(10-12-2009 11:12 PM)Luke Wrote: [ -> ]Well if they are beheaded, than it's a pretty amusing resurrection, since their heads would have to pop back on (I think the Doc mentions that in revelation. It may have been a subconscious memory of that commentary)
Yep, DR made that very point somewhere. I remember reading it too, even though it has been years since I read one of his commentaries.
Quote:Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand
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If you keep this verse in your mind as you read the book, it's interpretative understanding becomes easier. Knowing that you are being blessed, just for reading.
The second church we meet is the Smyrna church, verses 8 to 11. This is the church that suffers persecution. And in verse 10 it says, "None of those things...fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, you may be tried. You shall have tribulation ten days..." ten days signifies a brief period of time..."be faithful unto death and I'll give you a crown of life." Nothing negative is said against this church. Why? Because a church under persecution will always be a pure church, it's purged by the persecution. People who are just showing up for whatever reason once persecution starts get out. Cause if they don't have anything to die for, they're not going to stay around and get killed in the massacre. So this is the church under persecution. And at all periods of the church's history there have been those churches and there are such churches today.
Thanks for that Gord
I just noticed that James 1:12 is the sister verse to this, as it also mentions the crown of life as a reward for enduring temptation. Which would mean that Smyrna was a Jewish church (or will be a Jewish church if we take the future application) due to the cross reference with James 1:12 and 1:1 (The Twelve Tribes scattered abroad - Smyrna is not exactly Jerusalem nor is it in Israel, even though it is in the same geographical area).
(10-19-2009 03:20 PM)Luke Wrote: [ -> ]Thanks for that Gord
I just noticed that James 1:12 is the sister verse to this, as it also mentions the crown of life as a reward for enduring temptation. Which would mean that Smyrna was a Jewish church (or will be a Jewish church if we take the future application) due to the cross reference with James 1:12 and 1:1 (The Twelve Tribes scattered abroad - Smyrna is not exactly Jerusalem nor is it in Israel, even though it is in the same geographical area).
The analogy holds then, the church that suffers persecution, as does the race that suffers persecution.
(10-12-2009 06:32 AM)Here Am I Wrote: [ -> ]I have been shown (and have seen for myself) that Scripture can be applied in three ways: doctrinally, spiritually (for us church age believers) and historically.
The seven churches in Revelation 1-3 are actual churches that existed back in John's day. They are also examples of the different church ages, and, most likely, of Tribulation churches.
I'm no scholar, but that makes sense to me. Will or William or one of the other elder brethren will probably correct or elaborate upon that. ;)
Thank you much for this sis, for this is quite interesting. Yet I seem to believe that perhaps during the tribulation years, there will be no "church", as we understand it today, for the Church would have been raptured by this time (for we are HIS firstfruits, the BRIDE). Anyways, Satan will have full sway over that time of God's Wrath, and I believe that he will quickly move to establish his apostate religious babylonian system of worship, also moving to destroy all bibles and those who hold the TESTIMONY of JESUS and the Word of God.
2Th:2:4: Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
Re:6:9: And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
Re:6:10: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? (YES, blood crieth, and God hears)