Responses to the Birth of Christ

In Matthew 1:18-25 we have the record of the virgin birth of Christ. In 2:1-18 we see responses to the news of His birth from both Jews and Gentiles. 

Please read Matthew 2:1-18

The events in this passage take place AFTER the birth of Christ. Based on nativity scenes and Christmas carols most think that three wise men presented their gifts to baby Jesus on the night of His birth. However, by the time the wise men found Jesus He was a young child in a house, not a baby in a manger (2:11). As much as two years could have elapsed between the birth of Christ and the visit of the wise men (2:16). The passage does not say there were three wise men. They presented three kinds of gifts but there was likely much more than just three men in their entourage. Why does it matter? If it’s in the Bible it matters! I don’t think we should go on a campaign against traditional nativity scenes. I appreciate any attempts that people make today in this antichrist culture to honor the Lord Jesus Christ. However, we must always put God’s truth above man’s tradition. 

Let's consider this passage on three levels:

 

1. Doctrinally 
 

The wise men were in the east when they saw the star. They did not see the star shining in the east (not an “eastern star”). They journeyed west toward Jerusalem. They were likely from the kingdom of Persia. Evidently they had access to some prophecy about Israel’s Messiah. Due to the Babylonian captivity the prophet Daniel spent many years living in the east during the reigns of several kings. He was made chief over the "wise men" (Dan. 2:2, 12, 48). Copies of his writings likely remained in that region (there were Jews still there after the captivity, not all returned to Jerusalem). The prophet Balaam lived near the Euphrates River. Perhaps they knew his prophecy about the Star that would come out of Jacob (Num. 24:17).  

 

The star was either a supernatural star or an angel (angels called stars, Job 38:5-7). It appeared, disappeared, reappeared, and lead them to Jesus. They did not follow the star the whole journey. If so, why would they end up in Jerusalem? They naturally thought the King of the Jews would be in the capitol city of Israel. Also, why would they rejoice at seeing the star when departing Jerusalem? The star reappeared after they were told that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem because He was no longer Bethlehem. He was in Nazareth (Lk. 2:39).
 

Men are not born as a king (v.2). The son of a king is a prince that becomes a king. Christ is much more than a man! He is a branch out of David (humanity) but He is also the root (deity, Rev. 22:16)! "Where is he that is born King of the Jews?" is the first question in NT. It concerns the incarnate Word of God. The first question in the OT concerned the spoken word of God (Gen. 3:1). This question was asked by wise men for the purpose of worship. The OT question was asked by a wise serpent for the purpose of deception. 

 

The chief priests and scribes knew the scripture but had no heart for what it said (much like the professing church today, 2 Tim. 3:5)! Most professing Christians have no heart for the coming of the Lord. They are not looking for that blessed hope (Titus 2:13). They do not love His appearing (2 Tim. 4:8). Intellectual knowledge of the scripture without experimental delight in them is useless (1 Cor. 8:1).

They were satisfied with a wicked Edomite King in Jerusalem. After all, he was building them a temple. Herod and all Jerusalem (except a remnant) were troubled at the news because of the political ramifications. The scribes misquoted the prophecy (Mic. 5:2) and watered it down. It seems intentional because they omitted the statement concerning the deity of the Messiah ("whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting"). They were busy going through their religious motions but had no heart for the One their scriptures and ceremonies pointed to! Consider all the prophecy fulfilled just in this chapter (2:5,15,17,23). Based on the seventy weeks prophecy in Daniel 9 they could have known the time of His coming into the world. 

 

The Gentile wise men traveled hundreds of miles to worship the King of the Jews but the Jews wouldn’t travel eight miles from Jerusalem to Bethlehem! Jesus was already being rejected by His own nation. 

 

Why gold, frankincense, and myrrh? Associated with the three offices of the Messiah. 

1) Gold – suitable gift for a king (1 Kings 10:18)

2) Frankincense – suitable gift for a priest (Ex. 30:34-36)

3) Myrrh – suitable gift for a suffering prophet (used embalming fluid, Jam. 5:10; Jn. 19:39)

 

That these men worshipped Jesus as a little child proves that He never ceased to be God at any point in His incarnation. He laid aside His glory, not His deity! He did not become the Son of God at His baptism as some heretics claim.  

 

Herod’s decree demonstrates how Satan used him in his effort to get rid of the promised seed. Herod was a liar and a murderer, just like his father (Jn. 8:44). 

 

2. Prophetically 

The visit of the wise men is only recorded by Matthew. The emphasis in Matthew is that Jesus Christ is the King. This historical account of Gentile wise men seeking the King of the Jews, presenting Him gifts, and worshipping Him prefigures the day when the kings of the earth will seek His face and worship Him in the coming Kingdom Age when He reigns from Jerusalem as King over all the earth (Ps. 72:7-11; Isa. 60:5-6).

 

Isaiah 60:5-6

(5) Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.

(6) The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD.

 

Notice that myrrh is not mentioned among the gifts of gold and incense (same as frankincense). That is because this will be fulfilled when Christ comes again in glory. He will never suffer or die again!

 3. Practically
There are certainly spiritual and practical applications in this passage for us. 

The wise men picture the conversion of sinners:

1. They were supernaturally drawn to Christ – The Holy Spirit uses the light of His word to draw sinners to Christ.

2. They found Christ because they believed the word of God (2 Tim. 3:15; Rom. 10:17; Eph. 1:13)

3. They rejoiced in finding Christ – There is no greater joy than the joy of salvation (Phil. 4:4; 1 Pet. 1:8)

4. They worshipped Him – This is the immediate, normal response of those who know Him

5. They presented gifts – AFTER salvation we present ourselves to the Lord (Rom. 12:1)

6. They departed another way – Those who meet the Lord are changed (Eph. 2:8-10)

Joseph and Mary were poor (compare Lk. 2:24 with Lev. 12:8). God sent the wise men to provide for their trip to Egypt. Where God guides, He provides (Phil. 4:19)! 

It is said that “Wise men still seek Jesus”. The worldly wise rarely seek Christ (1 Cor. 1:17-29). True wisdom is found in Christ (Col. 2:3) and we must be in Him to have His wisdom (1 Cor. 1:30-31).

The Conflict of the Ages

The first prophecy concerning the incarnation of Christ was given by God directly to Satan right after the fall of man.

 

Genesis 3:

15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

 

Here the doom of the devil and the hope of mankind are proclaimed. One of the key words in this verse is "enmity" (a state of conflict). This prophecy announces the conflict of the ages and provides and explanation for all the bloodshed and war down through history. There are basically 4 parts to this prophecy:

1. Enmity between the serpent (satan) and the woman - Whereas the woman had listened to the serpent and was beguiled by him, there will now be enmity between them. This reaches beyond Eve or women in general and points to the enmity that will exist between Satan and Israel (Rev. 12:13) which will climax in the great tribulation.

2. Enmity between the seed of the serpent and the woman - The "seed of the woman" refers in particular to Christ and a virgin birth is implied (later clearly stated in Isa. 7:14). I think that the seed of the serpent refers in particular the antichrist. The seed of the woman has to do with the "mystery of godliness" (1 Tim. 3:16) and the seed of the serpent has to do with the "mystery of iniquity" (2 Thess. 2:7). However, this enmity also refers in a general sense to the conflict traced through history between the children of the wicked one and those in the seed line that would produce the Messiah (which started with Cain and Abel). 

3. The seed of the woman will bruise the serpents head - One of the main purposes for Christ being born was to destroy the devil (Heb. 2:14). Christ won the victory in His first coming but satan's destruction has not yet been fully carried out. He will be bound in a bottomless pit when Christ comes again and then after the Kingdom Age there will be a final battle and he will be cast forever into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:1-3, 10)! 

4. The serpent will bruise the heel of the seed of the woman - There is a big difference between being bruised in the head (destructive) and being bruised in the heel (temporary suffering). Christ suffered and died on the cross but was raised again the third day in victory. In fact the bruising of Christ's heel was the very thing by which He bruises Satan's head (though Satan did not understand that at the time, 1 Cor. 2:8).  

God did not say when the seed would be born (Adam, Eve, and Satan all probably thought it would be immediately because everything else God said would happen in the passage began immediately). From the beginning Satan has had an intense hatred for the seed of the woman that God said would bruise his head and has sought to destroy it and to prevent the promised seed from coming into the world. When his attempts failed and Christ was born, Satan sought to destroy Him as soon as possible.

When it became clear that the promised seed would come through Israel, that nation became the special object of Satan's hatred (Rev. 12:1-5, 9, 13a, 17a). What is dealt with in Rev. 12 concerns things yet future that will occur in the tribulation period but v.4 also has a historical application to Satan's attempt to devour the promised seed. 

We will only list some highlights of Satan's attack on the seed because there is so much of this found throughout the Bible. It is amazing to see God's wisdom as He countermoves all of Satan's moves and often uses weak and foolish things to defeat Satan's purposes.

•   Satan used Cain (Gen. 4) - When Eve gave birth to Cain (name means "acquired") she said "I have gotten a man from the Lord" because she probably thought he was the promised seed. But there was another son (likely twins) and she named him Abel ("vanity") because she realized the promise had not yet come to pass. Cain (type of antichrist) turned out to be of the wicked one (1 Jn. 3:12) and murdered his brother Abel (type of Christ). God provided Seth ("appointed") to take the place of Abel. 

 

 •   Satan used the Sons of God (Gen. 6) - The sons of God that married the daughters of men were fallen angels (see the post on this subject, Nov. 2014). The result of such unions was an offspring of giants which were mighty men of renown (basis for Greek mythology). This was doubtless Satan's plan to corrupt the seed of mankind and it was so widespread that only one godly man (Noah) was "perfect in his generations" (genes not mixed with the fallen angels) and his family was chosen by God to be saved on an ark from the world-wide flood that God brought to destroy the ungodly world (only 8 souls spared). The earth was filled with violence because it was filled with the seed of the serpent. Satan used this plan again after the flood (not as widespread) to produce a race of giants in the land of promise to try and prevent Israel from taking their land (explains why Israel commanded to utterly destroy certain people). Satan will use this plan again in the tribulation (Dan. 2:43).

•   Satan used Pharaoh (Ex. 1, 2) - When it was made known that the promised seed would come through Abraham we see Satan's attack on him and his seed in Genesis. A very clear attack by Satan is made on the of seed of Abraham when he used Pharaoh to attempt the destruction of the ALL the male Hebrew babies. 

 

"But it is written, "He taketh the wise in their own craftiness" (Job 5:13), and what Pharaoh had said with Egypt's "wisdom" (Ex. 1:10) was frustrated by a baby's tear (Ex. 2:16): for when Pharaoh's daughter opened the ark of bulrushes, "she saw the child, and behold the babe wept. And she had compassion on him." Thus, Pharaoh's wisdom was made to end in having to board, lodge, bring up, and educate the very man who accomplished the very object Pharaoh had striven to prevent; for Moses delivered the nation out of his hand, and God overthrew his armies in the Red Sea." (E.W. Bullinger)

• He Attacked the royal line of Judah - Through prophecy it was made known that the promised seed would come through the tribe of Judah, of the house of David. Absalom's rebellion against his father David and then the divided kingdom was no doubt part of Satan's plan. Notice the plain attack on the royal line of Judah (please read 2 Chron. 21:4; 21:16-17; 22:1-4, 10-12). At one point, for six years all the hopes of God's people rested on the life of one child!

•   Satan used Haman (book of Esther) - Satan used the pride of Haman (another type of antichrist) to devise a wicked plot to destroy all the Jews. What did God use to defeat that plot? Basically, a sleepless night (study it!). 

•   Satan used Herod (Matt. 2:11-16) - Once again, God intervened!  

Satan fought against Christ throughout His earthly ministry and there were many attempts made to kill Him. At the right time, when all was fulfilled concerning His earthly life and ministry, Christ laid down His life on the cross. Satan was the one that set it up and did not know that it was all according to God's eternal plan (1 Cor. 2:6-8; Col. 2:15; Heb. 2:14)!

 

Romans 11:33-36

(33) O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

(34) For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

(35) Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

(36) For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

 

 

Old-Time Religion?

Job 22:

15 Hast thou marked THE OLD WAY which wicked men have trodden?

 

Galatians 1:

13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' RELIGION, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

14 And profited in the Jew's RELIGION above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the TRADITIONS OF MY FATHERS.

 

We often hear cries from "IFB" preachers (or is it FBI? After all, many of them are busybodies in other men's matters) about the need to stick with "The Old-Time Religion". The way this cliché gets worn out with use in certain circles you would think it was an actual admonition in the word of God. But... its not.

 

First of all, just because something is old does not mean that it is good and right. The devil is pretty old. The Roman Catholic Church is old. The so-called "oldest and best manuscripts" (Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticans) are corrupt. The religious traditions of men can be very old and yet very wrong. Before he was saved, Paul was very zealous of the old traditions of his fathers. Sadly, there are Christians today that are far more zealous of their religious traditions than they are the pure word of God. Like the Pharisees, they get offended at Bible teaching that is contrary to their traditions (Matt. 15:12). This proves they don't really the love the word of God as much as they claim (Ps. 119:165). Both the Lord Jesus and the apostle Paul were considered heretics by religious people because they did not stick to the old-time religion of the Pharisees.

 

Yes, I am aware of the "old paths" verse in the Old Testament book of Jeremiah. Despite what some think, that verse is not talking about American-style Christianity in the 1950's. The old paths Jeremiah was talking about were the paths laid out in the law of God for Israel to walk in. The people said, "We will not walk therein". They were rejecting the words of God and His law (Jer. 6:19). The old paths in Jer. 6:16 has nothing to do with things like only wearing white dress shirts or not using technology. It always "cracks me up" to hear preachers talk against technology over a PA system in an air-conditioned auditorium.

 

The word "religion" is only found five times in the Bible! Every reference concerns ISRAEL. It has to do with outward observances and rituals. The apostle Paul only referred to religion three times and never in a positive light. He used the word in the context of how he lived BEFORE he was saved. In the light of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ, Paul counted his former religion as "dung" (see Phil. 3:1-11). Biblical Christianity is not about religion, it is about KNOWING Christ in a personal relationship. It is not about our little man-made list of "Do's" and "Don'ts". It is about Christ living His life through us (Gal. 2:20). We are complete in Him (Col. 2:10). Beware of men who would spoil you through tradition and judge you for not walking according to their religion (see Col. 2).

 

Yes, I am aware of the "pure religion" verse in James. To whom was James writing?

 

James 1:

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the TWELVE TRIBES which are scattered abroad, greeting.

 

There are no twelve tribes in the church which is the body of Christ (Col. 3:11)! While all scripture is for us (2 Tim. 3:16), it was not all written to us and about us. That is why we must rightly divide the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). Despite false accusations and straw-dummy arguments, I can find spiritual applications throughout the whole Bible and get a blessing from all 66 books. But it is wrong to claim that "every promise in the book is mine".

The key words in the epistle of James are: "faith" (16 times), "works" (13 times), and "law" (10 times). James is exhorting Jews, whose faith is being tried (1:3), to have true faith that works according to the law (2:12) and endures patiently to the end (Matt. 24:13-14). This epistle teaches pure RELIGION (1:25-27). In the Bible, the word “religion” is always used in reference to the works of the law (Acts 26:5; Gal. 1:13-14; the “Jews religion” included their traditions). Notice that “pure religion” is to DO and continue in “the perfect law of liberty” (1:25). What is the “law of liberty”? The epistle of James was one of the first New Testament books to be written. The only law they could "look into" was the written law of God. Many think that the law of liberty cannot be a reference to the Law of Moses because that was called a “yoke of bondage” by Peter and Paul (Acts 15:10; Gal. 5:1). The law was a “yoke of bondage” to those who were required to obey it in order to be saved. Although the law itself cannot save (Rom. 3:20) it was at one time required for salvation (Luke 1:5-6). As a nation, Israel failed under the old covenant but will be saved when God makes a new covenant with them when the kingdom is set up (Heb. 8:6-13). Under the new covenant, Israel will keep the law from the heart because they will be filled with the Holy Spirit. If the law is kept from the heart it is not a “yoke of bondage” but a “law of liberty” (Ps. 119:32, 45; Jn. 8:31-32). The Jews to whom James was writing were filled with the Spirit. The kingdom church of Acts was a preview of Israel in the Kingdom Age (Ezek. 36:24-28). The kingdom church lived by the law (Acts 2:1, 46; 3:1; 5:42; 21:20). God has not killed the law (Christ fulfilled it for us, Rom. 10:1-4). Christ will rule by the law in the future Kingdom Age (Isa. 2:1-5).

 

The body of Christ is not under the law, but grace! Is that my opinion? No, that's what the apostle to the Gentiles said by inspiration of God.
 

Romans 6:
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.  

 

Religion is a performance based system by which man tries to find acceptance with God. We are already accepted in the beloved (Eph. 1:6)! By the grace of God, we just need to work out by faith what He has worked in us (Phil. 2:12-13). I don't need to perform. The Lord performs for me (Phil. 1:6).  

 

One Thing

We often allow our lives to become cluttered and complicated. Our list of priorities is made up of many things and we usually end up neglecting what is most important in order to accomplish the lesser things. It's best to set one thing as the priority in life and then let everything else just fall into place as we pursue that one main thing. In other words, our whole life should revolve around just one thing. For many, their life does revolve around one thing, but it's the wrong thing- SELF (2 Tim. 3:2). The Christian life must be all about Christ. He is not to be just part of our life for He is our life (Col. 3:4)!

Let's consider four passages in the Bible that refer to “one thing”. They are about four distinct things but they are related and concern one main thing: our relationship with the Lord.

One Thing I Know

John 9:
(24) Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.
(25) He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

 

In the context the Lord Jesus healed a man that was born blind but the unbelieving Pharisees were upset because He healed him on the Sabbath day. Christ, the Lawgiver, is Lord of the Sabbath. He didn't violate His own law but He continually violated the traditions of men that were wrongfully added to the law. This poor blind man gave a simple and honest testimony before the religious leaders that it was Jesus who gave him his sight. But the Pharisees, in their spiritual blindness, willfully refused to see the clear evidence that Jesus was the Son of God (Isa. 35:5). They cast the man out of the synagogue but Christ received him and opened his eyes spiritually (vs.35-39).

All lost sinners are born spiritually blind and are in darkness until they see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ and trust Him as Savior (Acts 26:18; 2 Cor. 4:3-6). Only God can open a blind heart and give spiritual sight.

Can you honestly testify, "one thing I KNOW, that, whereas I was blind, now I see"? That is the most important thing to know! When a blind person receives sight, it is certainly something he knows and wants to tell others about. According to Webster's 1828 dictionary, a testimony is "A solemn declaration or affirmation made for the purpose of establishing or proving some fact." Every child of God has a personal testimony about how they came out of darkness and into the light and they should immediately begin to share it with others. In the book of Acts the apostle Paul unashamedly gives his personal testimony before an angry Jewish mob (Acts 22) and Roman officials (Acts 26). In both cases he testified that he saw a great light from heaven. He was physically blind for three days but at the same time he received spiritual sight. The One that he had hated and fought against, he now loved and served. He also referred to his conversion many times in his epistles. We too should use our personal testimony for the glory of God.

One Thing is Needful

 

Luke 10:

(38) Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
(39) And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
(40) But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
(41) And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
(42) But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

 

In this passage we see a contrast between two sisters that both followed the Lord. Martha was very busy serving but Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus to hear His word. Which one was doing the more important thing? Many would say it was Martha (that's what Martha thought) but the Lord said it was Mary.   

• No amount of activity for the Lord can replace time in His word (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Matt. 4:4)
• Yes, we should be busy serving God, but never to the neglect of spending time with Him. This passage is not condemning being busy in the Lord’s work. We don’t have to choose between work and the word. Both are important but one is more needful than the other. We draw strength to work from the word and we only know how to work through the word! I make no apology for laboring in the word (1 Tim. 5:17). 
• Mary had also been serving (v.40) but she realized it was more important for her to choose His word over her work. 
• Why is it that some Christians always think they know what everyone should be doing? 
• Which sister had the most peace? We are not enjoying the peace of God if we, like Martha, are always careful and troubled about MANY THINGS (Phil. 4:6-7).
• Hearing the word of God is a personal choice. 
• The profit we get from God’s word is eternal ("shall not be taken away"). 

We need to follow the example of Mary. We were brought out of darkness into light when we got saved. But we must walk in the light (Ps. 119:105; Eph. 5:8).

1. Sit at the feet of the Lord - take time each day to be still before God, requires humility 
2. Hear the word of Christ - read, study, meditate (Col. 3:16)

One Thing Have I Desired

 

Psalm 27: 

(4) One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.

(5) For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

(6) And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

(7) Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

(8) When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

 

This Psalm is about the help of the Lord in the time of trouble. It has both a historical application to King David and prophetic application to Christ as well as the godly remnant of Israel in the great tribulation. Historically, it was probably written when David was on the run from King Saul or later during Absalom’s rebellion. Either way, he was away from the tabernacle and longed to be back in the house of God. We all have a tendency to take things for granted until they are no longer available to us.

 

There was just one main desire that David had of the Lord. What is ours, in all honesty? His desire was not the blessings of God (long life, prosperity, victory) but God Himself (v.8)! His all-consuming desire was to worship God. The house of the Lord is in reference to the tabernacle which was the divinely appointed place of worship and service. The beauty of the Lord refers to the scriptural way of worship (Ex. 28:2; Ps. 96:6, 9). To enquire of the Lord is to know His will that you might do it. If we truly know the Lord we will desire to worship Him. We can only know Him through His word. That is why we must sit at His feet and hear His word. 

 

In this present age every member of the body of Christ has full and free access to God. We are the house of God (1 Tim. 3:15-16) and His temple (Eph. 2:18-22)! We are seated with Christ in the heavenly temple (Eph. 2:6). We seek after what we desire (Col. 3:1-4). Do you have a desire to worship God and learn His word (1 Pet. 2:2)? 

 

One Thing I Do

 

Philippians 3:

(12) Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

(13) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

(14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

 

In the context, Paul has been giving his testimony. As a Pharisee he had trusted in his own righteousness which was of the law but after he met Christ he realized that what he had thought was gain was actually loss. His righteousness was but dung compared to the righteousness of Christ! Upon salvation the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us and upon the rapture we will be glorified into His image. Until then, we must learn to work out our own salvation (Phil. 2:12-13).  

• v.12 – We are not yet glorified, but we should have a desire to lay hold on the purpose for which Christ laid hold on us (Rom. 8:28-30). 
• v.13 – We should never stop growing! He says, “one thing” but then mentions several. The “one thing” is v.14 but in order to do v.14 we must first do what he says in v.13. 
• v.14 – Paul compares the Christian life to a race in several passages. The prize is Christ (v.8, 10) and being conformed to His image. To “press” requires effort! 

There is a progression to these four points. Once we have received spiritual light, then we are ready to sit at the feet of Christ and hear His word. Having learned of Him through His word we will worship Him in spirit and truth. Those who know and worship God will walk with Him. 

 

Repentance

2 Peter 3:9

(9) The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

It is not my purpose to expound this verse or deal with it's context. I just want to point out that it clearly teaches it is God's will that all should come to repentance and that those who don't will perish. Obviously, repentance is a very important matter that we must understand! It is mentioned over 100 times throughout the Bible. We will not look at all the references, but just enough to establish what it is and answer the question of whether or not it is necessary to repent in order to receive salvation. 

Down through church history repentance has been a controversial subject because of the different views that teachers and preachers have taken concerning it. There is even disagreement concerning its basic definition. The catholic view is that repentance is penance (afflicting yourself to earn forgiveness). Among fundamentalists, some make it out to be a work that sinners must do in order to receive salvation (i.e. sinners must clean up before God will accept them) while others water it down to the place it sounds as if they don't think it has any part at all in receiving salvation.

If we believe the Bible and let it interpret itself we will have no problem understanding repentance. The problem is that many who are teachers and preachers of the Bible don't really believe it or know how to study it correctly. They use theological books written by men as their authority instead of the Bible. They do not let the Bible define it's own words, they do not diligently compare scripture with scripture, and they do not rightly divide the word of truth.

One of the most common definitions given for repentance is "to turn from sin". However, it does not take very long in reading the Bible to find a problem with that definition. One of the laws of Bible study is the law of first mention. Generally, the first mention of a word sets the tone for how that word is used throughout the Bible. The first mention of repentance is found in the sixth chapter of the Bible.

 

Genesis 6:5-8

(5) And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

(6) And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

(7) And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.

(8) But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Obviously God was not turning from sin! What does the expression "it repented the LORD" mean in this context? When He made man on the earth He gave him dominion over it. However, man fell into sin and the wickedness of man became very great. The Lord decided that He was going to destroy man from the face of the earth and start over with Noah and his family. This was simply a change of mind.

When we say that the Lord changed His mind many have a problem with that in light of the fact that the scripture says God does not change (Mal. 3:6). The answer to this seeming contradiction is that the Lord does not change in His person, principles, or promises but He may change His mind toward man on the basis of what man does. Of course, God already knew what man would do so in reality God repents in our perspective. Understanding this will clarify the seeming contradiction between verses that say God does NOT repent and verses that say God does repent. There are some matters concerning which God will not repent (Rom. 11:29).

The same chapter in the Bible says that God repented, that He will not repent, and that He repented! 

 

1 Samuel 15:

(10) Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying,

(11) It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.

 

(24) And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.

(25) Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD.

(26) And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.

(27) And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent.

(28) And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.

(29) And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.

 

(34) Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul.

(35) And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.

 

God never repents in the sense that a man repents (Nu. 23:19). He does not repent because He did something wrong or because he failed to keep His word. God only repents in the sense that He changes His mind toward man as a result of what man has done (1 Sam. 15:11). In other words, He may change in His dealings with man.  

In another passage that speaks of the Lord repenting we learn that a word closely associated with repentance is the word "turn" (Jonah 3). God said through the prophet Jonah that He would overthrow the wicked city of Nineveh in 40 days but because they turned from their evil way God turned from the evil He was going to bring upon them. Genuine repentance is a change of mind that results in a change of direction. 

Another common definition for repentance is "sorrow for sin". One of the passages used to support this definition actually refutes it. 

2 Corinthians 7:9-10

(9) Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.

(10) For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

 

The context is not salvation of lost sinners but repentance in the life of believers. The salvation mentioned in v.10 is salvation from the power of sin in the daily life of a believer. If godly sorrow "worketh repentance" then sorrow for sin precedes repentance and produces repentance but is not repentance. Godly sorrow is sorrow not just for what you did but for what you are (Rom. 7:24) and for the fact that sin is against God (Ps. 51:4). Godly sorrow is from the convicting power of the Holy Spirit and is not of the flesh. The sorrow of the world is sorrow because of the consequences of sin and is self centered. The lost people in the world may have sorrow for sin without repentance.

Some preachers try to gauge the reality of someone's repentance on the visibility of their sorrow. However, godly sorrow that works repentance takes place in the heart and it may or may not show up visibly in tears based upon the personality of the person. Sorrow for sin does not automatically mean that a person sincerely repented because it may be a worldly sorrow (I have seen some profess Christ with tears and never give any evidence of conversion and others not shed a tear but serve the Lord). Many doubt their salvation because they wonder if they "repented enough".

Some teach that repentance equals salvation. However, there is an example in the Bible of a man that repented and went to hell (Matt. 27:3-5). Judas repented in the sense that he changed his mind about betraying innocent blood for 30 pieces of silver but he did not turn to the Lord! He is an example of the sorrow of the world that works death.

Based on what we have seen so far it should be obvious that the basic meaning of repentance is "a change of mind". We must not take all the references to repentance in the Bible and apply it to the issue of individual salvation in this present age. God has repented. Christians should repent. Judas repented and went to hell. We must look at the context of how the word is being used.

Some teach that in order to be saved sinners must do certain works to prove their repentance (Matt. 3:1-12; Lk. 3:8-14). The context of this is God's dealings with the nation of Israel who were in a covenant relationship with Him. The covenant of the law basically said, "Obey and be blessed or disobey and be cursed". The gospel that was preached in those days was the "gospel of the kingdom" and NOT the "gospel of the grace of God" that was later revealed through the apostle Paul (Gal. 1:11-12).

Some teach that sinners can't be saved without the baptism of repentance (Mk. 1:4-5; Acts 2:38). However, this was preached to Israel and had to do with the gospel of the kingdom. Water baptism has nothing to do with salvation through the gospel of grace (I Cor. 1:17). 

So, must sinners repent in order to be saved in this present age? The gospel we preach today was revealed thru Paul and he preached that God has commanded all men everywhere to repent.

 

Acts 17:30-31

(30) And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

(31) Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

 

A sinner must repent in that he changes his mind about sin and decides he wants to be saved from it. A sinner must repent in that he changes his mind about trusting in idols or working for salvation and decides he will trust only in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Faith must accompany repentance (Acts 20:21). They are connected and yet distinct. We are not saved by repentance or even by our faith but by the finished work of Christ. We do not have to prove our repentance or faith by works but surely good works will result from genuine salvation (Eph. 2:10). Repentance is NOT a work for it is just a change of mind and we would not repent without God granting it (Acts 5:31, 11:18; 2 Tim. 2:25). We would not repent without the work of the Holy Spirit convicting and drawing us to Christ.

Should we emphasize repentance in gospel preaching? The gospel is not repentance! The gospel is about what Christ did for us and not about anything that we do. The apostle Paul only mentions repentance in relation to salvation ONE time in his epistles! The one condition he emphasizes for salvation is FAITH. Those who are saved by faith in Christ have repented. 

Those who make repentance their theme today do so because they have failed to learn the lesson which God has demonstrated historically. They cry to men to change their minds and hearts, forgetting that the goodness of God leads to repentance (Rom. 2:4). God has demonstrated, historically, the fact that when men are given holy laws to keep they only break them, and when they are called upon to repent of their transgressions they only become angry. What man therefore needs is the grace of God, not only to accomplish his salvation for him, but also to touch his heart and make him willing to receive it. 

After calls to Israel for repentance failed, the ascended Lord stooped down to save Saul, the chief of sinners, on the road to Damascus, in anything but a repentant mood. Not by threatening or dealing with him in judgment, but by speaking to him in the tenderest tones He showed him the glory of His grace. This "trophy of grace" was then sent forth to proclaim "the gospel of grace", and the merits of his crucified, glorified Lord.

As we faithfully preach the gospel of the grace of God, sinners will repent; they will change their minds, not because we demanded it of them or even exhorted them to do it, but because, as we preached the glory of Christ's finished work and the wonder of God's love and grace, the Holy Spirit opened their eyes to see it, and their hearts to receive it.

 

Is Salvation the Same in Every Age?

The common view is that salvation is exactly the same throughout the Bible. Most preachers will tell you, "People in the Old Testament were saved by looking toward the cross and people in the New Testament are saved by looking back to the cross." Such statements satisfy the professing Christians that rarely read their Bible, much less study it. But Christians who take the Bible seriously have a hard time just accepting that cliché when they read passages like this:

 

Matthew 16:

(21) From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

(22) Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

 

Why would Peter do such a thing? Because he had no clue what Jesus was talking about!

 

Luke 18:

(31) Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.

(32) For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:

(33) And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.

(34) And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

 

People in the Old Testament were saved by looking toward the cross? The twelve weren't even looking toward the cross! The fact that they had been preaching the gospel (Lk. 9:1-6) for three years BEFORE Christ began to speak to them about His death, burial, and resurrection proves that there are different gospels in the Bible. They preached the gospel of the kingdom to Israel which was the good news that their prophesied kingdom was at hand (Matt. 4:23; 10:5-7). There is only one gospel to be preached in this present age and Christ gave it to the apostle Paul by revelation (Gal. 1:6-12). Paul preached the good news that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day (1 Cor. 15:1-4).

 

I hope the following five points will help you better understand the dispensational truth of the word of God concerning salvation.

1. The basis of salvation in every age is the blood of Christ. The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ is the only basis upon which God can save a sinner in any age. It was planned before the world began and prophesied in the Old Testament. However it was not understood or preached as good news until after it was accomplished. Its full meaning was a mystery revealed through Paul’s gospel (Gal. 1:11-12). The cross-work of Christ is the secret to God’s dealings with sinners in every age but it was not fully revealed until this present age. By faith the Old Testament saints obeyed the commandments of the law and brought the required sacrifices for their sins. Through forbearance God allowed the blood of bulls and of goats (that cannot take away sins, Heb. 10:4) to cover sins because He knew the blood of Christ would be shed for the remission of sins (Rom. 3:25). 

2. The condition for salvation in every age is essentially faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). The eleventh chapter of Hebrews teaches that men both before the law and under the law obtained a good report from God by faith. Why did God accept the sacrifice of Abel? He brought it by faith (11:4). God has never and will never accept the works of sinful flesh (Jn. 6:63; Rom. 8:8). 

3. The object of faith in every age is the word of God. Faith is not just believing. Everybody believes in something but not everybody has faith (2 Thess. 3:2). Faith is believing the word of God (Rom. 10:17). 

4. The content of faith is not the same in every age because God has not said the same thing to man in every age. God has not always told men not to do any works but to simply trust the finished work of Christ alone for salvation as He does in this age. In times past He required works of men to prove their faith and He will do so again after this age. If God requires works real faith will seek to do those works (Jam. 2:14-26). But the works in and of themselves have never and will never save a sinner. Why doesn’t God require us to do works to prove our faith in this age? We are justified by "the faith of Christ" (Gal. 2:16) and His faith is perfect and proven!

5. The results of faith are not the same in every age because God has not given believers in every age the same position, blessings, and destiny. There is doctrine revealed in Paul’s epistles concerning the position, blessings, and destiny of the body of Christ that we do not find in the Gospel records or Hebrews through Revelation (which concern kingdom saints) and we must not try to force things that are different to be the same. This information is only found in Paul’s epistles because he is the one to whom the glorified Christ from Heaven revealed it. Christ committed these truths to Paul (not the 12 apostles who were apostles to the 12 tribes of Israel, Matt. 19:28) to make it known. Our position as members of the body of Christ means that nothing can separate us from the love of God (compare Rom. 8:35-39 with John 15:10 and Jude 21). We are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13) and therefore would never have to pray, "take not thy holy spirit from me" as David did (Ps. 51:11). The Spirit of the Lord will never depart from us as He did from King Saul (compare 1 Sam. 16:14 with Eph. 4:30). Our blessings are spiritual and in heavenly places (Eph. 1:3, compare with Israel’s material blessings on earth in Deut. 28). And we did not obtain our blessings by keeping the commandments of the law but by being in Christ. The body of Christ is destined to reign with Christ in heavenly places (Eph. 2:6-7). It is Israel that is destined to reign on the earth (Ex. 19:5-6; Rev. 5:10).

David vs. Goliath = Christ vs. Satan

Please read 1 Samuel 17

 

This is one of the most well known stories in the Bible. Even lost people that have never read the Bible use the expression, "It is like David vs. Goliath" (many sayings and expressions used in the English-speaking world originated with the KJB which has had a major influence on our culture, many use scriptural expressions without even knowing it). I am sure that those of you that had the privilege and blessing of being raised in a Bible-believing church have heard many Sunday School lessons and sermons on this passage of scripture. But this is much more than a story- it is the word of God and as such it cannot be exhausted no matter how many times you have read it or have heard it taught. God can speak to our hearts fresh and new through this passage and perhaps we can even learn something new from it.

David killing Goliath by faith in God was a literal and historical event that was full of significance for the nation of Israel. This is the event that God used to cause the man that He had chosen and anointed as the next king of Israel to begin to rise in prominence among the people. This event is one of the greatest illustrations of David's love for God and of his faith in Him.  

There is much more that lies under the surface of this story. I see in this passage a spiritual picture of how Jesus Christ defeated Satan. It also contains spiritual principles and applications for believers today concerning the life of faith (Rom. 15:4). 

Goliath = Satan (v.1-10)
Goliath is referred to as "the giant" in another passage of scripture (2 Sam. 21). There is some debate as to what was the exact measurement of a cubit and a span but at six cubits and a span he stood somewhere between 10 and 15 feet tall (I would guess 13 feet). He was big enough to wear armor that weighed over 150 pounds, wield a huge spear that weighed about 35 pounds, and use a shield so big that a man was designated to carry it out in front of him. He was a literal giant (not just a tall man of 7' as some claim). The Bible refers to giants about 20 times and they are spoken of in a literal sense.

Giants were part of Satan's plan of evil. Based on Gen. 6 we know that giants were the offspring of the union between fallen angels and women. They were "mighty men" and "men of renown". Upon the fall of man God told Satan that the coming Redeemer would be the Seed of the woman (Gen. 3:15). The eruption of giants in the earth was the result of Satan's attempt to corrupt the seed line and prevent the Redeemer from coming to bruise his head. Only Noah and his family were pure in their generations and thus were spared from the universal flood that God used to destroy the corrupt race. But there were also giants in the earth AFTER the flood (Gen. 6:4).  

After God revealed that the promised seed would come through Abraham and God gave Abraham and his seed the land of Canaan, the giants showed up again but were localized in the land of Canaan. This explains God's strict forbiddance for Israel to mix with the Canaanites and His command for Israel to utterly destroy them (including women and children). Satan used the giants to discourage the children of Israel from taking the land of promise (Num. 13:32-33). In Deuteronomy Moses refers to battles with the giants that lived on the border of the land. Joshua led in the destruction of many giants but when Israel possessed the land there were still giants left in Gath (Josh. 11:21-23).     

• The Philistines were the enemies of God and God's people. Goliath was the champion of the Philistines (their greatest warrior). Satan is the greatest enemy of God and God's people (1 Pet. 5:8).
 

• There are 3 sixes associated with Goliath in this text. Six is the number of man and after the fall man is in defiance and opposition to God (Rev. 13:18, Satan in the flesh, 3 = completion, man in complete opposition)

• He was a proud and defiant enemy that blasphemed and challenged God (Isa. 14:12-14; 2 Thess. 2:4)

• His size and armor was such that flesh and blood could not overcome him (Job 41:8-10, 15-34; Isa. 27:1)

• He was a relentless enemy (v.16, 40 days, Matt. 4)

David = Jesus Christ
The name David means "beloved". Jesus Christ is God's beloved Son. Both David and Jesus were born in Bethlehem. 

• He was anointed as King (16:13) but before he took the throne he was a good shepherd that was willing to lay down his life for his sheep (v.12-15; 34-37; Jn. 10)

• He was sent on a mission by his father for the good of his brethren and was perfectly obedient to carry it out (v.17-27; Jn. 6:38)

• He came into the camp of his brethren in lowliness but was misunderstood and falsely accused by his envious brother (v.28; 16:6-7,18). Later, David's brethren will receive him when he becomes their king and so will Israel receive Christ when He comes again to set up His kingdom. 

• He was motivated by a great reward (v.25-27) but more than that by the great cause of God's glory (v.29, 45-47)

• David had no fear of the giant (v.48) just as Jesus had no fear of the devil (Matt. 4)

• David left the mountain top to descend into the valley to face the giant on his own turf and he took 5 stones (5 is # of death, Gen. 5) out of the brook to defeat the giant (v.48-49). A young man with a sling and 5 stones would be considered foolish, weak, base, and despised compared to the giant (1 Cor. 1:27-29). Christ defeated Satan through weakness (Phil. 2:5-8). He died on the cross with 5 wounds in His body.

• As he faced the giant he was the object of mockery and ridicule (v.40-44).

• He took the sword (instrument of death) from the giant and used Goliath's own sword to cut off his head (v.50-51). Satan's sword was death but Christ took that very sword from Satan and used it to destroy him (1 Cor. 2:7-8; Col. 2:14-15; Heb. 2:14)!

• As a result of this victory Israel could arise and shout for joy and experience victory over a defeated foe (v.52). 

• The intended result of this miraculous victory over the giant was that "all the earth may know that there is a God". 

• This victory was accomplished at Ephes-Dammim (the boundary of blood) and the valley of Elah (the mighty one). This speaks of victory through death and resurrection.

The Pre-Tribulation Rapture

Most Bible teachers fail to consistently divide the Bible (2 Tim. 2:15) between the prophetic kingdom program of Israel and the mystery program of the body of Christ. The things that were SPOKEN by the prophets since the world began (Acts 3:21) cannot be the things that were kept SECRET from the prophets since the world began (Rom. 16:25)! This is exactly why many "fundamental preachers" today deny the pre-tribulation rapture of the church. Rightly dividing the Bible will keep you from believing in a mid-trib, pre-wrath, or post-trib rapture and thereby losing your blessed hope (which is a serious error, Col. 1:23). We are instructed by the apostle to the Gentiles to be looking for Christ from heaven- not the antichrist from earth! 

The English word rapture refers to a state or experience of being carried away. It comes from the Latin word rapto which means to seize or snatch away by force. So, although the word rapture is not in the KJB, it is certainly a good word to use in describing believers being "CAUGHT UP" (1 Thess. 4:17) off the earth into heaven by the power of God! The body of Christ was a mystery that was revealed through Paul (Eph. 3) and so was the rapture of that body ("I shew you a mystery", 1 Cor. 15:51). The body of Christ is NOT the subject of the PROPHESIED tribulation period (all 7 years are subject of prophecy, Dan. 9:24-27). The rapture of the body of Christ is only revealed in Paul's epistles. We must not confuse our rapture with the mid-trib rapture of the 144,000 Jewish witnesses (Rev. 12:5) or the post-trib rapture of the Jews back into their land (Matt. 24:29-31).

Those that hold to a mid-trib, pre-wrath, or post-trib view of the rapture accuse those of us who understand our blessed hope of just wanting to escape tribulation. I plead guilty! Anybody in their right mind would want to escape the prophesied tribulation period when God pours out His wrath on the world! However, that is NOT why I believe in a pre-trib rapture. I do so because it is scriptural. Throughout church history God's people have suffered much tribulation (Acts 14:22) but we are not going through the prophesied tribulation period which will be the time of JACOB'S trouble (Jer. 30:7).

Many Bible teachers today don't seem to understand the stark difference between the rapture of the church and the revelation of Christ. Notice the following differences:

The Rapture (1 Thess. 4:17)                                     The Revelation (1 Pet. 1:13) 
1. Mystery revealed through Paul (1 Cor. 15:51)  1. Spoken by prophets (Jude 14-15)

2. Before the Tribulation (1 Thess. 5:10)              2. After the Tribulation (Matt. 24:27)

3. Christ comes secretly to meet us

     in the air (1 Thess. 4:17)                                  3. Christ comes publicly to earth (Rev. 1:7)

4. No signs precede (Titus 2:13, 1 Thess. 1:10)   4. Signs precede (Matt. 24)      

                                  

5. Christ comes in blessing (Phil. 3:20-21)            5. Christ comes in judgment (Rev. 19:11)

6. Christ comes for His body (Col. 3:1-4)              6. Christ comes for Israel (Rom. 11:26)

7. Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10)              7. Judgment on Nations (Matt. 25:31-46)

8. Rapture to heaven (1 Thess. 4:17-18)            8. Rapture to Land (Matt. 24:31; Isa. 43:1-7)

 

Rightly Dividing Revelation 2-3

The majority of dispensational Bible commentators tell us that Revelation 2-3 is written to the church in this present age. There are four common applications, all of which are said to be for the body of Christ. The following note from the Scofield Reference Bible summarizes this view:

The messages to the seven churches have a fourfold application: (1) Local, to the churches actually addressed; (2) admonitory, to all churches in all time as tests by which they may discern their true spiritual state in the sight of God; (3) personal, in the exhortations to him "that hath an ear," and in the promise "to him that overcometh"; (4) prophetic, as disclosing seven phases of the spiritual history of the church from, say, A.D. 96 to the end. It is incredible that in a prophecy covering the church period, there should be no such foreview. These messages must contain that foreview if it is in the book at all, for the church does not appear after Revelation 3:22, these messages by their very terms go beyond the local assemblies mentioned. Most conclusively of all, these messages do present an exact foreview of the spiritual history of the church, and in this precise order. Ephesus gives the general state at the date of the writing; Smyrna, the period of the great persecutions; Pergamos, the church settled down in the world, "where Satan's throne is," after the conversion of Constantine, say A.D. 316. Thyatira is the Papacy, developed out of the Pergamos state: Balaamism (worldliness) and Nicolaitanism (priestly assumption) having conquered. As Jezebel brought idolatry into Israel, so Romanism weds Christian doctrine to pagan ceremonies. Sardis is the Protestant Reformation, whose works were not "fulfilled." Philadelphia is whatever bears clear testimony to the Word and the Name in the time of self-satisfied profession represented by Laodicea. (Old Scofield Bible, 1917, pg. 1331-1332)

A true Bible believer that seeks to rightly divide the word of truth will eventually realize that to be orthodox or traditional does not always make you SCRIPTURAL. Most Christians today are very quick to accept the traditional interpretation of a passage from the teachers they respect without truly searching the scriptures for themselves. Of course, God uses faithful men to teach the scriptures (Eph. 4:11; 2 Tim. 2:2) and we can be helped by their writings and teachings, but they are not our final authority! When the teachings of godly men contradict the plain teaching of scripture (and this DOES occur) we must stand with God’s perfect word. Where are the believers today that are willing to follow the example of the Bereans? 

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11)

We should never accept the teaching of anybody without searching the scriptures for ourselves (1 Thess. 5:21). We do not need “theological training” in order to know God’s word. We must not look to the “scholars” who vainly try to correct the scriptures and want the “laity” to look to them as the authority. So, while I greatly respect and appreciate men like C.I. Scofield, I must say that through a consistent right division of scripture I have come to the conclusion that Revelation 2-3 is a TRIBULATION passage that was not written doctrinally to the body of Christ.

Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter: (Rev. 1:19)

Based on this verse, the standard outline of Revelation found in most dispensational commentaries looks something like this:

I. The Vision of Christ (1) – “thou hast seen”
II. The Church Age (2-3) – “which are”
III. The Tribulation, Kingdom, New Heaven and Earth (4-22) – “which shall be hereafter”

But I recommend the following outline:

I. The things which thou hast seen (1)
II. The things which are (2-20)
III. The things which shall be hereafter (21-22)

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, what thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; (Rev. 1:10-11a)

It is a misinterpretation of v.10 that will start you off on the wrong foot and lead you to some wrong conclusions about chapters two and three. The common interpretation of this verse is that John got happy on Sunday. Not understanding that John was transported by the Spirit into the future day of the Lord and that the whole book was written from that standpoint, will lead you to the faulty conclusion that “the things which are” refers to the present age. After all, if the word “church” is used it must refer to the “church age”, right? Wrong. The word “church” in the Scripture does not always refer to the body of Christ or a local church in this present dispensation. There was a “church in the wilderness" (Acts 7:38). There is a kingdom church that is the subject of prophecy (Ps. 22:22-28; Heb. 2:12). The church which is the body of Christ was a mystery HID from the prophets (Eph. 3:9).

Revelation is a book of prophecy (1:3) and therefore John writes as a prophet. We must compare scripture with scripture (1 Cor. 2:13) to understand what it means for a prophet to be “in the Spirit”. Every believer is in the Spirit (Rom. 8:9) but that is not what is being referred to here. John was in the Spirit in the same sense that this phrase is used throughout the book of Revelation (4:2; 17:3; 21:10). Consider an example of the experience of the prophet Ezekiel.

The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out IN THE SPIRIT of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. (Ezekiel 37:1-2)

This reference confirms that the Spirit can literally MOVE a prophet to another location (see also Ezek. 3:14, Acts 8:39). Since the Spirit is eternal, and is omnipresent, is it not possible that the Spirit moved John into the future day of the Lord to be an eyewitness of the things he wrote? This is not speculation or far-fetched because the scripture records that others had a similar experience! Ezekiel saw and described the future millennial temple (Ezek. 40-48). Isaiah saw Christ in the millennial temple when “the whole earth is full of his glory”(Isa. 6). Peter, James, and John were “eyewitnesses” of the majesty of Christ in His kingdom glory (2 Pet. 1:16-18).

The Lord’s day is not Sunday or any 24 hour day at all. The scriptures in many places speak of the “day of the LORD”. Upon examining these references and comparing them to the contents of the book of Revelation it is obvious that “the Lord’s day” refers to this same prophetic day. The main events included in this prophetic day are: the tribulation period (Jer. 30:7); second advent of Christ (Mal. 4:1-3); millennial kingdom (Isa. 11:10); new heavens and earth (Isa. 65:17). These events and those associated with them are clearly foretold by the PROPHETS. The body of Christ is NOT found in the prophetic scriptures of Israel (Eph. 3:1-12). Seeing that Revelation is a prophecy about the day of the Lord, why would we expect to find the body of Christ in such a book? We are not told to look for the day of the Lord but rather the “blessed hope” of the rapture which will save us from that prophesied day of wrath (1 Thess. 5:9).   

The Lord Jesus Christ told John to write what he was going to see in a book and send it to seven churches in Asia (1:11). The Lord was not just referring to the vision of Himself in chapter one and the letters to the seven churches in chapter two and three, but to the whole book. It is imperative to understand that the whole book applies DIRECTLY to those churches. Believers today should study Revelation just like we would any book in the Old Testament. There are lessons to learn and applications that can be made for us. But, the events of the tribulation period do not apply directly to us. The seven churches are Jewish kingdom churches in the future tribulation period and are representative churches. The letters to the seven churches contain problems that tribulation saints will have to overcome, solutions to those problems, and promises to the overcomers. What Christ says to these seven churches He says to all of the tribulation saints ("hear what the Spirit saith unto the CHURCHES"). The instruction in these letters will help the tribulation saints endure the awful things described in chapters 6-19. The commendations, rebukes, corrections, instructions, and promises that the Lord gives to the seven churches directly correspond with the material that is found throughout the rest of Revelation. The Bible is a complete revelation (nothing will be added). Where is the specific doctrine and instruction written directly to the tribulation saints? It is found in Hebrews through Revelation.
 

Why seven churches? God uses the number seven (number of completion) many times throughout the book of Revelation because it reveals the completion of the prophetic kingdom program of Israel. Why churches in Asia? The tribulations saints are scattered outside the land of Israel (Jam. 1:1). If the these churches provide a historical representation, it is NOT seven stages of church history but seven stages of Israel’s history: 

In the Wilderness:
1. Ephesus = Israel’s espousals (the exodus, Jer. 2:2)
2. Smyrna = Israel’s testing (tried in the wilderness)
3. Pergamos = Israel’s failure (Balaam and Balac)

In the Land:
4. Thyatira = The day of Israel’s’ kings (Jezebel)
5. Sardis = Israel’s removal ("art dead")
6. Philadelphia = The day of Judah’s kings (key of David)
7. Laodicea = Judah’s removal (spued out, Lev. 18:28)

Every Promise in the Book is NOT Mine

Christians wrongly want to make every promise in scripture apply directly to them. The promises made to the seven churches clearly relate to the future day of the Lord and not the present day of grace. The condition for receiving these promises is to OVERCOME. The tribulation saint will overcome by faith (1 Jn. 5:4-5) but it must be a faith that WORKS (Jam. 2:14-26). The apostle Paul tells the body of Christ that we “are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power” (Col. 2:10). All of our blessings are based on our position in Christ. We are not told to overcome anything in order to obtain blessings. Paul tells us that God already “hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3). Notice that our blessings are spiritual and heavenly not physical and earthly. Let’s briefly consider the promises to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3.

1. “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of paradise of God.” (2:7)

The tree of life was on earth in the beginning and will be once again in the end (Gen. 3:22-24; Rev. 22:2). When Adam fell paradise was lost and the tree of life could not be accessed. When the kingdom of heaven is set up on earth paradise will be restored and once again this tree will be available. The tree of life literally gives life to those that eat of it.  How will they gain right to this tree? By keeping the commandments of God (Rev. 22:14)! The body of Christ does NOT need this tree because we will have a body fashioned like the glorious body of Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:20-21). Do you think that Christ will need the tree of life? Than neither will we!

2. “be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” and “He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” (2:10b; 11b)
Faithful tribulation saints will face execution (beheading) for not worshipping the beast. There will be a multitude of martyrs that God promises to avenge and reward (Rev. 6:9-11; 20:4). That the devil will personally persecute these people (Rev. 2:10) proves they are in the great tribulation (Rev. 12:9-13). Commentators spiritualize the ten days to mean anything but ten days (e.g. ten persecutions by Roman emperors). I take it to be ten literal days. They will be tried in prison (tortured) for ten days in an effort to make them decide to take the mark of the beast. If they take the mark they will be damned (Rev. 14:9-12). If they "love not their lives unto the death" (Rev. 12:11) they will be resurrected and given a crown of life (Matt. 10:16-39; Jam. 1:12; Rev. 20:4; 21:7). The body of Christ will not be “hurt of the second death” but is this is NOT because we overcame the antichrist! In the tribulation, those that do not “endure to the end” will not be saved (Matt. 24:13).

3. “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” (2:17)

God supernaturally fed His people with manna in the wilderness. In the tribulation they can not buy, sell, or trade without the mark of the Beast. The faithful remnant will not take the mark. They will flee to the wilderness where God will once again supernaturally feed His people for 3 ½ years (Rev. 12:6, 14; Mic. 7:14-15). The “white stone” is also associated with Israel’s wilderness experience. In Exodus we read of stones on the breastplate of the high priest. God will make the whole nation “a kingdom of priests” (Ex. 19:6). In Exodus we also read of stones called “Urim and Thummim” of which little is known. We do know they were associated with God hearing and answering His people. Surely the “white stone” is associated with Israel as was the manna.

4. “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star.” (2:27-28)

In Numbers 24:17-19 we read about the “Star” and “Sceptre” that shall rise out of Israel, that will have “dominion”, and that will cause Israel to do “valiantly”. The Star and Sceptre is Christ. When He sets up His kingdom Israel will reign with Him over the world with a “rod of iron” (Ps. 2; Rev. 12:5). Christ said to His disciples, “Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Lk. 22:28-30)

5. “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” (3:5)

Later in the book we are clearly told that the white raiment is the “righteousness of the saints” (19:7-8). The body of Christ stands in the righteousness of Christ (Phil. 3:4-9). Those who overcome will not only be clothed in white but will have their name confessed before the Father. Jesus spoke of this in Matthew 10:32-33 and a casual reading of the context will show you it is a tribulation promise. Those blotted out of the book for unfaithfulness and denial of the Son will not enter the kingdom but will be cast into outer darkness.

6. “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”
“Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.” (3:10; 12)

God promises to protect His faithful remnant through the great tribulation. Some will be raptured (144,000 in Rev. 12:5) and others will be protected on the earth (12:13-17). The promise of v.10 is similar to the one found in Zeph. 2:3 and Isa. 26:20. The overcomers are promised a special position in the temple (pillar = display). They had “little strength” but will be a strong and secure pillar in God’s temple. We are not going to be a pillar in the temple, we are the temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16). Those that worship the beast receive his name. The overcomers will be totally identified with the true and living God by having His name (22:4), the name of His city, and a new name written upon them (2:17; Isa. 62:2). The new Jerusalem which comes down from heaven following the millennial kingdom is totally identified with ISRAEL (check the names on the 12 gates!). Of course the temple in v.12 refers to the millennial temple of the kingdom. The Jews will be able to serve the Lord continually in it as the nations flow into Jerusalem to worship the King (Zech. 14:16).

7. “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” (3:21)

It is when Christ returns to establish His kingdom on earth that He will sit on the throne of His father David (Lk. 1:32) and the throne of His glory (Matt. 25:31). Between His ascension and second coming He is seated with His Father in His Father’s throne (Ps. 110:1). This proves that the covenants are not being fulfilled "spiritually" today through the church. The overcomers will reign with Christ in the kingdom (Rev. 2:26-27; 5:10; 20:4). Christ overcame Satan by the word of God and by being obedient unto death (Phil. 2:8). The tribulation saints must overcome Satan the same way (12:11).

We by no means fully expounded the promises in Revelation 2-3. Our purpose was to simply show that they were not given to the body of Christ. There are CLEAR doctrinal differences between these seven letters and the seven church epistles of Paul. For example, compare the importance of being a genuine “Jew” (Rev. 2:9; 3:9) with the fact there are no Jews in the body of Christ (Col. 3:10-11). The language and setting of Revelation 1-3 is the same as 4-22. Therefore, many other points can be made to prove that the subject of the WHOLE book is the day of the Lord and that no part of it is about this present dispensation.