THE FOURTH SEAL Revelation Chapter 6 VERSE 7 “When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see.” This is the last in the series of Seals using the four Living Ones and the four horses. This is appropriate since the first four Churches, Seals, and Trumpets show the deterioration of matters spiritual. After Thyatira, things begin remarkably to improve so that (Rev 8:13) at the end of the fourth Trumpet…
“The star or angel to the Church of Thyatira was Peter Waldo, a rich merchant of Lyons in southern France. Approximately A.D. 1157 several of the principal citizens of Lyons were conversing together on various matters, as was customary in Italy and France during the summer. Suddenly one of them fell to the ground and expired. This awful occurrence, an example of the mortality of man and a vivid reminder of the death penalty upon the human race, terrified one…
“The Fourth Church was Thyatira meaning “sweet perfume of sacrifice”, which is suggestive of relatively slow-burning incense and implies a long period of suffering. (Thya)-teiro denotes “to rub hard,” especially in regard to the effects of pain and sorrow on body and mind, “to wear away, wear out, distress.” Thus, those Christians in the Thyatira era who were submissive to the Lord’s leadings and the crushing experiences became, as a result of their obedience, like a sweet powdered incense or…
THE THIRD TRUMPET Note: Brethren have come up with a number of seemingly viable explanations for the symbols in this Trumpet. It is altogether possible that more than one explanation works and is correct. When measuring the tabernacle with the standard 18-inch cubit, one set of excellent truths is discovered; when measuring it with the pyramid (25-inch) cubit, another set of excellent data results. It is hardly beyond God to have a number of correct and meaningful interpretations possible in…
THE THIRD SEAL Revelation Chapter 6 VERSE 5 “When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So, I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand.” This Seal deals with the scarcity of good spiritual food due to the apostasy’s having gained control of dictating how much doctrine is appropriate and “correct.” This is the period which begins the Dark…
Revelation Chapter 2 VERSE 15 “Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.” THUS, YOU ALSO HAVE THOSE WHO HOLD THE DOCTRINE OF THE NICOLAITANS. Several lessons appear in this verse. The word THUS is important. It links this verse to the previous verse. NICOLAITANS is a Greek equivalent of BALAAMITES. Jesus is INTERPRETING Verse 14. “But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the…
Although we only need Verse 13 here to confirm to us whom the Lord’s third messenger was nevertheless a careful consideration the whole context in which it is placed will better serve us. So, we present here the letter to the third Church in its entirety. Revelation Chapter 2 VERSE 12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things say he who has the sharp two-edged sword: THE SHARP TWO-EDGED SWORD:— Jesus’ introductions of himself to…
The Third Church and its Messenger “The angel of the Pergamos period, extending from A.D. 313 to A.D.1157, was Arius the presbyter of Alexandria, Egypt, who first began to attract the attention of the Christian world about the year 312. His opposition to both the theory of lordship in the Church and the doctrine of the Trinity, which is of heathen derivation—as well as the general character, chronological location, scope, and influence of his teachings in and upon Christendom—indicates he…
The Third Church: was Pergamos: meaning “earthly elevation”, a most appropriate name for the age in which “Christianity” is exalted throughout the empire to the point where the “Christian” leader gains powers greater than the emperor. What a change from the persecutions of Smyrna! — a change which apostate Christians intended to keep at ANY cost. It is interesting to note another possible etymology for Pergamos: “Although a Marriage.” If this be a viable etymology, how appropriate it is to…
THE SECOND TRUMPET Revelation Chapter 8 VERSE 8 “Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood.” There were two trends working in the Smyrna Trumpet’s period: (1) There was terrible persecution because Christianity threatened paganism, and (2), Apostate Christians were working feverishly to gain favor by compromises. Remembering these trends helps to understand the Trumpet. THEN THE SECOND ANGEL SOUNDED: John,…