us. I pray that God through His Holy Spirit by the Grace and Mercy of His Son, our eyes and hearts are opened to the understanding He would have us find in Him through love.

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1981 May-- XIV 5(81) -- LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ATONEMENT - I  Author William Grotheer

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1981 May-- XIV 5(81) -- LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ATONEMENT - I -- The word - atonement - is an English word coming from "atone," a word in Middle English meaning - at one. So we can say that atonement means simply to be at one again with a person from whom we have become estranged. When applied to theology, it indicates the reconciliation between God and man, and man and God. There is only one thing that has separated between God and man, and man and God, and that is sin.

In the case of man's alienation from God, the Scripture states it very simply - "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Rom. 3:23) Paul summarizes the condition of man by quoting from the Old Testament -    As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one." (Rom. 3:10-12)

With God, the alienation was forced upon Him by man's actions, not by any action initiated by Him. Isaiah declared - "Your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear." (Isa. 59:2) God is holy and righteous. The Psalmist sang that "righteousness and judgment are the basis of His throne." (Ps. 97:2 Heb.) Sin - rebellion - on the other hand had challenged the very foundations of the government of God. Justice demanded that the traitors be executed. There is, however, another aspect to the character of God. His holiness and His righteousness emanate from a heart of love. Love devised an atonement that would meet the demands of justice, and thus secure the Throne, and would provide a means for the healing and restoration of the traitor.

Before we can understand the atonement devised by God, we must understand the sickness of man. All sin represents degrees of insanity. We continue in our rebellion because "the whole head is sick." (Isa. 1:5) Sin originated with a created being whose mind became deranged. The prophet stated of Lucifer under the symbolism of the king of Tyrus - "Thou has corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness." (Eze. 28:17) How could a created being ever think that he could destroy an immortal God, and take His place? But once in the pathway of insanity, this arch-traitor led our first parents into sin by a derangement of their thought patterns, a subversion of the higher nature to the lower. The atonement must bring healing to the mind, and restoration of the glorious character lost through this deceptive derangement.

There is, however, that judicial aspect of judgment with which God had also to

p 2 -- deal so that He could be at-one-ment with sinful man, and thus effect the healing of man. "The wages of sin is death." (Rom. 6:23) But who would be willing to die as a substitute, and who could die in such a capacity so that the demands of justice might be met? There was only One, and that was the Son of God. To Abraham who was bringing his "only son" as an offering to God, the Spirit encouraged his heart so that he could say to Isaac - "My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering." (Gen. 22:8) And He did! "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son." (John 3:16) "The Lord laid on Him the iniquity of us all . . . His soul [was made] an offering for sin." (Isa. 53:6, 10) Thus the first great question of the Atonement found an answer - How can God be just, and yet justify the sinner? (See Rom. 1:16-17; 3:24-26) We can, therefore, from the viewpoint of God - and only from that viewpoint - speak of the Cross as an atonement. The Cross is an atonement only in this phase of the relationship - God becoming at one with man. In the cross man is provided by God what could be called a "second chance," but which is in reality an opportunity to escape his corporate involvement in the first choice made for him by the father of the race, for "by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation." (Rom. 5:18)

The significance of this atonement with man on the part of God is illustrated in covenant-history. Israel was assembled before Mount Sinai. They had heard the voice of God proclaim His law amid thunderings and lightenings. They listened carefully as Moses read "the book of the covenant" which he had prepared under the direction of God. To what they heard, Israel responded - "All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient." (Ex. 24:7) In this book of the covenant had been written as its preamble the requirement of God for singleness of worship on the part of Israel. It read - "Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. Ye shall not make with Me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold." (Ex. 20:22-23) Within forty days following the ratification of this blood covenant, and the solemn commitment of Israel, they gave their adoration to the "golden calf" of Egyptian devil worship. They repeated the sin of Adam and Eve in giving their loyalty and allegiance to the enemy of God.

The reaction of God to this apostasy was swift. Moses was immediately informed by God as to what was happening in the camp below, and was told that He no longer considered them His people. (Ex. 32:7) Moses after returning to the encampment of Israel from his dialogue with God in the Mount, removed the "tabernacle" of meeting without the camp. (Ex. 33:7) Then he told the people - "Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the Lord, peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin." (Ex. 32:30) The result of this interceding of Moses, and the exchange that took place between him and God is given in God's final answer to Moses' pleadings - "The Lord said to Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel." (Ex. 34:27) Israel's commitment was not secured to this covenant. It was a covenant by which Moses stood as surety for Israel's compliance, and through which God could once more become atonement with Israel. It was a "type" covenant of the "atonement" achieved by Christ for man to effect God's reconciliation with man. God became at one again with humanity in Christ Jesus. Even, as God talked with Moses face to face (Deut. 34:10) so Christ in His glorified humanity is in the very presence of God to speak for man. (Heb. 4:14-15)

The fact should not be overlooked that at the time when Israel was forfeiting

p 3 -- their rights as God's people in the worship of the golden calf, and demonstrating the inability of man to keep any covenant to which mentally he would agree, God was giving to Moses "the plan" by which man can become at-one with God. The sanctuary and its services, which were to operate as "types" under a type-covenant, were being revealed to Moses. (See Ex. 24:18-32:1)

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And with that note we will pick up with the next part of our Sanctuary study tomorrow.

There is a lot of food for thought here, a lot.

The fact that we are each responsible for the slaying of the innocent Lamb of God, responsible in a REAL way, not an imagined abstract way. Our sins, our seeking to kill God, to separate ourselves from God is so real. We don't want to look at sin that way. We want to look at it as harmless little acts we are compelled to perform beyond our ability to control. We want to take ourselves, our blame out of the equation and toss it elsewhere. We want to imagine that those little defiant acts that scream selfishness and self love over God love aren't so bad as all that. Sin is horrific and when we take the true nature of sin and try to conform it into something it isn't who are we deceiving but ourselves? Yes, the heavy weight of the knowledge is grievous and we can't imagine ever being sinless, and this is where our faith has to come into play. Our faith and our belief that God is willing to guide us to the acceptable place in our lives through the mercy and grace of His slain Son, not because we deserve it, because we don't, but because He loves us with an unimaginable love.

By His Grace. By His Mercy. By His Love.

Amen.

Revelation Chapter 3 -

Verse-

7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write;

These things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

8 I know thy works:

 behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it:

for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My word, and hast not denied My name.

9 Behold, 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.

10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, which is New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new name.

13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Only Truth

Continuing with our study on the book of Revelation. May God BLESS us as we read and keep the sayings within.

Daniel and the Revelation by Uriah Smith

Revelation Chapter 3 -

Verse-

7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write;

These things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

8 I know thy works:

 behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it:

for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My word, and hast not denied My name.

9 Behold, 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.

10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, which is New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new name.

13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

The Church of Philadelphia.--The word "Philadelphia" signifies "brotherly love," and expresses the position and spirit of those who received the Advent message up to the autumn of 1844.

The great religious awakening in the early part of the nineteenth century which resulted from a study of the prophecies, culminated in this advent movement.

Men from all denominations were convinced that the coming of Christ was near.

As they came out of the various churches, they left sectarian names and feelings behind, and every heart beat in unison as all joined to give the alarm to the churches and to the world, and pointed to the coming of the Son of man as the be-

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liever's true hope. Selfishness and covetousness were laid aside, and a spirit of consecration and sacrifice was cherished.

The Spirit of God was with every true believer, and his praise upon every tongue. Those who were not in that movement cannot fully realize how great was the searching of heart, the consecration to God, the peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, and the pure, fervent love for one another which true believers enjoyed.

"The Key of David."--

A key is a symbol of power. The Son of God is the rightful heir to David's throne; and He is about to take to Himself His great power and to reign; hence He is represented as having the key of David. The throne of David, or of Christ, on which He is to reign, is included in the capital of His kingdom, the New Jerusalem, now above, but which is to be located on this earth, where He is to reign forever and ever. (Revelation 21: 1-5; Luke 1: 32, 33.)

"He That Openeth, and No Man Shutteth."--

To understand this language, it is necessary to look at Christ's position and work as connected with His ministry in the sanctuary, or true tabernacle, above. (Hebrews 8: 2.) A figure, or pattern, of this heavenly sanctuary once existed here upon earth in the sanctuary built by Moses. (Exodus 25: 8, 9; Acts 7: 44; Hebrews 9: 1, 21, 23, 24.)

The earthly building had two apartments,--the holy place and the most holy place. (Exodus 26: 33, 34.) In the first apartment were the candlestick, the table of shewbread, and the alter of incense. In the second were the ark, which contained the tables of the covenant, or the ten commandments, and the cherubim. (Hebrews 9: 1-5.)

In like manner the sanctuary in which Christ ministers in heaven has two apartments, for it is clearly stated in Hebrews 9: 21-24 that "both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry" were "patterns of things in the heavens."

As all things were made after the pattern, the heavenly sanctuary has also furniture similar to that of the earthly. For the antitype of the golden candlestick and altar of incense, in the first apartment, see Revelation 4: 5; 8: 3; and for the antitype of the ark of the covenant, with its ten commandments, see Revelation 11: 19.

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In the earthly sanctuary the priests ministered. (Exodus 28: 41, 43; Hebrews 9: 6, 7; 13: 11.)

The ministry of these priests was a shadow of the ministry of Christ in the sanctuary in heaven. (Hebrews 8: 4, 5.)

A complete round of service was performed in the earthly tabernacle once every year.

(Hebrews 9: 7.)

But in the tabernacle above the service is performed once for all. (Hebrews 7: 27; 9: 12.)

At the close of the yearly typical service, the high priest entered the second apartment, the most holy place of the sanctuary, to make an atonement; and this work is appropriately called the cleansing of the sanctuary. (Leviticus 16: 20, 30, 33; Ezekiel 45: 18.)

When the ministry in the most holy place began, that in the holy place ceased; and no service was performed there so long as the priest was engaged in the most holy place. (Leviticus 16: 17.)

A similar opening and shutting, or change of ministration, must be accomplished by Christ when the time comes for the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary.

The time for this service to begin did come at the close of the 2300 days, in 1844. To this event the opening and shutting mentioned in the text under consideration can appropriately apply, the opening being that of Christ's ministration in the most holy place, and the shutting, its cessation in the first apartment, or holy place. (See exposition of the subject of the sanctuary and its cleansing, under Daniel 8: 14.)

Verse 9 probably applies to those who do not keep pace with the advancing light of truth, and who oppose Christians who do. Such shall yet be made to feel and confess that God loves those who obey His word, and follow in the knowledge of his truth.

"The Word of My Patience."--

John says in Revelation 14: 12: "Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Those who now live in patient, faithful obedience to the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, will be kept in the hour of temptation and peril. (See the comments on Revelation 13: 13-17.)

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Behold, I Come Quickly.--The second coming of Christ is here again brought to view, and with more startling emphasis than in any of the preceding messages. The nearness of that event is here urged upon the attention of believers. The message applies to a period when this great event is impending. In this we have indubitable evidence of the prophetic nature of these messages. What is said of the first three churches contains no allusion to the second coming of Christ, from the fact that they do not cover a period in which that event could Scripturally expected. But with the Thyatira church, the time had come when this great hope was just beginning to dawn upon the church. The mind is carried forward to this hope by a single allusion: "Hold fast till I come."

The next state of the church, the Sardis period, finds the church occupying a position still nearer that event, and the great proclamation is brought to view which was to herald Christ's coming, and the duty of watching is enjoined upon the church: "If thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief." We reach the Philadelphia church still later, and the nearness of the same great event then leads Him who "is holy and true" to utter the stirring declaration, "Behold, I come quickly."

It is evident from this that these churches occupy positions successively nearer the great day of the Lord, as in each succeeding one, and in a continually increasing ratio, this great event is made more and more prominent, and is more definitely and impressively urged upon the attention of the church. Here indeed they see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10: 25.)

The Admonition.--"Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." By our faithfulness we are not depriving anyone else of a crown. The verb rendered "to take" has a number of definitions, one of which is "to take away, snatch from, deprive of." Let no one, and no thing, induce you to yield the truth, or pervert you from the right ways of the Lord, for by so doing it will cause you to lose the reward.

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The Promise to the Overcomer.--The overcomer is to be a pillar in the temple of God, and go out no more. The temple here must denote the church, and the promise of being made a pillar in it is the promise of a place of honor, permanence, and safety in the church, under the figure of a heavenly building. When the time comes for this part of the promise to be fulfilled, probation is past, and overcomer is fully established in the truth, and sealed. "He shall go no more out," that is, there is no danger of his falling away, he is the Lord's forever, and his salvation is sure.

From the moment the Christians overcome and are sealed for heaven, they are labeled, if we may so express it, as belonging to God and Christ, and addressed to their destination, the New Jerusalem. They are to have written upon them the name of God, whose property they are, the name of the New Jerusalem, to which place they are going, not old Jerusalem where some are vainly looking. They also have upon them the new name of Christ, by whose authority they are to receive everlasting life, and enter into the kingdom. Thus sealed and labeled, the saints of God are safe. No enemy will be able to prevent their reaching their destination, the glorious haven of rest, the New Jerusalem above.

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This particular study tonight is very, very important and needs more than a quick one night glance over.

Revelation Chapter 3 -

Verse-

7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write;

These things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

8 I know thy works:

 behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it:

for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My word, and hast not denied My name.

9 Behold, 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.

10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, which is New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new name.

13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

This part of the SEVEN Churches- God's PERFECT PEOPLE (for as we've discussed, God's church is HIS PEOPLE, and seven is His number of completion, of perfection, of wholeness.) to this part of the SEVEN, the prophecy- the prediction for a future time coincided with the GREAT ENLIGHTENING of Biblical prophecy. A door would be opened that could NOT be closed. 

The truth of DANIEL and REVELATION was opened!

We know the book of prophecy of Daniel had this to say--

Dan_12:4  But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

The time of the end came and KNOWLEDGE was increased- Biblical knowledge as well as all other knowledge. We know our world - thousands and thousands of years old stayed in the dark in so many ways, slowly advancing and then suddenly an explosion of knowledge began and has not stopped. We went from horse and buggy, outhouses, candle light, gas light, real ice in boxes, wood and gas for stoves, and the list goes on and on and on. We went from all that to the lives we live now with technological advances so far ahead of anything even thought of just a mere 150 years ago. THINK about it! Let is sink in deep!  The books of Daniel and Revelation, of prophecy for the end times were books of complete and utter mystery and then SUDDENLY knowledge increased and men all over the world began to comprehend, their spiritual eyes were opened, the truth was now available. History unfolded in that prophecy revealing to us that all that was predicted came to pass and meaning all that had yet to take place would inevitably take place beyond a shadow of a doubt!   No one who has their spiritual eyes opened to these truths can ever shut them again, the truth can be denied, it can be darkened, it can be altered by people who choose to be spiritual blind, but it will forever be available to those who desire spiritual enlightenment, fully and wholly regardless of what it will cost to follow that truth. 

More on ALL of this tomorrow by the GRACE and MERCY of our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST!

Please, enlighten us spiritually we would know ONLY YOUR truth, all of YOUR truth!

Amen!

Whether in pretense or truth Christ is preached

Php 1:15  Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

Php 1:16  The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

Php 1:17  But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

Php 1:18  What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

Christ is preached.

In every contentious argument against Christianity is in itself an argument for Christianity. Christ is preached! 

We do need to rejoice because while so many might believe they are hurting Christianity they are in fact  being a voice that can be heard mentioning the name of our SAVIOR. They may say they hate Jesus, they may say they hate God, they may say awful things about Christ followers taking the worst sins of the worst Christ follower and holding them up to darken all that is good in Christ. They may do all that and yet it will reveal in the hearts of some who hear their need of a Savior who can forgive the worst of the worst, a Savior who can forgive us all - all of our worst sins and keep us in Him. They may comprehend they are in need of eternal life.  No one knows what the words of the Christ haters, the God haters, the Christian haters may do. Where they may believe they will bring down all they hate, in truth they may raise it up even further.  God alone knows. God alone lets the Holy Spirit move where He is needed, into the hearts of all who are truly seeking truth and love, real love, not the storybook love that so many think is real, but is not.

May God help us ALL by the grace of our LORD and SAVIOR, Jesus Christ!

Amen. 

Keep these sayings.... watch

Revelation Chapter Three

Verse 1  And 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.

Verse 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain,

 that are ready to die:

 for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

Verse  3 Remember 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.

Verse  4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

Verse 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment;

and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life,

but I will confess his name before My Father,

and before His angels.

Verse 6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Church in Sardis.--

IF the dates of the preceding churches have been correctly fixed, the period covered by the church of Sardis must begin about 1798.

"Sardis" signifies "prince or song of joy," or "that which remains."

We then have the reformed churches before us as constituting this church, from the date above named to the great movement which marked another era in the history of the people of God.

The Cause of Complaint.--

The great fault found with Sardis is that is has a name to live, but is dead.

What a high position, in a worldly point of view, has the nominal church occupied during this period! Look at her high-sounding titles, and her favor with the world. But how pride and popularity have grown apace, until spirituality is destroyed, THE LINE OF DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE CHURCH AND THE WORLD IS OBLITERATED, and the different popular bodies are churches of Christ only in name!

This church was to hear the proclamation of the doctrine of the second advent. "If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief." Verse 3. This implies that the doc-

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trine of the advent would be proclaimed, and THE DUTY OF WATCHING would be enjoined upon the church.

The coming spoken of is unconditional; the manner only in which it would come upon them is conditional. Their not watching would not prevent the coming of the Lord; but by watching they could avoid being overtaken as by a thief.

 It is only to those who are in this condition that the day of the Lord comes unawares. "Ye, brethren," says Paul, "are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief." 1 Thessalonians 5: 4.

"A few names even in Sardis," would seem to imply a period of unparalleled worldliness in the church.

But even in this state of things, there are some whose garments are not defiled, some who have kept themselves free from the contaminating influence of sin. James says, "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1: 27.

The Promise to the Overcomer.--

"Shall walk with Me in white." The Lord does not overlook His people in any place, however few their numbers. Lonely Christian, with none of like precious faith with whom to commune, do you ever feel as if the hosts of unbelievers would swallow you up?

You are not unnoticed or forgotten by your Lord.

The multitude of the wicked around you cannot be so great as to hide you from His view. If you keep yourself unspotted from surrounding evil, the promise is sure.

You shall be clothed in white, the white raiment of the overcomer. You shall walk with you Lord in glory. "The Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." Revelation 7: 17.

Being clothed with white raiment is explained in other scriptures to be a symbol of exchanging iniquity for righteousness. (See Zechariah 3: 4, 5.)

"Take away the filthy garments from him," is explained by the language that follows, "Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee."

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"The fine linen, or the white raiment, "is the righteousness of saints." Revelation 19: 8.

The Book of Life.--

Here is introduced an object of thrilling interest. Ponderous volume, in which are enrolled the names of all the candidates for everlasting life!

Is there danger, after our names have once been entered in that heavenly journal, that they may be blotted out? YES; or this warning would never have been penned. (1 Corinthians 9: 27.)

1Co 9:27  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

It is only by being overcomers to the end that our names can be retained in that book.

But not all will gain the victory. Their names, of course, will be blotted out.

Reference is here made to some definite point of time in the future for this work. "I will not," says Christ, blot out the names of the overcomers, which is also saying, by implication, that at the same time He will blot out the names of those who do not overcome. Is not this the same time mentioned by Peter? "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that you sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord." Acts 3: 19.

To say to the overcomer that his name shall not be blotted out of the book of life, is to say also that his sins shall be blotted out of the book wherein they are recorded, to be remembered against him no more forever. (Hebrews 8: 12.)

It means that either his name or his sins will be blotted out from the heavenly records.

What a precious thought it is that now we are forgiven if we confess our transgressions! Then if we remain faithful to God these sins will be blotted out at the coming of Jesus.

When that hour of decision shall come, which cannot now be a great way in the future, how, reader, will it be with you? Will your sins be blotted out, and your name be retained in the book of life? Or will your name be blotted out of the book of life, and your sins be left to bear their fearful record against you?

The Presentation in Glory.--

"I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels." Christ taught that as men

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confessed or denied, despised or honored Him here, they would be confessed or denied by Him before His Father in heaven and before the holy angels. (Matthew 10: 32, 33; Mark 8: 38; Luke 12: 8, 9.) Who can fathom the honor of being approved before the heavenly hosts!

Who can conceive of the bliss of that moment when we shall be owned by the Lord of life before His Father as those who have done His will, overcome, and whose names are worthy through His merits to stand upon the imperishable record of the book of life forever and ever!

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Revelation Chapter Three

Verse 1  And 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.

Verse 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain,

 that are ready to die:

 for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

Verse  3 Remember 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.

Verse  4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

Verse 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment;

and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life,

but I will confess his name before My Father,

and before His angels.

Verse 6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

*

If we do not watch will NOT know when Christ comes.

Are we watching?

Please, help us to watch! We would know when You would come for us Lord, we would know. All by Your grace! All by Your love! Please.

Forgive us our filthiness. Cleanse us!

Please, all in the name of our Savior, our Lord, Jesus Christ!

Jesus says- I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

Guide us Holy Spirit, that we may comprehend all that we must keep of this book of Revelation. Bless us in You, Savior, please!  We would know You and all the truth that is Yours.

*******

Revelation Chapter 2-

Verse 18 And 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;

 19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach

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and to seduce My servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

23 And 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.

24 But 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.

25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

27 And 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.

28 And I will give him the morning star.

29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

IF the period covered by the Pergamos church has been correctly located, it terminated with the setting up of the papacy in A.D. 538.

The most natural division to be assigned to the church of Thyatira would be the time of the continuance of this power through the 1260 years of its supremacy, or from A.D. 538 to A.D. 1798.

The Church of Thyatira.--

Thyatira signifies "sweet savor of labor," or "sacrifice of contrition." This well describes the state of the church of Jesus Christ during the long period of papal triumph and persecution. This age of dreadful tribulation for the church such as never was (Matthew 24: 21), improved the religious condition of believers. Hence for their works--charity, service, faith, and patience--they receive the commendation of Him whose eyes are as a flame of fire. Works are again mentioned, as if worthy of double commendation, and the last were more than the first. There had been an improvement in their condition, a growth of grace, an increase in all these elements of Christianity. This progress, under such conditions, was commended by the Lord.

This church is the only one that is commended for an improvement in spiritual things.

But as in the church of Pergamos unfavorable circumstances were no apology for false doctrines in the church, so in this church, no amount of labor,

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charity, service, faith, or patience could compensate for a like sin. A rebuke is therefore given them for suffering an agent of Satan to remain in their midst.

The Cause of Complaint.--

"That woman Jezebel." As in the preceding church Antipas denoted,NOT an individual, but a class of persons, so doubtless, Jezebel is here to be understood in the same sense. Watson's Biblical Dictionary says, "The name of Jezebel is used PROVERBIALLY.

Revelation 2: 20." [13] William Miller speaks as follows:

"Jezebel is a figurative name, alluding to Ahab's wife, who slew the prophets of the Lord, led her husband into idolatry, and fed the prophets of Baal at her own table. A more striking figure could not have been used to describe the papal abominations. (See 1 Kings 18, 19, and 21. . . .)

It is very evident from history, as well as from this verse in Revelation, that the church of Christ did suffer some of the papal monks to preach and teach among them."

The Comprehensive Commentary has the following remark upon verse 23: "Children are spoken of, which confirms the idea that a sect and its proselytes are meant."

The judgments here threatened against this woman are in harmony with the threatenings in other parts of this book against the Roman Catholic Church under the symbol of a corrupt woman, the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth. (See Revelation 17-19.)

The death which is threatened is doubtless the second death, at the end of the one thousand years of Revelation 20, when the righteous retribution from the Searcher of "the reins and hearts" of all men will be given.

Further, the declaration, "I will give unto every one of you according to your works," is proof that the address to this church looks forward prophetically to the final reward or punishment of all accountable beings.

"All the Churches Shall Know."--It has been argued from this expression that these churches could not denote seven suc-

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cessive periods of the gospel age, but must exist contemporaneously, as otherwise all the churches could not know that Christ was the searcher of "the reins and hearts" from seeing his judgements upon Jezebel and her children.

But when is it that all the churches are to know this?--

It is when these children are punished with death. If this is at the time when the second death is inflicted upon all the wicked, then indeed will "all the churches," as they behold the infliction of the judgment, know that no secret thing, no evil thought or purpose of the heart has escaped the knowledge of Him who, with eyes like flames of fire, searches the hearts of men.

"I will put upon you none other burden." We believe this refers to a respite promised the church from the burden so long her portion, the weight of papal oppression. It cannot be applied to the reception of new truths, for truth is not a burden to any accountable being. But the days of the tribulation that came upon that church were to be shortened for the elect's sake. (Matthew 24: 22.)

"They shall be holpen," says the prophet, "with a little help." Daniel 11: 34. "The earth helped the woman," says John. Revelation 12: 16.

The Admonition.--

"Hold fast till I come." These are the words of the "Son of God," and bring to our view an unconditional coming. To the churches of Ephesus and Pergamos, certain comings were threatened on conditions: "Repent, or else I will come unto thee," implying visitations of judgment. But here a coming of a different nature is brought to view. It is not a threatening of punishment. It is suspended upon no conditions. It is set before the believer as a matter of hope, and can refer to no event other than the future second advent of the Lord in glory, when the Christian's trials will cease, and his efforts in the race for life, and his warfare for a crown of righteousness, will be rewarded with everlasting success.

This church brings us down to the time when the more immediate signs of the soon-coming advent began to be fulfilled. In 1780, eighteen years before the close of this period, the predicted signs in the sun and moon were fulfilled.on Revelation 6: 12.) In reference to these signs the Saviour said: "When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for you redemption draweth nigh." Luke 21: 28.

 In the history of this church we reach a point when the end is drawing so near that the attention of the people could properly be called more particularly to that event.

Christ has ever said to His followers, "Occupy till I come." Luke 19: 13. Now He says: "Hold fast till I come."

The Promise to the Overcomer.--

"Unto the end." This must denote the end of the Christian age.

 "He that shall endure unto the end," says Christ, "the same shall be saved." Matthew 24: 13.

Is there not here a like promise to those who keep the works of Christ, do the things He has enjoined, and keep the faith of Jesus? (Revelation 14: 12.)

"Power Over the Nations."--

In this world the wicked bear rule, and the servants of Christ are of no esteem. But the time is coming when righteousness will be in the ascendancy; when all ungodliness will be seen in its true light, and be at a heavy discount; and when the scepter of power will be in the hands of the people of God. This promise will be explained by the following facts and scriptures:

The nations are to be given by the Father into the hands of Christ, to be ruled with a rod of iron, and dashed in pieces like a potter's vessel. (Psalm 2: 8, 9.)

Associated with Christ, when He thus enters upon His own work of power and judgment, are to be His saints. (Revelation 3: 21.)

They are to reign with Him in this capacity for one thousand years. (Revelation 20: 4.)

During this period, the degree of judgment upon wicked men and evil angels is determined. (1 Corinthians 6: 2, 3.)

At the end of the one thousand years, they have the honor of sharing with Christ in the execution of the sentence written. (Psalm 149: 9.)

The Morning Star.--

Christ says in Revelation 22: 16 that He is Himself the morning star, the immediate forerunner of the day. What is here called the "morning star," is called the "daystar" in 2 Peter 1: 19, where it is associated with the

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dawn of the day: "Until the day dawn, and the daystar arise."

During the saints' weary night of watching, they have the word of God to shed its needful light upon their path. But when the daystar shall arise in their hearts, or the morning star be given to the overcomers, they will be taken into so close a relationship to Christ that their hearts will be fully illuminated with His Spirit, and they will walk in His light.

Then they will no longer need the sure word of prophecy, which now shines as a light in a dark place. Hasten on, O glorious hour, when the light of heaven's bright day shall rise upon the pathway of the faithful, and beams of glory from the eternal world shall gild their banners!

*******

   How incredibly important it is for us to comprehend that the war we battle is a VERY REAL war. There will forever be- until our Savior returns- a war. Evil will strive to fight against all things of God! We will NOT live in a world without this battle, it will rage on until our Savior lights up the sky ready to call all His saints home with Him. 

We need to study these words. We need to read for ourselves God's word and PRAY for comprehension.  We need to read the words of the scholars and let the Holy Spirit guide us as we need to be guided.

We need the blessing, we need to keep the sayings, we need to understand and only by the grace of God will this happen.

Please.

All through Jesus Christ, our LORD, our SAVIOR.

Amen.

Repent or else I will...

Satan would steal any blessing we may receive, this is truth. Ever hard at work, Satan tries to undermine God at every opportunity. You may believe that growing closer to God is without danger, but Satan does NOT like when we grow closer to our Savior.  The spiritual war we are in much like physical wars are more intense for those on the front lines. You can be a part of a war and be safe at home just directing things. You can be a part of a war effort while doing little more than collecting comfort of home supplies for those far away engaged in the battle. I'm not saying each role in the war isn't important and doesn't have a very real part in how things go, but we know factually that those who are active soldiers in the thick of the actual fighting are the ones who are most in danger and most likely to be wounded or killed in the line of duty. You don't expect much of an enemy attack if you are nowhere near enemy territory. In this spiritual warfare the closer we are to Christ the closer the enemy is to us warring against us. The closer we are to Christ the more chance of receiving battle wounds. As we seek a blessing promised to us if we read the prophecies and keep the things in the book of Revelation we are gaining the attention of Satan. He doesn't want us to be blessed!  Prayerfully we have to seek the protection of the Holy Spirit, protection that won't keep all bad things from happening to us, but will keep us safe in our Savior while they do happen.  Please, Heavenly Father, bless us!

*******

Daniel and Revelation By Uriah Smith

Revelation Chapter 2

Verse 12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write;

These things saith He which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

 13 I 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.

14 But I have a few things against thee,

because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam,

who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel,

to eat things sacrificed unto idols,

and to commit fornication.

15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes,

which thing I hate.

16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

17 He 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 Church of Pergamos.--

Against the preceding church there was no word of condemnation uttered. Persecution is ever calculated to keep the church pure, and incite its members to piety and godliness. But we now reach the period of the Pergamos church, when influences began to work which brought errors and evils unto the church.

The word "Pergamos" signifies "height, elevation."

It was a period in which the true servants of God had to struggle against a spirit of worldly policy, pride, and popularity among the professed followers of Christ, and against the virulent workings of the mystery of iniquity, which finally resulted in

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the full development of the papal "man of sin." 2 Thessalonians 2: 3.

The Commendation.--

"Where Satan's seat is." Christ takes cognizance of the unfavorable situation of his people during this period.

The language is probably not designed to denote location. As to place, Satan works wherever Christians dwell.

But surely there are times and seasons when he works with special power, and the period covered by the church of Pergamos was one of these.

During this period, the doctrine of Christ was being corrupted, the mystery of iniquity was working, and Satan was laying the foundation of a stupendous system of apostasy, the papacy.

Here was the falling away foretold by Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2: 3, cited already.

It is interesting to note that the city of Pergamos became the seat of ancient Babylonian sun worship. "The Chaldean Magi enjoyed a long period of prosperity at Babylon. A pontiff appointed by the sovereign ruled over a college of seventy-two hierophants. . . . [After the Medo-Persian occupation], the defeated Chaldeans fled to Asia Minor, and fixed their central college at Pergamos, and took the Palladium of Babylon, the cubic stone, with them.

Here, independent of state control, they carried on the rites of their religion, and plotted against the peace of the Persian Empire, caballing with the Greeks for that purpose."

Antipas.--That a class of persons is referred to by this name, and not an individual, there is good reason to believe; for no authentic information respecting such an individual is now to be found. On this point William Miller says:

"It is supposed that Antipas was not an individual, but a class of men who opposed the power of the bishops, or popes, in that day, being a combination of two words, 'Anti,' opposed, and 'Papas,' father, or pope; and many of them suffered martyrdom at that time in Constantinople and Rome, where the bishops and popes began to exercise the power which soon after brought into subjection the kings of the earth, and

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trampled on the rights of the church of Christ.

And for myself, I see no reason to reject this explanation of the word 'Antipas' in this text, as the history of those times are [is] perfectly silent respecting such an individual as is here named." Watson's Biblical Dictionary says, "Ancient ecclesiastical history furnishes no account of this Antipas." Adam Clarke mentions a work as extant called the "Acts of Antipas," but gives us to understand that it is entitled to no credit.

The Cause of Complaint.--

Disadvantages in situation are no excuse for wrongs in the church. Although this church existed at a time when Satan was making strong delusions, it was the duty of its members to keep themselves free from his evil doctrines. Hence they were censured for harboring among them those who held the doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitanes. (See comments on the Nicolaitanes, verse 6.)

The doctrine of Balaam is here partly revealed. He taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel. (See a full account of his work and its results in Numbers 22: 25; 31: 13-16.)

It appears that Balaam desired to curse Israel for the sake of the rich reward which Balak offered him. But not being permitted by the Lord to curse them, he resolved to accomplish essentially the same thing in another way. He therefore counseled Balak to seduce them, by means of the women of Moab, to participate in the celebration of the rites of idolatry and all its licentious accompaniments. The plan succeeded. The abominations of idolatry spread through the camp of Israel, the curse of God was called down upon them by their sins, and twenty-four thousand persons died.

The doctrines complained of in the church of Pergamos were of course similar in their tendency, leading to spiritual idolatry and an unlawful connection between the church and

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the world. Out of this spirit was finally produced the union of civil and ecclesiastical powers which culminated in the formation of the papacy.

The Admonition.--

Christ declared that if they did not repent, He would take the matter into His own hands, and come unto them (in judgment), and fight against them (those who held these evil doctrines); and the whole church would be held responsible for the wrongs of those heretical ones whom they harbored in their midst.

Promise to the Overcomer.--

The overcomer is promised that he shall eat of the hidden manna, and receive from his approving Lord a white stone, with a new and precious name engraved on it. Most commentators apply the manna, white stone, and the new name, to spiritual blessings to be enjoyed in this life; but like all the other promises to the overcomer, this doubtless refers to the future, and is to be given when the time comes for the saints to be rewarded. Perhaps the following comment is as satisfactory as anything that has ever been written upon these several particulars:

"It is generally supposed by commentators that this refers to an ancient judicial custom of dropping a black stone into an urn when it is intended to condemn, and a white stone when the prisoner was acquitted. But this is an act so distinct from that described in the scripture before us, 'I will give him a white stone,' that we we are disposed to agree with those who think it refers to a custom of a very different kind, and not unknown to the classical reader, according with beautiful propriety to the case before us. In primitive times, when traveling was rendered difficult from want of places of public entertainment, hospitality was exercised by private individuals to a very great extent, of which indeed we find frequent traces in all history, and in none more than the Old Testament. Persons who partook of this hospitality, and those who practiced it, frequently contracted habits of friendship and regard for each other; and it became well-established custom both among the Greeks and Romans, to provide their guests with some particular mark, which was handed down from father to

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son, and ensured hospitality and kind treatment whenever it was presented. This mark was usually a small stone or pebble, cut in half, upon the halves of which the host and guest mutually inscribed their names, and then interchanged with each other. The production of this tessera was quite sufficient to insure friendship for themselves or their descendants whenever they traveled again in the same direction; while it is evident that these stones required to be privately kept, and the names written upon them carefully concealed, lest others should obtain the privileges instead of the persons for whom they were intended.

"How natural, then, is the allusion to this custom in the words of the text, 'I will give him to eat of the hidden manna;' and having done so, having made him partaker of my hospitality, having recognized him as my guest, my friend, I will present him with the 'white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth, save he who receiveth it.' I will give him a pledge of my friendship, sacred and inviolable, known only to himself."

In the new name, John Wesley very appropriately says:

"Jacob, after his victory, gained the new name of Israel. Wouldst thou know what thy new name will be? The way to this is plain--overcome.

Till then all they inquires are vain. Thou wilt then read it on the white stone."

The Time of the Church.--

The period covered by this church extends from the days of Constantine, or perhaps, rather, from his professed conversion to Christianity in A.D. 323, to the establishment of the papacy in A.D. 538.

*******

Revelation Chapter 2:12-17

 12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith He which hath the sharp sword with two edges

Rev_1:16  And 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.

Our Savior was the One that 'hath the sharp sword with two edges'.

 13 I 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 dwelling, if we are to take just this and stop reading here we truly would be able to say Satan's seat(throne) was located in Pergamos, but we don't stop reading, we don't stop studying we include everything. And yes, in this TIME period this representation is speaking of those who hold fast to God's truth even while living among the father of lies, the worst place possible for a follower of God. In the above explanation by Uriah Smith seemingly out of nowhere he begins to talk of the papacy, but truthfully, if we'd studied the Book of Daniel before this Book of Revelation- in the book we are quoting from (Daniel and Revelation- by Uriah Smith) we'd have all the background we need to comprehend what is being said about the papacy. Rather than back track and begin at the beginning with Daniel in this particular study, because we've gone over in times past, I'm going to keep on with this and hope you'll on your own feel incline to study to find the truth of what is being said, rather than give up simply because you read something you don't quite understand. If you are reading this in my blog you can do a search for Daniel and find the study you need.

14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.

During this time many are caused to stumble- we too can be caused to stumble if we allow ourselves to fall into the trap of following blindly those we think have our best interest at heart. We need to STUDY for ourselves. We need to SEEK God for ourselves. We already know beyond doubt that the way of the broad path is the way to destruction, that the popular way is not the way of the Lord.

16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

17 He 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.

More tomorrow by the grace of God!

All through Jesus Christ our Lord, our Savior!

Amen.