Revelation Chapter 6 The First Seal VERSE 1 “Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” The LAMB (Jesus) breaks the First Seal. The breaking of the Seals is representative of revealing the major prophetic tendencies of each of the periods. ONE OF THE FOUR LIVING ONES: It seems important in the series of the first four Seals that…
Revelation Chapter 6 As was stated in our previous post there are two views held by the brethren as to the meaning of the four horsemen of the apocalypses specifically in regards to the first horse and rider. Here we present the two views and those who support them. The First Seal In support of the first view we note the following: As explained by Brother Anton C. Frey in his, Notes on the Revelation of Jesus Christ: “And I…
Revelation Chapter 6 The First Seal “The seals about to be broken by the risen Lord are none other than those affixed to the scroll seen earlier…as held fast, and as kept secret, in the hand of the Almighty One (Rev 5:1). The initial disclosure of the contents of the scroll pertains to what the future would hold in store for God’s elect; that is, it is the shocking revelation of the then soon-to-come aberrant behavior of the professed Church…
Revelation Chapter 2 The First Church VERSE 7 continued, “He, who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” To him that overcomes… The rewards set before the Lord’s followers in each of the seven apocalyptic periods are, without exception, to be granted not to over-comers in the ordinary sense of…
Revelation Chapter 2 The First Church VERSE 7 continued, “He, who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” He that has an ear let him hear… Jesus frequently used this familiar saying during his earthly ministry to call attention to remarks he wished his disciples to especially heed, grasp, and…
Revelation Chapter 2 The First Church VERSE 7 “He, who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” This is the first of the seven choruses which contain BOTH the phrase “He who has an ear . . .” and “To him who overcomes . . .” The order is reversed,…
Revelation Chapter 2 The First Church VERSE 4 “BUT… I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” “The word translated “patience” (in Verse 3) signifies a development of heart and character manifesting itself in an endurance of wrong or affliction with contentment, without rebellion of will, and with full acquiescence in the divine wisdom and love, which, while permitting present evils, have promised their overthrow in God’s due time. The Master recognizes and commends the existence…
Revelation Chapter 2 The First Church VERSE 1 continued, “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write… This is the import of the first phrase with which Jesus introduces Himself to Ephesus: “…These things say He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands.” WHO HOLDS THE SEVEN STARS IN HIS RIGHT HAND These angels are in his FAVOR (right hand) and in a position of guidance and…
QUALIFICATIONS for BEING ONE of the SEVEN ANGELS Much discussion has gone into naming the seven messengers (angels) to the seven Churches. On the whole, Bible students have been in basic agreement as to the identities of these individuals. Now and then, however, some of us may feel a bit uncomfortable with someone on the usual list and attempt a substitution. It is not unhealthy to question such things. It is wise, however, to have certain standards in mind before…
Revelation Chapter 2 The First Church VERSE 1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write… Once again Ephesus signifies “first” or “desirable,” and is characteristic of the first period of church history. Contemporaneous with the lives of the apostles and sometimes designated the “Apostolic Era,” this period covers the time span from *A.D. 34 to 70. In the effort of the early Christian Church to promulgate the gospel, two names predominate: the Apostles Peter and Paul. Of the…