Amazing Discoveries

Total Onslaught
by Professor Walter Veith

The seven churches Lecture Outline for

DVD #207
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Amazing Discoveries

Total Onslaught Lecture Outline #207

The Seven Churches

1.What are the seven churches? 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 __ _______, and unto _______, and unto _______, and unto ________, and unto ________, and unto ___________, and unto ____________. NOTE: These were churches that are located in Asia Minor, in fact the ruins of these churches are in the country of Turkey today. 2.What relevance do these old churches have today? NOTE: These churches, although they were literal, also when studied carefully, reveal the history of the church throughout history. From the conception of the early Christian Church, to the consummation of all things at the second coming of Christ, the whole gambit is here for us to take lessons we can learn about the history and present 2

challenges facing the people of God. So, lets begin our journey looking at the first church mentioned by Jesus here, the church of Ephesus. 3.What was commendable about the Church of Ephesus? Revelation 2:1-3, Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast ___ ___, and for my names sake hast ______, and hast not __________. NOTE: This church represents the early Christian Church. It was a pure church, with pure motives. They went out and evangelized the world that they knew. They wanted everyone to hear the good news. So, they went out and told them. This was the time period of (33 AD 100 AD) The church in Ephesus had a very high standard of Christianity. They tried those who said they were followers of Christ, but in the end they were found to be pretenders. They labored bringing others to Jesus, and they did not grow weary and lose their faith in Christ. 4.For what did Jesus rebuke the church at Ephesus? Revelation 2:4-5, Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left _____ _____ _____. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, 3

except thou repent. NOTE: Jesus tells them that they left their first love. What does this mean? They somehow lost the early fervency and simplicity of their relationship with Jesus. They were no longer serving Him out of a heart filled with love as their motivation, but only out of a sense of legality. This problem is still with us today. There is a very subtle danger among Christians today to lose their first love experience with Jesus. 5.What was the promise made to the overcomer in Ephesus? Revelation 2:6-7 , But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. 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 tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. NOTE: Here we see something that at first glance seems to be contrary to the character of Christ. Here Jesus commending the church for hating. Not hating the people, but hating the deeds. This is the same way Jesus is. Jesus does not hate anyone He loves everyone, and wants everyone to be saved. (See 2 Peter 2:9) But, He does hate sin. Jesus also extends the promise for the overcomer, which is the fruit from the tree of life that will perpetuate eternal life. This was the same tree that was kept from Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:2224). The next church that is mentioned is the church at Smyrna. 6.What are some of the most obvious characteristics of the Church in Smyrna? 4

Revelation 2:8-11, And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and _______, and ________, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. ______ none of those things which thou shalt _______: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have ________ ___ ____: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. NOTE: One of the most unique characteristics about this church is that Jesus had no reproofs for it. There is only one other church in the seven that had no reproofs. This was a church that was heavily persecuted, and experienced great persecution. The time frame of this church was from around 100 AD 313 AD. The ten days that is mentioned is equated to ten years when you use the day year principle, and if you look back into the pages of history you will find that a very heavy persecution did indeed take place under the leadership of Diocletian. Where countless hordes of Christians were fed to lions, eaten by wild dogs, under the guise of entertainment at the Roman Colosseum. The counsel of Jesus is simple, Be Faithful Unto Death. He knew that this church would face incredible trials, and many people of that church took heed to the words of Jesus. 7.What was the next church and what was it known for? Revelation 2:12-17, And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp 5

sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satans 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. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the _____ _____, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 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. NOTE: Here we see a contrast between especially the church at Ephesus. Pergamos began to compromise in issues that the church before were against. The Ephesians church hated the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, and the Pergamos church held to that doctrine. Paganism was making its way into the church and the results would be catastrophic. 8.What happened to the church at Thyatira? Revelation 2:18-29, 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; 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. 6

Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave ____ _____ to ______ of her fornication; and she ________ not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 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. 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. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 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. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. NOTE: This time period was from 538 AD 1517 AD. It was a very sad time in the history of the Christian Church. Compromise became so accepted that it was institutionalized. Great systems began under this pagan philosophy, of letting down the standards that made Christianity stand out, and was replaced by letting go of those standards in order to bring people into the church. When this is done, in whatever age it might be, the result is 7

widespread apostasy. 9.What was the next step in the history of the Christian Church? Revelation 3:1-6, 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. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 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. 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 _________. 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. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. NOTE: Praise God, that He did not leave His church in spiritual ruin! During the time of Sardis, God began a movement called the reformation. This was from 1517 AD 1798 AD. God opened the eyes of many sincere people who truly wanted to do the will of God. Who were faithful members of the church that ruled during the middle ages. One of those, was a man by the name of Martin Luther. Luther was a monk, and had no desire to leave his beloved church. But, as he studied the Word of God, the contrast 8

and contradiction of his own church, seized him with horror, and he had no other choice than to try to reform it. This movement swelled with when others read his writings and the reformation gained substantial momentum. At the council of Trent however this movement failed for a time. But, the good news is that this reformation, is still continuing, and against all odds it will finally triumph in power and glory under the direct control of the Holy Spirit. 10.How did the church in Philadelphia respond to the gospel message? Revelation 3:7-13, 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; 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. 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. 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. Behold, __ _____ _________: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 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. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto 9

the churches. NOTE: The word Philadelphia means brotherly love. And this age of the church was a church that had no rebuke from Jesus. This was a movement that preached the soon coming of Jesus with great earnestness and vigor. The time frame of the church of Philadelphia was from 1798 AD 1844 AD. This was a time of great excitement for many prostestant denominations. During this time many missionaries were sent all over the world, and Bible societies were established when it seemed in years past that the light of Jesus Christ would be vanquished from the earth. Now lets move to the final age of Church History, our age, Laodicea. 11.What is unique about the Laodicean Church? Revelation 3:14-22, And 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; I know thy works, that thou art neither _____ nor__ ___: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art ________, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because 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: I 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. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, 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. 10

To 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. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. NOTE: This is the only church that has no commendation from Jesus only rebuke. This age of the church is ravaged by secularism and materialism, so much so that the church is neither hot, nor cold. Hot meaning, emptied of self, filled with the love of God. Cold meaning, never knowing the truth, devoid of the knowledge of God, this church is lukewarm somewhere in the middle. The time frame of Laodicea is from 1844 till the present time. The word Laodicea means a judging of the people. So, this is a time of Judgment. This is also the final church there are not eight churches, only seven. MY DECISION FOR JESUS. I see that God has hand his hand over the church in every succeeding age, and I also realize that Gods church has encountered tremendous trials and disappointments, as well as glimpses of the power of Christ. I decide today to follow Him wherever that path might lead. Yes or No

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