Only King Jesus Has the Key to Open or Shut the Door

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;” (Revelation 3:7)

Jesus opens the letter to Philadelphia emphasizing again certain characteristics of his character and his authority. Jesus is holy and he is true (see Revelation 1:5) – and he has the right to expect his people to also be holy and true. Jesus is the one with the keys to life and death (see Revelation 1:18). He only has the final say about what is let in, or what is kept out; and no man can do anything to change it. Jesus is King supreme! He is of the lineage of David, a throne that has been established forever…

“And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” (Luke 1:30-32)

Isaiah the prophet prophesied of Jesus as the king with all authority:

“And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.” (Isaiah 22:22)

In the Old Testament God had promised David that of his house lineage there would always be a king to rule and govern over Israel. Jesus is that king, and the true spiritual Jews of the house of Israel are his kingdom (see Romans 2:28-29.) As the King of kings, when Jesus shuts, no man can open, and when he opens, no man can shut (see 1 Timothy 6:15 and Revelation 19:16).

As you will recall in the parable of the five wise and five foolish virgins (spoken of back in the comments to verse 3 of this 3rd chapter of Revelations), that at the time of the marriage feast of Jesus and the Church, they whose spiritual lamps were burning were allowed in, and then the door was shut!

“And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 25:10-13)

When the door was shut to the five foolish virgins, it was shut. No man could change that. But to the five wise virgins the door was open, and no man could change that either. But does not the Lord receive anyone who wants to come to him? Absolutely, but you cannot come to him your way, you must come to him his way, according to his plan. Because for any other way, the door is shut! Jesus himself is the door, and his way of truth: deliverance from sin, in holiness and in unity with his one true Church bride, is his way. He does not accept many ways, only HIS way:

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” (John 10:1-16)

Jesus plainly states: anyone trying to get in without fully coming Jesus’ way, will cause trouble for the true Church, the true sheep. They will only come to eventually “steal, and to kill and to destroy” and they will not care for the true sheep. If a spiritual wolf should come around, they also will flee away and allow that wolf like attitude to catch the sheep and scatter them. Jesus does NOT open the door to these type, but men some times will, especially if those men have spiritually “fallen asleep.”

Jesus is the good shepherd, and his intention is to gather back to himself all those sheep that have been scattered into different “folds” of man’s false religious sect making. Jesus will bring them back by his the voice of his true message. Then there shall be one fold, one Church, and one shepherd: that true shepherd being Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords.

The door is shut to every false way, but Jesus is willing to open to anyone that will seek him his way:

“And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” (Luke 11:5-13)

Is Your Name Blotted Out of the Book of Life?

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” (Revelation 3:6)

For the fifth time in the book of Revelation Jesus exhorts again (to the fifth Church, Sardis), listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to your heart! Where is your heart before God? Do you only have a name you are living, but the fact is that the burning love and true devotion to the Lord: is dead? Will your name be blotted out of the book of life? If you will not listen to the Spirit, Jesus Christ will come upon you as a thief and you will not be ready!

“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15)

Do you have true spiritual ear of a true name? Do you have a humble and contrite spirit that can receive the warning of the Holy Spirit? If you have allowed so-called “Christian” churches to kill true and faithful devotion to Jesus, your name is not “true and faithful”. Instead of overcoming, you have been overcome, and he will “blot out his name out of the book of life.”

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.” (Exodus 32:33)

Your Name – Is It Clothed in White?

“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.” (Revelation 3:5)

Jesus said while still on earth:

“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33)

But to confess him before men means more than professing a name before people. Jesus was specifically speaking of living the true and faithful life before the very closest to you; even when they are very religious, self-righteous, and very offended by your Christian sincerity and faithfulness. This is why Jesus immediately after this statement made it clear that there was a serious need to “overcome” right at home, and right amongst your closest loved ones:

“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:34-38)

We must overcome all: sin, false doctrine, false churches, and our own loved ones that are not “faithful and true” to Jesus (although they may be very religious.) Then, and only then, will we be clothed in white and be accepted of Jesus:

“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;… …And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb”. (Revelation 7:9 and 11-14)

Jesus has the names of the truly saved on his roll in heaven. Having your name on a Church membership roll down here on earth will not do you any good. The one in heaven is the only one that matters. Turning your back fully on sin and being saved is how your name gets there, and it is sin, including the sin of unfaithful religion, that will “blot” your “name out of the book of life.” This has always been true, even all the way back in the Old Testament:

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.” (Exodus 32:33)

Having your name written in heaven matters more than anything else:

“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:19-20)

Again, in Revelation 3 and verse 5 he emphasis the need to be clothed in garments that are not spotted: “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.” Like the five virgins who kept their lamps burning, so those who keep their garments clean and white, will also be allowed through the door to the wedding feast of the bride of Christ:

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” (Revelation 19:7-9)

Where are you today? Is your heart pure before the Lord? Are you spiritually clothed in white raiment? Is your name in the Lamb’s book of life?

Do You Have a GOOD Name?

“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.” (Revelation 3:4)

“A few names even in Sardis” the comment is made as if this fact is quite incredible. Although a “Sardis spiritual condition” could happen anytime and still exists today, there has been a spiritual Sardis period of time estimated from 1730 to 1880. This period in history is known for much religious “activity” in the religious movements of people. Jesus spoke of Sardis in Revelation 3 and verse 1 as a period of much spiritual “deadness.”

You see, religious activity does not equate to “life.” To the contrary, religious activity translates into a devil’s “hayday” without pure, unselfish motives under the direction of God’s Word. Without true spiritual life there comes a time of so much religious confusion that it is hard to believe that there are any really true Christians amongst the confused mess. It is a very “dark” time when so called “Christian” churches multiply, and division, hatred, sin, and false doctrines multiply inside of them. But Jesus states that in spite of the great religious confusion and darkness, there are a “few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.”

Jesus refers to them as “a few names.” What is in a name, or what is important about a “name.” What matters is what is associated with that “name.” When the “name” is the name of a person, what is important is what character is associated with that name. What especially matters is what character God ascribes to a “name.”

“A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” (Proverbs 22:1)

Notice the emphasis the original scripture puts on the all capital letters “GOOD name.” It is emphasizing the actual characteristics associated with the name. Jesus knows the “GOOD” names of the true and faithful, and he gives them “loving favor.” Often the FAKE names will blaspheme the names of the GOOD, just as they blaspheme the GOOD name of Jesus, by claiming his name, and yet they are “dead” in their soul. Remember what Jesus said in Revelation 3:1?

“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.” (Revelation 3:1)

But the scripture in Proverbs 22:1 also teaches us that if you honor a truly “GOOD name” that there is favor and a good reward from God for doing so.

“He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.” (Matt 10:40-41)

Why does he say “in the name of a prophet” or “in the name of a righteous man”? He means that we need to be particular about who’s name, or who you choose to honor. Much can be known about your character and what is in your heart by observing who you choose to fellowship with and honor. It is important who you associate with and whom you choose to feed and minister to your soul! What really is their “name”? Is it “true and faithful” or is it “religious, half-hearted, politically correct, insincere, fake”? Is their “name” honored and favored by God? The honor of men is not enough!

“And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” (Luke 16:15)

“And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.” (I Thess 5:12-13)

But how might you “know them” whether they are faithful and true, or no? Jesus said that you first need to seek and follow the truth with all your heart, and then you are able to effectively watch for their “fruits.”

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matthew 7:13-20)

A “faithful and true” name will be faithful and true to Jesus, and will not bring forth sin of any kind. They also will bring forth a “faithful and true” message from the Word of God that you can “try” by the Bible.

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1)

Now, Jesus said concerning these GOOD names in Sardis, that they “have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.” In the old Testament, the priests could not minister before the Lord without being clean and wearing “holy garments” (see Exodus 28:2-4) In addition, they needed to be careful that their garments did not touch anything that was considered “unclean” lest the garments also became unclean.

“If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy? And the priests answered and said, No.” (Haggai 2:12)

So in the New Testament covenant, God expects us to keep the spiritual condition of our soul, (which means our spiritual “garments”), clean and white because this represents “the righteousness of the saints.” (see Revelation 19:8) Consequently, a GOOD name must keep their spiritual garment unspotted from the defilements of sin, and of false spiritual food. The false teachings and divisions of so called “Christian churches” will never be honored or favored by Jesus.

“And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 23-24)

Might this Revelation message “save you with fear” by pulling you out of the judgment fires that are pronounced against the spotted garments of religion? This is why Jesus said about those with a GOOD name and clean garments that: “they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.” They present themselves to Jesus as a pure and faithful bride, therefore Jesus accepts them and describes them as “My dove, my undefiled is but one” (see Song of Solomon 6:9), “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (see Revelation 21:2)

“…they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.” This same example in “type” was the one that God would only accept in the Old Testament:

“And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place: (for all the priests that were present were sanctified, and did not then wait by course: Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:) It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.” (2 Chronicles 5:11-14)

Is your spiritual name good enough that God would choose to fill it with his Spirit of holiness? Is your name one of those few good names in Sardis?

Are You Watching for the Marriage Feast?

“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.” (Revelation 3:3)

Remember back in Thyatira Jesus told them in Revelation 2:26 that “he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations“. Now in Sardis Jesus reminds them to think back and “remember” what you received and heard in Thyatira and “hold fast” to what you have left, and repent of what you have allowed yourself to lose: your works being found perfect before God.

If you will not watch, he states he will come on them suddenly, and they will not be prepared! Jesus gave this same warning a number of times even while he was still physically on earth, and gave a very specific parable to warn against not keeping the burning love of the Holy Ghost, the work of perfection, alive in your soul. The parable was about the 5 wise and the 5 foolish virgins who had lamps, but only the wise took extra oil (representing the maintenance of their soul “holding fast” with the Word and the Spirit of God – see Matthew 25:1-13.) The cry went out suddenly at midnight that the bridegroom had come for the marriage feast, and all 10 virgins were woken up out of a “sleep”, but the lamps of the 5 foolish had run out of oil and had gone out. They did not “hold fast” and their spiritual oil had run out, consequently they were not ready and lost out. Only those with a burning lamp were allowed into the marriage feast. (Remember the lamp, or the candlestick represents the Church, and the the light of the candlestick represents the pure burning love of the Holy Ghost and the clear light of the Word concerning Jesus and his Church; for only a faithful love for Jesus keeps that light burning – see Revelation 1:12.)

Now Jesus finishes the parable by warning: “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

In particular he is giving this warning here because in the next Church age, Philadelphia, Jesus would suddenly come for the marriage feast with his standout bride, the Church of God. The 5 wise virgins can be represented as the “true” people of God amongst 5 spiritual Church conditions of: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, and Sardis. These true people would “trim their lamps” (making them even brighter) for the marriage feast. Many others are like the 5 foolish virgins, only having a name, but being spiritually dead, and represent the “fallen” people of God during the 5 Church conditions already mentioned. These fallen, yet still religious people, would not be ready for such a message concerning the marriage feast of the one true bride. Their lamps, (their understanding and love for the truth) had gone out! Yet they were still claiming to be true virgins and knocked on the door wanting in, but Jesus would not open to them and said “Verily I say unto you, I know you not.” (Matthew 25:12)

This does not imply that during the darker ages (Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, and Sardis) when a clear visible Church of God was not standing out separate from all falseness and division on spiritual Mount Zion, that true Christians were not married to Christ. True Christians have always been married to Christ, that is why they are described with the name of “true and faithful.” But what this parable of the ten virgins does imply is that when the call to “come out from amongst them” went out (or the call to the marriage “feast” where they all gather together to the bridegroom to celebrate), that then it became evident that some of those virgins were true and “trimmed” their lamps of love so they would be even brighter.

But others had let their true love for Jesus go out. They were not worthy nor ready to be part of the “feast.” False, so-called Christian churches had effectively killed the true love and desire to follow and obey Christ in pure unity and truth.

In the parable of the 5 wise and 5 foolish virgins, Jesus, the bridegroom, came for the marriage feast at midnight. The Jews divided the night into four “watches” each named according to when the “watch” ended. The first began at sunset to three hours later, around 9pm and was named “even”; the second from this time to midnight and is called “midnight”, hence Jesus is referring to 12pm as the time that the bridegroom returns for the marriage feast; the third from midnight to three hours before sunrise and is called “cock crowing”; and the fourth from this time to sunrise called “morning”. Today we refer to a day by the 24 hour clock and “technically” recognize midnight as the end of the day, but in this parable this does not necessarily represent only the end of the Gospel day. No one knows when the end of time, the end of the Gospel day will be (except God the Father), but we know it is getting near. The ten virgins were awakened out of their sleep, and there are still many people mixed up in a mess of so called “Christianity” that also need to awaken out of sleep for the night is far spent!

“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.” Romans 13:11-12)

Now the Sardis Church age, the 5th Church age, approximates the dates of 1730 to 1880. (There will be more said later concerning how these approximate dates are determined from the Book of Revelations.) But even though the message to Sardis was for the Church located at Sardis, and for the Church age of Sardis, spiritually today we need to “watch” that we do not fall asleep and lose out also. Like how all the Epistles are also for us today, the Sardis message is also for us today.

“Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock crowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” (Mark 13:35-37)

“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-10)

When people spiritually are not “watching” the Devil always takes advantage to bring in false people amongst them that will seduce the true into compromise and to divide them and gather them to themselves:

“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.” (Acts 20:28-31)

Because people “slept” and were not “watching” is why compromise came in after the Apostles, and men created their own religions (Catholicism and Protestantism) and doctrines and called them “Christian”. This is also why Jesus foretold of this happening in a parable, in the which he also explained how, at the appointed time, his true ministry would be sent to preach the full truth to gather the true worshipers apart from the false worshipers:

“Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.” (Matthew 13:24-30)

The beginning of this particular “harvest” where the tares are gathered out from the wheat, especially happened in the Philadelphia Church age, approximately beginning in 1880 (the end of the Sardis Church age. Remember in Sardis, Jesus warned if they would not watch, he would come upon them at an hour they did not expect.) Starting around 1880 the full truth was sounded out by a true ministry: salvation from sin, the sanctifying of the nature and infilling of the true Holy Ghost to live a sin free life, and the true, undivided unity and oneness of the Church of God. (This absolutely is not to be confused with the modern day “ecumenical” movement where various Churches “unionize” but yet are divided on doctrine, and still are not completely delivered from sin.) Jesus wanted us to clearly understand this parable about the tares, so he explained it later in Matthew the 13th chapter:

“Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matthew 13:36-43)

The “furnace of fire” that the tares would be cast into is the preaching of the judgments of God’s word against: sin, division, false doctrine, false Christians, false Churches, etc. This IS what the preaching of the Revelation message is all about! This is one main reason why Jesus gave his Revelation message! To help honest souls to be gathered apart from falseness so they will only serve and worship Jesus in perfect unity with his one true bride: the Church of God.

Have you been watching? Has this message come upon you like a thief?

Can Your Works Be Found Perfect Before God?

“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.” (Revelation 3:2)

What “works” is he exactly talking about that are not “perfect”? In Revelation 2:5 Jesus spoke of those at Ephesus as needing to “repent, and do the first works” and that they were “fallen” due to this need. The first work Christ does for us is to save us from sin. If we sin, we have “fallen” back into what he saved us from. In Hebrews 6:1 we clearly see that the “works” needed beyond the first works of repentance and salvation is “perfection.”

“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God” (Hebrews 6:1)

The perfection he is talking about is the perfection of the heart. The perfect love for Christ – the love of the Holy Ghost shed abroad in the heart that produces a consistent holy sin-free life.

• “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Galatians 5:5)
• “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (1 Peter 1:22-23)

It is by the true and faithful works from a true and faithful heart “because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost” that our faith is made “perfect” and that we maintain true spiritual life:

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:17-26)

The beginning of “the faith” is the saving of the soul from sin, but if the soul does not continue good works by the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost in the heart, their faith will become dead because it lacks the consistent good works. This is why Jesus in verse one states “I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” Before the day of Pentecost the Apostles were saved, but they did not have the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost in their hearts. Jesus told them before his crucifixion that the Holy Spirit “dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:17) letting them know that God’s Spirit was with them, but later (come Pentecost) He would actually dwell “in” them. Understanding this need and the weakness the Apostles would have until Pentecost, Jesus told them while he was in the garden

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)

Their own spirit was willing, but without the Holy Ghost ruling their spirit within their hearts, they have a weakness because of the flesh. Therefore he told them to “watch and pray” or, like in Revelation 3:2 above “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die”

It is clear that Jesus does not intend for us to get saved and then continue in a weak condition where we tend to fall back into sin. Jesus wants the weak flesh to die to the will of the Holy Ghost so the Spirit of God can rule in the heart by love and the individual can stay true to Jesus always. But the Devil works to confuse the newly saved by keeping them in a weak fleshly condition so he can eventually get them to fall into sin, but continue to profess the name of Jesus. Having a “a name that thou livest, and art dead.”

Have the Name of Jesus But Yet Dead in Your Soul?

“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.” (Revelation 3:1)

Here he emphasis that he has the: “seven Spirits of God” and the “seven stars.” As already commented on in Rev 1:4, the seven Spirits of God is describing the fact that God’s Holy Spirit will work in each of the seven Church ages. These seven Spirits are described as being “before God’s Throne” in Rev 1:4. (Also in Rev 5:6 the seven Spirits are shown as being in the midst of the throne with Jesus, the lamb of God.) Jesus described the Holy Spirit in one place this way:

“He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” (John 16:14)

Jesus states that the Holy Spirit will receive from Jesus and reveal to us. This is why at the end of each message to the seven Churches Jesus repeats these exact words the same way “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Hence the comment in verse 3:1 above “These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God.”

But notice that in this same verse of Revelation 3:1 he also states he has the “seven stars.” This is because his true angel/message bearers get their message from the Holy Spirit (and consequently are getting their message from Jesus.) This is why a true Church of God ministry does not get their message from some earthly headquarters or from some weekly or monthly publication. They live the Gospel and study God’s word and pray with an earnest burden for God’s Holy Spirit to direct them in preaching a message. Through the Spirit of God, they get their message directly from God’s throne “and Jesus standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55)

So why does he emphasis the Holy Spirit and the true ministry in his hand (see also Revelation 1:20)? It is because that during this Sardis church age, many ministers of the Gospel would lose out with God because they would not seek the Spirit, and they would not stay in the hand (control) of Jesus. Therefore Jesus states: “I know thy works, that thou has a name that thou livest, and art dead.” You are holding to the name “Jesus” but your earnest desire in seeking of the Spirit to get your message directly from Jesus has died. And so was the case often in this age that especially describes a time approximately from 1730 to 1880. Many preachers would become nothing more than a promoter of some religious sect doctrine, and often educated and approved by some religious movement. Jesus would no longer be honored as King and many false doctrines and denominations would become established in the earth. (And this condition is also rising its ugly head in many ways in our day, today!)

This is the final fulfillment of spiritual decline – a dead, professing, so-called “Christian” – headed for hell and eternal damnation. How does one who was at one time truly saved and on fire for God get into this condition? For the answer that Jesus gives, let us follow down the path of what happened during the prior four church ages:

First, in Ephesus we find they left their first love (Revelation 2:1-5), even though they were religiously doing all the right things – something or someone else had become the primary reason in their heart for doing the “right things.” Jesus was no longer the foremost reason. Loving or fearing man more than God can bring a snare (Prov 29:25-26) What’s more, the clear candlestick light on the pure bride of Christ, the Church, was removed from its place, the house of worship – consequently in the resulting dimness, false things could be brought into the house of worship by men.

Second, in Smyrna (because of people leaving their first love) we start seeing false Christians right amongst the true, “which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.” (Revelation 2:9) The true Christians may not be able to tell right away what is in another’s heart, but Jesus says “I know”.

Thirdly, in Pergamos (because of people professing to serve Christ, but in their heart they are not true to him) we see that Satan establishes a “seat” of religious authority right amongst where God’s true people also worship, by which they essentially supplant Jesus as the “King” with all authority. (Revelation 2:13) The result is that true Christians are being persecuted by false Christians, and the false are twisting the Word of God to their advantage and to justify themselves in persecuting those that are true. In addition, the false are introducing false doctrines and by them they are casting stumbling blocks in front of the true.

Fourthly, in Thyatira, Satan has not only established a “seat” of religious authority, but also is effectively deceiving true Christians with false Churches, spiritually named “Jezebel”. These false Churches are convincing a number of Christians that the false Church is married to Jesus. (Revelation 2:20) Jesus states that he will judge this false church condition, and if they will not repent, he will “kill her children with death”.

Finally now in Sardis we see the final result of those who do not repent of the previously mentioned conditions: “thou hast a name that thou livest, and are dead.” You are still claiming to be Jesus’ servant, but the leadership and love of the Holy Spirit are dead in your soul!

Who Hath Ears to Hear, Let Him Hear

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” (Revelation 2:29)

For the fourth time now he states the exact same challenge – do you have an ear of a servant of Jesus Christ? Can the Spirit of God cause you to understand and receive what he is saying?

While Jesus was on earth in the flesh he exhorted the same way:

“Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.” (Matthew 13:9-11)

Are you able to hear and understand the Revelation message? This is a serious question because it is actually intended to be understood!

“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.” (Revelation 1:3)

“And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” (Revelation 22:6-7)

And again he states:

“And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” (Revelation 22:10-11)

Here we began to see who has ears to hear, and who does not. It has to do with what is in their heart. It is not given for those who are “unjust” and “filthy” to understand, because he states let them continue to be unjust and filthy (because to them it is not given to understand – see Matthew 13:11.) But to the righteous and holy he tells them to keep themselves that way. Why? So that they can continue to have ears to hear and understand.

“For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” (Matthew 13:12-15)

Do you have a heart to hear and understand?

Has Jesus Given You the Authority of the Morning Star?

“And I will give him the morning star.” (Revelation 2:28)

As interpreted by Jesus in Revelation 1:20 a star represents an angel (a messenger.) What he is saying to the true ministry that will preach the truth is that he will give them the same ministerial boldness and authority as he himself brought in to the world in the morning of the Gospel day. This boldness and authority will cause them to shine forth with the light of the Gospel “in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world” (Philipians 2:15)

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19)

Note: the “day star” is the sun, the “morning star.”

“But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.” (Malachi 4:2)

Jesus is the “Sun of righteousness”, the “morning star”, the “day star”, the light of the righteousness that shines through his true ministry in the midst of a dark, evil, crooked and perverse world. An evening star provides some light, but the sun is extremely bright, exposing the true color and likeness of all things for everyone to see. Jesus is the Word of God that “was made flesh and dwelt amongst us.” A true ministry will have the authority to preach the Word of God with a clarity and brightness that will expose what is really in the hearts of individuals.

This is why in Thyatira Jesus promises those who will overcome that he “will give him the morning star.” He will give him his words to preach with great authority!

Are You Ruling With a “Rod of Iron” or Are You Broken By It

“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.” (Revelation 2:27)

Jesus is quoting the scripture in Psalms 2:9 and is promising those that are true that they will rule, even in the same manner as Jesus did: by the authority given of him by the heavenly Father. To fully understand the context let us look at the whole 2nd Psalm:

“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.”

In the beginning of the Church, the morning of the Gospel day, the Apostles began to receive persecution for preaching the Gospel and were threatened by the Jewish religious leaders. They did not run and hide, but rather they gathered together and prayed for more boldness to preach, and as they prayed they quoted the beginning of the 2nd Psalm in their prayer:

“Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ… …And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word…” (Acts 4:25-31)

Like the ministry of the morning of the Gospel day, so the true ministry of Thyatira would boldly speak the Word, and that Word, as a “rod of iron,” would dash the false hypocrites way of worship “in pieces like a potter’s vessel” and expose them for what they were. Through this bold preaching of the Word, those of Jezebel’s church felt “his wrath” and the vexing of their souls “in his sore displeasure.” And in the 2nd Psalm he advises them:

“Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling”

We must take heed with fear to the Word of God for if we treat it with disrespect that same word can come down upon us as a “rod of iron”:

“But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.” (Isaiah 11:4)

Even when God sends the judgment preaching of the Word as a “rod of iron” to shake and trouble religious self-righteous minded people, it is for their good if they will fear and truly repent. But the problem is that often their spiritual condition is not like “soft clay” that can be remolded.

“The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.” (Jeremiah 18:1-6)

But to often they are spiritually hardened in religion and brittle, so instead of being molded by the Word of God they are broken to “shivers”, or pieces by the true preaching of the Word. Their spiritual condition is shattered!

People today often will accuse the one who will preach all the Word of God (the love and the judgment) as being harsh and having no love. But this is the way Jesus preached – all of the Word. This is why at the end of Revelation 2:27 Jesus states: “even as I received of my Father.” Those who over come shall rule over the false, self-righteous, so-called “Christians” by the Word of God as a “…rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.”

Are you ruling by a rod of iron, or have you been shattered into shivers by it?