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There is a small bit of good material here, interspersed with quite a lot of questionable, rambling commentary. We don't think there's enough value here to analyze everything, so we will jump in when appropriate.
The author writes thousands of words about a 200 word letter to the Laodicean church. Most of his presentation it is not connected to that letter and is little more than mere speculation.
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John writes in Revelation 1:12-13: “Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands,and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.” Here John sees Christ glorified in his holy priestly garb. (Actually, His kingly garb. Let's read the entire description:
...dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash round his chest. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.One does not fall before a priest. This is the King of kings.)
He is seen walking among the seven branch Menorah, like the Menorah in the Holy Place in the tabernacle. The fuel for its light was pure olive oil, which it needed to burn properly. This oil was to be fed into the lampstand and burn continuously on behalf of the children of Israel.
The lampstand in the Old Testament symbolized Jesus as the “Light of the World” that was to burn continually, giving its light in the Holy Place where the priest would be (John 1:7-9, 8:12, 9:5, 12:46; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Luke 1:78-79, 2:32; Revelation 21:23-24). The responsibility of the priests was to keep the lamp burning. They had to feed it oil and trim its wicks so it would not smoke, but continue to burn without failing to give pure light.
It also symbolized the believer, in that the believer is also called the “light of the World” (Mt.5:14-17). After Jesus ascended into heaven (John 9:5; Philippians 2:15; Luke 12:35; Ephesians 5:8-9) the believer is also called the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:14-17). For that reason the believer is also to walk in the light, i.e., His Word (I John 1:7). Therefore the lampstand can also be seen as a symbol of the Church, bringing the light to a world of darkness as representatives of Christ. (The author gives us several things represented by the lampstands. Why he does this is a mystery, because John himself tells us what they represent. The author quotes this very verse in his next sentence...)
We see this motif continuing in Revelation 1:20: “The mystery of the seven stars which 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 which you saw are the seven churches.” Revelation 1:20 tells us the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches. Whenever the word “stars” is used symbolically, it refers to angels. The seven lampstands are seven churches of which Christ is the head. Just as the oil lit up the whole Menorah (lampstand), so does the Holy Spirit illumine all the Churches. The seven individual lampstands symbolize the seven local churches which represent the whole of the Church, not just different ages of the Church. Revelation 1:4 said they already existed in Asia at the time of the writing of Revelation, they were not just future churches or representative of Church ages only. We can concede that these churches are examples of churches throughout all ages (On what basis can we conclude this? The author provides no evidence at all this is true.)
and that all seven can exist at the same time in type, as they have throughout history. The last church mentioned is Laodicea, during the latter times the Laodicean church would be dominant one. (It is? This is an undocumented assertion.)
It is this Church that will be common in the end time and will usher in the apostasy. (We always found the seven ages/seven churches theory to be somewhat speculative. The author here states it as fact, without providing us with evidence. It will be the premise upon which the rest of his work is based.)
Revelation 2:1: “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, “These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands… “The Lord walks among the churches in all ages to know them. Jesus commends and rebukes them and gives a specific warning to this church in Revelation 2:5: “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place-- unless you repent.” The removing of the church’s lampstand meant Christ’s Spirit would depart and leave them on their own, which in turn would result in them being as Laodicea (Laodicea means “men’s opinions ruling in place of God”). (We suspect the author found his definition here. That source does not document this meaning either.
We reject it, for this meaning is absent in the actual Greek word:
Laodicea, a city of Phrygia, situated on the river Lycus not far from Colossae. After having been successively called Diospolis and Rhoas, it was named Laodicea in honor of Laodice, the wife of Antiochus II. (). It was destroyed by an earthquake, A.D. 66The Greek words are Laos (λαός, οῦ, ὁ) means a people, and dicea (δίκη, ης, ἡ) means justice. A People of Justice is not anywhere near “men’s opinions ruling in place of God.”)
Let's now quote the entire message to the Laodicean church:
Re. 3:14-22 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
17 You say, `I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so that you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so that you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so that you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.
20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”Loyalty to Christ can and often is replaced by loyalty to an organization, a church, and its leaders, substituting new rules and interpretations for Biblical truths. (True, but this church's problem was it was perceiving its comfort in the wrong terms. They could not see their true state because of what they valued. True riches come from revelation of the exalted Christ.
Jesus states his love for them. This church received some of the most precious promises of Scripture if they would repent. This is not an issue of loyalty to an organization. Such an idea is not even hinted at.)
We can see this example in the cults. (The author's application is faulty. Laodicea was a church, not a cult. It valued material wealth, not faulty doctrine. It was not loyal to an organization, it was proud of its worldly position.)
We find that all the churches mentioned in Revelation exist at the same time, and we can find the faithful Church existing alongside the unfaithful Church today. (Jesus does not say that Laodicea was unfaithful, it was lukewarm.)
But there is only one Church that will take over that will become the center of apostasy. The church of Laodicea has prepared the way for the great apostasy. It has kept Christ out of the Church and from His people. It has stood for nothing for so long that it has little effect on society, while at the same time it has allowed anything contrary to Christ’s teachings to come in. Today the world looks at this Church and excuses its sin, because there is no salt left for conviction. This Church became lukewarm, seeking unity with everyone, showing tolerance for any doctrinal aberration and interpreting it as love. (Where does the author get this? It is not in the letter to the Laodicean church! There is nothing about doctrine. It does not speak of the nature of this church's love. It does not tell us this church was seeking unity with anyone.)
It is reflective of a Church that at end of the age has come under the influence of the world instead of being an influence in the world. The world wonders why should it be judged if there is no substantial difference between it and the Church. But judgment begins in the House of God. The Lord is infinitely more concerned about His people than about the unbeliever. (This litany may or may not be true in a general sense, but it is not reflective of what the letter says.
We note the author uses the capital "C" in the word "Church." This is usually used as an indicator of the whole Body of Christ in every nation, no matter the denomination; or a moniker for the one true church.
This would mean that apostasy is not part of the Church. In fact, the very meaning of apostasy is to depart from the teachings of the one true Church. Therefore, apostasy is separate. By definition there cannot be apostasy in the Church. It must be apostasy from the Church.)
And so Jesus commends, warns and rebukes each church. (Philadelphia [Re. 3:7] did not receive a rebuke. And the Laodicean church received no commendations.)
Because God removes His lampstand from apostate churches they have resorted to worldly methods and techniques in order to continue to attract people. (Jesus threatened to remove the lampstand of the Ephesian church, not the Laodicean church. And there is no mention in any of the seven letters about these churches trying to attract people.)
After all, one must keep the organizational wheels rolling! (The author is entirely too wrapped up in his agenda to notice that he is talking about a completely different subject than what is contained in Jesus' letter.)
The Laodicean church thought they were doing well and were spiritual. After all they were rich, so of course God must be blessing them. The wealthy mostly dress well and talk about their possessions to impress people. They focus on outward appearances and worldliness. But these people did not know their inward condition; they were blind and could not see. So the Lord asked if they would buy from Him gold refined in the fire (by their suffering) (There is nothing in the context to suggest that fire means suffering.)
white garments (robes of salvation) and eye salve so they could see their condition.
Today many see their success and prosperity as God’s blessing. (Sometimes it can be a blessing, but that isn't always true.)
The Laodicean Church was lukewarm. The Lord wanted them either cold or hot. Hot water was used for healing; cold was used for refreshment. (The author just throws these assertions around as if they were self-evidently true. On what basis we should accept these things is not discernible. In fact, we don't think they're true at all.)
Instead, they could not make up their mind, they were standing for nothing, and were good for nothing. They lived in both worlds. Spiritually they could have been either all for God or not at all, but they were in between. If they were hot, they would have been approved. If they were cold, God could have changed them, but they were in the middle and He was unable do anything. (What?? God is never "unable." In fact, Jesus said, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. That is not "unable!" And He calls them to repent! The author is just making things up.)
This is the worst place to be, to be part of a church, doing church things, thinking you are a Christian when in fact you are not. (Can we actually say for certain that the Laodiceans were not Christians? We don't think so. They were one of the churches with a lampstand. They were called forth to repent. They were told by Jesus that He loved them: Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.
Again, it appears the author is just making things up.)
The Laodiceans had just enough religiosity to get by and think they were fine.
They were naked also. In the time of Christ all soldiers would sleep in their clothes, they would not take them off so they would be ready for battle. We are to be clothed in white garments, the righteousness of Christ. Jesus was saying they did not have his righteousness they were naked. (We could perhaps see this in other context, but not for this church. Nakedness indicates humiliation, guilt, shame, and punishment. Adam and Eve were attempting to hide their humiliation, guilt, and shame when they grabbed a few fig leaves to provide covering. Laodicea could not perceive its shame; neither could it see its guilt and humiliation.
Also, there is no hint of soldiers sleeping in their clothes or doing battle.)
Yet even this church is not hopeless; Christ can come in to the individual if He is allowed, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent “(v.19). This is the only Church that He is outside of and offers to come to the individual in the Church and not the collective Church. (Jesus is writing to the church. There is no mention of individuals, except the general call to "anyone.")
Because the whole Church is removed from the truth of functioning in the word of God. (The letter does not say this. In fact, just the opposite. They have a lampstand where Jesus is in the midst of. And Jesus says, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. He has not done this yet.)
This does not mean they abandon God’s word or name but only use portions of it that suit them, or change its meaning.
Many have identified the Apostasy as individuals departing from the Church. Certainly over the centuries many individuals that had begun in the Church left and started their own cult. However, this is only part of the picture as Jesus is addressing the Church He personally walks among. (Now the author flipflops and tells us just the opposite.)
(...)
...believers are warned that false teaching will gradually increase through time until the entire church has been affected in some way. The ultimate fulfillment of this falling away is found in Revelation 17. (Revelation 17 is post-rapture. Now we would question whether or not the author is thinking clearly.)
(...)
How did this all Happen?
I have already touched in general on the Church in the 20th Century and the development of divergent tributaries all flowing away from the word of God. But for us as individuals, apostasy specifically begins with indifference, holding no convictions, and having no boldness for the truth; and so we become men pleasers and lovers of the World, instead of lovers of God and His truth. In time it becomes nothing short than a total abandonment of Christ and His teachings.
The Scripture tells us in the end times the love of many will grow cold. (In Mt.24 Jesus' explains this is because of lawlessness not heeding His word.)
Loving people enough to confront them with the truth is abandoned and the doctrines are changed to fit the culture. The Laodicean church (Finally we are back to the Laodicean church. We deleted a lengthy and speculative end-times scenario unrelated to the Laodiceans.)
had slowly been losing its first love and the result was not obeying the Lord's commands: “occupy until I come” and teach them the truth (discipleship). Open mindedness and the acceptance of any doctrine for the sake of unity is worldly tolerance, and not a display of real love. But Laodicea boasts in its riches and how well off they are. “It’s the best of times for the Church!” Is the cry. Sound familiar. (None of this is indicated by Jesus' letter. The author apparently must follow his preconceptions, irrespective of the subject at hand.)
(The remainder of this article is an unfocused hodge-podge of end times speculation. We find it neither compelling nor relevant. The author tries his best to connect the Laodiceans to end-times chronology, connected with the hope that he can substitute the charismatic movement, among other things, for the Laodiceans.
It isn't a terribly rational effort. In fact, it strikes us as a stream-of-consciousness diatribe with no apparent focus or direction.
Therefore, we will provide no more commentary.)
While history has shown the growth of various apostasies by cults springing up by those who left the Church. (there is evidence of both in the End Times: 1 Timothy 4:1-3 and 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 4:3-4), the Scriptures point to an apostasy among those who once followed God who are still in the church. It is a world-wide rebellion, not just a few but many. The article in the verse makes it even more significant; this is not a falling away, but the falling away, the great and final rebellion against God, his word and rulership in individual lives, and churches. A departure from His word and replacement by another's. This is different from error, which results from ignorance. Although it includes false beliefs and error. The motivation is willful and it defies what the Word states because of an adherence to its own deception.
How does a group of Christians or a whole church that loves the Lord fall away? By not adhering to the commands found in the Word. The Scriptures are put aside for agendas and other activities. Paul warns of false teachers rising up from among the church, and being on our guard against worldliness. All to often today's Church measures success by size and popularity, just as the Bible said it would in the end. It begins with just a small compromise and from there it is just a matter of time before one doesn't even realize they can't even find the place they have drifted from. Without an anchor the tide takes us where it wants.
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons”(1 Tim. 4:1). Notice that “some will depart from the faith,” not all. Tolerance has been the main cause of leaving any absolutes in the Word of God. We simply do not love the truth more than other things and it eventually comes to be replaced with what can only be identified as lies. Lies can be disguised and embraced because they are easier to comprehend than the truth which takes good soil to be sowed in.
God has commanded that His people separate from error not to join in with it. People who reject this command eventually find themselves on the side of apostasy. How can it be possible then, that God is now calling for the walls of separation to be broken down? This is not the great commission but the great confusion which will continually grow into the great apostasy.
James says where there is confusion every evil thing is there. Today's ecumenical tolerance in the name of love and unity has made much of the Church depart from the truth which subsequently has left it with little power. It has not brought what so many have promised. For example those who wanted to unite in mission with the Roman Catholic Church for social change now find themselves in a predicament, as the Pope has recently been photographed kissing the Koran (inside the Vatican). If we continue to wink at falsehood we will eventually shut our eyes to the truth. (Rom. 16:17,18; 2 Cor. 6:14-18; 1 Tim. 1:3; 2 Tim. 2:16-21, 3:5,13; Titus 1:10-13; 3:9-11; 2 John 7-11; Rev. 18:4).
Eventually a last days apostate Church, along with the rest of the world will accept the Mark of the Beast as an allegiance to global unity, it may even become a deterrent to terrorism. This mark comes to be a required in the middle of the Tribulation, so there is no way to identify it with certainty now. However it is obvious that a system will need to be implemented to further economic unity and global monetary success. Revelation 13 tells us that no one will be able to buy or sell without the mark. Today it is very hard to do any business without computers throughout most of the world.
Numerous mass population identification and tracking systems have been developed, such as an implantable chip or a transponder placed in a plastic wristband. This Identification and Tracking technology will be used in the New World order system for the global economy. Right now on the books the US has a patent for a number tattoo for everyone in America. There is also a patent for a digital transceiver chip called digital angel. This is a “implantable transceiver sends and receives data and can be continuously tracked by GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) When implanted within a body, the device is powered electromechanically through the movement of muscles, and it can be activated either by the ‘wearer’ or by the monitoring facility. A novel sensation feedback feature will even allow the wearer to control the device to some degree. The ‘smart’ device is also small enough to be hidden inconspicuously on or within valuable personal belongings” (On December 10, 1999, Applied Digital Solutions, Inc. (ADS) acquired the patent rights to this technology, which the company refers to as “Digital Angel®.”) On May 10, 2002 it became the official day to be implanted in humans. Several have already volunteered and taken the chip. The technology is here, it only waits for certain individual who will bring it all together.
Then there is the Signs and Wonders Movement, from the promise of miracle debt cancellation to confessing to posses it by the words you speak. This movement is motivated by coveting, promising power so that you can change reality by manipulation in the spiritual realm. Supernatural experience e are plainly one of the glues which holds together the end-time apostasy. Paul addressed the Ephesian elders: “ For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” (Acts 20:29-30). Many flock to see their favorite teacher and see his miracle working power televised. Jesus said that deceiving signs and wonders will be an integral part of the last-days deception to the Church.
This is not the time to hide one’s head in the sand, hoping that it will all go away; it won’t. If we really believe the apostasy comes first and that the time we are living in is the Laodicean church age, then we are that much closer to the Lord’s coming. It can literally be the last moments of time before a tribulation period, the most disastrous time the earth has ever seen. We should be hard at work, before the night falls. As the saying goes, you don’t play in the last quarter of a football game like you do in the first quarter. And this is no game! It is for the eternal destiny of souls, your friends and loved ones. Time to awake to your calling in Christ.
2 Thess. 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity (lawlessness) is already work: only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. V.7 Once the restraining power is removed the Scripture says another HE will be revealed. The “he” is the Antichrist the Son of Perdition who will flood the World with his false teaching and signs and wonders to conquer them. Paul used James and Jambres as an example of miracle opposition for what will occur in the last days.
How is this possible? One of the ways is through TV. The Lord never said the gospel would be preached in all the World through the medium of TV, but through people. Those who were willing to give up their lives and go on the mission field of the World. It should be obvious to anyone who watches Christian TV that most do not give up anything as in the first century but actually gain the World's pleasures by going. The lines are being drawn today with those who follow the crowd as sheep and those who follow the Master as His sheep. However there is hope as there has always been a remnant.
This apostasy cannot be just the continuance of the same things that were always wrong. Paul uses it as a signpost for the coming of the Lord for his Church and the nearness of the tribulation! In order to be a “sign”, it has to be DIFFERENT from anything else that has occurred. But it will not noticed by all because the majority will be part of it.
2 Thess.2:.9. “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders “i.e., the energy and power of Satan with full and complete strength to have the ability to work signs and wonders. (Mt.24:24 )
power- energeia- working, efficiency; in the New Testament used only of superhuman power, whether of God or of the Devil.
He comes with ALL, (means and types of) power (it will look the same as, the apostles ability) with signs and wonders; but it is all the working of Satan, as described in Revelation 13:13-17. Its not a coincidence that in these last years miracles have increased. While god still does miracles, it is this very thing that we are warned from Paul would deceive the people. Satan has often times disguised his false doctrines with supernatural signs. In today's open spiritual climate both inside and outside the Church. Our time is tailor-made for lying signs to deceive greater numbers of people than ever before. Experience becomes the teacher instead of the objective word of truth. What they think they see or hear of is always true to them.
2 Thess.2:10. “with all unrighteous deception among those who perish.” The reason being, “they did not receive the love of the truth that they might be saved.”
2 Thess.2:11. “For this reason God shall send them a STRONG delusion, and so they will believe the lie.” They will be completely DECEIVED. God does not tell lies, only the truth. But in this instance he is going to allow their own lies to come to fruition, they will literally have to reject Gods counsel and step over the truth. They are brought to the point where they no longer even are able to consider the truth! Just as Pharaoh was given the chance to repent until he was deceived and empowered to fulfill God's will, likewise they will also. God sends them the lie through their own deception.
In the OT we find that God warned of false prophets through the true ones. But the people rejected God's true prophets so the Lord would allow a lying spirit in a prophets mouth. I King 22:20-23 “And the LORD said, 'Who will persuade Ahab to go up, that he may fall at Ramoth Gilead?' So one spoke in this manner, and another spoke in that manner. V.21 “Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD, and said, 'I will persuade him.' V.22 “The LORD said to him, 'In what way?' So he said, 'I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' And the LORD said, 'You shall persuade him, and also prevail. Go out and do so.” V.23 “Therefore look! The LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours, and the LORD has declared disaster against you.” (also found in 2 Chron.18:21-22).
God has often used the enemy to give people knowledge to see if they are for Him or against Him. (Deut.13). In the case of God sending a strong delusion it is not a test but for judgment because they have not believed the truth He will empower their lies. It is the church of Thiatira who allowed the false prophets inside, Jesus warns that they will be brought into the Great tribulation unless they repent.
Jer. 23:20-22 “The anger of the LORD will not turn back against these false prophets until he has performed and carried out the purposes of His heart. In the latter days you will understand it perfectly. I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran. I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in My counsel, and had caused My people to hear My words, then they would have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their doings.”
The ones who will be deceived by Satan and his counterfeit signs are those who have already rejected the truth. God will allow the deceiving spirits to speak through them without interfering. (2 Tim.4:1).
The example of the wickedness in Noah's day and the fact that life went on as usual, blinded them to impending destruction and is used to show that these lawless wicked men had a type of “Tribulation” judgment fall on them. Just like in Revelation. If certain church's do not repent they will enter the Tribulation.
The Apostle Peters warns in 2 Pet. 2:1-3- “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.” Notice the many and their way is destructive and their own destruction is close. 2 Thess.2:12- “ They will all be condemned who did not believe (receive-hold to) the truth, our instructions from the Scriptures
The call for this salvation comes through the Gospel, the gospel Paul preached (we preach Christ crucified, 1 Cor. 1:23). It is this Gospel that we stand in and this Gospel that will enable us to the obtain glory of Jesus.
Instead they had pleasure in unrighteousness by doing it their way. They did not live in Christ's righteousness, or listen to His commands. They rejected them.
Most of the epistles were written to correct error; and Paul warned that error would accelerate after his death. “After my departing shall grievous wolves enter in ... not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:29).
What had already begun in Paul's day finally comes to maturity in the end. The seeds that were planted by the enemy as tares.
Shortly after Paul's martyrdom Jude said that false teachers had “crept in unawares” and therefore it was essential (as it still is today) to “earnestly contend for the faith” (Jude 3-4). The only question left to ask is: “How much worse will the apostasy get before the Rapture and will you or I not become part of it?
If you now understand that all this is being fulfilled you might be wondering what then are we to do? Luke 21:36: “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
1 Jn.3:2-3: “When He is revealed we shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is.” (John had a glimpse in his vision he communicated in the revelation. “He who has this hope” looks forward to the Lord's return and “purifies himself as Christ was pure.” Come quickly Lord Jesus.
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