Teaching on the seven churches in Revelation

            This focuses on the seven churches which are discussed one at a time in the book of Revelation as Jesus has John write letters to each of them commending most of them for the good deeds that they have done but also rebuking most of the churches for their shortcomings,  and wrongdoings encouraging all of them to repent of all of their wrongdoing and stating the consequences for them should they fail to repent of their wrong doings and listening to false teachings. Also promises are given for the one who conquers the various situations. Many of the churches today have qualities of one or more of the churches that which are discussed in these two chapters of the book of Revelation.

            The first church to be discussed here in this teaching is Ephesus. Jesus commends them for their good works, patience and endurance, but also then rebukes them for having abandoned their first love- Him. I am sure there are churches like that today, for in my own personal experience many have forsaken evangelism and even their worship is in some ways iffy. Jesus wants his church to repent and come back and do the first works, like evangelism, bringing people to Him for salvation

(Revelation 2:1)  "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.

(Revelation 2:2)  "'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.

(Revelation 2:3)  I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary.

(Revelation 2:4)  But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

(Revelation 2:5)  Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

(Revelation 2:6)  Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

(Revelation 2:7)  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.'

The second church to be brought up in the passage is the church of Smyrna and Jesus encourages them to endure the persecution of the Jews and promises a crown of life to those who endure. Many churches abroad today, in countries like India and Pakistan and many other countries are under this same condition (except that different people such as Hindus and Muslims and/or atheistic governments and more  are doing the persecuting nowadays- persecuted and the same promises given to Smyrna also apply today to the persecuted churches everywhere as the time of the writing of the book of Revelation because God does NOT change in His ways

(Revelation 2:8)  "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: 'The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.

(Revelation 2:9)  "'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

(Revelation 2:10)  Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

(Revelation 2:11)  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.'

Pergamum is the third church represented and while they are commended for holding fast His name in an evil area that they lived they are also rebuked for also holding to the bad teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans, and strongly encourages their repentance and turning away from such false teachings promising them hidden manna to those who conquer.

(Revelation 2:12)  "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: 'The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.

(Revelation 2:13)  "'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

(Revelation 2:14)  But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.

(Revelation 2:15)  So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

(Revelation 2:16)  Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.

(Revelation 2:17)  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.'

To the fourth church of the group Thyatira Jesus in this commends them for their love, faith and patience yet also rebukes them for tolerating the evil false teaching and spirit of Jezebel and all of its tolerance of sexual immorality in its various forms. Many churches today sadly do that, and all are encouraged to repent of such evils. The others are encouraged to hold on for good promises are made to those who conquer- good position and a morning star.

(Revelation 2:18)  "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: 'The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.

(Revelation 2:19)  "'I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.

(Revelation 2:20)  But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

(Revelation 2:21)  I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.

(Revelation 2:22)  Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works,

(Revelation 2:23)  and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.

(Revelation 2:24)  But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden.

(Revelation 2:25)  Only hold fast what you have until I come.

(Revelation 2:26)  The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations,

(Revelation 2:27)  and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father.

(Revelation 2:28)  And I will give him the morning star.

(Revelation 2:29)  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

The church of Sardis is the fifth church to be discussed, and Jesus then criticizes them for being dead despite claiming to be alive. I have been in churched these days myself that just simply feel dead and seemingly without the presence of the Holy Spirit or at best the presence if very weak in the church such that I cannot even discern the Holy Spirit there at a service so I know that this condition is still around nowadays too. The church is then encouraged to repent of their dead condition and wake up, and promises of white garments are made to those who conquer this condition

(Revelation 3:1)  "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: 'The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. "'I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.

(Revelation 3:2)  Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.

(Revelation 3:3)  Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.

(Revelation 3:4)  Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.

(Revelation 3:5)  The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.

(Revelation 3:6)  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

The sixth church to be discussed is the church of Philadelphia who are commended for their patient endurance and promised a door that none can shut, and even to be kept from the tribulation, which indeed is a promise of the pre tribulation rapture, and further promises are given for the conquerors in that church

(Revelation 3:7)  "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: 'The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.

(Revelation 3:8)  "'I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

(Revelation 3:9)  Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie--behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet and they will learn that I have loved you.

(Revelation 3:10)  Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.

(Revelation 3:11)  I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.

(Revelation 3:12)  The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.

(Revelation 3:13)  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

The seventh and final church discussed by Jesus in these two  chapters is the church of Laodicea which many feel we are in the current age of the church of Ladicea, with its lukewarmness which nauseates Jesus, who then promises to spit them out of His mouth because He hates the luke-warm. Many Christians today are in this lukewarm state and run a very strong risk of missing the rapture if they do not repent as Jesus strongly advises all to do today, yet he gives the promise to the conqueror to sit on His throne, a powerful promise indeed.

(Revelation 3:14)  "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.

(Revelation 3:15)  "'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!

(Revelation 3:16)  So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

(Revelation 3:17)  For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

(Revelation 3:18)  I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.

(Revelation 3:19)  Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

(Revelation 3:20)  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

(Revelation 3:21)  The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.

(Revelation 3:22)  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"

Rapture

I will conclude and wrap this teaching up by saying that the way people are now(not too unlike the way they were at Noah’s time and also the time Sodom, which are things which Jesus prophesied about in scriptures in Matthew, Mark and Luke)and all the many other end times signs which are occurring currently(animals dying, food prices rising, wars, rumors of wars, crazy weather and so on) are birth pangs of the coming tribulation period and  sure signs the rapture is not far way, indeed, I still believe that the rapture could be any day at any time, of which the Heavenly Father only knows). So cheer up, your redemption is drawing closer and closer every day that passes. Also please remember that Jesus loves you more than You can possibly know, and also by posting this about the rapture, too, which does duplicate some of the scriptures, but that is for emphasis for the rapture is too important and you absolutely DO NOT want to miss it:

                                  THE RAPTURE IS IMMINENT!!! ARE YOU READY????

            I am very strongly led to believe the rapture is very imminent, and could happen any day at anytime at all. Nobody knows the exact time for the rapture but the Father God Himself. I cannot strongly enough advise all of you to get your hearts right with Jesus by asking the Holy Spirit to reveal to you if there is any Sin /iniquity/ uncleanness in your heart, mind etc and repenting of any and all items brought to your mind right away, asking the Holy Spirit to cleanse you and your garments so that they are spotless, being washed by the blood of Jesus. I am a man, needing the blood of Jesus for cleansing as much as everyone else, and believe me I am doing the same thing. This repenting is a continuous process, not just a one time thing; I have found that I myself have been repenting several times throughout the day. I know that it will be God's grace and mercy ONLY that I make the rapture, not anything I do, I am well aware of the fact that grace alone being what saves, and not works lest any should boast, but also faith without works is dead so I am sharing this with everyone, in the hopes that a few, even just one person, would wake up in time, and repent, for the remaining time here is very short.

            I post and share this document for I deeply care for people and DO NOT want anyone to miss the rapture and find themselves left behind to face the 7 year tribulations which will follow the rapture which will be pure a horrific time on earth, the most horrific ever, in fact, where you will have to hide in caves or in mountains, away from all the evil and very selfish people, be an absolute survival expert, which many are not and absolutely refuse at all costs to take the mark of the beast(666).As a result of your refusal to take this mark, you won’t be able to buy or sell anything, work, eat, live in a normal way, and so on, and most likely you’ll be killed for it, but that is far better than taking the mark and ending up in the lake of fire for eternity, as each and every man and woman  who take the mark of the beast will end up in the lake of fire, where there will be absolutely no rest from their torment night or day(Revelation 14).  Even doing all the precautions, hiding by getting away from all population centers and into the mountains, and so on may not be enough because many if not most people, in fact will not survive the judgments that God will pour out on the world in this time period, in the seal, trumpet and bowl judgments as well as the judgment and destruction of the daughter of Babylon. All these events are described in good detail in the book of Revelation in chapters 6 through 18, which I strongly advise all to read. Here is a link an excellent animated video of the entire book of revelation for you to watch

 The tribulation period of seven years absolutely will make today's evil world seem like life in paradise by comparison. I very strongly suggest reading the book of Revelation chapters 6 through 18 which tell you specifically what sort of events and judgments the world will see during this tribulation period.

Here are some rapture related scriptures:

 (1 Corinthians 15:51) Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

(1 Corinthians 15:52) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

(1Thessolonians 4:16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

(1Thessolonians 4:17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

God wants to keep us from this tribulation by His love and mercy Because thou has 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."  The implication of this verse is obvious:  If the end-time Christian does NOT stay close to the Lord and endure to the end, HE WILL NOT BE KEPT FROM THE TRIBULATION HOUR Revelation 3 verse 10, so it is IMPERATIVE to stay close to the Lord in these last days. 

Now I have a very special warning message to all those who are lukewarm Christians to repent of this condition and to be on fire for Jesus or Jesus will surely spit you out of the rapture(see verse 16, below) and you will go through the seven year tribulation as it says in Revelation 3 14-22. There are FAR TOO MANY are in this condition the Holy Spirit warned me this AM. There are FAR TOO MANY LAODICEANS today. Please REPENT NOW of your lukewarmness and be on fire for the Lord before it is too late and you miss the rapture as a result of your being lukewarm!! Here are the verses in Revelation chapter 3 concerning the Laodicean church:

(Revelation 3:14) 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;

(Revelation 3:15) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

(Revelation 3:16) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

(Revelation 3:17) 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:

(Revelation 3:18) 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.

(Revelation 3:19) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

(Revelation 3:20) 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.

(Revelation 3:21) 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.

(Revelation 3:22) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Summarizing, you MUST all be ready for this coming rapture, AND be on FIRE for Jesus, and not be at all lukewarm but loving Jesus with ALL Your heart, mind and soul as commanded in the bible, in several places in both the old and new testaments. If in case you need to receive the Lord please pray the following prayer (backsliders can also use this prayer to repent of their sin and lukewarmness and recommit their lives, and return to their first love, Jesus. Please do so NOW before it is too late)

Dear God in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need your forgiveness. I believe that your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin. You said in Your Holy Word, Romans 10:9 that if we confess Jesus as our Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we will be saved. Right now I confess Jesus as the Lord of my soul. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I am saved. Thank you Jesus for your unlimited grace which has saved me from my sins. I thank you Jesus that your grace never leads to license, but rather it always leads to repentance. Therefore Lord Jesus transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to you alone and not to myself. Thank you Jesus for dying for me and giving me eternal life.

Amen.

Here are 10 steps that can be of help to be ready for the soon to come rapture:

1. Make sure that you have received Jesus Christ into your life as your PERSONAL Lord and Savior(see the salvation prayer above and use it if need be).

2. Examine your own heart for any signs of backsliding, worldliness, unwatchfulness, compromising, and lukewarmness.

3. REPENT (Turn COMPLETELY away from sin and turn COMPLETELY around towards Jesus).  Sin separates you from God, even as a Christian.

4. Study end-time Biblical prophecy(Daniel 7-12, Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 17, 21, 1 Corinthians 15, 1 Thessalonians 4 and 5, other places but the  book of Revelation in particular)  until you become completely convinced that His Coming is, indeed, AT THE DOOR.  This will help keep you from temptation and sin.  JESUS IS COMING VERY SOON!!! Lord help me be absolutely convinced YOU ARE at the door!!!!!

5. Do something for the Lord.  (Passing out tracts would be a good start.)

6. Examine your priorities, lest the CARES OF THIS LIFE cause YOU to MISS THE RAPTURE, as we are so adamantly WARNED about in Luke 21, and so many other Scriptures.

7. Draw closer to God by praying, reading His Word, attending a fundamental church as often as possible, and surround yourself with a Christian atmosphere (Christian friends, books, music, radio, TV, etc.)

8. PRAY DILIGENTLY.  ASK THE LORD TO REVEAL TO YOU ANYTHING IN YOUR LIFE THAT EVEN MIGHT KEEP YOU FROM THE RAPTURE.  PRAY THAT THE LORD WOULD GIVE YOU A PEACE, IF YOU ARE READY, AND AN UNREST AND UNEASINESS IN YOUR HEART, IF YOU ARE NOT READY.

9. Listen for His voice and then STAY OPEN TO THE LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

10. Act upon that which the Lord is calling you to do. DO IT NOW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!

Please also pray and ask the Lord Jesus to see if you are indeed ready and to give you peace if you and If the Lord has planted even the least bit of doubt or uneasiness in your heart, will you swallow your pride and pray this prayer with me:

"Dear Lord, Thank you for preparing a WAY OF ESCAPE from the horrible Tribulation to come.  It is my sincere desire to be ready for your Soon Return, so that I can participate in the Rapture. Give me a COMPLETE PEACE IN MY HEART FROM YOU if I am, indeed, ready. Let there be no false sense of security in my heart concerning my readiness for Your Return.  Begin to reveal to me things in my life and in my heart that might keep me from the Rapture.  Show me what I need to do to BE READY and then give me the power to act upon that which you show me to do.  Draw me away from the world and closer to you every day.  Use me in whatever way you can to help others

who may not be ready for your Return.  Fill me with your peace when I am ready and fill me with YOUR POWER, for victory over sin and temptation, and for effective service for your kingdom.  In Jesus' mighty name, Amen

If, by an unfortunate chance, you are finding yourself reading this testimony after the rapture has happened, and you find that you have missed it, everything is not lost by any means, just please pray immediately to accept the Lord Jesus as savior and /or recommit your life to Him, repenting of anything  and everything that you have done that has caused you to miss the rapture, especially such things as being lukewarm and whatever else you may do during that time absolutely DO NOT TAKE THE MARK OF THE BEAST OR YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY IN THE LAKE OF FIRE!!!!!(taking the mark of the beast means you are essentially married to Satan, the antichrist, the beast and false prophet,  ALL OF WHOM ARE DESTINED FOR THE LAKE OF FIRE, AS ARE ALL WHO TAKE THEIR MARK ON THEIR FOREHEAD OR HAND). IT IS NOT AT ALL FORGIVABLE TO TAKE THIS MARK- so again you must avoid taking this mark AT ALL COSTS you won’t be able to buy, sell, work, and so on, you will have to hide, living in the forest and away from civilization, face jail, torture, and be executed for refusing the mark. If you do die for refusing to take the mark of the beast, if you are Jesus’ you will go to heaven immediately as a tribulation saint and martyr spoken of in the book of revelation. I cannot strongly stress the point enough to NEVER, EVER accept the mark of the beast, no matter what!!!! It will be well worth it to lose everything and everyone in this world, including your life so as  to not have to spend all eternity in hell and the lake of fire, where again there will be never any rest on your torment day or night.

Here is a video link for after the rapture http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbvC-9Ei83E&feature=youtu.be

And a link to another facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jay.dougherty.50?ref=tn_tnmn#!/notes/jay-dougherty/good-book-on-tribulations-and-end-times-please-share-aslo-video-link/10200133756520233

God bless you and yours