Extracts and comments from Revelation Chps. 2 & 14
2.2
I know thy works and labour, and patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil, and thou hast tried them which (a)say they are apostles, and are not and hast found them liars:
(a) "Say they are apostles", many examples in the Acts, which indicates that the characteristics of this future time to be similar to the Acts period (Jews are again "first priority", and again "Ammi", Hos. 1:10-11 & 2:1).
At the present time, many people say they are Christians, but are not! These people are easily discerned, they do not like to study the Bible, and tend to devalue it "as only one of the Churches founding documents". They cannot use the name of Christ in conversation without embarrassment, and tend to refer to "God" frequently, when The Lord's name should be used. When asked to express their faith, they usually express anger, or they will use the noun "Jesus", but cannot say "my Lord and Saviour Jesus The Christ”.
Their "Jesus" is probably one of the impostors that Jesus warned against, such as Jesus Barabbas, and they will undoubtedly be in the category described in Matt. 7:22-23. They are also often very active in the Ecumenical movement: The Ecumenical Movement and the Bible: which is powered by Rome, which teaches, "we must all live together, not concentrate on our differences, and there are many ways to God, and pray for world peace". This of course chimes well with the world's politicians, who are afraid of religious conflict becoming uncontrollable.
In short, many of the world's established Churches are now little more than social clubs, with music, and many other activities taking the place of true evangelising.
The Acts 4:12 principle is now forbidden, "so as not to offend people". The insights of Martin Luther and the other worthy reformers are ignored and devalued in the inexorable march towards "Ecumenical peace". This false "peace" will arrive, first for Israel, and then the world, under Anti-Christ! At that stage the ref. in Zech. 1:11, and Rev. 6:4 will apply.
In the Old Testament Jewish context, the false leaders and bad shepherds were not challenged, and the damage and evil that followed are evident up to the present day. The false and corrupt shepherds of Israel are destined for special judgement (Jer. 25:34-36 and Ezk. 34). It is certain that the false shepherds of today, and their helpers in the congregations will meet a similar fate. This subject has been laboured because throughout the Ages, (see: The Lie (Rev. 14:5);) propagated by Satan in many guises has held sway. It holds sway now. The truth of Acts 4:12 is denied worldwide.
In the example above, Jews are saying they are Jews, but are not! Here men claim Apostleship: (one who is a special messenger, App. 189 Comp. Bible), for purpose of false teaching causing dispute and dissent. The same in Rev. 3:9. The punishment for these and all liars is shown in Rev. 21:27 and 22:15. The purpose in this case is to cause weakness of resolve, and to work against "the angel". The object is to engender failure of the "Ephesus Church", and failure as the anti-thesis. This also indicates an expected early event, and a "filling full" in the yet future!
In these 7 Churches, with the special focus of Christ, all Satan's wiles are to be resisted, hence the many references to Old Testament situations and characters. They are showing to be the "anti-thesis", with Christ's Holy Spirit help to Israel's failure and perversion, when in their "Ammi" state, prior to Christ's first advent. "Christ's help" here means access to Holy Spirit empowerment, as was the case for Jewish and some Gentile believers up to Acts 28:28!
And in their mouth was not found (a)the Lie: for they are without fault.
(a) "The Lie"; the A.V. translates "no guile". The Interlinear manuscript Str. number (1388) renders "to decoy", "to trick", "deceit", "guile", "subtlety", from a root word (Str. 1185) "to entrap", "delude", "allure", "beguile", "entice". Dr. Bullinger gives "was not found the Lie", his deduction from Ancient texts. The N.I.V. has "no Lie". J.N. Darby "no Lie". R.S.V. "no Lie". Revised Authorised "no guile".
Almost everybody who knows of these 144,000 believe that the A.V. "no guile" means that they are just innocent and clean. The writers however are of no doubt that Dr. Bullinger is the most accurate translation, i.e. the Lie”.
Our Lord confirmed that Satan is "the Father of Lies", (John 8:44), see: Father of Lies and has sought from Eden, since the "foundation/overthrow" of the world, starting with Eve, to pervert and thwart the Loving purpose of Jehovah God. That purpose is to Redeem mankind, whom He loves (John 3:16), to establish Israel (The Bride), to conquer and destroy Satan and his demons, and to eventually usher in the perfect state, (see notes Chps. 11 and 12).
So “the Lie”; that is, Satan’s great deception, is not in these specially selected 144,000 men; who are (V4) “redeemed by Jesus"; NKJV!
However, the Lie goes on. It has continued from Eve in various forms, and usually men and women find the lie attractive in the form it is presented in their own life time. Instead of trusting, studying and teaching the Truth as God the Holy Spirit gives in the Bible, it is perverted, modified etc., to suit the feelings, dogmas, motives and perversions of fallen mankind. The most prevalent currently is "there are many ways to God". This one appeases the world religions (all of Babylon), and even the pastors, preachers, vicars etc. in the Western world are now exhorted by their colleges, seminaries etc., "not to create waves", by preaching Christ crucified, and the only way of Salvation, (Acts 4:12 and elsewhere). See: Acts 4:12. This is "the current Lie", and it, and the one described above is not in the 144,000 of the 12 tribes of Israel, who were sealed in Chp. 7!
14.10
The same shall (d)drink of the wine of the wrath of God, (e)which is poured out without mixture (f)into the cup of His indignation; (g)and they shall be tormented with fire and brimstone (h)in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
(k)And the smoke of their torment (m)accendeth up forever and ever: (n)and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
(h) "The presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb":
Here is the stated fact that God the Father will torment Satan's disciples, in the presence of the non-fallen angels (remembering that one third of all angelic beings will have gone over to Satan), and The Lamb. It has to be noted that The LAMB is mentioned and not Christ or Jesus! This will be a constant reminder during this period (Millennial), to all Creation that Christ became The Lamb of God that took away the sin of the world. Also the humans being tormented, that they are the result of (The Lie), which only Satan propagated.
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