The Dead Church

Though there were serious problems in each of the previous churches, they were still trying to serve God, and still practiced certain basic principles.  The church at Sardis had none of those things going for it, yet people thought it was a great church.  Revelation 3:1 says, “And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.”

Many people assume that activity is evidence of life and measure the church by the level of excitement and activity.  They don’t understand that some motorized toy can give lots of activity even though it has no life, or that a person can be resting or in a coma and be alive despite a lack of activity.  As long as the spirit is in the person or animal it is considered a live, and when the spirit departs, it is dead.  The life of the church depends on the Holy Spirit working in the church.  Sadly, many churches substitute activity for life, thinking they are more spiritual than others and trying to get others to copy them. The Lord who has the spirits and the pastors will not be fooled by faked spirituality or activity. 

In I Corinthians 12-14, Paul deals with the actions of the Holy Spirit in the church, giving us various guidelines.  I Corinthians 14:36-38 makes some important points about those guidelines.  “What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?  If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.  But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.”  It is pretty arrogant to believe that God has given you a special message making you or your church the group all others should follow.  If a man or church is truly spiritual, they will follow these guidelines.  If they do not, it implies they are ignorant of the Holy Spirit’s working, regardless of their claims. 

Sadly, many have substituted psychology for the Holy Spirit, using mob psychology to get people to make professions and motivational psychology to get them to give and to commit to certain ‘ministries.’  John 6:44 warns, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”  Such psychological manipulation will never save anyone or please God.  Activity is not proof of spiritual life.

If the church continues on the path it is following, eventually it lose even those who have been saved, leaving only a facsimile of a church behind.  Revelation 3:2-3 advises, “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.  Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.”  If they are to survive as one of God’s churches, they need to forget their new doctrines and go back to the basic biblical teachings.  If they do not, they will be unprepared when the Lord comes back.  

Even in such churches, there are often some who do not go along with all the new stuff but cling to the scriptures, as Revelation 3:4-5 describes.  “Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.  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.” 

Those who stay faithful despite being surrounded by false teachings and faked religious activity have often experienced emotional persecution from others in the church that is often harder to withstand than persecution by the world.  One of my second cousins was constantly discouraged and put down by others in their church because he never received the gift of speaking in tongues, for example, although he was a devout Christian.  Victory through faith in Christ guarantees a place in heaven, regardless what the church may teach. 

Once again we are warned to pay attention to what the Holy Spirit is telling the churches, in Revelation 3:6.  “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”

The Message To Thyatira

The Lord described himself in a way that relates to what was going on in each church in his message to the church.  Ephesus had just fallen into a mechanical routine, and the Lord described himsels as the one who is personally there among the people and guiding the pastors.  Smyrna was struggling but faithfully following him, and he described himself as the eternal one who gave his life for them.  Pergamos had begun to focus on wealth and position, rather than God, and Lord portrayed himself as the one with the sharp sword ready to forcibly take back his people.  The church in Thyatira had moved in a different direction, and here he shows himself as an avenging judge. 

On the surface, the church at Thyatira seems like a very good church, as Revelation 2:18-19 describes.  “And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.”  The people were sincere and active in the church, willingly serving others, trusting God and patiently enduring the persecution.  They were actively reaching out to the unsaved. 

Despite all that, there were serious problems in the church, as Revelation 2:20-23 describes.  “Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.  Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.  And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.”

False teachers had come into the church as Peter warned, and had deliberately introduced other doctrines, encouraging the people to go along with other religions, Just as Jezebel had encouraged the nation of Israel to ignore God’s teachings and go along with Baal.  Rather than heeding God’s warnings, they attacked those who disagreed.  Because they refused to listen, many of the church members would be unsaved and face the second death.   The other churches would be able to see the difference, just as Elijah had shown the difference in Jezebel’s day. 

Even in a church that had largely turned away from god there were still some who hadbelieved in the Lord, and he encouraged them to just hang on to what they believed and not give in to what the others were doing, in Revelation 2:24-25.  “But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.  But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.”

It is easy to judge people who are involved with a church which teaches false doctrine, but they need to be encouraged to follow God.  They are not going to be judged for what their church believed, but for what they believed and did.  Revelation 2:26-28 promises, “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.”  Just like other Christians, they rule and reign with Christ during the Millenium. 

Just as he warned with each of the other churches, The Holy Spirit warns us to listen to these messages, in Revelation 2:29.  “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”  Clearly these messages are not for people in a particular period of time but for all churches. 

Message To The Church At Pergamos

The church at Smyrna seems to have been relatively small and unknown but they were faithfully doing what God said despite serious persecution.  The church at Ephesus was faithfully following what they had been taught, but mostly out of a sense of duty and habit rather than love.  The Church at Pergamos had gotten caught up in other things but it still appeared to be following the Lord, as we see in Revelation 2:12-13.  “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.”

The church at Pergamos was facing heavy persecution, with little support from the community, and had held firmly to the basic doctrines of Christianity, even when their lives were at risk.  Unfortunately they had allowed themselves to be distracted by some false teachings, as Revelation 2:14 describes.  “But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.”   

The story of Balaam is found in Numbers 22-24.  He was a prophet of God who became distracted trying to increase his income and influence.  As a result of his teaching, the Moabite king learned how to seduce God’s people and lead them into sin.  Jesus warned “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also,“ in Matthew 6:19-21. When we get caught up in earthly possessions and prestige, we forget what our ministry is about. 

The second problem in the church at Pergamos was their attitudes toward their church leaders, as Revelation 2:15 describes.  ”So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.”  The church at Ephesus had been complimented for standing against this teaching that religious leaders were somehow above the regular people, the lay people.  Jesus had commanded that we were nto to have this attitude, in Matthew 20:25-28.  “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.  But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

Leaders are to set the example for others, but they are not to become little gods to the people.  Jesus said that this was so important that we were to avoid the use of titles that set one person above another, in Matthew 23:8-11.  “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.  And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.  Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.  But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.”   When too much emphasis is placed on leaders, people begin to set their opinions ahead of what God said.  Matthew 6:24 warns, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”  Sooner or later you will be forced to choose between what God said and what the leaders said, or between what God said and what it takes to get material blessings or human approval. 

Revelation 2:16 warned, “Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”  God is a jealous God, not willing to share his glory with anyone else, as Deuteronomy 6:13-15 tells us.  “Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.  Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; (For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.”  To continue to set other things in God’s place, whether it is church leaders or material blessings or fame will bring God’s judgement against us. 

Once again the Lord stressed the importance of paying attention to the message, promising that those who believed in Christ would have a place reserved for them in heaven, in Revelation 2:17.  “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; 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.”  Our place is carved in stone.   

Message To The Church At Smyrna

During the period from the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD until Constantine became emperor in 312 AD, the Roman Empire tried desperately to stamp out Christianity.  The churches in Asia experienced somewhat less persecution than those which were closer to Rome. As a result, they are typical of churches in any age.  The Lord’s second message was to the church at Smyrna, as found in Revelation 2:8-10.  “And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.  Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

Though they were far from Rome, the church at Smyrna still suffered a great deal of persecution.  It never grew to be very large or well known, but just continuously stood for the Lord.  Though they felt inferior to other churches, God said they were rich.  After Nero drove the Christians out of Rome, and Jerusalem was destroyed, the Jews dispersed throughout the Roman Empire and beyond.  Throughout history, the Jews had constantly turned away and ignored God’s law.   With no temple or official priesthood to teach them, Jewish practices changed rapidly, and the conflicts between the Jews and Christians became far worse, emphasizing Paul’s statements in Romans 2:28-29.  “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.”  Though they claimed to believe in God, many were unknowingly following Satan. 

Unbelieving Jews had repeatedly stirred up conflict between the Roman Empire during Jesus’ ministry, and during Paul’s, and they continued to stir up more persecution during this period.  The Lord told them that though some would be cast into prison or suffer badly, the worst persecution would only last a relatively short time.  Their whole job was to continue faithfully even if it led to death, and they would experience that eternal life.    God is not concerned about the great things we do, but that we are faithful to him. 

He again warns them that it is essential they listen to the messages to the seven churches, in Revelation 2:11.  “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”  Those who have placed their trust in Christ will never have to face the great white throne of Judgment or loss of their salvation. 

The Message To Ephesus

The Lord began immediately, by explaining that the seven stars represent the angels, the messengers or pastors of the seven churches and that the seven candlesticks represent the seven churches themselves, in Revelation 1:20.  “The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.”

Jesus had used the same illustration in Matthew 5:14-16.  “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  The church was to hole up the light so that the world could see God.  With the persecution of the churches around Rome, the churches in Asia became vital to the spread of the Gospel.  With that in Mind, the Lord directed John to address what was happening in each of the churches and tell them what actions they needed to take to please God.

The first church the Lord had John write to was the church at Ephesus.  Paul had gone there shortly after starting the church at Corinth.  Priscilla and Aquilla were members of the church there and Apollos and Timothy both were pastors there.   Paul wrote the book of Ephesians especially for that church.  It had a very strong foundation and had survived numerous attacks both by the Roman government, and from false teachers without turning away from their basic faith, as Revelations 2:1-3 describes.  “Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.”

For forty years, the church at Ephesus had faithfully followed God, maintaining moral and doctrinal purity.  Despite the constant attacks.  Humanly speaking it seemed like the ideal church, but the Lord was not satisfied, as Revelation 2:4-5 tells us.  “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” 

Though they still loved the Lord, they had begun to take his love for granted.  Many couples who have been married for a long time are so focused on earning a living, caring for the house or yard, washing clothes, or fixing meals they don’t take time to spend with each other, sharing their innermost thoughts and concerns.  In the same way, the church at Ephesus had become so busy going to church, reading their Bible, and winning souls that they were not taking time to build a proper relationship with the Lord himself.   When we let the relationship deteriorate, the activities become just a habit, rather than an act of love, and neither party is satisfied.  Eventually there is nothing holding them together, and they begin to look for satisfaction elsewhere, often resulting in a divorce.  The Lord warned them that if they continued to ignore their relationship they would lose their testimony and cease to be a source of light to the world.    

There was one area the Lord was especially appreciative of, as Revelation 2:6 describes.  “But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. “  We have no records of such a group but the name means to rule over the laity or common people.  Jesus warned against this attitude in Matthew 20:25-28.  “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.  But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”  Peter warned against lording it over the people in I Peter 5:2-3.  “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.”  When leaders begin to lord it over the people and make their own rules and punishing those who don’t obey, they are usurping God’s authority and setting themselves up as gods.   God hates both the attitude and the resulting actions. 

God finishes off his message to each church with a warning to take them seriously, and a promise for those who obey.  Revelation 2:7 says, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”  It is crucial that we heed the warnings that the Lord gave the church.  Those who are victorious will experience everlasting life, and victory comes through faith in Christ as I John 5:4-5 tells us.  “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”  

Introduction to Revelation

Jesus, Paul, and Peter gave numerous prophecies about the things leading up the Lord’s return. The Apostle gives us more details than any of the others, in the Book of Revelation.  Matthew, John and James were written in Hebrew within about six or seven years after the crucifixion.  Mark and Luke were written in Greek about fifteen or twenty years later, around 53-55AD.  Paul’s writings and Acts were written between that time and about 70 AD, as were John’s, Peter’s and Jude’s epistles.  John wrote Revelation around 90-95 AD, making it the last of the Apostles’ writings.  Some have questioned whether it is actually John’s writing, since the Greek in Revelation is much cruder than that used in John.  That is not surprising, since according to the book John was writing it himself, and Greek was not his native language, while his gospel had been translated by more educated Greek speakers. 

John starts out by explaining that his prophecies were given to him by God to believers about what was to come in the future, in Revelation 1:1-3.  “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”  Those who listen and act on what they learn from the prophecies will be blessed by God. 

Jerusalem had been destroyed twenty or twenty five years before, and the churches of Israel had been dispersed.  John wrote to the churches in Asia, which were some of the strongest churches of the time, in Revelation 1:4-8, reminding them who Chris is.  “John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.  Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

While John was doing the writing, he wanted them to understand the Message was from God and from Jesus Christ.   He goes into some detail as to how he received the message, in Revelation 1:9-16.  “I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.  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; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.  His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.  And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.”

Efforts to wipe out Christianity in the areas around Rome had resulted in many Christians fleeing to Asia.  Effort to kill John had failed, and he was banished to the prison isle of Patmos to die.  It was while he was there he saw the visions described in this book, starting with a vision of the glorified Lord.  The Lord commissioned him to write the book, as Revelation 1:17-20 describes.  “And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.”

There were three things John was to write about.  First, he was to write about the thing he had seen, his vision of the Lord, which is what he is doing with this chapter.  Secondly, he was to write about the things which were going on at that time, and finally, he was to write about what would happen in the future. 

Why Teach Prophecy?

When a person decides to learn to play a musical instrument such as the guitar, it requires a great deal of practice, and most people find it hard to practice consistently.  They get distracted by other things and forget, or they get discouraged, feeling like they are not getting any benefit for their efforts.  Realizing this, one guitar instructor recommends that his students lay their guitar on their bed in the morning so that they will have to move it before they go to bed to remind them to practice.  When they pick it up he recommends they play through some song they know to remind them why they are practicing.  As he says, the goal is not to practice, but to play. 

The same principles apply with serving the Lord.  It is easy to get distracted by everything around us and lose sight of why we are “serving” the Lord.  Peter wrote II peter for the purpose of reminding us why we serve the Lord, as he explains I II Peter 3:1-7.  “This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.  For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”

When we see what everyone else is doing while we are trying to serve God, it is like a child practicing the guitar while his friends are playing basketball,  he begins to feel like he is missing out.  If they start teasing him or making fun of him for spending so much time practicing he may well quit.  In the same way, if those around us begin to disparage what we believe, implying that we are foolish to believe them, we may well become discouraged, and quit serving the Lord. 

To prevent discouragement, we need to be reminded what God has promised, and that he keeps his promises.  II Peter 3:8-10 reminds us of the prophecies God has given of his judgment and the destruction of the earth.  “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  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.  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”

When the guitar student understands why he needs to practice particular things, and how it makes his playing more satisfactory, it is not as discouraging to spend the time required to practice them.  In the same way, when we understand what God has planned. It is far easier to keep living for him.  II Peter 3:11-16 reminds us of what our attitude ought to be.  “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?  Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.  And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.  Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.  But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”  While we know that the world and its wickedness will be destroyed, we need not be worrying about that.  We are looking beyond the Tribulation period to the time we will spend with God in the new heaven and new earth.   

Unfortunately, a large number of those who took music lessons in school never play their instruments after they leave school.  They spent so many hours practicing so that they would get a better grade they never learned to enjoy playing the instrument.  When we find ourselves getting upset because of the prophecies, we are like the child forced to spend hours practicing, who never gets to enjoy just playing.  The study of prophecy ought to produce a sense of hope and anticipation for those who believe.  Too often prophecy is used to try to frighten people into getting saved, but as I Corinthians 14:22 tells us, “… prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.”  Its primary purpose is to strengthen the Christians.