Unveiling Philadelphia in Revelation 3
THE FAITHFUL ADVENT CHURCH
Approximately late 1790s/early 1840s–1844
The great Adventist movement before the open door to the Most Holy in the heavenly temple, the door to the judgment, the investigative judgment.
Philadelphia means:
“Brotherly Love”
The traditional Adventist historicist interpretation associates Philadelphia particularly with the great evangelical revival and the Advent awakening that culminated in 1844.
The exact beginning date […]
Unveiling Laodicea in Revelation 3
THE FINAL CHURCH
1844–Second Coming of Jesus
19th to 21st centuries.
The church which proclaims the judgment that has already come, Rev.14:7.
Now we reach the final church.
Laodicea is generally understood in the Adventist historicist framework as representing the church in the final period of earth’s history.
The name itself is significant.
It is commonly understood as meaning:
“Judging the people”
or
“a people […]
Unveiling Thyatira in Revelation 2
THE CORRUPT CHURCH
The imperial church and the persecuted remnant.
AD 538–1500s
Thyatira is the longest prophetic period represented by the seven churches.
The traditional Adventist historicist interpretation places this period approximately from:
AD 538 to the 1500s
This corresponds to the medieval period of Western Christianity and the rise and dominance of the papal system.
The date 538 is particularly significant […]
Unveiling Pergamos in Revelation 2
THE COMPROMISING CHURCH
4th to 6th centuries and beyond.
Mix of paganism and Christianity.
AD 313–538
Now we enter a dramatically different period.
The church moves from persecution to political acceptance.
This is one of the great turning points in Christian history. In the sixth century the papacy had become firmly established, and the bishop of Rome was declared to be […]
Unveiling Smyrna in Revelation 2
THE PERSECUTED and SUFFERING CHURCH
AD 100–313
2nd to 4th centuries.
We now move from Ephesus to Smyrna.
If Ephesus represents the apostolic church, Smyrna represents the period of severe persecution experienced by Christians under the Roman Empire.
The blood of the martyrs becomes seed.
In the early years, Jewish Christians met with Jews in the synagogue. But after the destruction […]
Unveiling Revelation Chapter 4
THE OPEN DOOR IN HEAVEN
Justice Mingled With Mercy, the 24 Elders, the Four Living Creatures, and Creation
INTRODUCTION: FROM THE CHURCH ON EARTH TO THE THRONE IN HEAVEN
We have traveled through Revelation chapters 1–3.
In chapter 1, John sees:
Jesus Christ.
He sees Christ walking among the seven golden lampstands.
In chapters 2 and 3, Jesus speaks to His churches.
He […]