The Seven Churches

The book of Revelation, speaks to us of 7 churches.

Now these 7 churches, speak of 7 churches which started off right at the beginning, but later on, 5 of these7 churches, were turning in the wrong direction thus needing repentance from this.

Now some might say, why would you say that the 7 churches started off right?

Simply because, Paul and John, for the most part established some of these churches, if not all of thesechurches and we know that Paul and John truly walked with God.

Revelation 1:10-11 says:

(10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day,and heard behind me a great voice, as of atrumpet, 11 Saying, I am the Alpha and Omega, thefirst and the last: and, What thou seest,write in a book , and send it unto theseven churches which are in Asia; untoEphesus, and unto Smyrna, and untoPergamos, and unto Thyatira, and untoSardis, and unto Philadelphia, and untoLaodicea.)

Now another scripture says this:

Revelation 1:19-20.

(19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and thethings which are, and the things which shall behereafter; 20 The mystery of the seven stars which thousawest in my right hand, and the seven goldencandlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the sevenchurches: and the seven candlesticks which thousawest are the seven churches.)

Now the 7 candlesticks, are not referring to the pastors of the church, as I heard a preacher say, but ratherit refers to the 7 churches, as it says in Revelation 1:20. And the church is compiled of every member of thechurch.

Now these churches existed in the apostle John's time. But also the spirit of these churches existedthroughout the church age, and still exist today, and even today we are still under the church age, for therapture has not yet taken place, which will end the church age.

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Now the 7 churches, were in the region which is known today as Turkey.

(Today this region, is modern day Turkey)

Now first of all, Revelation 1:19 says this:

(19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and thethings which are, and the things which shall behereafter;)

What is it referring to here, when it talks about John writing the things which he hath seen?

Well, Revelation 1:12-17, shows us what it's talking about, which is the glorified Christ. Now Revelation1:19 tells John to write the things which he hath seen; which he did, which he had seen the glorified Christ;and now he was to write the things which were.

What are the things which were?

Well, the things which were, is referring to the 7 churches, which also represents the church age, which isreferred to from Revelation chapter 2 to the end of Revelation chapter 3.

Now what are the things which shall be hereafter?

Well before we go to that question, I would like to quote a certain scripture.

Revelation 4:1

(1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door wasopened in heaven: and the first voice which I heardwas as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which

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said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee thingswhich must be hereafter.)

So, in Revelation chapter 2 ,to the end of chapter 3, it was talking about the 7 churches; but in Revelationchapter 4, verse 1, at the end of this verse, it says: and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. So Imust ask, After what things?

Well obviously, it is referring to things which must happen after what is mentioned in Revelation chapter 2,to the end of chapter 3, which talks of the 7 churches.

And it's not just talking of the 7 churches of John's day, but also of the whole church age, as we will see.

Now it says in Revelation 4:1, of how a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard wasas it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither.

Now this thing of Coming up hither represents the Rapture, and a scripture that shows us the rapture is real,is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18. And really all what rapture means is, is a catching away.

And after it mentions Come up hither ,then it says: and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. So the things hereafter, are referring to things that come to pass after the rapture, whichends the church age, and it is obvious that Revelation chapter 2, to the end of chapter 3, is referring to thechurches, which not all of these churches will make it in the rapture, but some few will. And the scripturesare clear what kind of church Christ is coming for (Ephesians 5:26-27).

Why do I say that, the things which must be hereafter is referring to things that will come to pass after therapture, which ends the church age?

Because first of all, at the rapture, people will meet Christ in the air, and go to heaven; and if you read whatit says in Revelation chapter 4, after verse 1, (Revelation 4:4) and also Revelation chapter 5 (Revelation5:8-10) ,you will see that the church is in heaven. And if you continue on to Revelation chapter 6 , you willsee that, it is talking about the great tribulation period which we are spared from.

And in truth, we know that the things that are described in the book of Revelation, concerning the greattribulation, have not yet come to pass, for nothing in history matches up to what shall happen in the greattribulation period, which shall happen very soon.

Now 1 Thessalonians 1:10 says this:

(10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom heraised from the dead, even Jesus, which deliveredus from the wrath to come.)

Now some may say, well this is talking about God delivering us from his everyday judgment?

Well the truth is, is, no it is not!!!

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For one thing is, is that, first of all, the word Wrath is written in a singular form, thus referring to a specificwrath, and if it was referring to God's general wrath, then, in this case, it should have been written in a pluralform, but it is not. And secondly, it is talking about a wrath that was to come, which refers to somethingfuturistic.

Now in Revelation chapter 6:16-17 is when a lot of people on earth, will realize that the wrath of God hascome, which is an event that comes to pass in the great tribulation, which will happen way before theantichrist is to come in the temple, to proclaim himself as God etc., but even though people will realize thatthe wrath of God has come, not many will receive him as a whole, even though there will be revivals in thegreat tribulation.

So we can see that the great tribulation will start even before the antichrist is to come in the temple, but ofcourse the last part of the great tribulation, is going to be greater in severity. The great tribulation will last for7 years in which, the first 3 years, the two witnesses will spread the gospel (Revelation 11:3-8), and inthe last 3 years, the antichrist shall rule in a very cruel way against God's saints (Revelation 13:5-8).

So now that we have covered this, let us get back unto the study of the 7 churches.

Now one thing I have noticed is, if you study church history, you will notice something is that, the spirit ofeach church such as Ephesus, Laodicea, etc. have particularly reigned in a specific part of church history.And every church presented in the order that they are presented in the bible, are in the exact order, to wereeach of these churches have reigned in, in church history.

I will explain, what I mean; now first of all the first of the 7 churches mentioned is the church of Ephesus,which the spirit of this church was primarily dominant, somewhere in between a.d. 32 or 33 to a.d. 100; andthe second church mentioned is Smyrna, which the spirit of this church was primarily dominant betweena.d.100 to a.d. 300; and the third church mentioned, was Pergamos, which the spirit of this church wasmainly predominant between a.d. 300 to a.d. 500; and the fourth church mentioned was Thyatira, whichthe spirit of this church was mainly predominant between a.d. 500 to a.d.1500; now the fifth churchmentioned was Sardis, which the spirit of this church, was mainly predominant between a.d. 1500 toa.d.1700; now the sixth church mentioned was Philadelphia, which the spirit of this church was mainlypredominant between a.d.1700 to the early 1900 s ; and the seventh church mentioned is Laodicea, whichthe spirit of this church was mainly dominant between the early 1900 s unto this day, even until the rapture.

So now that we have covered this, let us cover each of these seven churches, with what scriptures sayabout these churches, and also we will get a bit into church history, and to whom these churches refer to, orwhat church today is likened unto these seven churches, or have the same spirit of these seven churches,and then you will see which church you belong to.

Most people would be afraid to say which churches these 7 churches refer to today, but do not fear man,only care for what God says.

I would rather be walking in the truth, than follow after a lie, wouldn't you?

Why fear a man made organization or church when you can fear God?

What have you got to prove?

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Are you honest with yourself, and would you stand on the word if the word showed something specific thatyou should or shouldn't do?

Well the truth is, is most wouldn't!!! Why? Because most people fear man and not God, but I pray that agood chunk of the readers that read this study would take heed to it.

So now we will get into the study of the seven churches, and I bind any evil spirit that may try to deceiveyou with other thoughts as you read this study. If you want to check me out concerning the information thatis in this study, go right ahead!!!

Now is the moment of truth, and now we will finally see how honest you are with yourself.

Before I start quoting scriptures concerning the 7 churches, I would like to mention one more thing, beforewe go on, is that I do not believe that most Christians ( not all Christians), really know what Christianity is allabout, and really it is a really simple equation, and really what it is really all about, is just simply to have arelationship with God, and that's it. Most may know this terminology, but to how many is it, really real?

Now we will get into the word, which we will cover the church of Ephesus.

Revelation 2:1-7.

(1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write;These things saith he that holdeth the seven starsin his right hand, who walketh in the midst of theseven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thypatience, and how thou canst not bear them whichare evil: and thou hast tried them which say theyare apostles, and are not, and hast found themliars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for myname's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee,because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen,and repent, and do the first works; or else I willcome unto thee quickly, and will remove thycandlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds ofthe Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He that hath an ear , let him hear what the Spiritsaith unto the churches; to him that overcomethwill I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in themidst of the paradise of God.)

Now first of all, who was this letter to the churches written to?

Well it was written to the churches, (Revelation 1:11 .......What thou seest, write in a book, and send it untothe seven churches which are in Asia.......) But also to the angel of each church, (Revelation 2:1 Unto theangel of the church of Ephesus write.......). And of course it is good to tell unbelievers, what it says in thebook of Revelation, so's they do not go through the tribulation period and so's they get saved, and the bible

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says warn the righteous, and warn the wicked.

Now in this study, we have figure out whom the candlesticks are, (Revelation 1:20 .......the sevencandlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches) which they are the seven churches, but who is theangel of each church?

Well, as I have read; the word for angel means: messenger.

Now this scripture of Revelation 2:1, is not referring to literal angels, for in truth they are not the ones whomainly bring the messages to the church, but rather it is men that are appointed by God, who bring messagesto the church, or who feed the flock.

Now who are the ones who feed the flock, or who bring messages to the church?

Well is there another scripture, that talks about messengers, in the bible, and who they are? Well yes thereis.

Let us go unto this scripture.

2 Corinthians 8:18-24.

(18 And we have sent with him the brother, whosepraise is in the gospel throughout all thechurches; 19 And not that only, but who was also chosen ofthe churches to travel with us with this grace,which is administered by us to the glory of thesame Lord, and declaration of your ready mind: 20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us inthis abundance which is administered by us: 21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sightof the Lord, but also in the sight of men. 22 And we have sent with them our brother, whomwe have oftentimes proved diligent in many things,but now much more diligent, upon the greatconfidence which I have in you. 23 Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is mypartner and fellow-helper concerning you: or ourbrethren be inquired of, they are the messengers ofthe churches, and the glory of Christ. 24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before thechurches, the proof of your love, and of ourboasting on your behalf.)

Now these Messengers, were obviously talking about people who traveled with people such as Paul, so's tobring forth the message of Christ to the churches. Now Paul himself, was a messenger of the church, for hebrought forth the message of Christ to the churches, but also they who traveled with him, so's to bring themessage to the churches, were messengers of the gospel, as we see in 2 Corinthians 8:18-24.

Now what was Paul?

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2 Timothy 1:11.

(11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and anapostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.)

He was a pastor, an apostle, and a teacher, yet surely he was a messenger of God?

And the one's who traveled with Paul were also messengers of the churches which were mainly apostles,and evangelists, which they mainly go from church to church. Now some say that the word and to the"angel" of the church......., in Revelation 2:1, refers to only pastors, but we have proven this to be wrong; 2Corinthians 8:18-24, shows us that the brethren that mostly would travel with Paul, were the messengers ofthe church, which it was mostly apostles and evangelists, who would travel with Paul. So really, even thoughthe whole body of Christ, bring forth the gospel to people, the ones who are the messengers of the church,or who mainly feed the flock, are the 5 fold ministry.

Now some might say, then if the phrase and to the angel of the church...... refers to the 5 fold ministry, thenwhy is it written in singular? Well the word angel is written in singular, because it is speaking individually toeach person that are in the 5 fold ministry.

Now, are we in need of the 5 fold ministry? Sure we are!!! but also we are in need of the whole body ofChrist, from the youngest to the oldest.

Now we will get back to the church of Ephesus in a moment, but I would just like to mention a few things,before I go on.

I know that some churches, deny the fact that we should have pastors, teachers, evangelists, prophets andapostles, just thinking that these things are just mere gifts you possess, and not offices given by God whichsomeone appointed by God, walks in.

Now no, a pastor is not better than any body else, but rather it is just the role that this or that person hasfrom God. In the body of Christ, we have different roles, yet all are equal with each other.

Now these people who just consider having the ability to pastor a church as a gift, and not as an office, willoftentimes say to you that true offices of the church are offices such as: the office of an elder, or the office ofa bishop, but these people are not really realizing what they are saying.

Right now we will go into scriptures that talk about the office of a bishop and elder.

1 Timothy 3:1-7.

(1 This is a true saying, If a mandesire the office of a bishop, hedesireth a good work .2 A bishopthen must beblameless, the husband of onewife, vigilant, sober, of good

Titus 1:4-9

(4 To Titus, mine own son afterthe common faith: Grace, mercy,and peace, from God the Fatherand the Lord Jesus Christ ourSaviour.5 For this cause left I thee in

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behaviour, given to hospitality, aptto teach 3 Not given to wine, no striker,not greedy of filthy lucre; butpatient, not a brawler, notcovetous;4 One that ruleth well his ownhouse, having his children insubjection with all gravity5 (For if a man know not how torule his own house, how shall hetake care of the church of God?)6 Not a novice, lest being lifted upwith pride he fall into thecondemnation of the devil.7 Moreover he must have a goodreport of them which are without;lest he fall into reproach andsnare of the devil.)

Crete, that thou shouldest set inorder the things that are wanting,and ordain elders in every city, asI had appointed thee: 6 If any be blameless, thehusband of one wife, havingfaithful children not accused ofriot or unruly. 7 For a bishop must beblameless, as the steward ofGod; not selfwilled, not soonangry, not given to wine, nostriker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a loverof good men, sober, just, holy,temperate; 9 Holding fast the faithful word ashe hath been taught, that he maybe able by sound doctrine both toexhort and to convince thegainsayers.)

-Now first of all, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, shows us how a bishop should be, and it's not that a bishop doesn't sin,or is already perfect, but rather that a bishop should not live after the way of sin, and should be a greatexample to the flock, and his kids should be an example to, especially when under their roof, but it doesn'tmean that their kids are perfect, but they should be an example, and there should be authority from thebishop in the home.

-Now Titus 1:4-9, talks of how Titus should set up in order the things that are wanting or lacking, whichwas to ordain elders in every city. And if you go on, you can see that in verse 7, Paul just continues on hismessage, and says how a bishop must be; leaving no difference between what an elder is, and what abishop is, for Paul was talking about elders, and continued on his phrase by showing the church how abishop should be, which was the same thing as the office of an elder.

Now Paul told Titus to set up elders in every city, for the churches were lacking in having bishops or elders,but that doesn't mean that they ceased to be the church because they were lacking in having bishops, assome would proclaim; but they were just in need of some, which every church needs bishops.

Now if you are lacking in having bishops (which we will get into what they are, in a second), that does notmean that you are ceasing to be the church, but rather it just means that you are in need of one. God says togather so much the more, as you see the day approaching, but he doesn't say that you cease to be thechurch because you are gathering yourselves together without having a bishop, but you should desire tohave a bishop in your assembly though. Should the church stop loving each other because they do not havea bishop, at the moment? Of course not!!! for we should always love each other no matter what. Now sayyou do not have a bishop at the moment, God can bring you one, in many ways; for he can raise one up,from amongst you, he can bring one to you, he can bring you to one, or he can have an apostle set one up inyour church.

Do not condemn yourself, just seek God's face, and I pray that you are making the right decision.

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Some pastors scatter their flocks through false doctrine, and deceit thus God bringing someone else to feedthis flock, and others come out of good assemblies which God does not want them to come out of. But Ipray to God that you make the right decision, and seek after God's face.

Now, as far as I know, there are three kinds of elders mentioned in the word: there are people who havethe office of an elder, which is the same thing as a bishop; and there are people who are called elders,simply because they are old physically, which people call an elderly person; and there are elders, who arecalled elders, not necessarily because they are in the office of an elder, but rather they are called elders,because they are simply just mature in the Lord.

So these are the 3 types of elders, which I have seen, mentioned in the bible.

Now the office of an elder, (as I have said) and the office of a bishop, are one and the same office.

Now what does the word bishop mean?

The word bishop means: an overseer.

So a bishop is an overseer of the church.

What does overseer mean?

To supervise or watch over.

Now who are the overseers of the church?

Well yes, it is true that we all look out for each other, but who are the ones who mainly, as a whole, watchover the flock?

It is the 5 fold ministry, for they are in the office of a bishop or elder, and they are the overseers of thechurch.

Some might say well if the 5 fold ministry, are the bishops or overseers of the church, then why doesn't itsay what the qualifications of a pastor is, or of a teacher, or of an apostle, or of a prophet, or of anevangelist, in the new testament; and why would God mention another office?

Well the reason why the bible doesn't say what the qualifications of a pastor, teacher, or evangelist etc., is,in the new testament, is because it is already covered in the office of an overseer or bishop.

Now even though the 5 fold ministry, are the bishops of the church, not every bishop has the same role; forsome overseers, oversee the church through the role of a pastor; another overseer ,may oversee the churchthrough the role of a teacher; another overseer, may oversee the church through the role of a prophet;another overseer, may oversee the church through the role of an apostle; and another overseer, mayoversee the church, through the role of an evangelist; and other overseers, may have multiple roles, such assome may be an apostle, pastor, and teacher as Paul was; and some may be an evangelist and a teacheretc. etc. etc.

Now, in truth, all can have the heart of a pastor; all can teach to a certain degree; all are sent ones (which is

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what apostle means); and all can be used to warn people, as a prophet does; and all can do the work of anevangelist; but that does not mean that all are called to be in an office of a prophet, apostle, pastor, teacher,and evangelist, which I will prove this by scripture.

Ephesians 4:11-12.

( 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some,prophets; and some, evangelists; and some,pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work ofthe ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:)

So, as it says, that only some are called to be pastors, teachers, apostles, evangelists, or prophets, why?Because the word says so.

Now some might say, well I have been taught that bishops, only refer to pastors, but I will prove thesepeople wrong, just by simply quoting, one scripture.

First of all, before I quote this scripture, I will tell you a bit about whom we will be talking about , in thisscripture.

His name is Judas Iscariot, which he was an apostle, but there is no evidence whatsoever concerning himbeing a pastor, which we must just believe what the word says.

Now let us go unto this scripture.

Acts 1: 16-20.

(16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needshave been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by themouth of David spake before concerning Judas,which was guide to them that took Jesus. 17 For he was numbered with us, and hadobtained part of this ministry. 18 Now this man purchased a field with the rewardof iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunderin the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it was known unto all the dwellers atJerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in theirproper tongue, A-cel-da-ma, that is to say, Thefield of blood. 20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let hishabitation be desolate, and let no man dwelltherein: and his bishopric let another take.)

It says concerning Judas Iscariot, and his bishopric let another take!!!

So, Judas Iscariot, was an apostle, yet at the same time being a bishop, but of course he lost his bishopric,by betraying the Lord Jesus, and committing suicide.

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Now I would like to go back unto a certain verse, before we go on, in this study and the study of the sevenchurches.

1 Timothy 3:2

( 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husbandof one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, givento hospitality, apt to teach;)

Now can a bishop be single?

Well, first of all, it does say here that a bishop must be the husband of one wife, but what about Paul, wasn'the a bishop?

Well yes Paul was a bishop, yet he was single or not married (1 Corinthians 7:7-9), but remember that Paulwas called by God, and the reason why God said For the bishops to be the husbands of one wife, isbecause God covered every part of how a bishop should be, yes even a married bishop, but this scripture isnot saying that someone single cannot be a bishop, for Paul was a bishop, yet he was called of God, and itis important to compare scriptures with scriptures.

Now that we have covered these things, let us now get into the study of the first of the 7 churches, which isthe church of Ephesus.

The defining word for the Ephesus church is desirable, but even though they were a desirable church,God still had something against them.

Now let us go unto Revelation 2:1.

( 1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write;These things saith he that holdeth the seven starsin his right hand, who walketh in the midst of theseven golden candlesticks;)

Now, of course, we have already learnt that the angel of the church, is referring to each individual in thatchurch, that is part of the 5 fold ministry.

Now the one who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, is Jesus.

And of course, the seven golden candlesticks, are the seven churches.

Now the reason, why the 7 candlesticks are golden, is because this or that church, shined for Jesus at onetime, and some may be still shining for Jesus, for all 7 were golden candlesticks.

Now let us go unto Revelation 2:2-3.

(2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy

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patience, and how thou canst not bear them whichare evil: and thou hast tried them which say theyare apostles, and are not, and hast found themliars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for myname's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.)

So this church could not bear them which were evil, and this church surely had a certain amount ofdiscernment, for they were able to try them which say they were apostles, but were not, and found them tobe liars.

So here, God said positive things concerning this church, but nevertheless, was something missing in thischurch?

Revelation 2:4-5.

( 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee,because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen,and repent, and do the first works; or else I willcome unto thee quickly, and will remove thycandlestick out of his place, except thou repent.)

So even though, this church, had discernment concerning certain things, even though that was so, theynevertheless, "left their first love"!!! Now Jesus said unto this church, to do the first works, so obviously,they where walking in what God wanted them to walk in, at one time, so this church started off right; and ifthey left their first love, obviously they were walking in this first love, at one time, and what had to happen is,is they had to return back to this first love.

This church opposed false apostles, which is a right thing to do, but even though that was so, they still hadleft their first love, why?

Well first of all, obviously, their walk, was beginning to be lived, no longer as a relationship with God, but asa ritual. They were getting caught up in a religious life of duty, rather than being motivated by the love ofGod. They were just standing, for the sake of standing, without really having any Godly love for the person.

You can be preaching against false apostles, which is right to do, and have no love within you.

Some may say, how can that be?

Well first of all, when we preach the gospel, it as to be done so out of a rightly motivated heart, because wetruly care about people.

Secondly, you can preach the gospel all you want, but do you also worship him in truth, and do you alsotalk to him in prayer, for if you lack these things, your preaching will be done so in vain.

Do you worship him, just for the sake of worshiping him, or do you worship him just simply because youtruly love him?

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Do you pray, just for the sake of praying, or do you pray to him out of a heart of love?

Is your Christian walk a life that you live, or is it just something that you do, because people you know, doso?

Do you seek recognition, or do you seek just to adore him and reverence him?

Christianity is not a ritual, it's not gathering for the sake of gathering, but rather it is a life that responds toGod, doing so out a pure heart who seeks no merits from men, or God.

Christianity is pure love!!!!!!!

1 Timothy 1:5.

( 5 Now the end of the commandment is charityout of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, andof faith unfeigned:)

Yes God wants us to obey his word, yes God wants us to gather with the church, but to do so, knowing weare saved, and doing so out of a pure heart.

That's what the redeemed of the Lord do, they just simply obey God, and doing so of course, because theylove God.

Some in so-called Christian circles, have made salvation out of gathering, and they say as long as yougather, you are saved, but if that was the case, then we would not need Christ, for gathering would beenough, but rather the reason we do gather with the body of Christ, is not gathering for the sake ofgathering, for if that was the case, you would not need the leading of the Holy Ghost, you could just gatheranywhere and you would be okay, so as long as you gather your okay; but that is not the case, but ratheryou should gather because you simply just love God and the brethren, and doing so without having browniepoints with God, and you should gather were God wants you to gather, and not were you may want togather.

Do not let pastors lay heavy burdens upon you, but rather let God lead you were he wants you to gather,and no I am not saying you should go try out every assembly that is in your town or city.

Now let's go back to Revelation 2:4-5.

(4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee,because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen,and repent, and do the first works; or else I willcome unto thee quickly, and will remove thycandlestick out of his place, except thou repent.)

So the church of Ephesus, had to repent from this ritualistic service unto God, and yes they might have beenstanding for truth, but in a ritualistic form, and not out of a pure heart of love. Now true repentance, is not

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just saying you're sorry to God, but also it is completely turning away from that evil way. Now of course weall sin, at times, and some even have weaknesses, but that doesn't mean that we do not stand for truth.

And we must come out of deception, or else we will be led into deception, which if continued therein, willeventually lead you to hell!!

Now people with weaknesses, is people struggling with a certain sin, but want out of that bondage, and it'snot necessarily someone caught up into a false doctrine; now yes God is patient with all men, and yes theweak go to Heaven, but false doctrines we must deny at all costs, and we must turn away from thesedoctrines, and we must come out of assemblies who preach false doctrines, or who have no love forpeople, for if you do not, you will become like them.

Now some may say, well no church is perfect? Well in truth, that is true, but even though that is so, that isstill no reason for not following God and what he says.

Many use the saying of No church is perfect, for the sake of controlling their flock, which is a wrong thing todo, and often times it is because they are hiding a secret sin in their lives from the flock; but preacher whathave you got to prove, why don't you just accept wrong, and seek to go from faith to faith?

The word says not to draw back in faith!!!

Now it says of the Ephesus church that thou hast left thy first love, and God told this church to repent, and ifthis church would not repent, it says I will remove thy candlestick out of his place. Now if the candlestick is removed out of his place; which the candlestick refers to the church; then thecandlestick is no longer in the place, it was before, which means that the person who no longer has hiscandlestick, as ceased to be part of the church.

So even thou the Ephesus church had a candlestick, which shows it was one of God's churches, if it did notrepent from leaving it's first love, it's candlestick would be removed from it's place, therefore ceasing to bethe church.

So right here, in just this scripture, the onced saved, always saved, doctrine is denied , which it shows that itis a false doctrine from the pit of hell, why? Because it denies the scripture of Revelation 2:4-5, and it deniesmany other scriptures, which shows that it is not according to sound doctrine.

So obviously, the church of Ephesus had to repent, or else it would cease to be God's church!!!

Now let us go unto Revelation 2:6-7.

(6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds ofthe Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spiritsaith unto the churches; To him that overcomethwill I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in themidst of the paradise of God.)

Now the word Nicolaitan, is a combination of two Greek words: niko, which means to conquer oroverthrow, and laos, which means the people or the laity.

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Therefore, the Nicolaitans were conquerors of the people those who encouraged an exaltation of the clergyover the laity. These Nicolaitan, church leaders, set themselves up to rule over the spiritual life of thebelievers at Ephesus, but the Ephesus church had discernment, therefore they did not allow, the Nicolaitansto rule over them, for they obviously knew that Christ was the head of the church and not man.

The church at Ephesus was desirable, which was a term applied by a Greek man to a maiden of his choice.

Now I do not know all of the deeds, the Nicolaitans did, but one thing is sure, they did things in a manner,to were they were seeking to control the laity or the body of Christ, and how many pastors today, arelikened unto the Nicolaitans? Well I can tell you that there are many!!

Thank God that the Ephesus church, rejected the deeds of the Nicolaitans, but nevertheless, even thoughthat was so, they had still left their first love, and how many pastors do you see today, that speak againstsuch deeds as the Nicolaitan rulership of the body, but they do so without the love of Christ in mind?

Some think that just an action itself, is love, but the truth is, in and of itself, it is not love, but rather it must bedone so out of a pure heart, with a right motive in mind.

So the Ephesus church rejected the deeds of the Nicolaitan rulership over the body, but later we will seehow this Nicolaitan doctrine caused trouble for the Pergamos church and eventually dominated the Thiatyrachurch.

The Ephesus church continued standing for the Lord, but their motives became duty rather than faith, love,and hope.

Now let us get into stuff, concerning Ephesus.

Ephesus

- Ephesus was a bustling city on the coast of the Aegean Sea, well known for its commerce, religion, andphilosophy. Asian goods were exported from Ephesus to other parts of the world. The city's temple toDiana, the pagan fertility goddess, was considered one of the seven wonders of the world. Superstition,immorality, and idolatrous worship characterized the religion of the pagan Ephesians. The apostle Paulfounded the church in Ephesus during his third missionary journey. Many citizens turned from sorcery andthe worship of Diana to trust in the true and living God and his Son Jesus Christ. Their love for Christ wasstrong. So many Ephesians turned to Christ that the silversmiths, who fashioned idols for the worship ofDiana, feared it would ruin their business. To protect their own financial interests, they incited a riot againstPaul, hoping to drive him out of town. Fortunately, the town clerk calmed the angry crowd and permittedPaul to stay.

Now let us get into some church history stuff, concerning when the spirit of Ephesus reigned, which was inbetween a.d. 32 0r 33 to a.d. 100.

Church History

- The church at Ephesus was a picture of the church in the first century, covering the years a.d. 32 or 33, toapproximately a.d. 100. During this first century, the apostles were alive in the church and actively spreading

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the gospel; hence it is called the apostolic church. On the day of Pentecost, an international assembly ofJewish worshipers in Jerusalem heard the apostles and other believers declare the wondrous works of God(Acts 2:11). Over 3,000 responded to Peter's invitation to trust Christ as Saviour; they were baptized andjoined other believers in fellowship, prayer, observance of the Lord's Supper, and witnessing (Acts2:42-47). This young church loved the Lord and one another, and it showed! They remained faithful to Himunder persecution and gave financially to one another in time of need. They also showed a genuine love forthe lost by witnessing zealously. In the latter part of the first century, the apostolic church began to showsigns of a decreasing love for the Lord. The apostle Paul warned that the church at Ephesus (Acts 20:16,17) would be threatened by self-centered persons from within its midst(Acts 20:29-30). Instead ofencouraging the believers to love Christ, these teachers would try to gain a following for themselves.

Acts 20:29-30.

(29 For I know this, that after my departing shallgrievous wolves enter in among you, not sparingthe flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise,speaking perverse things, to draw away disciplesafter them.)

Now when Paul was off the scene, that's exactly what happened, grievous wolves entered in among them,and they were starting to leave their first love, probably near the end of Paul's ministry. Now Paul hadn't lefthis first love, but the Ephesians were beginning to leave their first love, and when Paul was off the scene, andJohn was writing the book of Revelation, they had already left their first love, but John was exhorting themto return to their first love, and to repent and do the first works. Now Paul and John had not left their firstlove, and they were as the Philadelphia church, full of brotherly love, but the church as a whole, especially atthe end of that century, had left their first love. So when most of the apostle's were off the scene, theEphesians had already left their first love.

It is said that John, through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, wrote the book of Revelation, when he wasabout in his 50 s or 60 s (which I will prove).

Now what church, does the Ephesus church, remind you of today?

Well first of all, this church had discernment, of who in the overall, were false apostles, and they hated thedeeds of the Nicolaitans, but even though that is so, they had still left their first love; what church is likenedunto this, today?

Well it is not referring to the Pentecostal church of today; for in the overall they do not stand as they use to,though some few of their pastors may, to some degree, still stand; and I know that some of thePentecostals, participate in unity type meetings, to were catholic priests some times preach in their pulpits,and vice versa. How do I know this? Well all I have to do is read the news paper to know this, even thoughI have other sources as well. Now this Ephesus church, today, reminds me of, the Brethren church of today, though there may be otherchurches likened unto them (the Southern Baptist church). Now the Brethren will speak against falsemovements, such as the faith movement, and they will even call out, at times, who the false preachers,teachers etc. are, and I praise God for that. But some times they mis judge people, and often times theirjudgment is done so in a critical way, rather than doing so through the love of Jesus. It seems that in the

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overall, they just stand for the sake of standing, even though they may deny this. Now I have nothing againstthe Brethren church or it's people, but God said that you can know people by their fruits, and I do examinethe fruit. Many Brethren people you meet on the street, are so hard to talk the word of God to, thoughmaybe not all are like this, the truth is, is most are. They seem to be really defensive of their church, thanrather being defensive, in a right sense, of the word. And this once saved, always saved doctrine, willcertainly get people to leave their first love, and yes the preachers of this movement, do believe in the oncesaved, always saved doctrine, the thing is, is they are just tricky with their words.

Now the Ephesus church, may not have believed in a once saved, always saved doctrine, but the Brethrenchurch, is very much like this church, and we must come out of churches who in the overall have left theirfirst love, that is unless they repent, and forsake evil doctrines, and just want Christ to be the head. Godwants a separate people that are just under him!

I do not doubt, that some of the Brethren elders, (though not all) probably do not truly worship and adoreChrist much. Now I believe that there are some saved, among the Brethren, but they must come out of thisonce saved, always saved doctrine, and they must come out of denominationalism (as we will speak on,later on, with proof of this being false), and what they should just focus on, is just being the church.

Brethren people, what have you got to prove? Are you made holy by your denomination? Are you madeholy through the once saved, always saved doctrine? Are you made holy by a building (though buildings, inand of themselves, aren't wrong)? Are you made holy, just by simply standing? Or are you made holy, byChrist? Who is your salvation?

Remember that, if you do not repent from leaving your first love, your candlestick will be removed out of hisplace, therefore you will cease to be the church!!!!

Repent, repent, repent, and forsake sin!!!!

Now let us go unto the next church, which is the Smyrna church, and we will see who this church is referringto.

Revelation 2:8-11.

(8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrnawrite; These things saith the first and the last,which was dead, and is alive; 9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty,(but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy ofthem which say they are Jews, and are not, butare the synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which thou shaltsuffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you intoprison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall havetribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death,and I will give thee a crown of life. 11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spiritsaith unto the churches; He that overcometh shallnot be hurt of the second death.)

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The defining word for the church of Smyrna is the word crushed. Smyrna has the same linguistic root asmyrrh, an embalming plant. The myrrh plant had to be crushed in order to emit its sweet fragrance. Thechurch at Smyrna was a persecuted church; under the crush of persecution, it emitted a sweet fragrance tothe Lord.

Now Jesus had nothing bad to say about the persecuted, Smyrna church. Now they of the synagogue ofSatan, concerning this scripture; were they who pretended to be Jewish believers but were actuallyrepresentatives of Satan. And it refers to the Judaizing movement that came into the early church, the mixingof the law with grace, which seemed to influence the Galatians to some degree.

Now this church was being persecuted in the apostle John's day, but the spirit of this church, seemed tohave dominated, at it's peak, in between a.d. 100 to a.d. 300. , but before a.d. 100, it was the spirit ofEphesus which was reigning.

Now when it says, in verse ten, that they shall have tribulation ten days, it's referring to something futuristic,that shall shortly come to pass. And these ten days, are referring to ten periods of intense persecutionswhich mainly came to pass, between a.d. 100 to a.d. 300. Persecution seems to get the church on thealert!!!

Now John wrote the book of Revelation, somewhere in between a.d. 54 to a.d. 67 or even early in a.d. 68.Now why do I say this? Because I studied certain views concerning the dating of Revelation, and onetheory is the a.d. 95 theory, and the other is the theory in between a.d. 54 to a.d. 68.

Now what I noticed in a book, which advocates the a.d. 95 theory is that, even though it supports thistheory, it says that the 10 day persecutions, mentioned in Revelation 2:10, refers to ten Roman emperorswhich launched merciless assaults on Christians, which the starting date is a.d. 54, which would contradictthe scriptures and their theory. For first of all, Revelation 2:10, says this:(....... and ye shall have tribulationten days.......), the word "shall" is referring to something not yet experienced, yet if the book of Revelation,was written in a.d. 95, then they would have already experienced some of these persecutions, whichcontradicts the word.

Now the exact date of John's writting of the book of Revelation, is between a.d. 54 to a.d. 68.

Now if John would have written the book of Revelation in a.d. 60, for example, then the start of these tendays (which I will mention these 10 days), would start somewhere after a.d. 60. Now how much of Nero'spersecutions did John experience before he wrote the book of Revelation?

I do not know, all I know is that there was still some of Nero's persecutions that he yet had notexperienced.

The ten day persecutions, goes as follows: 1. - Nero (a.d. 54-68) 2.- Domitian (a.d. 81-96) 3.- Trajan (a.d. 98-117) 4.- Marcus Aurelius (a.d. 161-180) 5.- Septimius Severus (a.d. 193-211) 6.- Maximinus (a.d. 235-238) 7.- Decius (a.d. 249-251)

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8.- Valerian (a.d. 253-260) 9.- Aurelian (a.d. 270-275) 10.- Diocletian (a.d. 284-305)

There is some, certain amount of history, which supports, the earlier dating of Revelation, which I willmention.

- Andreas of Capadocia, about a.d. 500, in a commentary on Revelation, dates the book as Neronian. - Arethas, about a.d. 540 assumes the book to have been written before the destruction of Jerusalem(a.d.70 ). - There is in existence, a Syriac translation of the book of Revelation which has the following inscription: theRevelation which was made by God to John the Evangelist in the island of Patmos to which he was banishedby Nero the emperor. Most of the Syriac New Testament, which is known as the Peshito are supposed tohave been translated late in the first century or very early in the second, but the Syriac version of Revelationis not believed to be that old. The superscription on this manuscript does provide proof that the dating of theRevelation goes back to the time of Nero.

Now people like church history people, such as: Polycarp and Justin Martyr, are silent on the dating ofRevelation.

Now let us go into stuff, concerning the city of Smyrna.

Smyrna

- Smyrna is modern day Izmir, the second largest city in Asiatic Turkey. As in other commercial cities, thechurch encountered opposition from the Jews.

Now let us go into church history stuff, which the spirit of the Smyrna church, reigned in between, a.d. 100to a.d. 300.

Church history

- Ignatius was devoured by wild animals in Rome, a.d. 111. -Polycarp as a youth sat at the feet of the apostle John. He was arrested and martyred in Smyrna in a.d.155. - Justin Martyr was beheaded at Rome in a.d. 167. - Perpetua and Felicitas, were gored to death by wild beasts at Carthage on March 7, 203. - In Diocletian's reign, in Phrygia, an entire city of Christians was burned along with all of it's residents, butnot a single man, woman, or child renounced Christ or surrendered to the enemy. Other believers wereweighted with stones and cast into the waters, but they remained loyal to Christ who said, .......be thoufaithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Now what church does Smyrna remind you of today?

Me, it reminds me of persecuted churches mainly in foreign countries, though remember that not allpersecuted churches are following the Lord, but I am referring to any church that is being severelypersecuted which is following the Lord, in truth!!!

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Now let us go unto the next church, which is Pergamos.

Revelation 2:12-17.

( 12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamoswrite; These things saith he which hath the sharpsword with two edges; 13 I know thy works and where thou dwellest, evenwhere Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast myname, and hast not denied my faith, even in thosedays wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, whowas slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 14 But I have a few things against thee, becausethou hast there them that hold the doctrine ofBalaam, who taught Balac to cast astumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eatthings sacrificed unto idols, and to commitfornication. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine ofthe Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly,and will fight against them with the sword of mymouth. 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spiritsaith unto the churches; To him that overcomethwill I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will givehim a white stone, and in the stone a new namewritten, which no man knoweth saving he thatreceiveth it.)

The defining word for the church of Pergamos, is the word married , and that is what the root word forPergamos is. Now this church was wordly, or married to this world's government , as we will see.

Now Jesus said of this church that:" ...thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith..." , so theydid hold on to some degree to the faith, but did they whole heartedly stand up for the faith? Well it also saysthis of the Pergamos church, But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold thedoctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to put a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat thingssacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. Also Jesus had this against them, that they also had themthat hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

Then Jesus asks them to Repent; or else I will come quickly, and will fight against them with the sword ofmy mouth.

Now Revelation 2:13, mentions that "...thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied the faith, even inthose days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr...".

Now what does the name Antipas mean? It means: against all!!!

So obviously, even though Antipas lived in Pergamos, thus making him part of the church in Pergamos, hewas not part of the mainstream church of Pergamos, which were allowing things that God hates, as we havejust read, so Antipas was an exception to the spirit of that church, which in spirit, he was really part of the

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persecuted Smyrna church. God was obviously well pleased with Antipas, but he was not with thePergamos church as a whole, for they were compromising things that concern the scriptures, such asstanding for truth, but instead they were just tolerating lies, and I do not believe that Antipas remained withthe mainstream church in Pergamos, and the bible does say to be ye separate my people.

Now the spirit of the Pergamos church, dominated in between a.d.300 to a.d. 500.

Now in Revelation 2:13 it says:" I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is...".

Why was Pergamum called a city where Satan's seat is? The phrase has been referred to the complex ofpagan cults, of Zeus, Athena, Dionysus and Asclepius, established by the Attalid kings, that of AsclepiusSoter, being of special importance. These cults are illustrative of the religious history of Pergamum, but themain allusion is probably to emperor worship. This was where the worship of the divine emperor had beenmade the touch-stone of civic loyalty under Domitian .

Pergamos

- Pergamos was the most splendid city in the Roman province of Asia. It attracted scholars and priests withit's magnificent temples. The city of Pergamos was devoted to emperor worship; it also had templeshonoring pagan deities such as Dionysus and Athena. People for miles around met in Pergamos to worshipZeus, chief of the Greek gods.

Now let us get into church history stuff, concerning the church age of Pergamos ( which the spirit of thischurch still exists today), which the spirit of this church was dominant between a.d. 300 to a.d. 500.

Church history

- It is said that in a.d. 312, Constantine, while marching his forces toward Rome, saw a bright cross in thesky inscribed with the words : In this sign conquer. Because the cross was a symbol of Christianity,Constantine's advisers interpreted this vision to mean that he should convert to Christianity. ConsequentlyConstantine made a profession of faith, although many Christian historians have doubted the sincerity of hisprofession. - Church and state wed. Marching under the sign of the cross, Constantine defeated his enemies andbecame the sole emperor of the Roman empire that ruled the world. In a.d. 313, Constantine issued theEdict of Toleration ( Edict of Milan), which granted freedom to all religions in the empire. Roman citizenswere now free to become Christians without having to fear persecution by the state. -In fact Constantine brought the so-called church and state together, in marriage ( church under the controlof the state). Constantine was not a Christian, he secretly worshiped the sun God Sol (Tammuz). - All Constantine did, is merge Paganism with so-called Christianity, and formed a cult called RomanCatholicism. This Edict of Toleration, is just one of Catholicism's tactics called Ecumenicalism so's to gain allother religions under it's control, through so called love (phoney love, flattery etc.). - No the Pergamos church, is not referring to the Catholic church, but rather through Constantine'sproclamation of Christianity, it led a lot of true Christians who were probably starting to slack in their walk,to tolerating things such as worldly doctrines, Nicolaitanism (clergy over the congregation) and the churchbeing married to the state. -Church leaders had been called pastors in Ephesus and Smyrna, but the Pergamos church leaders began tobe called priests (we no longer have the office of priests under the new covenant, for all Christians arepriests).

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The church should be separate from the state. God wants us to be a separated people who do notcompromise the Gospel. Christ is the head of the church, not the state, but often times the governmentwants to control everything, even the church. The headship belongs to Christ alone!

Now Revelation 2:16 , says this: ( Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against themwith the sword of my mouth.)

Now this whole church , which tolerated false doctrine, was called to repent, but the ones God said hewould fight against , is talking about those leaders or people who hold on to the doctrines of Balaamism andNicolaitanism, and teach them in the church. So you could see that God was not very happy with thischurch. God clearly shows in his word that he will bring out sheep who are being destroyed by evil pastors,and bring in there pathway , someone else to feed them (Jeremiah 23: 1-4).

Now what church does Pergamos remind you of today?

It reminds me of the Lutheran church, for they are married to the state, and they even have priests in theirassemblies, but also it reminds me , to a point , to the Presbyterian church of today which some of thereministers dress as priests at times, and the clergy , in truth is over the congregation, though some preachersmore than others. They are both ( Lutheran and Presbyterian) under a head , or they both have head offices,but isn't Jesus suppose to be our only head? Men love to have the acclaim.

Now let us go unto the next church which is the church of Thyatira.

Revelation 2:18-29.

( 18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatirawrite; These things saith the Son of God, who hathhis eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet arelike fine brass; 19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, andfaith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the lastto be more than the first. 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things againstthee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel,which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and toseduce my servants to commit fornication, and toeat things sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent of herfornication, and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them thatcommit adultery with her into great tribulation,except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all thechurches shall know that I am he which searcheththe reins and hearts: and I will give unto every oneof you according to your works. 24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest inThyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, andwhich have not known the depths of Satan, as theyspeak; I will put upon you none other burden. 25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I

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come. 26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my worksunto the end, to him will I give power over thenations: 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as thevessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers:even as I received of my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spiritsaith unto the churches.)

The word Thyatira suggests continual sacrifice.

Now the church history reign, of the spirit of this church, is between a.d. 500 to a.d. 1500.

Now even though, in this period between a.d. 500 to a.d. 1500, the Roman armies no longer ruled thepolitical world, Rome, through religious power, ruled the so-called Christian world for the next onethousand years, which is called the dark ages, which they still have tremendous power today, which they areconsidered the biggest religion in the world; but even though that is so, the Thyatira church, does not refer tothe Roman Catholic church ( as many people think it does), as I will prove without a doubt.

1- First of all, one of the apostles, is reckoned to have started the Thyatira church, through evangelization,and we know that they were not the founders of the Catholic church. 2-Secondly, the Thyatira church started off right, but fell into false doctrines, and false ways. 3-Thirdly, Thyatira fell into apostasy; but what about the Catholic church? Did it fall into apostasy, thusbeing right at one time, but receiving false doctrines and false ways, at some other point, thus becomingapostate? Or was the Roman Catholic church, never a right church, thus being a cult? Which would showthat the Thyatira church, could not have been, at any time, the Roman Catholic church?

Well the only way to find out this, is by going into the scriptures to find out if the scriptures say anythingconcerning the Roman Catholic church or not, and of course, you can know by history as well.

Now first of all, I will go into scriptures, that talk about the whore of Revelation, and we will compare thesescriptures with the Roman Catholic church ,but also with this view that is starting to make its way intoChristian circles today, which some say that the Whore of revelation, refers to the United States ofAmerica.

Now let us go unto Revelation 17:1-3.

(1 And there came one of the seven angels whichhad the seven vials, and talked with me, sayingunto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee thejudgment of the great whore that sitteth upon manywaters: 2 With whom the kings of the earth havecommitted fornication, and the inhabitants of theearth have been made drunk with the wine of herfornication. 3 So he carried me away in the spirit into thewilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet

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coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, havingseven heads and ten horns.)

So this great whore sits upon many waters; does the United States and the Roman Catholic church sit uponmany waters? Well yes they both do. Now the Roman Catholic church sits upon many waters because it isa world wide religion, and the United States sits upon many waters, because it has United States Embassiesall over the world.

Now also it says of this whore that:" With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and theinhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication".

Now as the kings of the earth committed fornication (spiritual fornication) with the United States? Well Iguess to a degree, through having to accept American policies, but what about the Roman catholic church?As the kings of the earth committed spiritual fornication with her? Oh yes, in a greater way than men maythink, infact most nations today have diplomatic representatives in the Vatican, and we would probably besurprised at which leaders in the world, have been placed there by the Vatican??? And we must rememberthat the Catholic church is a world wide religion.

So thus far, it does not seem that the Roman Catholic view of the whore, nor the United States view of thewhore, contradicts the word, but if one of these views contradict the bible in any way, you know that this orthat view, is not the right view, and as we go on, we will see if one of these views contradict the bible or not.Now the whore that it is talking about, is one whore (singular), and not two whores (plural), so it is obviousthat one of these views is wrong, in being the whore, but which one? Well we shall see. Let us go on.

Revelation 17:4-6.

(4 And the woman was arrayed in purple andscarlet colour, and decked with gold and preciousstones and pearls, having a golden cup in her handfull of abominations and filthiness of herfornication: 5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THEMOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONSOF THE EARTH. 6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood ofthe saints, and with the blood of the martyrs ofJesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with greatadmiration.)

Now verse 4 says:" And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour.......".

Arrayed means: To clothed or adorn.

The colour of scarlet, in the dictionary, it shows, that it is: A vivid reddish-orange color.

Now what are the official colors of the United States? Is it purple and scarlet? Well actually, no!!! Infact Iwill show you with the next image, what their official colors are.

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Their official colors are a pure red , white, and blue. And their politicians dress in all kinds of suits etc. Soyou can see that the United States here, does not fit with these colors that describe the whore, thereforecontradicting scripture, therefore the U.S.A not being the whore.

Now what about the Roman Catholic church? Does the colors of purple and scarlet, have anything to dowith the Roman Catholic church? Well first, let us look at the Vatican flag, and a bit after, we will look atother images.

Well their flag is white and yellow, but just look at that type of cord looking thing, it is a reddish-orangecolor, which is the color scarlet!!!!So they do have the color scarlet, in their flag, but do the cardinals,bishops etc. and the Pope, actually adorn themselves in the colors of purple and scarlet, for the bible saysthat this whore is adorned in purple and scarlet? Well let us see.

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Well I see both the colors scarlet and purple, in these pictures !!! So the Roman Catholic church still doesnot contradict the scriptures, in being the whore.

Now the scriptures say (Revelation 17:4): "And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, anddecked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations andfilthiness of her fornication:".

What about this gold and precious stones stuff? Does the catholic leader, deck himself with these?

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Well look at this hat, it is a certain Pope's hat, decked with gold , precious stones, may even be pearls, andthe Pope's hat on the right picture as gold on it and even his chair. And I can guaranty you that their must begold , precious stones etc. all over the Vatican. Then Revelation 17:4 talks about: "........having a golden cupin her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:".

Well it is obvious by this picture, that the pope does have a golden cup that he uses quite frequently,especially for the mass. Now what does the bible mean by the whore, " having a golden cup in her hand fullof abominations and filthiness of her fornication" ?

Well first of all, I know that through the Popish golden cup, a certain doctrine is practiced, which is thedoctrine called transubstantiation, which this doctrine came about in a.d. 1215, through Pope Innocent III,which was declared that the bread ( which they call the Eucharest) that is partaken of , at communion, andthe wine that is partaken of, at communion, is the real body and blood of Christ, and that is what happens atcommunion( according to the Catholic church), it turns into the litteral body and blood of Christ. Now Jesussaid, do this in remembrance of me , and showed us what these emblems represent, but it does not becomethe real body and blood of Christ, and any regular worldly person, that is not indoctrinated, can tell youthat.

So now with this said, that is in showing forth what the golden cup is used for, I will cover the phrase in thebible that says: having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication.

So we do know that this whore, through the Pope, has a golden cup in her hand, and she's full ofabominations and filthiness of her fornication. What abominations as come through the Roman Catholicchurch?

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Many abominations, such as: The doctrine of transubstantiation, the worship of a woman called Mary, it issaid that it helped to found the Nazi party( which it is well known, even among unbelievers who lived in thetime of World War II, that the Pope of that time, at the beginning of the war, was on Hitler's side) , anotherabomination that it brought forth is the Inquisition( persecuting Christians even to the point of martyrdom)and Ecumenicalism( the false love gospel to unite all religions under Roman Catholicism) etc.

Now what does the phrase "and the filthiness of her fornication" refer to? Well it just simply refers to hercommitting spiritual fornication, which is to simply spread her abominable doctrines among people, which itas done so throughout the world (and it is a world wide religion).

Now some might ask, why is she called a woman?

Well first of all, if you believe in the U.S.A view of the whore, they say that the United States is called awoman, because it has a statue called "The Statue Of Liberty" and it is said of this statue, that: "Thesculptor of the Statue of Liberty was Auguste Bertholdi. He belonged to the Masonic Lodge in Paris.Before beginning the Statue of Liberty project, Bertholdi was seeking commission to construct a giant statueof the goddess "Isis", the Egyptian Queen of Heaven, to overlook the Suez canal". And also the promotersof this view say that: "the 7 spikes of her crown (Statue of Liberty's crown) represent the 7 seas".

But what does this have to do with the United States being the whore? Because first of all, do you know ofanyone who directly worships the Statue of Liberty? I don't!!

But what about Roman Catholicism? Why would she be regarded as being a woman? Simply because sheworships a woman, by the name of Mary, which they call her " the Queen of Heaven" !!

Now do you know of anyone who worships Mary? Well people know very well, that there are millions whoworship Mary.

Now let us cover other verses, that concerns the whore.

Revelation 17:5-6.

( 5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT, THEMOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONSOF THE EARTH. 6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood ofthe saints, and with the blood of the martyrs ofJesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with greatadmiration.)

Now why is she called "Mystery Babylon the Great" ?

Well first of all, the word mystery means: something that is puzzling, unknown, or unexplained.

Now the reason the Roman Catholic church is called Mystery Babylon The Great, is because the RomanCatholic church has the very same religious system as ancient Babylon, just with different names on it. Can I

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prove this? Yes I can.

Let us go unto history.

( Information from an article on the internet)

Soon after the flood, beginning with Noah's son Ham's lineage, a counterfeit religion sprung up. This wasSatan's counterfeit to the worship of God the Father. It commenced with Cush, Ham's son, but moreforcefully grew during the reign of Nimrod, Cush's son. In this religion, Nimrod attempted to turn men awayfrom God through worship of the sun. After creating an empire and attempting the ill fated building of theTower of Babel, Nimrod died. His wife, Semiramis, told the people that Nimrod had gone to the sun, andthat he now watched over the people as the sun God. She also had a son, Tammuz, whom she claimed wasthe reincarnation of Nimrod, the sun God. He was one who had come to save the world.

( Next article from: Alberto part 4, "The force" )

-One of the first city's to be built after the flood was Babylon. Satan set up his headquarters here. Semiramiswas the Queen of Babylon, and Nimrod led the people into rebellion against God. -Semiramis designed the confessional to pry into the secrets of her followers. The people feared theirpriests. After Nimrod's death, Semiramis proclaimed that she was a Goddess, she demanded that babies besacrificed to her. -Semiramis quickly moved to keep him a God, she called Nimrod Baal, the sun God, and demanded that hebe worshipped. Then she became pregnant, claiming she was still a virgin. She gave birth to a son and calledhim "Tammuz", telling everyone that Nimrod had been reincarnated. -She was the virgin mother, and soon, statues of her holding the little sun God appeared everywhere. Sheclaimed he was their saviour. Semiramis became known as "the Queen of Heaven".

So is the historical things that I have just mentioned, fact or myth? And how can we know? Or can weknow?

Well yes, there is a way to know, if these historical things that I have mentioned, is a fact , or a myth, and itis by comparing these things, to what the word says concerning the whore of Revelation(the Catholicchurch), Nimrod, Tammuz, the Queen of Heaven, and things of that nature.

The word says this: Romans 3:4.

(4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every mana liar; as it is written, that thou mightest bejustified in thy sayings, and mightest overcomewhen thou art judged.)

There are no lies in the word of God, God cannot tell a lie , and there is tonnes of proof that the word ofGod is true, for example: archeology proves the word, end time prophecy proves the word , history provesthe word to be true, just looking at creation proves the word to be true, and you can go anywhere in theworld and hear a testimony of what God as done, and frankly you can go all over Canada and hear howGod healed this or that person etc.

So God's word is true!!!

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Now is Nimrod mentioned in the bible? Yes.

Genesis 10:8.

(8 And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be amighty one in the earth.)

What about Tammuz, is he mentioned in the bible? Yes.

Ezekiel 8:14.

(14 Then he brought me to the door of the gate ofthe Lord's house which was toward the north; and,behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz.)

What about Semiramis, is she mentioned in the bible? Well her name isn't , but one of her titles is. And it issaid ( and I believe this) that the saying of the Queen of Heaven, stems from the ancient Babylonian religion.

Jeremiah 44:17.

(17 But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goethforth out of our own mouth, to burn incense untothe queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offeringsunto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers,our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah,and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had weplenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.)

So the bible does confirm that Tammuz and Nimrod existed, and it does not clearly show who Cush's wifewas, but it is obvious that he did have a wife, and the bible does confirm that the title of the "Queen ofheaven" did exist!!

So if the title of the "Queen of Heaven" existed, it obviously came from somewhere?

Now we have proven thus far ( and will continue to prove), how there is no contradiction between thedescription of the whore and the description of the Roman Catholic church.

Now if the Roman catholic church is the whore, and God calls the Roman Catholic church "MysteryBabylon the great", then it is obvious that " ancient Babylon " had to have something that is similar to thewhore, in order for her to receive this title?

Well it is quite obvious, that the Roman Catholic church and the ancient Babylonian religion, is the verysame system, just with different names. Let us compare the similarities between the Catholic church, and theancient Babylonian religion.

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Ancient Babylonian religion.- Semiramis is called the "Queen of Heaven".-Semiramis designedthe confessional. -They had priests.-Semiramis claims she was still a virgin, after giving birth to Tammuz.-They had statues ofSemiramis holdingthe little sun God, appearing all over.

Roman Catholic church- Mary is called the "Queen ofHeaven".-It has a confessional.-They have priests.-Mary is a virgin, evenafter giving birth toChrist, and throughouther whole life.-They have statues ofMary holding whatthey say is Jesus,in her arms.

No wonder the Catholic church earned itself the title of "Mystery Babylon the great"!!!! Why? Because it is the very same religious system, and it is easy to see, that the Babylonian religion, did not startoff right, so if it did not start off right, and the Roman Catholic church has the very same religious system,then you can know that the Roman Catholic church did not start off right ,therefore being a cult!!

Now the Thyatira church did start off right, but fell into apostate doctrines, but the Catholic church did notstart off right, therefore we can conclude that the Thyatira church, does not refer to the Roman Catholicchurch.

Now before I end this Roman Catholic discussion, and get back to the church of Thyatira, I will just cover afew more verses concerning the whore of Revelation, and then we will get back on track with the Thyatirachurch.

Also, I will compare other things concerning the United States view of the whore, and things concerning theRoman Catholic side of things.

Now let us go unto Revelation 17:6.

(6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood ofthe saints, and with the blood of the martyrs ofJesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with greatadmiration.)

Now it is very well known that throughout church history, that the Roman Catholic church has martyredmillions of Jesus' saints, and examples are such as: The fires of Smithfield (Foxe's Book of Martyrs), theSpanish inquisition, the martyrs of Scotland (Foxe's Book of Martyrs), John Huss, Hugh Latimer, NicholasRidley; Albigenses, Waldenses, and other Christians were massacred, tortured, and burned at the stake bythe hundreds of thousands ( who knows how many Quakers and Anabaptists they martyred )etc.

Now the Roman Catholic church, only has two motives, either an inquisition ( which causes the death ofmany), or ecumenicalism ( which softens people to her lies, so she can gain control of people). Now what

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we are mainly seeing before us today, is ecumenicalism, though we may be surprised today, how manyChristians are being martyred by this church, especially in foreign countries.

So there is no contradiction here concerning the Roman Catholic church, not fitting with the whore ofRevelation.

Now what does the United states have to do with the scripture of being "drunk with the blood of themartyrs"? Well in truth, absolutely nothing, for if you examine the United States, most of it's wars wereagainst non Christian nations such as Vietnam , Afghanistan, Iraq etc., and most people would not haveconsidered the Nazis as Christians, and in truth they weren't, so how can the United States, be the whore,when in truth it has not, possibly in a great way, martyred true Christians of Christ? If it has martyred someChristians, I could tell you, it has not been in a great way, and no were near to the amount the RomanCatholic church has martyred.

So here is another contradiction, concerning the United states ,whore view.

Now we go unto Revelation 17:7.

(7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didstthou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of thewoman, and of the beast that carrieth her, whichhath the seven heads and ten horns.)

First of all, in this scripture, it talks about a woman (the whore), and of a beast that carrieth her, which hathseven heads and ten horns. Some of the United States view people say that these 7 heads refer to the 7spikes on the crown of the statue of Liberty's head, which they say represents the 7 seas, and other UnitedStates view people say that these 7 heads refer to the G7 nations, which are: the United States, France,Britain, Italy, Canada, Germany and Japan ( which they are now called the G8 nations).

Now the bible says: " .......I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, whichhath the seven heads and ten horns".

Now if you compare scriptures with scriptures, you will see that the beast refers to the Antichrist. Now it isthe Antichrist that has the 7 heads and ten horns, and not the whore, for the whore shall be carried by theAntichrist, or shall give it's allegiance to the Antichrist.

Now the reason why the Antichrist has 7 heads and 10 horns, is because, these seven heads and ten hornsshall give it's allegiance to the Antichrist.

Now who are these 7 heads and 10 horns?

Well first of all the 10 horns refer to 10 modern day nations and their leaders, which their lands , at onetime, in the past, were part of the ancient Roman Empire.

Now these 10 nations are: Britain, Germany, France, Luxembourg, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Portugal,Netherlands and Switzerland , which were part of the ancient Roman Empire lands in Europe, which in thewestern part of those ancient lands of the Roman empire, in Europe , today, there are exactly 10 nations!!!(Ireland and Scotland are part of the western European nations, but were not part of the ancient lands of the

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Roman Empire.)

Now whom are the 7 heads? The 7 heads that give their allegiance to the Antichrist, are first of all referringto 5 modern day nations and their leaders which these nations in ancient time, persecuted, in one form oranother, Israel; and also it refers to 1 religious group with their leader and a modern day empire (sort of )and their leaders.

1.-The first major empire to persecute Israel as a nation was Egypt, and the first head refers to modern dayEgypt and it's leader. 2.-The second major empire to come on the scene, that had wars with Israel, was Assyria, which hasnothing to do with Syria, for they use to exist side by side to each other, and most of Assyria's land, was inIraq. So the second head refers to Iraq and it's leader.( The capitol of Assyria was Nineveh which wassituated in what is now called modern day Iraq.) 3.-The third great nation which became a world wide empire, and defeated Israel, was the Babylonianempire, which yes , was situated in modern day Iraq, but the third head , is more referring to it's religioussystem, which today is modern day Roman Catholicism. So the third head is referring to Roman Catholicismand one of it's popes. 4.-The fourth great empire that came on the scene, and had something to do with Israel concerning wars,was the Persian empire which was situated in what is now modern day Iran. So the fourth head refers tomodern day Iran and it's leader. 5.-The fifth empire which became a world wide empire and had something to do with Israel concerningwars, is the Grecian empire. So the fifth head refers to modern day Greece and it's leader. 6.-The sixth empire to take control of Israel, was the Roman empire. Now the sixth head refers to modernday Italy and it's leader, which Rome is in Italy. 7.-Now this seventh head refers to the European Union (which Britain will join), and especially to the 10horns, which were part of the land of the ancient Roman empire. So the seventh head refers to the modernempire (of sort) of the European Union and it's leaders.

So these are the 7 heads which will give their allegiance to the Antichrist, but also the 7 heads refer to otherthings, as we will see.

Revelation 17:9.

(9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. Theseven heads are seven mountains, on which thewoman sitteth.)

So the Antichrist shall have seven heads that will give allegiance to him, but also the seven heads are alsoseven mountains ,on which the woman ( whore) sitteth. Now it says on which the woman and not theAntichrist (the beast), sitteth. Were does this whore sit or is situated?

Well in the encyclopedia Americana #23, 1954, it says this:

" Rome (Ital. Roma; known as the city of the seven hills and the eternal city)".

Now Rome is seated on seven hills, which some call 7 small mountains. And were is the headquarters of theRoman Catholic church situated? In Rome, which is on 7 hills or small mountains. And it's main

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headquarters is at the Vatican, which is a city within a city, so the Catholic church, does not contradict thisscripture in being the whore neither.

So first of all, we see the beast with 7 heads, which refers to 7 kingdoms of sort and their leaders ,whichgive their allegiance to the Antichrist; and then we see that the 7 heads, are also referring to 7 mountainswhich the woman is seated on, which Rome is on 7 hills or small mountains; but does the 7 heads, also referto something else?

Yes.

Let us go unto Revelation 17:10-11.

(10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, andone is, and the other is not yet come; and when hecometh, he must continue a short space. 11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he isthe eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth intoperdition.)

Also the seven heads, refer to 7 other kings which the Antichrist will be of , rather than having theirallegiance.

Now whom are these 7 kings? Well the book of Daniel shows us.

Now when it is talking about these 7 kings , in the book of Revelation, it is talking about these 7 kings being,in the time of the great tribulation period, but in the book of Daniel, at least concerning the first 5 kings, it istalking about kings that would come in old testament times, but also future five kings that would come in ourtime (a double meaning).

So whom are the first five fallen kings, and were do they come from?

Well let us compare verses from the book of Daniel and the book of Revelation, side by side.

Revelation 17:10.

(10 And there are seven kings:five are fallen.....)

Daniel 11:2-4.

(2 And now will I shewthee the truth.Behold, there shallstand up yet threekings in Persia; andthe fourth shall be farricher than they all:and by his strengththrough his riches heshall stir up all againstthe realm of Grecia.3 And a mighty king shall stand up, that

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shall rule with greatdominion, and do according to his will.4 And when he shallstand up, his kingdomshall be broken, and shall be dividedtoward the four windsof heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to hisdominion which heruled: for his kingdomshall be plucked up,even for others beside those.)

Revelation 17:10, talks of five fallen kings, and Daniel 11:2-6 also talks of 5 fallen kings, which there are 3kings in Persia, that stand up, and the 4th that stands up will be far richer than they all, and this 4th king ofPersia shall stir up all ( his allies I suppose) against the realm of Grecia, but will lose the war against themighty king in Daniel 11:3 (Daniel 8:3-8), but this mighty king, as soon as he stands up, his kingdom getsbroken, and gets divided in four (Daniel8:8) , for others to take over (Daniel 8:8).

Now yes, these 4 Persian kings are referring to something that happened in the past, which it's referring tothe last 4 kings of the Persian empire, and the mighty Grecian king is referring to Alexander the great, butalso it is referring to 5 modern day kings, which will be part of the nations of Iran ( modern day Persia), andGreece, and not as the world wide empires of the past.

Daniel 8:23.

(23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, whenthe transgressors are come to the full, a king offierce countenance, and understanding darksentences, shall stand up.)

Now if you read the context of Daniel chapter 8, you will see that it is talking about Persia and Greece, andthen in verse 23, it is talking about the latter time of their kingdom, to when the Antichrist ( a king of fiercecountenance) is on the scene, and we know that the Antichrist never existed in Alexander the greats day,but I know for a fact that he is alive and well today, and besides, the Antichrist was never meant to berevealed in Alexander's time, infact the Antichrist, in whom he is , wasn't even revealed to the apostlePaul!!!

So the 5 fallen kings, are referring to 4 past Persian kings, and 4 modern day Iranian Kings that will reign,and the 5th fallen king , is referring to Alexander the great, and a modern day king or ruler, that shall reign inthe nation of Greece and not the Grecian empire..

Now let us go back in comparing verses from Revelation and Daniel.

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Revelation 17:10.

(10 And there areseven kings: five arefallen , and one is,and the other is notyet come; and whenhe cometh, he mustcontinue a short space.)

Daniel 11:2-4 , 15.

(2 And now will Ishew thee the truth.Behold, there shall stand up yet threekings in Persia; and the fourth shall befar richer thanthey all: and byhis strength through hisriches he shall stirup all against the realm of Grecia.3 And a mighty kingshall stand up, thatshall rule with greatdominion, and do according to his will.4 And when he shallstand up, his kingdomshall be broken, and shall be dividedtoward the four winds of heaven...15.....so the kingof the north shall come.....)

The one that " is ", and shall be a ruler of a nation, when the great tribulation happens; shall be this king ofthe north which is referring to a Russian leader, and if you look at a map of the world, you can see thatMoscow, Russia's capital, is