The Seven Churches of Revelation
Revelation 1:11
“Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.”
King James Version (KJV)
The Seven Churches were actual Churches of the 1st Century and have major significance for us today.
Anyone who teaches otherwise is a HERETIC and they are to be MARKED
Saints we are to MARK THEM (thethirdheaventraveler.com)
Here are some examples of False Teachers known as HYPER DISPENSATIONALISTS who teach the Church is NOT in the book of Revelation.
The Yoke Masters Part 3 - Rodney Beaulieu at Grace Bible Church GBC (thethirdheaventraveler.com)
Why Hyper-Dispensationalists Remove Prophecy for the Church (thethirdheaventraveler.com)
The Shock and Awe of Paul in the book of Hebrews (thethirdheaventraveler.com)
The True Jew (thethirdheaventraveler.com)
References for the timelines of Churches of Revelation
(a) Philip Scharff History of the Apostolic Church
(e) Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews Book 20
Page 390 of Reference (a) we read, the forbearance of God with his covenant people, who had crucified their own savior, at last reached its limit. As many as could be saved in the usual way, were rescued. The people had obstinately set themselves against all improvement. James the Just the man who was fitted, if any could be, to reconcile the Jews to the Christian religion had been stoned by his hardened brethren for whom he daily interceded in the temple, and with him the Christian community in Jerusalem had lost its importance in that City. Page 426 Schaff in reference (a) confirms that Polycarp was the Bishop of Smyrna.
The Seven Churches of Revelation
Introduction:
In accordance with the above references a through f, the historical evidence provides the preponderance of evidence that the seven churches in the Book of Revelation, chapters 2 and 3, are both chronologically historical as well as spiritually literal.
As delineated below we will see each church is a well-defined figurative representation that is historically recorded and solidly bolstered by biblical record.
The evidence of the Churches of Revelation as both historical and biblical spiritual examples of the progressing church age begins with the church of Ephesus in Revelation 2:1-7. We of course know the physical church of Ephesus existed in what today is modern day Turkey as did all the 7 churches of Revelation.
We see the progression from apostolic age beginning with Ephesus where there were major problems identified by scriptures, namely 1 Corinthians 15:32. In the context of 1 Corinthians 15:32 we see the application to the following scriptures: Acts 19:23-41, Daniel 7, culminating with 7:13, Revelation 1:7, Revelation 19, Revelation 12:5, Psalm 2, and finally Psalm 110 as just a sample and comparing this to the OVERCOMERS CROWN. Our battle continues to be thoroughly understood in Ephesians Chapter 6 and 2 Corinthians 10:2-5 KJB.
Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.”
In accordance with scripture delineated below and historical evidence in references (a) through (f) above we are able to distinguish a definite pattern of events in times as follows:
1. The Apostolic Church beginning at approximately 30 AD to the death of John: 30 AD - 100 A.D. Ephesus * See Ephesus below.
2. The Martyr Church - from the 1st Century to the 2nd Century. Smyrna * See Smyrna and Polycarp below.
3. The Compromising Church - from the 2nd Century to the 3rd Century. Pergamos * See Pergamos and the Doctrine of Balaam and Doctrine of the Nicolaitans below.
4. The Roman Catholic Church - The Papal Persecutions - 3rd Century - 1500 A.D. Thyatira * See Thyatira, ruled by a woman - The Queen of Heaven. Jezebel, connected to idol worship below.
5. The False Reformation Church - 1500-1700 Sardis * See Sardis * works are NOT perfect the fake Protestant movement wolves among the sheep, namely Martin LUTHER and John Wycliff catholic priests in Protestant Clothing. The Lutherans were Catholics dressed in protestant clothing. Ask why Luter and Wycliff were never burned at the stake but yet William Tyndale was.
6. The Revival Church - The True Reformation Church 1700 - The Rapture of the Church. The True Church, the True Church of Philadelphia * See the Separatist Movement: Puritans, Pilgrims, Dissenters break away from the corrupted church of England (infiltrated by the Vatican) and migrate to the America.
Isaiah 11:1
“And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:”
King James Version (KJV)
7. The Worldly Church - 1900- End Time Church to the Laodicea * See Laodicea. The LUKEWARM church of this world. The beginning of the perverted bible translations 1880s Hort and Westcott from Cambridge
Part Two: Acceptance And Conquest: AD 325–600
Part Three: A Christian Society: AD 600–1500
Part Four: Reform and Renewal: 1500–1650
Part Five: Reason, Revival, and Revolution: 1650–1789
Part Six: Cities and Empires: 1789–1914
Part Seven: A Century of Conflict: 1914–2001
The Historical and Spiritual Significance of the Seven Churches
The seven churches of Revelation were real churches in Asia Minor during the first century, but their messages are also relevant to the church throughout history and today. Each message addressed the particular spiritual condition of the church and urged the believers to overcome their challenges and grow in faith and love. The chart below summarizes the main historical and spiritual themes of each church:
Historical Background
Ephesus was an ancient city located on the coast of modern-day Turkey. It was an important commercial and cultural center and was known for its magnificent temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis. The apostle Paul visited Ephesus during his second missionary journey and spent over two years there. During this time, he established a Christian community and wrote a letter to the Ephesians, which is now part of the New Testament.
The Church of Ephesus was founded by the Apostle Paul during his missionary journey to Asia Minor around AD 52. It was located in the city of Ephesus, which was the capital of the Roman province of Asia and one of the largest cities in the ancient world. The church played a significant role in the spread of Christianity in the region and was considered one of the seven churches of Asia mentioned in the Book of Revelation.
FACTS ABOUT THE CHURCH OF EPHESUS AND THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA - Christian Gist
The city continued to thrive and expand, becoming one of the largest and most important cities in the ancient Mediterranean world.
Architectural Marvels: Ephesus was renowned for its monumental structures, including: The Temple of Artemis, completed around 550 BCE, which was designated one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
Smyrna Persecution and Suffering Endurance and Faithfulness
NAME ROOT:
Mýrrha / Smýrna
MEANING:*
This name derives from the Ancient Greek “Mýrrha (Μύρρα) Smýrna (Σμύρνα).” Myrrha (Greek: μύρρα), also known as Smyrna (Greek: σμύρνα), is the mother of Adonis in Greek )
Historical Background
Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) - The Church of the Suffering - Be Faithful Unto Death. The execution and martyrdom of Polycarp Bishop of Smyrna at the hands of the Jews. Notice the language, "Say they are JEWS but are NOT." with the church of Smyrna matches references (a) through (c) above regarding the Jews who battled against the early church. When Polycarp at Smyrna was burned at the stake, it is written the Jews ran looking for the wood.
Reference (d) on Polycarp and the Jews: "It was all done in the time it takes to tell. The crowd collected wood and bundles of sticks from the shops and public baths. The Jews , as usual, were keen to help."Church
Smyrna Persecution and Suffering Endurance and Faithfulness
Historical Background
Pergamum Compromise with Worldliness Repentance and Separation
In 312 AD, Constantine supposedly converted to Christianity, and then in 313 AD, the Edict of Milan ended the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire.
The name Pergamos in Greek can mean “Married to the tower.” Pagan worship originated in Babylon, where the tower represented their rise to become gods.
When the Medo-Persians conquered Babylon, the Babylonian priests moved to Pergamos and established a place of Satanic cultic idolatry, pagan worship, with various customs and deities.
So Pergamos is a perfect symbolic name for this church age, as ‘Mystery, Babylon the Great,’ the Roman Catholic Church, who exalt themselves above all that is called God, rose to power during this time.
The Roman Beast They Faced: The Roman Empire as the Western Roman Empire declined from the second-sixth seal judgments, and the first-fourth trumpet judgments.
The name “Thyateira” likely comes from the Greek word “thugatēr”, meaning “daughter,” although it might have an older, Lydian origin.
During the Roman era, Thyatira gained fame for its dyeing facilities and became a center for the purple cloth trade.
Historical Background
| Church | Historical Theme | Spiritual Theme |
|---|---|---|
Thyatira Tolerance of False Teachings Discernment and Faithfulness to Truth
Church
325 Constantine calls for the council of Nicaea
The First Council of Nicaea was called by the Roman emperor Constantine I in 325 A.D.12. The council brought together bishops from all over Christendom to resolve some divisive issues and ensure the continued unity of the church2. The council was called to resolve the dispute in the church which resulted from the widespread adoption of Arius' teachings, which threatened to destabilize the entire empire3. The council concluded with the establishment of the doctrine of the Holy Trinity4.
590 CE
When Did Roman Catholicism Begin? (christian-history.org)
he era of the Church of Thyatira, the Pagan Church 538-1514 AD.
Thyatira means “ruled by a woman,” which is the perfect name because this era was ruled by the Mother church of Papal Rome, who is the Great Harlot of Revelation, the Whore of Babylon.
THE QUEEN OF HEAVEN See extensive studies:
The Virgin
Queen of Heaven (Latin: Regina Caeli) is one of many Queen titles used of Mary, mother of Jesus. The title derived in part from the ancient Catholic teaching that Mary, at the end of her earthly life, was bodily and spiritually assumed into heaven, and that she is there honored as Queen.The Roman Beast They Faced: The antichrist beast popes who lead the harlot Roman Catholic Church.
Messiah’s Saints During This Era: People groups such as the Waldenses (named after Peter Waldo), the Albigenses, Hussites (named after John Huss) and Wycliffes (named after John Wycliffe)
Main Events During This Era: After the Roman Empire collapsed, Satan caused the antichrist beast popes to be given religious and civil power in 538 AD, when Emperor Justinian issued a decree making the Pope head of all churches.
During this church age and the next, Papal Rome tortured and killed tens of millions of people they deemed heretics, most from Christ’s true church.
Messiah’s church eras of Thyatira and Sardis used the rod of iron, the Word of God, to know and testify about the pure gospel of Messiah, instead of salvation by works through the Papal Church.
They are the two lamp stands which stood as a witness against the Antichrist Papal Church during their 1,260 years of reign from 538-1798 AD.
Peter Waldo, or Valdes, a man eminent among Medieval witnesses to the gospel of Christ, sold all he had in the year 1170, distributed to the poor, and became the leader to “certain missionary bands know thenceforth under the name of Waldenses, as well as “Poor Men of Lyons.”
Driven by persecution from the plain of Lombardy, the Waldenses took refuge in the valleys of the neighboring Alps, where for many centuries they maintained, in opposition to the Church of Rome, their witness to New Testament teachings. (History Unveiling Prophecy, Henry Grattan Guinness)
The astounding development of papal ambition in Innocent III, and the papal war of extermination which followed against the Albigenses and Waldenses, led the latter, early in the thirteenth century, to accept as an article of their creed the doctrine, “That the papacy and Church of Rome were to be regarded as the Apocalyptic Harlot Babylon, and by consequence Antichrist.” (Ibid, II, p. 371)
Recommended Reading:
The Waldenses History of the Waldenses by JA Wylie
The History of the Waldenses: Wylie, J. A.: 9781519095176: Amazon.com: Books
The Lamp in the Dark
https://youtu.be/O5ZgR6DqTPY?si=Uf7_ss68y83fNHtj
Tares among the wheat
https://youtu.be/qe3CMDXeG4w?si=ksNuRBJMqF1yVlBM
According to Herodotus (l. c. 484-425/413 BCE), Lydia was established by one Lydus, son of Atys, and was then given to the Heracleidae, who held it for 505 years until the last king, Candaules, was assassinated by Gyges, who established the Mermnad Dynasty that ended with Croesus (r. 560-546 BCE) when Sardis was taken by the Persian Achaemenid Empire under Cyrus II (also known as Cyrus the Great, r. c. 550-530 BCE) in 547/546 BCE.
The Persians held it until the conquest of Alexander the Great in 334 BCE, and after his death, it became part of the Seleucid Empire (312-63 BCE) before it was absorbed into Rome as an important trade city in the Roman province of Asia. Sardis was sacked by the Sasanian Persian Empire and severely damaged in the 7th century by which time it had long become associated with Christianity as one of the Seven Churches of Asia mentioned in the biblical Book of Revelation. It continued as an important religious, intellectual, cultural, and trade center until the early 15th century when it was abandoned.
Historical Background
Church Historical Theme Spiritual Theme
Sardis Spiritual Deadness Revival and Faithful Obedience
The Church of Sardis era, the Dead Church, occurred during the 1514 – 1798 AD.
The meaning of the word “Sardis” is the “escaping one,” or those who “come out,” so it is an excellent symbol of the Church during the Reformation period, when Martin Luther and a number of other reformers protested against the false teaching, tyranny and claims of the Papal Church, and they heeded Messiah’s command and came out of her.
The Roman Beast They Faced: The antichrist beast popes who lead the harlot Roman Catholic Church
Messiah’s Saints During This Era: The Waldenses, Albigenses, Bohemian Brethren, Vaudois, Wycliffites
Main Events During This Era:
At this point Messiah’s Ekklesia of saints had endured many persecutions from the Papal Church, and no doubt was tired of fighting against it.
Through Martin Luther and others, they were reminded of justification by the righteousness of Christ, pardon through his blood, and atonement by his sacrifice, doctrines that had been lost.
They had to be reminded about these things, because the Papal Church had forbid them to read the Bible, which caused them to become weak and apathetic.
In 1525 A.D. William Tyndale published the first preserved English New Testament. To counter that, in 1559 A.D, the Satan-empowered Papal Church at The Council of Trent declared that Preserved Bibles are on the “Index of Forbidden Books.”
Interestingly enough, in 1536 A.D. when Tyndale was being burned at the stake, he cried out “Lord, open the king of England’s eyes.”
God answered Tyndale’s prayer, as King Henry VIII of England authorized the Great Bible in 1540, and it was read aloud in church services of the Church of England. And then in 1611 A.D. the King James Bible was published.
With the advent of the printing press and the Word of God translated into English, millions of people were finally able to read the Bible. They found salvation through faith, apart from works, in the pure gospel of our Messiah.
Read more about the advent of the printed Bible by clicking on The Little Book of Revelation 10
John Calvin, Martin Luther, and many other revered scholars, proclaimed that the Roman Catholic Church is the Antichrist ‘whore of Babylon’, who is guilty of the blood of the saints.
This means that the ‘man of sin‘, the ‘son of perdition‘ referred to in 2 Thes. 2:3, has already been revealed, so we’re not waiting for it to happen in the end times, as so many Pastors teach.
The Protestant Reformers told people to “come out of her” (Rev. 18) and millions left the Roman Catholic Church and were saved by faith in Messiah, which led to the formation of the Protestant churches.
The founding of the ancient city of Philadelphia
Over half a century after Ptolemaios II’s death, there was a Greek king of Pergamon named Eumenes II, who had a brother named Attalos II, who acted as his general. Attalos II was famously loyal to his brother, so he was given the epithet Φιλάδελφος, which had earlier been held by Ptolemaios II. While this epithet may have originally been given to Ptolemaios II to mock him surreptitiously, when people gave it to Attalos II, they definitely meant it as a good thing.
At some point shortly after 189 BC, Eumenes II founded a city in the region of Lydia in what is now western Turkey and named it Φιλαδέλφεια (Philadélpheia) in honor of his beloved brother. The city was located roughly seventy miles east of the Greek city of Smyrna (present-day Izmir, Turkey) on the northeast slope of Mount Tmolos.
The Church of Philadelphia
12 years ago The Lord revealed the importance of the Church of Philadelphia to me.
Personal Revelation of The Church of Philadelphia (thethirdheaventraveler.com)
Revelation 3:8
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Revelation 4:1
“After 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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Colossians 4:3
“Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:”
King James Version (KJV)
Acts 14:27
“And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.”
King James Version (KJV)
Revelation 3:10
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Revelation 1:9
“I 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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Historical Background
Church Historical Theme Spiritual Theme
Philadelphia Faithfulness and Endurance Perseverance and Open Doors
1. UPON the death of king Agrippa, which we have related in the foregoing book, Claudius Caesar sent Cassius Longinus as successor to Marcus, out of regard to the memory of king Agrippa, who had often desired of him by letters, while be was alive, that he would not suffer Marcus to be any longer president of Syria. But Fadus, as soon as he was come procurator into Judea, found quarrelsome doings between the Jews that dwelt in Perea, and the people of Philadelphia, about their borders, at a village called Mia, that was filled with men of a warlike temper; for the Jews of Perea had taken up arms without the consent of their principal men, and had destroyed many of the Philadelphians. When Fadus was informed of this procedure, it provoked him very much that they had not left the determination of the matter to him, if they thought that the Philadelphians had done them any wrong, but had rashly taken up arms against them. So he seized upon three of their principal men, who were also the causes of this sedition, and ordered them to be bound, and afterwards had one of them slain, whose name was Hannibal; and he banished the other two, Areram and Eleazar.
Book 20 Josephus the Historian Chapter One
Laodicea on the Lycus was built on the site of an earlier pre-Hellenistic settlement, on a hill above the Lycus river, close to its confluence with the Maeander. Laodicea was founded by Antiochus II Theos, king of the Seleucid Empire, in 261-253 BC in honour of his wife Laodice, together with several other cities of the same name.[8] According to Pliny the Elder, the town was originally called Diospolis, "City of Zeus", and afterwards Rhoas.[9] It soon became a wealthy city.[10] In 220 BC, Achaeus declared himself king of the region but was defeated by Antiochus the Great in 213 BC. Antiochus transported 2,000 Jewish families to Phrygia from Babylonia.[11] Many of Laodicea's inhabitants were Jews from this time, and Cicero records that Flaccus[which?] later confiscated the considerable sum of 9 kg of gold, which was being sent annually to Jerusalem for the Temple. [12][13]
After the Battle of Magnesia in 188 BC, when the Romans defeated the Seleucids, the Treaty of Apamea was signed, which gave control of the whole of western Asia Minor to the Kingdom of Pergamon. With the death of its last king, its territory was bequested to Rome in 133 BC. It received from Rome the title of free city. It suffered greatly during the Mithridatic Wars[14] but quickly recovered under the dominion of Rome. Towards the end of the Roman Republic and under the first emperors, Laodicea benefitted from its advantageous position on a trade route and became one of the most important and flourishing commercial cities of Asia Minor, in which large money transactions and an extensive trade in black wool were carried out.[15][16][17] Its renowned wealth is referred to in the Bible.[18]
Historical Background
Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) - The Church of the Lukewarm - Be Zealous and Repent
| Church Historical Theme Spiritual Theme Laodicea Lukewarmness and Self-Sufficiency Repentance and Dependence on God |
|---|
The era of the Church of Laodicea, the Lukewarm Church, 1866 AD – present
Revelation 3:14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God.”
Laodicea means “power of the laity,” and it’s a fit description for two reasons:
After the antichrist Pope was removed from power in 1798, the Babylonian-based Papal Church was brought back to life by the Jesuits, when in 1929 Mussolini signed a treaty with the Roman Catholic Church giving them political power once again.
Today the Papal Church clergy organizational structure controls 1.2 Billion members, which is 1/6th the world’s population.
The Roman Beast We Face: The false prophet Jesuit Superior General and the antichrist beast pope.
Messiah’s Saints During This Era:
Main Events During This Era:
Power of the Laity also applies to most Christians churches, that give all the power to the Pastor and some deacons, instead of following Paul’s five-fold ministry pattern.
Revelation 3:15-16, “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”
Messiah offered our current church age not one word of commendation, and says that we are lukewarm and self-satisfied.
Timothy warned about this time, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” 2 Timothy 3:1-5
I pray that after reading about the historical fulfillment of the first six church eras, you realize that we now live in the last church era of Laodicea, and you will understand the force of Messiah’s words to us and the consequences if we don’t follow His commands.
In 1881, two British textual critics named Brooke Westcott and Anthony Hort published their Critical Greek New Testament. It was a unification of Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus into one Critical Greek text.[1] This new Greek text was a complete departure from the Received Text Bibles that had been used since the early days of the church. The text that was published in 1881 was a new combination of Sinaiticus and Vaticanus that no one had ever used before. It was this Greek text that would replace the Received Text as the textual basis for almost all Bible translations published thereafter.
The men who published this new Greek Critical text literally changed the Bible that the majority of Christians used. For centuries, Christians used Bibles that were based in the traditional text, the Received Text. With the publication of the Critical Text, all this was about to change. From 1881 on, most new translations would follow this brand-new text that had never before existed, this new hybrid of Vaticanus and Sinaiticus.
Was it wise for modern Christianity to trust these two men to change the traditional Bible? The answer is a definitive no. This becomes even more clear when we study just who these men were. Today, we have many books and letters that were written by Westcott and Hort. These documents give us a very good idea as to the beliefs and character of these men.
Westcott and Hort were men who did not believe in many orthodox doctrines, especially in regards to the authority and preservation of the Scriptures. Hort said in a letter: The positive doctrines even of the Evangelicals seem to me perverted rather than untrue. There are, I fear, still more serious differences between us on the subject of authority, and especially the authority of the Bible;[2] Hort differed greatly with orthodox Christianity in regards to the authority of the Bible in the life of the Christian.
Westcott and Hort not only did not believe in orthodox views in regards to the authority of the Bible, they also despised the traditional Bible that had been used since the early days of the church. Hort said regarding the traditional Bible (Received Text): I had no idea till the last few weeks of the importance of texts, having read so little Greek Testament, and dragged on with the villainous Textus Receptus.[3] The villainous textus Receptus? This is the person whom modern Christians trust to have reconstructed the Greek text of their Bibles? Hort continued: Think of that vile Textus Receptus leaning entirely on late manuscripts.; it is a blessing there are such early ones.[4] Calling the traditional and historic Bibles "vile" shows the low view these two men had for Scripture.
In addition to the authority of the Scriptures, Westcott and Hort denied many other orthodox Christian doctrines. In regards to the literal creation, Westcott wrote: No one now, I suppose, holds that the first three chapters of Genesis, for example, give a literal history -- I could never understand how anyone reading them with open eyes could think they did.[5] Westcott and Hort were evolutionists who denied the Genesis account of creation.
Hort was not someone who believed in the biblical doctrines of salvation. He even called the substitutionary atonement of Christ "immoral." Hort writes: I entirely agree...with what you there say on the atonement, having for many years believed that 'the absolute union of the Christian (or rather, of man) with Christ Himself' is the spiritual truth of which the popular doctrine of substitution is an immoral and material counterfeit.[6]
Westcott also did not believe in biblical salvation, but he did teach the false doctrine of universal salvation. He wrote in his commentary of Hebrews 2:8-9, "The fruit of His work is universal."[7] Is it true that all people will be saved? No, only those that trust in Christ will be saved. Westcott also taught other heretical views regarding salvation. He wrote in his commentary of John 15:8, "a Christian never 'is' but always 'is becoming' a Christian."[8] The teaching that a Christian can never be sure of his salvation is heresy and false doctrine (1 John 5:12-13).
Westcott denied the reality of Heaven. He wrote in his commentary of John 1:18, "The 'bosom of the Father' (like heaven) is a state and not a place."[9] The Bible teaches that heaven is most definitely a place. Jesus said that He would prepare a "place" for us, not a "state" (John 14:2). Westcott's view of the doctrine of heaven was very heretical. Westcott & Hort: their heresies and occult activities (sociedadrvg.com)
Additional information on the evil works of Wescott and Hort
Chick.com: Chapter 8: Westcott and Hort - part 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
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.
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.
4Thou 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.
5He 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.
6He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
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.
12Him 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.
13He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
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;
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.
22He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
In Revelation, chapter 2, we read of an enigmatic sect or group called the Nicolaitans who post a great threat to the churches of God. Jesus says to the Ephesus church: “But this you have, that you hate the DEEDS of the Nicolaitans, which I also HATE” (Rev.2:6). Notice that they hated and rejected the doctrines, works, and doctrines of the “Nicolaitans.”
The Ephesus church was historically a type or antitype of the first and second century churches of God – essentially, the first generation of the church and their early descendants. But Christ said, “He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to [all] the churches” (Rev 2:7).
Then, to the Pergamos church, who existed in a succeeding period of the church, Jesus declares again: “But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Thus [i.e. therefore] you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. REPENT, or else I will come to you quickly and fight against them with the sword of My mouth” (vs.14-16).
Doctrine of Balaam
Notice that their teachings are comparable or the same as the doctrine of Balaam, the arch apostate deceiver and prophet who tried to divine magic against Israel when they came out of Egypt. When God would not allow him to place a curse on Israel, he later taught the Midianites and their allies to “seduce” Israel from their faithfulness to God, by sending their daughters and wives to use their sexual charms on them, and to entice them to commit immorality and the partake of pagan festivities and idolatrous worship, combining paganism with the worship of God – something which God abominates and thoroughly detests! The blending of the truth of God with paganism and wicked pagan festivals and practices is an abhorrence to God. It is called religious “syncretism.”
The word “Nicolaitans,” in Greek, means “followers of Nicolas.” The name “Nicolas” means “victor of the people.”
Peloubet’s Bible Dictionary says of them, “They seem to have held that it was lawful to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit the immoral excesses of the heathen, in opposition to the decree of the Church rendered in Acts 15:20, 29. Mingling themselves in the orgies of idolatrous feasts, they brought the impurities of those feasts into the meetings of the Christian Church. And all this was done, it must be remembered, not simply as an indulgence of appetite, but as a part of a SYSTEM, supported by a “doctrine,” accompanied by the boasts of a prophetic illumination” (p.449).
Early Church Syncretism
The Nicolaitans, therefore, were the early Christian-pagan syncretists, the false teachers that crept into the church, who disguised themselves as followers of Christ – who professed to be His ministers and servants – but who led the people astray.
Peter wrote of them, saying, “But there were also false prophets among the people [such as Balaam], even as there will be FALSE TEACHERS among you, who will secretly bring in DESTRUCTIVE HERESIES, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed” – by the world around, which will paint all true Christians with the same brushstroke, as being corrupt, immoral, and evil, because of the shenanigans and wicked works of these “Nicolaitans” or false Christians, false teachers who claim to represent Messiah and His truth (II Pet.2:1-2).
Peter goes on, “By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words” (v.2). He says of them, that they “despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed,” and like brutish beasts “speak evil of the things they do not understand” (verse10, 12). “They are spots and blemishes [in the churches], carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you . . . They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, FOLLOWING THE WAY OF BALAAM the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness” (verses 13-15).
These are the ‘Nicolaitans.” Halley’s Bible Handbook tells us of them, “Sexual vice was actually a part of heathen worship, and recognized as a proper thing in heathen festivals. Priestesses of Diana and kindred deities were public prostitutes. The thing had been a troublesome question for Gentile churches from the start. . . Meantime great multitudes of heathen had become Christians, and had carried some of their old ideas into their new religion. . . Naturally there were all sorts of attempts to harmonize these heathen practices with the Christian religion. Many professing Christian teachers, claiming inspiration from God, were advocating the right to free participation in heathen immoralities. In Ephesus, the Christian pastors, as a body, excluded such teachers. But in Pergamum and Thyatira, while we are not to think that the main body of pastors held such teachings, yet they tolerated within their ranks those who did” (p.694).
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