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Apocalypse 2.12-17: letter the church of Pergamum

1. Introduction:

After Ephesus and Smyrna, Pergamum is to that vision, the Lord led John and place before him the image of what will be the Church in the third stage of its historical existence.

While at Ephesus Church were at risk of losing his first love and Smyrna to that of persecution, we are confronted with a danger Pergamon much more subtle and more pernicious danger is that of the mixture, mixing between right and wrong, between truth and falsehood, between righteous teachings, biblical teachings and whose sources and origins have nothing to do with the Word of God.

This, indeed, which, historically, has marked the evolution of the Church. Cited after Smyrna, Pergamum reminds us that to oppose the plan of God and His plan for the Church, Satan uses two operating modes: the first one used in Smyrna is violence, the second is used Pergamum, is sort of corruption. One, the violence is mostly a procedure outside (it is rare that a church collapsed because its members come to kill each other), the other corruption, the mixture is a procedure which works from the inside.

3rd in the order of the Lord visits to churches, Pergamum inherits two disadvantages of the two first visited churches: Smyrna persecution continues, Ephesus, the doctrine of Nicolaitans: 2.6 . But instead of being hated, as was at Ephesus, the doctrine is here received, accepted.

What Satan can not do with violence (destroying the Church), he tries to do with corruption. The whole story is there to testify and say that if the Church is suffering under persecution, it is rare for her these days are times of weakness. On the contrary! As we have seen the Church of Smyrna to which the Lord had nothing to reproach, persecution, if it has the effect of reducing time digitally Church, leads the latter to worry and focus on the essentials.

entirely different, and we'll see what happens when the church moves from persecution to the recognition, even friendship and approbation of the world. Not so much the Church is in danger of losing its integrity and fidelity to the teachings and doctrines of the Word of God. Damage occasioned by the persecution begin and end with her. It is not the same with false doctrine. Sown in the flour a good education, it acts as a leaven which eventually penetrate the entire crust: cf Mat 13,33 . Après Pergame, ce n’est pas Smyrne ou Ephèse que l’on trouve, mais Thyatire, une Eglise qui n’est pas seulement infectée par de fausses doctrines, mais qui a carrément à sa tête une fausse prophétesse.

Telle est aussi la réalité de l’histoire. Les fausses doctrines entrées dans l’Eglise les IIème et IIIème siècle vont se traduire les siècles suivants par un système totalement étranger à la Parole et à la pensée de Dieu, système qui subsiste jusqu’à aujourd’hui : le catholicisme avec à sa tête ce que, d’un point de vue biblique, I can only describe as a false prophet: the pope.

How this system is born? How could he enter, then grow to the point eventually lead even the Church of God? That is what we see now with Pergamum.

2. The city of Pergamum:

"I know where you live, this is where is the throne of Satan: v 13. It is impossible to understand what the Lord refers without historical knowledge of what, at the time when John wrote, happening in the city of Pergamon.

Today unimportant small village, Pergamum was at the time of John, the capital of a province rich in Asia. One of the monarchs who governed formed within it a monumental library, with 200 000 books, library designed to compete with its rival in Alexandria. For the record, it's just that we Pergamon name Parchment, who said in Greek and German Pergamene Pergament.

At Pergamum, a historian said, everything had to be greater than elsewhere: libraries, colonnades, temples, amphitheater ... If the city is called the throne of Satan, this is not for his wealth, but first and foremost for the impressive number of cults occult character that the city was home.

While we were in Bruges this week, my wife and I were very impressed by the number of churches that are scattered throughout the city, and more, by the amount of countless statues the "Virgin and Child" engraved on houses and in every corner. No doubt surpassed Pergamon idolatry still what we've seen in Bruges.

According to historians, there were at Pergamos

- a magnificent temple dedicated to Athena, the goddess of wisdom

- a temple to Bacchus, the god of festivities

- the temple of Aesculapius, the god-serpent of health had Pergamon appointment of thousands of pilgrims come to seek healing (the god Asclepius appears on the logo found at the sign of our pharmacies)

- a shrine dedicated to Jupiter. The temple of Zeus at Pergamum was removed by column, then transported to Europe and rebuilt before the first World War in Berlin, in the eastern sector of the city

- the first temple dedicated to a Roman emperor Emperor Augustus is perhaps this fact more than all the others that Pergamum is called by Jesus the throne of Satan.

Comes to the worship of demons, the city of Pergamum had become his time in the throne of Satan is to say the district General for his influence on the ancient world.

3. The Church of Pergamos

The first lesson we take from this that Jesus said about the Church of Pergamos is that if the Church is a holy society, development apart for God, inhabited by the Spirit of God, it is nevertheless not immune against the influence of the society that surrounds it. The example of this is already given in the NT through Corinth, a city known for its promiscuous (live the Corinthian), lightness found in the lives of members of the church: 1 Cor 5.1 .

Given the mentality of the society around us, the local church of Pergamum us wonder: what, in our behavior, our thinking, reflects the influence of the surrounding world in which we swim? To what extent what we experience, practice, reflecting the fact that we are truly a people set apart to God, and to what extent is he mixes in our lives, our ways of thinking between what the world says and ambient done and what the Word of God asks us: the impact of psychology, relativism, rationalism, the materails ...?

If there are good things in the church of Pergamum (Antipas as faithful witnesses who were prepared to give his life to defend the truth), the Lord does not hide it However, some objections against it. The fact that the Church of Pergamum to live in a harsh environment on the spiritual plane is not an excuse for the Lord to justify his errors. Having the Word and the Spirit of God, we have everything we need to live the Christian life that the Lord asks us!

What was the fault of the Church of Pergamum, the claim that the Lord was against it? What He tells us v 14 and 15 about it requires explanation.

4. The teaching of Balaam

As we could not understand why Jesus called Pergamum the throne of Satan without knowing its history, it is impossible to grasp what the Lord referred concerning Balaam without knowing at least the biblical narrative that speaks.

To understand, so let's open our Bibles Numbers 22.1 to 14.

Background: We meet Balaam in the middle of the desert in one of the many episodes that punctuate the history of Israel, God's people out of Egypt by God's power and led Moses.

While God's people approached the borders of the promised land, we see great win military victories over the kings who inhabit the territories over which it passes. Numb from 21.21 to 36 preceding passage we just read, we reported and Israel has just conquered the territory of two powerful kings: Sihon and Og.

Spectator flash these victories, Balak, the king of Moab, which is next on the list concerned. If the weapons and the military option does not succeed, how can he stop Israel? That's where the idea came to him to appeal to the seer Balaam, known for his occult powers and spiritual. Balak then sends emissaries to Balaam and said: Come with me and curse Israel because, he says, I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed: v 6 .

Balaam asks, before giving its final response, a time of reflection. The same night, God came to Balaam to curse Israel for banning him because, he said, Israel is blessed. The emissaries returned to King Balak to give the answer of Balaam.

The story does not end there. The rest of the story tells us that Balak does not renounce his project. He sends emissaries new rich presents in order to win Balaam. Although refusing at first, Balaam, with the permission of God (God does not change his mind: as Balaam wants From there the lead), part. En route, however, it has to do with the manifestation of God's wrath will try to stop it by talking about his ass.

Balaam listening and then committed before God to decide not to Balak on Israel that he inspired the lyrics. This is what happens and tells us Numb 23 and 24.

You would think by reading the book of numbers without reading the passage from the Apocalypse that the story of Balaam's it. In fact, it is not. Because Jesus tells us that after have blessed Israel, Balaam, Balak saw disappointed, has provided further guidance.

Since spells and enchantments have no power over Israel, Balak Balaam suggested another way to bring down the people of God is the way of seduction, the mix of compromise .

It's sort of like Balaam said to Balak: "Since you can not defeat Israel on the outside, either by arms or by the occult, I propose another way : trying to corrupt from within. You have a powerful ally with you in Israel: his own evil heart. Make vibrate the strings of his natural heart and I am sure he will respond. Thus, it is not you who will destroy this people, but by exposing himself to the Judgement of God! "

Cunning and teaching of Balaam fiont fly. Immediately after Numb 24 can find Numb 25.1-5 that shows the effectiveness and success of the whole doctrine of Balaam based on the mixture and compromise. Seduced by the daughters of Moab, the son of Israel and adopt their customs are beginning to offer sacrifices to their gods.

5. Application for the Church

While output of persecution, the Church of Jesus Christ appears as an irresistible force in the world and victory, the same causes produce the same effects. Seduced by the Roman authorities who ordered that Christianity became the state religion, the Church is mired in the mixture, and adopts multiple foreign articles of faith to the Gospel. It's dark shot in error and spiritual adultery and loses what, until then, was his strength : His commitment to God and His Word!

is the time of the birth of the great Christian heresies said that remain to this day:

- the birth of the cult of Mary, purgatory

- the primacy of the bishop of Rome over other

- the invention of the clergy alone ability to understand and explain the word and give the sacraments

- the celebration of Mass

- the birth of Tradition placed on the same level as the Bible, etc ...

See the book: the two Babylons

6. Remedy against the evil plaguing the church of Pergamum

The mixture can be entered at Pergamum, the Lord what remedy he recommends to heal this church infected by false doctrine. As is the case for Smyrna and Ephesus, it is in the name under which the Lord comes to this church lies the secret of the remedy can cure: v 12-18

is the double-edged sword that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord: Rev. 1.16 that can only come for the issuance infested by mixing church doctrine. This sword, which alone has the power to sharpen our discernment, is the Epistle to the Hebrews says, the sword of the Word of God: Heb 4.12 .

face of bribes which the Lord has also been the object in the desert, we remember that his defense was made of only one thing: It is written. That's what defense mode He also asks us to adopt towards all doctrines by which Satan tries to infiltrate the church to destroy it from within.

As idolatry spread at high speed in the people of Israel, the Bible records that Phinehas, a nephew of Moses, who was a priest, took his spear and pierced one shot an Israelite and Moabite who slept together: Numb from 25.6 to 9 By his zeal, he ended the trial God had already decimated 24 000 people in the camp, which earned him the subject of an everlasting covenant of peace from the Lord: Numb 25.10 to 13.

In a time when truth is mixed with error, the Lord is always in search of Phinehas, of holy men with the Word without compromise, with him able to wield the sword of the mind to separate the people of God that is pure, what is not, that is profane what is sacred. This is the particular challenge which comes to all men God in all ages.

7. Rewards promised to the winner

Even if the Church of Pergamos is infected by error, it is still possible within it to be a winner. A person who, where is the throne of Satan, He is faithful, the Lord promises two awards:

- the first is to feed the hidden manna. This windfall, we know, was the heavenly God, every day, sent down from heaven to feed His people miraculously in the desert. God, likewise, promises to his people remain faithful to Him in the midst of error to support them and feed them every day by miraculously bread of His Word

- the second is a white stone on which is written a new name that only he who is known for.

There was, it seems, in antiquity, 3 specific uses for the white pebble:

- in a trial, the black stones symbolize the conviction and the white stones acquittal.

- The white stones were also used in a vote to express his vote during a debate

- The white stone was used at last the master of ceremonies at a dinner for the name of the guests.

The idea behind the white stone on which is the name of the winners, is the promise God that he will sit at His table and close to Him all those who, over the centuries, will be firmly attached to the Truth. He will call himself by name, the name that will characterize what they were (True, Vaillant ...) to make them sit with him at his right hand in heaven!

God gives us our time to be found among these winners!

I am coming soon!

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Apocalypse 2.8 to 11: Letter to the Church of Smyrna

1. Introduction:

We are, with the visit of Jesus to the Church of Smyrna (now Izmir, the third city in Turkey) always in the context of the vision John has received from the Lord on the island of Patmos. In this context, we recall, John, a Sunday, he heard a loud voice address him. Then, turning to see who was behind that voice, he had seen the Lord in the midst of seven-door lamps or candlesticks of gold, representing the seven churches of Asia.

Beginning with Ephesus, the Lord then began to do with Jean around each church. The order of this tour of churches by the Lord, as we have seen, does not by chance. Historians and as we shall see later, it corresponds almost exactly to the description different phases through which the Church will over time. If the Church of Ephesus is the time of the early church in its early days (he is spoken of the Apostles), the Church of Smyrna on it embodies pretty much the second phase in the history of the Church The Church in the suffering of persecution, the Church of the catacombs and the bullring, the Church of martyrs.

What did Jesus say? What decision is there on this part of the history of the Church? What can we draw for us today? That's what we'll try to see this morning!

2. Identity of the Church of Smyrna:

A. I know:

Just as the Lord had said to Ephesus, Smyrna He also says that He knows, He knows, He is perfectly conscious and aware of everything that Church of Smyrna and saw everything through which it passes.

If knowing that the Lord knows what happens in the church, where in it things that are not His glory, we can inspire a feeling of fear, it is quite otherwise when the Church through persecution. The "I know" the Lord does not watch scary here, but comforting.

is probably there with others that we will see later, the first consolation that all Christians rejected, ignored, to suffer for their faith, received from the Lord. Each of our troubles, as he also says in Isaiah 63.9 , is also his troubles. Paul in the Epistle to the Romans, raises the question: Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Will this distress, anxiety, persecution, hunger, deprivation, danger or sword? I am sure for my part, he says, that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature has the power to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus: Rom 8,35.39 .

Probably none of us has known suffering and persecution for Christ to the point that saw the Church of martyrs from the 1st to 3rd century. Yet the words of Jesus in the suffering that we can live for Him in this world Because of our faith are also for us. He also knows that we live this certainty may be the primary source of our consolation!

He knows: but what does he know? "He sees the situation in Smyrna? 3 things:

B. I know your sorrow, your poverty, slander (or curses) ...

By saying what he knows of the Church of Smyrna, Jesus is really around all that touches and concerns :

a. He knows his distress : he knows exactly what she passes by. He knows what his pain and suffering is done. He is well aware of, besides being himself been there before her.

What we know and that by which we must move because of Jesus, we must remember that it is impossible for Jesus to be abroad. If we know, jail, beatings, humiliation, slander against us, let us know that Jesus knew before us. Let us be certain: because Jesus lived before us, he knows, knows what it means to go through the trouble. Also, have fellowship his suffering, to participate in advancing the kingdom of God is part of the counter that binds us to Him as a disciple 2 Cor 1.5; Philip 3:10, Col 1:24

b. He knows his poverty-but then, he adds, it is rich:

no doubt that in saying what he says here, Jesus responds not only to the external situation in which passes the Church Heb 10.32-34, but also the feeling that lives inside. If there is indeed a feeling that can inhabit the Christian suffering is undoubtedly a sense of his helplessness, even of its uselessness. Who am I, a Christian who is in prison, put to death, poor as to have lost everything even my most basic rights: freedom of religion, speech, assembly, etc ...

You think poor, meets Jesus! Well, I tell you you're rich! Because, if for me, you show that you are capable of losing everything, including perhaps one day your life, then you show the world that you possess in you a treasure worth more than all the riches of the world. Remember, Church of Smyrna, what I said in my time to my disciples: What doth it profit a man to gain the world if it is to make the loss of his soul: Marc 8.36 ? Remember to: true wealth is not the side of those who make war and you take you all, but on your side.

c. He knows the calumnies which the Church is the object:

If physical pain is without doubt one of the most unbearable persecution, she is not alone. Sometimes even inwardly being slandered, falsely accused suffering in exceeds what shots could occur.

Let us now though: slander, lies are and continue to be today, in countries where there is persecution, one of the most commonly used weapons against the Church of Jesus Christ.

Tel pastor is accused in Iran or China to be an enemy of the state or because he received a Western Christian home, a relay of foreign powers. Another man may be arrested under the pretext that committed crimes or acts, supposedly reprehensible by law.

worth noting, that if one day our freedom is threatened, lies and slander will be part of the arsenal of weapons used against us. Jesus was the object: "We found that individual in the process of encouraging our nation to revolt and it prevents them from paying taxes to Caesar, and he said he himself is Christ, King Luke 23 2 . We shall be also.

us console ourselves, however, because, as He knows the distress by which we pass, Jesus knows also the validity of the charges which we can be the object. If we have nothing to reproach ourselves before God, we need not consider the charges that we may be subjected by men. Moreover, Jesus told us that when such a thing would happen to us one day: from 5.11 to 12 Mat. These slanders are proof that we're on the right side, the side of truth and the Kingdom of God!

3. The power of the devil

If they are indeed men who slander and persecute the Church of Smyrna Jesus is that, in the minds of Christians, there is no ambiguity about the true author of their suffering. Their real enemy, they are not beings of flesh and blood that stop them, persecute them, slander them, make them suffer: it is the devil.

If, on reading, this distinction may seem like a simple twist of language, in fact, in the persecution, it is essential. For how indeed could we stay witnesses of Christ in this world if we do not distinguish between those who persecute us and that which is true author of the hate we are the object?

Never once it appears, in speeches and behavior of Jesus, that he regarded the men as his true enemies:

- to love Jesus recommended those who persecute us, to pray for them, bless them (and their wish to do good): Luke 6.27 to 28. But this requirement is only possible if we consider them not as guilty, but themselves as victims of evil.

- Even when he was arrested, Jesus continues to call Judas "Friend! Jesus wants to make Judas aware that, although attractive, his real enemy is not him, but he who, at this time, the handles. Jesus would try it this distinction to save even Judas: I do not know. But note that he did so clearly!

Satan, the devil is the true enemy of the Christian, the question arises, what is the extent of his power to them? Reading the Apocalypse, we can infer at least two things:

1. Although the cause of Satan is lost, until he was finally thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, he still enjoys great freedom and great power. Thus, nothing in this book nouv see:

- throw Christians in jail: 2.10

- accuse them day and night before God's throne: 12 , 10 (what patience of God!)

- harp on Israel 12.13

- make war with the saints and defeat: 13.7 has

All Satan can do against the people of God, he does not hesitate to do

2. Although Satan still enjoys considerable freedom and has a great power, everything he does to the people of God is perfectly measured and controlled by God:

- he threw the Christians prison, but the duration is limited (10 days: there were, apparently, 10 emperors who have persecuted Christians)

- He blames God day and night, but Christ intercedes for day and night as His own

- he continues to destroy Israel, but Israel miraculously survives

- he makes war with the saints but his reign on earth, which is given by God, is actually super-short: an hour: Rev oc 17.12.

4. Resist:

If anyone knows what it means to be imprisoned by the devil, it's Marie Durand. Born in the eighteenth century, this is still a young Protestant girl, when at age 18, she was arrested and imprisoned in the Tower of Constance in Aigues-Mortes. Marie Durand will come of that 39 years later to finally do live only 8 years of freedom. Marie Durand How did she endure for a long time in captivity. What was his secret to keep and alone, isolated, and does not renounce his faith or even end up losing the reason?

On the wall of the cell where she was, Marie Durand engraved a word, one which, despite the passage of time, remained inscribed in the stone tower. This word is "Resist! . How as a Christian is it possible to resist, to keep the face of suffering and persecution which we ourselves are from Satan? It is impossible in 5 minutes to answer this question. Some clues, however, the letter from Jesus to the church of Smyrna, however, we can help answer it.

first index: It is contained in the title or the expression in which Jesus presents himself to the church of Smyrna. If Jesus had underlined the church of Ephesus, who was the church which occupied the main square in the order of the churches of Asia, that he was the Head of the Church is here as a definitive winner Risen and death that Jesus reveals himself to the church Smyrna.

In this presentation, Jesus reminds us that, in suffering and persecution, there is basically only one thing for Christians to take: it is their hope. Even the sufferings of the moment are challenging, the Christian knows that despite the difficult they are, they are temporary and remain, momentary. Our enemy can certainly take away life, but Jesus attests, there's one thing he can not take us: it is our relationship with God and our salvation: Reminder: Rom 8.35-39 . Also, it is not those who can destroy our body we have to fear of persecution, but He who alone has the power to destroy both soul and body in hell: Mat 10.28

2nd clue: If Jesus is as the risen Christ to the Church of Smyrna, it is not just for say and attest to Christians who suffer the devil and death will not have the last word on them. It is also telling them that despite their incarceration and isolation, they can count on him on his presence at every moment with them and with them. As Paul said in his letter to the Corinthians, Christians are persecuted but not abandoned: 4.9 2 Cor. They are legion, the testimony of Christians who bear witness in prison because of their faith, they have no known Bible proximity with the Lord as they never had the time of their release.

3rd index: it is in the reward that Jesus promises to those who remain faithful until death: Rev. 2.10. Very clearly, the Bible strongly binds the suffering that we can live in the present to the future glory that will be ours: Rom 8.17-18, 2 Cor 4.17 to 18 . "If the Apocalypse," said John Alexander, announces tomorrow that mourn, it also predicts the next day singing!

5. Conclusion

If every Christian is called to go through the martyr all must be ready to become one. This is reflected by the apostle Paul himself in Acts 21.13 . If Paul was not a martyr here, he had somehow mind.

If this provision exists in the heart of Paul, many believe it is not due to his character. Neither he nor Etienne, nor any other Christian who had to die for his faith was of men above the others. One thing basically made them willing to pay the maximum price for the cause of their Master: it was her who was weakened more in the church Ephesus: their love for Christ: 2 Cor 5.14 to 15

the fourth century, Basil, a bishop, speaks of a virgin sentenced to be burned alive, which was offered his life and possessions if she agreed to bow before an idol. She replied: "That life and the money would go, welcome to Christ. "

Welcome to Christ! God gives us in His grace today to be ready, if necessary, to pay the maximum price for him, knowing that at that moment, as any other where we must be witnesses for Him, He will not make us wrong!

ANNEX: Compilation of testimonies of martyrs of the Roman era:

Polycarp: Bishop of Smyrna

The tumult was great when public learned that Polycarp was arrested. The proconsul to bring him and asked him if he was Polycarp. He replied yes, and the proconsul sought to deny do by saying, "Respect your old age" and everything we are accustomed to say in such cases. "Swear by the fortune of Caesar changes his mind, saying:" Down with the atheists (the Christians were regarded as such). "But Polycarp looked with a stern eye of the crowd in the stadium godless heathen, and he waved his hand against her, then sighed and looked up, he said:" Down with the atheists. " The proconsul insisted and said, "Swear, and I let go, cursed Christ" Polycarp replied: "There are eighty-six I serve it, and it does me no harm, how could I blaspheme my King who saved me? "

Ignatius bishop of Antioch in Syria

This is a good heart I'll die for God, at least if you, you do not stop me . I beg you, do not be sympathetic to me inappropriate. Let me be the food of beasts, by which I shall be able to find God. I am the wheat of God, and I sui ground by the teeth of beasts to be found pure bread of Christ ... From Syria to Rome, I fight against the beasts, by land and sea, night and day, chained to ten leopards, that is to say, a detachment of soldiers ... Now I'm starting to be a disciple of Christ. That nothing of things visible and invisible, does not prevent me from jealousy, to find Christ. Fire and cross, herds of cattle, lacerations, dismemberment, dislocation of bones, mutilation of the limbs, grinding of the whole body, that the worst evils of the devil falls on me, if I find that only Jesus Christ.

Tertullian: Apologetics

For you, worthy magistrates, as you are insured applause of the people, as you would sacrifice the Christians, condemn us, torment us and crush us: your injustice is the proof of our innocence and that is why God allows us to be persecuted. Recently, condemning a Christian to be exhibited in a place infamous rather than lion, you recognized that the loss of chastity is for us the greatest of punishments, and more terrible than death itself. But your most refined cruelties are useless: it is an additional attraction for our religion. We multiply as you reap: our blood is the seed of Christians.

I am coming soon!

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Apocalypse 2.1-7: letter to the church of Ephesus

1. Introduction:

The last time we opened a whole this book so valuable and so important to the Apocalypse, we had found Jesus and left standing in the middle of this Seven Churches of Asia. While John wrote the first of them is new here that we find: 2.1.

The fact that Jesus is present and that he personally walking among the churches has for us, as for the churches in question here, something both reassuring and formidable

- reassuring because, as shown by John, He is Jesus, who holds the seven stars in his right hand. If the churches, like the stars shining in the darkness of the sky, are called to be lights that shine in this dark world in which we find ourselves, we want to remember that this is not primarily of themselves but of their Lord that they depend for their security.

Who is the Church in his hand, his testimony, his influence, his impact in this world? Of which depends on its security? Does its officers, missionaries, the lives of its members? No! It first shows John, the Lord.

It is that which surrounds us from behind and in front and puts His hand on us. Nothing that touches us and affects us as a community can not through Him.

- whether the fact that Jesus holds in his right hand seven stars has everything to reassure us, John's vision shows us that this is not sufficient in itself to summarize position of Jesus in the Church. Jesus not only takes the testimony of the church in his hand, but he walks in the middle of it. However, this aspect, if one has in a way reassuring, also has a formidable side.

This side is that nothing in the life of the church the midst of which Jesus walks, can not be hidden from His eyes and go unnoticed. I know, Jesus told the church of Ephesus ... I know exactly where you stand with me, what state you are, which is fine, but what's wrong or longer as well as in the past . If you can deceive yourself about you and your own state, know that you can not fool me. It would be wise, therefore, that you listen to reform what needs to be. Because, if I confronts your state, if I put on you a diagnosis, this is not primarily to grieve, but to heal you.

Such is the spirit in which Jesus here, as later toured the churches. His goal is not to judge and destroy, but to treat. Because he knows that, like the human body, the body of Christ may be afflicted with all sorts of illnesses of varying severity.

For now, the Lord began to address the elements of good health of the church of Ephesus. they are 3 in number:

- works, the work is done in the church. If the works are not taken into account in our justification, they do not make them irrelevant in the eyes of the Lord. Jacques stated clearly: the works are proof of the reality of our faith: Jac 2.14 to 17. A faith that does not work, or commitment to God and neighbor is worthless.

- spiritual discernment. The fact is that the Lord shows that the warning of Paul to the elders of Ephesus at the time of his farewell was fair and has borne fruit: Proceedings 20.29 to 31

- fidelity to God in suffering. Note that if, in the history of the Church's persecution will crescendo at the outset that she was present.

If Ephesus is the head of the churches mentioned, many believe that there is nothing that is accidental. For if, as we read in the other letters, the state of the church is going to get worse, the evil that reached the church, which corrodes and degrades, started somewhere.

this somewhere, Jesus revealed here: that is, he says, the loss of first love, lost that, you might say, is the origin of all other losses spiritual, moral, but also later writers.

Ana lysis of the danger of this loss and the manner with which, with God's help, it may be canceled.

2. Love: Its Importance:

If there is, says the apostle Paul, one thing, a virtue that surpasses all others in the life of the Church is love: 1 Cor 13.1-3. The finding of Jesus to the church of Ephesus in the Apocalypse of John Paul joined the.

The church of Ephesus might be a model of good works, perseverance, fairness doctrine, having lost the first love she had for her Lord, she lost, Jesus shows the essential element, which was the lifeblood of the energy and motivation that makes it live.

Without doubt the church of Ephesus she works well yet. A look at the outside, it seems that nothing has really changed. The Word continues to be preached; posts are fair and quality activities and regular meetings of the church continued. But still, something was missing. And this something, which is the thing most precious and most dear to Jesus did not go unnoticed in his eyes.

If the rule that any time the church should live is the first love, what does he? How, through what evidence can we see and judge the quality of our love for God. look at the Scripture to try to understand.

3. Evidence of Love:

a. the first proof of love is the price, which love is willing to pay to show his affection for the person he loves. Many biblical examples illustrate the primary importance of this criterion as evidence of love

- John 3:16: God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son

- I remember, God says to Israel, thy faithfulness girl, your love of a young bride, when you followed me into the desert, a land where nothing grows: Jeremiah 2.2

- Mary, loving Jesus, took a pound of ointment of spikenard of great price, spread on the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair: 12.3 John

- Before the feast of Passover, knowing that it was time for him to pass from this world to the Father, Jesus who loved the resins that were in the world, he loved to the end. During dinner, he rose from table, took off his clothes and took a towel as he tied an apron. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and wipe: John 13, 1-5

Although different in form, the 3 examples I have quoted all reflect the same reality. Passionate love can not do anything but give and give ... unto death.

There is no true love without sacrifice, without renouncing his person, without placing themselves above, her life, her interests, the be loved, this is the love God has shown to us and He expects us to show also that for him.

Other biblical examples show that simple and demonstrate how the first love was manifested in the lives of early Christians

- Acts 2.44 to 45; 4.32 : extreme sense of community

- Galatians 4.13 to 15 : high expression of the esteem we have for each other

- Hebrews 10.32 to 34 : love the first few days.

How important is Jesus in my affections? Am I more like Mary, who believes that nothing is too good, too expensive, too expensive for him? Or more like Judas who felt he should not be exaggerated, there are limits to the expression of the love we have for Jesus, he certainly must love him, but then to sacrifice Essentially, there is abuse, waste, extremism ...

How important is Jesus in my schedule every day in managing my property, my budget?

While the Lord is the trial of His people, He complains in Isaiah something that is a hallmark of the obvious loss of first love he had for him is the contempt he displayed with regard to the observance of Sabbath Isaiah 58.13 to 14. And we consider how to us the Lord's day? Is it primarily a day for us or for God? Is it fair that we may sacrifice today for other interests?

While there may be exceptions, we must be absolutely clear about this: any absence on that day for the people of God to give to his God worship Him is due can not be justified. How do we think would make a bride waiting for her fiance to his appointment, told that it was finally preferred to cycle or to meet other friends she? Does not she feel deeply hurt by the choice of boyfriend, and she did not ask not just as the depth of his love to her?

Let us remember that beyond our words, what are the choices we make and the decisions we make that reflect primarily the degree of our love Jesus!

b. It is in the book of love the Bible, the Song of Songs, we find the second proof of love: Song 2.5 : it disease occasioned by love.

What is this disease of love? All those who once were madly in love with someone experienced. Is the fact that so absorbed by the thought of another one who loves and loses his appetite any interest for something else.

Psychologists agree also to say that if being in love is normal, it should not, in its first effects, it too hard without Whatever it may seriously endanger life and mental balance of the person.

It has however in the state of love strong parallels with the first love must live in our heart for the Lord. It is the idea that it is impossible, unbearable to be away, separated from him, not knowing him or more.

Do we feel the depths of ourselves every day of hunger and thirst for God. does not work with him, by not reading His Word or not does not pray, does it translate by a serious lack in our lives.

If yes, is that our love is known, and we can rejoice. Otherwise, we must ask ourselves about the standard and even the reality of our relationship with God. If we can do without contact with God as easily as the contact with our neighbor, we must seriously ask ourselves about the nature of the tie that binds us to Him.

4. Causes of abandonment of first love

If love is essentially a sense of need each other, His presence, how is it that, loved by God, Christians would come to lose or abandon her love? Of all the possible causes that are behind this abandonment, this morning I want to quote 4:

a. The first is that which threatens any person involved in a love relationship: the passage of time, routine, habit is taking hold. The first is the unspoken question multiple divorces. "We had nothing against each other, but there were more surprises, more news, more magic in our relationship. We separated. "

If the first love is the fruit of a discovery and revelation, that of the other, it can not last if this discovery and revelation continues. It is not the idea of God that our love for him, as between us stop because we know each other. If we know Him, let us know that we know little ink and that our lives may be amazed to discover that he is.

"You have not relied on Jacob, because thou hast been weary of me says God to Israel: Isaiah 43.12

Do we still hunger for God? Are we still love him, devoured by the desire to know him more? So it is that we are still driven to our first love? If, against this passion is more in the heart of our lives, let us know that we will not go very far in our Christian life!

b. the second, if it can be quite possible in a couple's life, should, whatever this, never be possible in our relationship with God, then disappointment.

Then they enter the marriage, it is possible that the newlyweds are mistaken and deluded heavily on what they will live: "Our life is like a fairytale fairy! Two weeks later, the fairy tale has already been a nightmare!

Is it possible to be so in our relationship with God? Can God deceive us? Or if, this can only come from one thing: not God, but false expectations that we had made in our relationship with Him!

is such a young man who hoped to marry this girl. Ila long prayed about it, he waited and the thing will not happen. It's like Christian who aspired to occupy such position the church in its business or elsewhere, and the thing will not happen. It's as pastor or missionary who sees the church growing up while his colleague his stagnant ... God has not given him what he wanted, the Christian tomb in bitterness, frustration, anger and loses its first love. (Evidence of Grace Burnham)

We would do well to reread the contract on the basis of which God has established His relationship with us! He promised us an easy life, prosperous, successful every time? No, He has promised us two things: his presence with us and eternal life. Although he gives us much more in reality, everything else is surplus. It is for himself and not for what he gives us here on earth God wants to be loved.

c. The third reason for dropping out of first love is at once the most common and most often criticized in the Bible is simply a return to the practice of sin, the old habits that we had abandoned.

I say here that the return to sin Not that the act of carnal or lukewarm Christians. He might as well be temporarily lived men of God and devoted Christians. Evidence is the dramatic fall of King David, called the man after God's heart, which in a moment of madness, committed adultery and murder and then plunged his dynasty in discord and war.

spiritual losses that we can know because of sin are incalculable. But the greatest loss is probably one of our relationship with God: Isaiah 59.1-2 . Therefore, watch and pray for it every day that we are in danger of falling.

d. The fourth issue is undoubtedly more painful of all for God, for which his heart is sadder: that is idolatry, the fact of giving to someone or something else , more passion, love, interest, attachment for Him. Let us remember the épiusode golden calf and the speed with which, after being freed from Egypt, Israel has been plunged into idolatry!

It is not in vain that the first epistle of John largely devoted to the love ends with these words: small children, keep yourselves from idols 1 John 5.21

5. Conclusion:

Where is the remedy for the loss of first love? Jesus gives us the key in his letter the church of Ephesus:

a. Remember: v 5

Remember that animated and filled your heart in the early days of your life with him .. In that time, do you follow Jesus seemed neither requiring nor difficult, nor expensive. Jesus, let us recall here do not speak to specific individuals, but to the whole church.

If love for Jesus that you were able to do at this time of radical choices, kidney Nevertheless, today this is still the case!

b. Repent and do the first works:

The cult is becoming more important for you? The prayer meeting has become boring, reading the word boring? Giving money to God's work is no longer a priority? Serving others comes after you? Repent, change your attitude and starts you set clear goals, specific before God and quantifiable

Otherwise, God says here in the church of Ephesus, you risk not only losing your place, your influence in this world, but even worse, you risk being deprived of your reward in heaven: v 5 and 7

the victor, Jesus says in conclusion, I give to eat of the tree of life which is in paradise God. It is as if Jesus told us: If you do down here for me Your life, I promise you forever give you access to what is the Source Life!

God gives us now prepare ourselves, by our love for Jesus, eternity He has reserved for us!

I am coming soon!

How To Cancel A Us Visa Appointment

Apocalypse 1.12 to 20 1.1 to 11

Introduction:

Pursuant to the name by which this is the book of Apocalypse is the initiative of the Spirit of God that John was exiled to Patmos for Word of God and the testimony he gave Jesus receives the original vision which will flow all the other visions that will form both the frame and the whole revelation concerning His final triumph, God wanted to give Jesus Christ to His people. This procedure of transmission to John of God, or extraordinary in its manifestation, however, differs from the common way in which God is there also to communicate with us. Indeed, even today, no spiritual truth is accessible to the mind of the man without a revelation of the Holy Spirit: Ephesians 1:17; 1 Cor 2.9 to 11; Mat 11.25-27 . So if John was to be the bearer of new communications from God about Christ, it could be done by the ministry of the Spirit of revelation: John 16.12 to 15.

The vision that John received from Christ and the effect it produced on him, we want to triple title. She reveals:

- the place now invisibly
Christ - the person he is today
- the nature of his relationship with His people today

The position of the Christ

The report that John did what he sees is accurate. Christ is in the midst of the candlesticks. Invisible but really now, it occupies the central place of life and history of the Church. This centrality is rightfully in Christ must be understood by us in several ways:

1. Jesus Christ is at the heart of church life :

That, says Paul, that He is both the fullness of the Godhead: Col. 2.9, as the fullness of everything we need to live in newness of life: Col 2.10 to 12. Christ is the head from which the whole body receives everything it needs for its growth according to the gifts and strength that He communicates to each of its parts: Ephesians 4.16

Reality This centrality of Christ in the life of the Church is revealed so clearly in the book of Acts which is the story of the first thirty years of its existence. Luke introduces the book
- reminding Theophilus that his gospel was merely reporting what Jesus began to do and to teach: Proceedings 1.1
- abundant evidence demonstrating that Jesus gave to His people then the reality of His resurrection: Acts 1.3

whole book of Acts is the story that Jesus is alive, acting and behind men, it is him, the true perpetrator and wonders taking place. He, Jesus, who in the book of Acts:
- adds to the Church those who are saved: Acts 2.47
- by the authority of his name cured the cripple the Beautiful gate : Proceedings 3.2
- Team of the apostles authority and wisdom to defend his name before the authorities: Proceedings 4.13
- is revealed to Saul the persecutor and converts it into a fiery apostle Acts 9.1 to 5
- gave Peter a vision orders to go to the Gentiles: Acts 10.12-16
- called Saul and Barnabas for a mission: Acts 13.1-5

etc ... If Jesus after His death is actually ascended to His Father and is seated at the right of the Most High, he is nevertheless true that, throughout the centuries, it will remain the first and the main leader and builder of the Church. The whole history of the Church bears witness to the continuation of what Jesus has only begun to perform and teach in the time of His incarnation. Being convinced, convinced that Jesus is present with us and among us, remains a topic of encouragement and support for the strongest believers today: 18.20 Mat.

2. Jesus Christ is and must remain always at the heart of the doctrine of the Church :

Theme of the message which, according to Paul, must be at the heart of the proclamation of the Gospel : 1 Cor 2.2 , Jesus, Christ, must remain Whoever lives throughout our teaching and practice of our piety.

Extract from a recent sermon by David Wilkerson. How can we do in the Church of Christ a stranger?

We make Christ a stranger when we give the Holy Spirit the rule over him!
"Christ and Christ alone, must be the center of life and worship! He is the head of the body, the Church is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, to be in the whole first. For it pleased the Father to dwell in Him all fullness ... "(Col. 1.18,19). That in all things, He is the rule. ... That is to say that He is named and distinguished above all others. It has the first place in everything. Even the Holy Spirit must not be exalted over that name!

The upper house should never overshadow the Cross! We should not just think of Christ as the one who gives Holy Spirit. In other words: "Thank you, Jesus, for sending someone better than you". Christ sent the Holy Spirit to reveal His own fullness among us. When the Holy Spirit becomes the center of our attention, the Church is off. The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus when He came out of the waters of baptism. He told him: "Here is the beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." The Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove, but the main attraction was the Lamb of God - which removes the sin of the world. Not by a dove, but the Lamb!

Christ speaks to his disciples an upcoming Pentecost when the Spirit would be poured in a single purpose: It would be given power to magnify the name of Christ! Acts 1:8

Jesus clearly explained that when the Holy Spirit would come, he would not attract attention to himself but would focus on the works of Christ. He exalts Christ. "When He, the Spirit of truth, is come ... he will not speak of himself ... He will glorify Me, for he will take what is Mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine, so I said take what is Mine and declare it to you. " (16,13.15 Jean ).

Jesus said: "It will show you my glory, my power, my kingdom." You remember all my words ". The first work of the Holy Spirit is not fellowship, although leads believers to be all one in Christ. It does not produce ecstasy. He not only wants to teach us an unknown tongue. The Spirit came to glorify Christ To guide all mankind in the truth that Christ is Lord, that's not enough to say that the Spirit has made us close to each other. It should make us closer of Christ the fullness of the Spirit is the fullness of Christ. If you do not have a consuming love for Christ, you have not received a baptism of the Holy Spirit!

Christ, baptiseur, a envoyé le Saint-Esprit pour enflammer nos âmes envers les perdus, pour nous envoyer sur les routes et parmi les haies pour atteindre les pécheurs, pour secouer notre paresse et nous qualifier pour son oeuvre. Le Saint-Esprit - béni soit-il - sera contristé et finalement se retirera, lorsque les hommes voudront l’exalter lui, plus que le Fils de Dieu ! Il ne permettra jamais que sa puissance soit au service de ceux qui veulent seulement le don, et non Christ, le Donateur !

Qu’est-ce qu’une vraie réunion charismatique ? Celle où les gens parlent tous en langues ? Où les gens sont guéris ? Où les saints sautent de joie ? Où les saints prophétisent ? It's more of course than that! It is a time where Christ is exalted, where His holiness pierces the soul, where men and women fall at his holy throne, broken, humiliated, crying: "Holy, holy, holy!" The movement caused by the Holy Spirit is a movement that makes it closer to Christ, deeper in Christ, with a greater submission to His Lordship! "

Take care, as he was already in Paul's time, not to leave one way or another (whether by tradition, by experience, by the place given to a man ) dislodge Christ is the legitimate place of Siena in the Church: the head, the center!

The Person of Christ:

Interrogated by the voice that speaks to him, the apostle John turns and sees, far from the form in which it was known, the Christ. The description he gives us the vision he had in bringing together into a coherent whole all the spiritual attributes that are now His possession. It is:

- the Son of man : Although glorified, Jesus kept his time here on earth humanity. It is not in fact return to the Father except the prerogative of the trial, but the Son of Man: John 5.26 to 27. "The incarnation of the Son of God has not been the transformation of humanity into the Godhead, but the inclusion in the divinity of humanity: Symbol of Athanasius." "Jesus is not God at least some attributes his divinity, but God plus everything he appropriated by coating humanity: James Packer. "

- Grand High Priest : robe that stated that it is covered. Like Melchizedek, the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews reminds us that he has now forever this priesthood delegable. It can save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them: Hebrews 7.23 to 28.

- The Ancient of days or the God of all eternity , as evidenced by his hair as white as snow: Dan 7.9. They speak of eternity, white hair may also reflect the enormous wisdom that dwells: Prov 16.31; 20.29

- It is he who searches everything and that nothing is hidden, which speak his fiery eyes: 1 Chr 28.9, Psalm 139.1; Jer 11.20; Heb 4.12 to 13; Rev. 2.23.

- It is the Judge who has , those expressed his feet in contact with which everything glowing flames. The feet have been drilled are also those who trample the enemies of God on the day when the Son shall take complete possession of His kingdom: Psalm 110.1; 1 Cor 15.27, Ephesians 1.22

- It is the Voice of God , a voice so strong as the day it all will speak in the universe can only hear ... and shut up: Heb 12.25 to 27. The Bible exhorts us today, if we hear God's voice, not to harden our hearts Hebrews 4.17. Faced with Christ, the voice that men do not want to hear, will fill all the space and sound mutes their ears.

- He is the Head of the Church , as evidenced by the seven stars he holds in his right hand and which are the seven angels of different churches: v 20. Jesus had told His disciples that even in the hollow of His hand pierced lies the security of His people: Jean 10.28 to 29.

- It is the Word of God , the Word of truth, a word like a sharp sword so sharp that nothing is hidden in the depths of the motivation lies in the hearts will remain secret : Heb 4.12; Rom 2.15-16.

- It is the Holy , one which emanates from such a radiant face that even the angels have to hide the face when they are in His presence: Isaiah 6.1-2, Jean 12.41

3. The nature of the relationship Christ has with His people:

Faced vision grand, majestic, dazzling glory of Christ, John could not, like many before him, that collapse. No look, whether angel or man can not bear the brightness of the divine majesty. But like others before him as well (example: Isaiah: Isaiah 6.6), John goes in two ways, to experience feelings of peace and grace that animate this time the Lord's heart towards him :

1. The Lord, a friend, put his right hand on him. This hand, which alone holds the world and history of the Church is free to interested John. Both the hand of God Is at Work for great things, as it is close to us and available when, fearful, we need to be appeased. "God has as much care of the least of us, as if he had to drive it alone and He has provided care for all men together, that each man in particular: Saint Augustine."

2. The Lord addresses him in words to reassure him of two ways:

- It reassures him about his intentions to Him: John, as His servant and witness, has absolutely nothing to fear from a meeting or contact with his Lord

- He reassured about the position he occupies. It may be that John, like other Christians persecuted, there were some doubts about the reality of the triumph of the Lord. Jesus reassured by John: death strikes Christians is not omnipotent. He, Christ, who decides on where someone is dying and this person goes after his death. He, Jesus, in His hand the bunch of keys of death (the last enemy: 1 Corinthians 15.46 ) and of Hades! Is there something more here that can reassure us?

I am coming soon!

Is There Such A Thing As Grumbling Appendix

Apocalypse

Introduction:

As it is with most books, the first chapter of the book of Apocalypse is an introductory chapter. It outlines the purpose of the book, with the addressees to whom it is addressed, identifies the author describes the circumstances in which it was written and presents a major theme that will be. Note to deal with this amount of information given to us!

Purpose of the book:

It is clearly expressed as the first verse. The Apocalypse is a revelation given by Jesus Christ from God to show His servants what must soon take place. Very clearly, therefore, the Apocalypse is as a book given to us by God to decipher the future. The Apocalypse is the continuing revelation of the works and deeds of God, after death, resurrection and return in glory of Jesus, the Son of God, will complete God's plan for humanity.

Regarding the completion time of revelation, we have seen in the introduction to the book "soon "Referred attaches" to the last days "or" the end-time ", time inaugurated by the ascension and enthronement of Jesus Christ at the right hand of His Father.

Target Book :

If the book covers all the servants of Christ: v 1, addresses in particular the seven churches in the days of John, were located in the province of Asia: v 4: Ephesus Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea (in modern Turkey).

The choice of these particular churches as recipients of this revelation and their numbers are not based on chance. From what we know and what we read later, it is possible to deduce the following reasons:

These churches represent the Church Universal in the middle of which the Lord is . The number 7 used in the Apocalypse has always absolute value: see v 4: the seven spirits before the throne. This universality of the face of the Church, embodied by the seven churches of Asia, can be understood in several ways:

1. Represented by the seven churches, it is possible that we have a picture of the development History of the Church. From heaven, the Lord's gaze embraces all times and all ages. It is not inconceivable that the order in which the churches are quoted and details concerning them cover the heavy realities that mark the future of the Church:

- Ephesus represents the Church's first love and apostles, early church
- Smyrna Church speaks of the suffering: the Church of martyrs
- Pergamon anticipates the mixture doctrinal weave its way into the Church: Infected false doctrines
- Thyatira announces introduction into the Church a false prophet clothed with great authority: the Church dominated by the papacy
- Sardis speaks of the Church who received the Word, but did not remain faithful to the message and who is dead or near death: the Church after the reform
- Philadelphia talks about the small but powerful Church: the Church was born of missionary movements and recovery
- Laodiciée discusses the Church materially rich, but warm on the spiritual plane: the church of late.

Some commentators went further, have even established a parallel between the development of the Church, as represented in the Apocalypse, with that of the Jewish people in the Old Testament since its release in Egypt:

- Ephesus: the first is love for Israel in its output Egypt
- Smyrna: The Church in the test corresponds to Israel in the desert for 40 years
- Pergamum: The Church in the mixture corresponds to the entry of idolatry and corruption (Moab - Balaam)
- Thyatira: The Church is under the influence of the troubled period of the judges and kings (the kingdom of Ahab and Jezebel is the summit)
- Sardis: Dead Orthodox Church is the period of exile
- Philadelphia: the rest is accurate at the time that followed the exile (Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah )
- Laodicea: The Church tepid match the state of Judaism at the time of the coming of Christ.

If such comparisons are possible, it should however be wary of a too categorical classification in this regard. Frederic Godet, a commentator, sees the picture portrayed in churches, not a whole succession, but simultaneously, which means that it is at all times and in all settings that the picture presented here may be relevant.

For that we have in the portrayal of the seven churches, representing all diseases which the Church can be grieved

- Ephesus: loss of first love
- Smyrna-proof
persecution - Pergamon: mixing, false doctrines
- Thyatira: the usurpation of power by foreign authorities to the Lord
- Sardis religious formalism
- Philadelphia: low in fidelity combined with power
- Laodicea: materialism that generates warmth

"The table contains the seven churches and the representation of every shade and somehow the statistics of various states, both good and evil, which may characterize the Christian Land: Frederic Godet.

These churches are local churches existing at the time of John. If they were selected among many to be the recipients of the Apocalypse, is first, "said one commentator, because perhaps more than others, they were concerned with the major problem which arose at the time, a problem that can be found treated under different aspects in the book: the risk of the disappearance of the Church under the influence of satanic power.

We are at the time of writing the Apocalypse in the years 95-100 AD, at the time of Emperor Domitian. In his Life of Domitian, Suetonius, a Roman historian of the time, recounts several features which appeared in the contention of this emperor to divinity ... So he had engraved his image alongside those of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva, on their golden crowns related in some ceremonies. The same argument led him to be cheering in the amphitheater, the title itself divine Lord. It will require even that, now or in writing in official documents or even in interviews they have with him, we have named only as "our Lord and God."

There is no doubt that in the history Domitian appears as the sponsor of the second and most violent persecution against Christians. If the first persecution under Nero touched especially Rome, that Domitian had another litter. Because it raised the question of principle of freedom cults. Now it appears that at least five localities mentioned among the churches in Asia had a sanctuary of the imperial cult: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Sardis, Philadelphia and it is highly likely that Laodicea, and Thyatira there are no strangers. The whole question of the future of the Church is here taken by the Decrees of Domitian. In response to this concern that the Lord will give the Apocalypse to John for these seven churches, to insure, despite the appearance of the final victory of God and His Anointed! If the Apocalypse was a revelation necessary Christians of the empire of Rome, it is even more to see us get up the specter of a New World Order.

Authors Book

If John is the writer of the Book of the Apocalypse, its real author is introduced in v. 4. It is:

1. He who is and who was and who comes . We do not need to ask ourselves about the identity of the One who comes in such an appellation: he presents himself a few verses later: v 7. It is the Almighty.

In presenting under this name, but an objective God. He reminded that He is the Lord, the Sovereign, the One who is the master whatever time facing the people of God. It is first:
- Whoever is: he who does not change, the Immutable, name under which he presented himself to Moses, Exodus
3.13 to 14 - who was then: the past, registered in time, refers to the people of God to all the testimony he could have had all his deeds. The recall to the memory of the people of God, to remember who he is, is a constant of Scripture in the moments when the people pass by the test : Exodus 13:3; 1 Chr 16.8 to 21
- He who comes last: still registered in time, the term refers to the future that should be considered for the people of God in light of the double eternity of God and His deeds of the past

2. The seven spirits who are before His throne :

If these seven spirits are not identified here, they will be later in the book. The seven spirits are actually the seven spirits of God Rev. 3.1, 4.5, 5.6 . This unique name in Scripture can mean and refer to two things:

- the fullness of the Spirit of God
- but why not, in the fullness of its components: Isaiah 11.2

The Spirit of God, sent by all the earth, has not a weapon of persuasion to enlighten the world and convince them of what God is. He knows when and how he should speak in every situation.

3. Jesus Christ : It is presented in all 3 titles in connection with his past work:

- Jesus is the faithful witness, what he has been throughout his earthly journey towards Father: John 5,19.30, 10.30, 14.9; 17.4, and truth: John 1.17, 8.31 to 32, 14.6; 18.37
- the firstborn from the dead: that title refers to His resurrection: Acts 2.24; Colos 1.18
- the head of the kings of the earth: title that refers to His ascension followed by His enthronement the right of the Father: Psalm 110.1 , Acts 2.34, Heb 1.13

That the Godhead as a whole that must be writing the Book of Apocalypse: see Mat 28.19.

Circumstances Editorial: v 9-10

Then he was exiled to Patmos because of the Word of God and witness to Jesus that John received the revelation of Apocalypse. In presenting the condition in which it is located, we can only admire the vision and perspective through which John identifies what he saw.

Being a disciple of Jesus in this world is not to be synonymous with comfort, tranquility, but watching the entire movie of his life, a film he knows in advance, John tells us that to follow Jesus in this world is to share in 3 things:

- distress
-
perseverance - and ultimately the kingdom with Him

It may be that this definition of reading Christian life that gives us John, we do not quite grasp what he has to say. In the book of life of a Christian who wants to be faithful to Jesus in this world, John tells us that it is the same divisions as those found in the book of life of Jesus.

However, browsing the book of life of Jesus, John discerns three divisions, three components very clear summarizing the experiences of Jesus

- the first component is the component distress. If this component is part of the book that summarizes the path of Jesus in this world, we need to know, says John, it is not impossible that, one way or another, sooner or another, in ours. "If the world hates you, know that it hated me before you, said Jesus. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. They will do all these things because of Me": John 15 19.21 .
- the second part of the book of life of Jesus is the persistence component. "Consider Indeed, says the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews, who endured such opposition from sinners so that you do not weary soul discouraged: Hebrews 12.3. "If perseverance was the virtue that has characterized the life of Jesus, Son of God on earth, it is impossible for us who are His disciples, that word does not appear as one of the headings in the book of our lives.
- The 3rd part of the book of life of Jesus, John said, the royalty component. This is the part that closes the book, which tells the component and describes the end, the final outcome that has knew Jesus. This is the part that we celebrate Easter, the resurrection of the flap, the final triumph of Christ over sin, the world, death and the devil.

Purpose of Paper: v 7

The purpose of the book of Apocalypse is entirely contained in the first message, presented in the form of an assertion on which there is no of doubt and to be at the heart of expectation and faith of the saints, that we find in reading the book. This statement is the announcement of some coming in glory of the Lord, the last image that the Land retains is the Crucified, an event which, as was his crucifixion, is both well known and universally applicable.

God gives us, the people of God to the last hour, to tighten the promise in our hearts!

I am coming soon!