Thus unscriptural truth spreads like a virus. A group of elders ruled each local church. This was the husk that protects the seed. PERGAMOS. They talk about the name of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost but cannot tell you what that name is. Listen to church preachers tell you about the mistakes, contradictions, myths, and faulty translations in the King James Version of the Bible. By Nevin Bass “The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. Re 11:4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks. Martin Luther in Germany restored salvation by faith. Revelation 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. We have seen the Jews returning to Israel for the last century or so. AN EXPOSITION OF THE SEVEN CHURCH AGES. The church of Thyatira did not form in the days of the apostles but formed soon after. That represents a wide spectrum of different beliefs. Scriptures that refer to the antichrist spirits during the church ages are put into the Tribulation. He turns around and sees a vision of the Lord Jesus in His glory. Everybody obeys Rome without even thinking. The official Roman church dominated Europe and truth died before the onslaught of unscriptural church traditions and doctrines. Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. Moving away from the beliefs of the first church age can be described as EVIL. What does this tell us about the source of Easter bunnies? Before the throne of God in heaven he saw the seven lamps of fire, "which are the seven Spirits of God" (Revelation 4:2,5). Men began to call themselves by new unscriptural titles like “the bishop of Antioch”. The New Testament is the light of the world, represented by the 7-branched candlestick. They are happy to restore the Spirit of God but not the Truth of revealed Scripture. The Revelation Chapter 3 deals with the restoration of the truth from the Dark Ages. People were often killed just for owning a Bible or for disagreeing with the Roman Catholic church. The Lord is standing in the midst of seven golden lampstands, and “in his right hand he held seven stars” (verse 16). It appears that the problem lay in two words: 'elders' (presbyters) and 'overseers' (bishops). The wise men actually went to a house and saw a young Child, not a baby. Pagan traditions were dressed up in Bible terms. Paul always boosted Christ as the fullness of the Godhead. This extended the authority of the Pope over church festivals. Four is the middle of seven. So the second church age looked like this, in terms of truth, as the flame of Bible truth was shrinking. Then he rose on Sunday morning. The fourth sign is Michael who is symbolic of the angel Michael (Revelation 12:7-17). Thus the restoration of Spirit and Truth, back to the example of the New Testament church, since the Reformation that started in 1520 looks like this: Thus looking at the full candlestick, in terms of the light of the Bible truth, reveals two trends. It is as if the church of the New Testament was "good seed" of Bible truth that was planted by the original apostles. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. The bishop of Rome was given vast wealth and the beautiful Lateran palace by the emperor to make sure he obeyed the emperor. Compare "The kingdom of God shall be taken away from you, and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof" (Matthew 22:43). The star had nothing to do with the stable when Jesus was born. EPHESIANS 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: The head is connected to the body by means of the backbone. The concept of the “Candle Stick being Removed” comes from the letters to the seven churches in Revelations. They claimed the wise men went to the stable which was another denial of Scripture. The Lord commended the church at Ephesus for … This symbolized that the church age of Thyatira, the Dark Age, was the furthest that the church backslid away from the teachings and influence of the apostles. But this move was always opposed by other spirits in the church that focused on human leadership, unscriptural doctrines, political involvement, big-money, and pagan influences. The meaning is, that the church gave light in Ephesus; and that what he would do in regard to that place would be like … The central lampstand was the first church age. Today they use that as an excuse for any other unscriptural word. It opens with an incredible encounter between Jesus and the apostle. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. The pagans worshiped a star god. Nine months after mid April, babies would be born in mid December, Yule time or the time of the child. He wanted to restore the apostolic doctrine of salvation in Christ alone. When the Reformation started, Luther stood out like a solitary light in the darkness. But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Jesus is the Head of the church and saved people form His spiritual Body. :28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. They got richer and more materialistic instead of more Biblical. Trinity was the first time that they made an unscriptural word an official doctrine. The number seven means “spiritual perfection” according to E. W. Bullinger’s book, Number in Scripture. The Lord uses seven golden candlesticks to represent these churches. He did not want to use good works as the key to salvation to move further away from the New Testament Scriptures. That's right, yes, sir, the sovereignty of the local church, each church in itself. Pope, Cardinal, Metropolitan, Archbishop, and Archdeacon are all unscriptural titles but that is what ruled the church. The Jews will finally receive, from their two prophets, the scraps of New Testament doctrine that their ancestors rejected 2000 years ago. Jesus can help everybody through their particular fiery furnace if they are not prepared to bow down to what is false and unscriptural, despite severe and intense pressure to do so. The church looked like it was still shining bright but some of that light was just human wisdom caused by human leaders thinking up their own ideas. Now the truth of the matter is the word 'elder' signifies who the person is, while the word 'bishop' signifies the office of the same man. In the end the plant will produce seed which is identical to the seed that was first planted. EXODUS 12:3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: EXODUS 12:6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. The only name that believers had was “Christian”. Persecution and poverty stopped the church straying too far. Then Satan fought back and soon politics and violence re-entered the church. This was the source or inspiration of our hot cross buns. Picking the date 25 December according to the new Roman calendar, which had been changed in 45 BC by the Roman dictator Julius Caesar, gave this Roman calendar authority over other nations. Then God turns back to the Jews during the final three and a half years of the Tribulation. This is how the seventh church looks as it is locked in man-made commandments and doctrines and thus cannot discover the full truth of Scripture. Thus all the churches that accepted Christmas fell under the influence of Rome. (Yahusha) Candlestick – A symbol of a church, which should be a light in the world. Bridegroom – Jesus Christ. The truth of Scripture was getting stronger so the sixth church age looked like the above candlestick. Candlesticks originated from Japanese rice merchants and traders to … Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, must agree. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. This was supplied by the candlestick, which, however, served also as a symbol of the church or people of God, who are "the light of the world." The 14th day would then be Thursday, when He was killed. (The source of Mary worship). The Word of God was their Absolute. Thus the third church age looked like the above candlestick, in terms of truth. The King James Version of the Bible was born in 1611 to give the Scripture in English and checked and re-checked for over 150 years to be finalized in 1769. Elders had ruled the early church that were usually small local groups. What must we understand about the rejected scraps that were collected? People's Bible Notes for Revelation 11:4. God turned from the Jews to the Gentiles during the 7 church ages. With the backing of the emperor, the Roman bishop would soon claim power over the other churches. The New Testament, which is based on the Old Testament, would be the light to guide the church through the totally different conditions of the seven church ages. The church was on track to being restored to the beliefs of the apostolic church of the New Testament. because--Translate, "I have against thee (this) that," &c. It is not a mere somewhat"; it … Jesus had warned, “Take heed that no man deceive you” in Matthew 24:4, but people preferred human wisdom instead of Scripture. Then brave Martin Luther in Germany defied the murderous church system and the reformers of this age were the first leaves shooting up as the seed Word of God began to germinate. Chapter 1: A Letter From the LORD of the Candlesticks "1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John:" The Greek word apokalupsis is translated as "revelation" or disclosure of the truth of things previously unknown. This clash of spirits occurred within church circles and will continue to the end. Now the whole world basically uses these changes that make the times of the Roman calendar fit in exactly with the seasons of the year. MATTHEW 12: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Similarly, the Church era will be in total darkness without the Holy Spirit. He is an elder, not because he is elected or ordained, etc., but because he IS OLDER. MATTHEW 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother. What does the Bible say about the mission of the church. That church only came into existence later. As time passed, the church began to drift away from strict New Testament standards. Standing before the Lord of the earth - Always waiting on God, without the help of man, and asserting his right over the earth and all things therein. MATTHEW 16:10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? The 5th church age looked like the above candlestick as Luther and the reformers had moved to the other side of the lampstand to start a new movement. Revelation 2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the … Ambitious leaders, ruthless to seize power and money, would dominate the church in later days. The seven lamps are the seven spirits of God in HIS sevenfold capacity (Revelation 4:5) The Holy Place (the sanctuary) would be shrouded in darkness without the light of the Candlestick. 57-0908 HEBREWS CHAPTER FIVE AND SIX.1. There are no special days for annual festivals. . Thus shepherds could not be in the fields at night as winter is far too cold outside. PHILIPPIANS 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: There were many bishops in the city of Philippi. John Wesley in England restored holiness and outreach which led to the missionary age. God wanted to push His church through seven very different sets of circumstances. These names refer back to periods in Jewish history when false leaders raised up to oppose God’s men of those time periods, who were Moses and Elijah, respectively. Feeding thousands of Jews from a schoolboy’s lunch of bread and fish. Christmas on a made up date of 25 December that copied the birthday of the Roman sun god, was declared around AD 350 to be a church festival by Julius, the bishop of Rome. JOHN 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: Today the seed, which is the Word of God, has to ripen in the revealed truth of Scripture. Bride – The spouse of Christ, the Church, the New Jerusalem. Therefore this candlestick, or rather spiritual mind, is spiritually perfect. In part 1, John was asked to measure the temple. Church ages 5 to 7 reveal a movement back to Scripture, on the left, that will only end when the last church is just like the first church. Here two witnesses prophesy 1,260 days. Then he became Pope when he accepted the title of Pontifex Maximus (Pontif) as High Priest of the Babylonian mysteries which gave him great authority over the pagan tribes that invaded and destroyed the Roman empire. Rome changed the calendar by which we measure time. Thus Jesus stands outside the door of the church. To keep the made up Roman Catholic laws of Christmas, the people had to adopt the new Roman calendar. The New Testament is the way God wants the church to be. Denomination is an unscriptural word that was taking over the church world. But then the church proceeds to lose direction, starting with the water baptism, in a money-driven age of competitive Christianity that has many unscriptural traditions and doctrines (which is bad). When we interpret scripture according to spiritual revelation, numbers are not for numerical understanding but for their spiritual meaning. DANIEL 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: Eventually Pope Gregory 13 would finalize the changes to the calendar. Today there are 45000 different kinds of denominational and non-denominational churches. REVELATION 1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; John would tell us some things about the first church age that he lived in. The number of baskets of rejected scraps of bread and meat were 12 and 7. He was in the tomb for Thursday night, Friday night, and Saturday night. Then John Wesley in England, abstaining from preaching politics and rejecting violence, restored holiness and outreach which laid the foundation for the great open door of the missionary age, where the life-giving pollen of the Word of God was carried around the world. There is no difference. And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and. Thus the “mystery of the seven churches” means that each of the existing six churches and the soon-to-be-formed church of Thyatira had within them the characteristics of a future age that the Christian church would go through. So John’s letters were not just describing events in these local churches. Thus the High Day of Friday 15th was a Sabbath day. The Saviour says, "Ye are the light of the world." Reverend Isaac Owusu-Bempah of Glorious Word Power Ministries International has made a new shocking revelation about the December 7 polls. The stage is being prepared for the return of Messiah to Jerusalem. 12 and 7 thus reveal a deeper meaning, a definite pattern in God's plan. The Candlestick was entirely made of pure gold. In Revelation 1, John is “in the Spirit” and hears “a loud voice like a trumpet” behind him (verse 10). God commended this church age. :26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. This was the golden church age of Philadelphia, brotherly love. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? 2. "Good Friday" is a Roman Catholic invention, not found in Scripture. Today’s church world can get people saved (which is very good) and teach them many good truths about the Holy Spirit and how to live a good life. The book of Revelation describes a vision given to the apostle John. There were two vines in the church. ACTS 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. To be buried for three nights means that Jesus died on Thursday afternoon. And these bishops, (no doubt political minded and anxious for power) insisted that Paul had given the meaning that 'overseers' were more than the local elder with official capacity only in his own church. GALATIANS 4:9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? The first sign is a woman who represents the nation of Israel (Revelation 12:1-2). Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Around AD 100 the last apostle, John, died … The first church age became the pattern of what the church should be like in all ages. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. But sadly by 1917 Pentecost was denominating into factions just like the other churches had done. There is no Scriptural authority for a pastor being the head of the church. Because the bishop of Rome was backed by the Roman emperor Constantine, this bishop ambitiously then wanted influence and control over other cities. The book of Revelation describes a vision given to the apostle John. The first three Chapters of Revelation involve seven candlesticks. But church-goers prefer church-loyalty to Bible truth. :30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. MATTHEW 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: :25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. God’s rule is simple, as it was in early Babylon: If you refuse to bow, God will refuse to let you burn. This gave Rome even more authority over other people. By means of these clever and popular festivals, that were based on paganism, believers got taken away from the Bible to follow the laws of the Roman Catholic church. This must have been in “vision,” of course, and the meaning is, that there “seemed” to be there seven such lamps or candelabras. An unpalatable truth is that persecution and poverty is good for the church. Jesus wants us to understand something. Human traditions and church doctrines had moved away from the Bible truths of the New Testament. Rome made the laws of Christmas. A star must obviously be up in the air so the decorated pagan “Christmas tree” was adopted. This was a High Day or special Sabbath. The seven candlesticks in Revelation reflect the seven-branched candlestick that was in the Holy Place in the Jewish tabernacle. The second church age would see much persecution of the Christians. And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and, But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how, I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain, For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and. People, feeling complacent, did not care about small mistakes but the trickle of error would grow into a flood in later ages. Bow – The bow, a warlike weapon, when held in the hand is a symbol of war. Revelation 2:5, KJV: "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, except thou repent." In Revelation 2 Revelation 2:1 Meaning “ 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 , except thou repent .” We cannot improve on the teachings of Paul and the apostles. According to some historians there was no church in the city of Thyatira by the time John the Revelator died about the year AD 100. Here He calls a candlestick, either, 1. the Episcopal office or dignity, which He threatens to withdraw from Him, either by death, or by the will of the people, or by the force of enemies (Ribera). True believers had to flee to wilderness areas. The meaning is, that the church gave light in Ephesus; and that what he would do in regard to that place would be like removing a lamp, and leaving a place in darkness. This candlestick represents the first church age of the New Testament. A cut-down and decorated tree and a star on the top of it were standard pagan mid-winter symbols. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks - These were the “first” things that met his eye. The final unsustainable fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The church was brightly illuminated with cunning human doctrines and philosophies and money-making projects. The seed of Truth was buried in the Dark Age of Europe’s history and then germinated back to life in the Reformation of Martin Luther. Unscriptural words like Trinity, Christmas, and Pope became the focus of the church. These 12 loaves symbolize the 144000 from the 12 tribes of Israel, at the end of the 7 church ages (at the end of the 7-day week), who have to be back in their Promised Land (symbolized by the Holy Place) to meet Messiah. Though Scripture shows that there are several elders in each church, some began (Ignatius [from Antioch] among them) to teach that the idea of a bishop was one of preeminence or authority and control over the elders. The church slowly struggled to get back closer to the original New Testament beliefs of the apostles. Soon he was joined by other reformers. This first church age ended during the reign of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-180 AD) when Christians were persecuted. Saved by faith alone. Thus they would be unable to prove many of their beliefs from Scripture. REVELATION 13:2 ... and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. At the end, if the 7th church age refused to return back to the beliefs of the New Testament then they would get lost in all the variations of opinions and reject the revealed end-time truths. The apostle Paul pens a similar greeting in II Corinthians 13:14, in which he writes of "the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit," meaning that God's Spirit is the means by which Christians can have a relationship with God. "As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches" (Revelation 1:20).