Rick Joyner's Blog, page 16

Re-examining Eschatology: The Book of Revelation

     We continue to cover the period represented by the prophetic church at Thyatira (538 to 1798 AD)—the darkest period in church history. It is crucial to understand this period because the roots of the “great falling away” are common to individuals backsliding or churches and movements departing from the way.

     Apostles to the first-century church taught that the Lord would not return until apostasy came and the man of sin took his seat in the temple of God, which is the church. This is how the Apostle Paul put it to the Thessalonians:

     Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

     who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.

     Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things?

     And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed.

     For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.

     Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming;

     that is , the one who’s coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders,

     and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved (II Thessalonians 2:3-10).

     As we’ve covered, there are two basic teachings on the fulfillment of this prophecy. One teaches that all of this is yet to be fulfilled. The other teaches that it has been fulfilled. However, there is truth to both of these positions. There was a primary fulfillment in the Middle Ages, but there have also been many others on a lessor scale. Again, all of these are revelations of principles that can happen over and over.

     The futuristic view is now the most popular and widespread interpretation of this text among Evangelical, Pentecostal, and Charismatic movements. A century and a half ago, almost all Protestant Christians believed this had been fulfilled historically. Why this drastic change in eschatology? It is mostly because of our ignorance of history. Almost everyone that studies church history in depth begins to see the merit of the historical view, but many understand that it may still have a futuristic fulfillment as well. Therefore, it is the principles that we need to understand.

     The mystery of lawlessness was already at work when the Apostle wrote to the Thessalonians. What elements of it did he see in his own time? How are they operating in our time? Not seeing these, combined with the tendency of many to almost completely disregard history, has caused many to fall over and over again to the same traps and devastating distractions—including the widespread promulgation of teachings leading to the original apostasy. We do need a re-examination of the most popular eschatological views in light of history.

     In II Thessalonians 2:3 the Apostle wrote, “Let no one in anyway deceive you, for it (the coming of the Lord) will not come unless the apostasy comes first.” One question we must ask is how those holding to the futuristic view can claim that Christ could return at any time? This is just one of many conflicts of an entirely futuristic eschatology. When we begin to see how both views have some merit, these conflicts are removed. So this is what we will do as we continue this study.

 

Us, Not Them—The Book of Revelation

     As we continue our study of the prophetic church at Thyatira (538-1798 AD), understanding Jezebel is a key to understanding what happened to the church in this time. There has been much teaching in the church about the “spirit of Jezebel,” which is derived from the biblical character who was King Ahab’s wife. Ahab was one of the wickedest kings in Israel’s history. It seems that Jezebel influenced many of his evil ways.

     Jezebel was the most prominent wife of any king of Israel. She exerted significant influence and power over the nation by the force of her manipulative personality. Having a strong personality is not wrong in itself, but Jezebel used her influence to promote sexual immorality, the worship of false gods, and persecution of those who worshipped the Lord.

     Many Christian leaders believe the spirit of Jezebel is the primary principality or power seeking to destroy the United States and virtually all Western civilization. This would be hard to argue against as we see what has unraveled the moral and spiritual foundations of our countries. It seems to follow the pattern of the biblical times of Jezebel. We can see the roots of this spirit infiltrating the church during the time of the prophetic church of Thyatira, as well as in the church today.

     Before going deeper into what happened in the Middle Ages, we need to consider the deception of judging a whole group or organization by its most extreme elements. Even during times of the church’s worse corruption, a remnant always remained faithful to the Lord, just like during Ahab and Jezebel’s reign over Israel. Some of the greatest prophets and brightest lights were also raised up during the church’s darkest times.

     The revelation of the “man of sin” in the temple of the Lord—or the church—is a revelation of the sin of man, or what we all are without the grace of God. In Scripture, we often see that even the prophets raised up to confront evil repented to God for the sins of Israel as if they too had committed them. The foundation of being a prophet to people is built on being an intercessor for the people. To do this, you must identify with them.

     I have never been part of any denomination, but I have learned to love them all. There was a time when I daily studied the evils done in the name of Christ by the church in the Middle Ages. I began to hate the Roman Catholic Church by which these acts were committed. It took years for the Lord to change my heart so that I could start to respect, and then love, Roman Catholics. Along with the evil done by this church in the Middle Ages, there was also a lot of good—including being the primary force to turn back Islam’s conquest of Europe.

     I now have many devout Roman Catholic friends who sometimes make me jealous of their close relationship with the Lord. There are now also about 100 million born again, Spirit filled Roman Catholics, mostly because of the extraordinary leadership of Pope John Paul II. My point is that even though I am not a member of the Roman Catholic Church, I identify with them and the evil done by some of them as “us” not “them.” This is the only way we can intercede for them (us) and learn the lessons, knowing we would have done the same things without the grace of God. It is part of His grace to teach us through the mistakes of others. This will benefit us if we accept it without the arrogance and delusion that we are not like them. We would be just like them if it were not for God’s grace.

     Most denominations born out of the Protestant Reformation are called “Protestant” because they were born in protest of the Roman Catholic Church. Most of the Protestant churches that condemned the Catholic Church ended up doing the same things to subsequent movements born out of Protestantism. In the years that I was so incensed by the Roman Catholic Church, I personally did some destructive and divisive things in the congregations I was in. When I saw that I would have almost certainly done the same things as the Catholics did had I lived in that time, it helped me to repent of my destructive ways.

     Those who presume that they would never have done these things are the ones most likely to do them. This is why we’re given the exhortation to “Take heed when you think you stand lest you fall” (see I Corinthians 10:12). It is when we think we can’t fall that we are certain to.

     I plead with you to look at the terrible things done in the name of Christ as having been done by “us” not “them.” Beg for the grace to see and repent of the roots of this evil in ourselves. The “man of sin” or “sin of man” had to be revealed in the temple of the Lord so that it could be revealed in each of us, the temples. This will make increasing sense as we continue this study.

The Church at Thyatira—The Book of Revelation

         This week we will begin our study of the church at Thyatira. Please take a moment to read through the Lord’s message to this church as recorded in Revelation 2:18-29:

       And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, “These things, says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 

         "I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 

         Nevertheless, I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 

         And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.

         Indeed, I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 

         I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

    "Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 

    But hold fast what you have till I come. 

    And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations— 

    'He shall rule them with a rod of iron; they shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels' — as I also have received from My Father; 

    and I will give him the morning star.

    He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (NKJV).

         Historians have viewed 323 A.D. to 538 A.D. (approximately) as the period of the Pergamos church and the setting up of the Bishop of Rome as the pope, or head of the church. The period of the prophetic church at Thyatira is considered to be from 538–1798 A.D. These dates were picked because of imperial decrees issued at these times. The first one to establish the papacy was issued by Constantine and the second one to end it was issued by Napoleon.

         This is drawing from the historical view of the Book of Revelation, the generally accepted view of Protestants until the 1844 Advent Movement. Teachers in this movement were the first to teach that Revelation was futuristic—that everything in it was about the end of the age. This, of course, is contradicted in the beginning of John’s vision when he was told that he would be shown the things that would “shortly come to pass.”

         As we have covered and will see in more detail, what John was shown did immediately begin to unfold, and it has continued to unfold exactly as he was shown right up until this time. As we see this, we can know with more certainty what has happened, what is happening, and what we can expect to happen. This is obviously the reason this vision was given.

         It seems a remarkable coincidence that exactly 1,260 years was the period of time that the papacy had an imperial decree from the head of the Roman Empire and the decree’s removal by one who claimed the head of the Holy Roman Empire. This is a noteworthy number in Revelation, as we will see. 

         Thyatira means “sacrifice of contrition.” This period is not called the “Dark Ages” without reason. It was the time of the greatest tribulation of true believers since the first century and the release of the most diabolical, antichrist doctrines and practices by the institutional church that had married the powers of this age.

         It is not enjoyable to study this period, but it is necessary. This is where two paths, the one to salvation and the other to damnation, are made crystal clear. It is also where many of the traps that Christians continue to fall into today are exposed, as well as the consequences of falling into them. However, when you see this darkness, it only makes the light that much brighter and our salvation in Christ more wonderful. It is a hard journey, but well worth it.

Keys to Knowing God's Ways—The Book of Revelation

         This week we will complete our study of Pergamos that dwelt “where Satan’s throne is” and seemed to open the church to the biggest gates of hell. We study this to apply the lessons to our own lives and times. How has the church responded recently when they went from being persecuted to being respected? How would we personally respond if marginalized at work for being a Christian but then suddenly the head of the company gets converted and we are instantly promoted? We need to see these lessons on all levels.

         Soon after the conversion of Emperor Constantine, the government of Rome recognized certain factions within the church as the legitimate church and the others as sects, which it claimed had corrupt or false teachings. The favored church, recognized by the Emperor, began to persecute its rivals, claiming they were causing divisions. This led to an over one thousand two hundred year period of terrible persecution by the institutional church against other Christians who refused to bow the knee to it.

         During this period, the church exacerbated the darkness by forbidding the reading of the Scriptures. Authorities justified this by saying that to understand the Scriptures, one had to be highly trained and that anyone without this training would distort them, leading to divisions and heresies. Ultimately, it was capital punishment for anyone reading the Scriptures without authorization. What did Jesus say about who could understand His words?

         I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to babes (Matthew 11:25).

         New believers in Christ will understand His Word better than the wise in this world because innocence and humility are basic keys to understanding the Lord’s ways. So when the institutional church imposed the doctrine that only the highly trained could read the Scriptures, it resulted in the worst kind of doctrinal perversion. As you study the evolution of church doctrine, it seems that no one really bothered to read the Scriptures during this period. If the Scriptures were read to the people, it was mandated that they be read in Latin, which the common people did not understand. Then all sermons were given in Latin. In this way, authority over the lives of Christians was concentrated in church authorities who told the people how to live.

         Because virtually every church doctrine was soon in contradiction to what was taught in the Scriptures, it became doctrine that the Pope’s authority superseded Scripture’s authority. It was claimed that church leaders had evolved and matured beyond the understanding of the first apostles. Doctrine became based on what was politically expedient for the Empire and the church authorities now married to the Empire.

         This seduction and corruption of the church was foreseen in the revelation given to John, as we will cover in more detail later. The Apostles also foresaw and wrote about it, as did the early church fathers who were the direct disciples of the twelve apostles of the Lord. They foresaw “the abomination of desolation” written about by Daniel and called “the man of sin” by Paul, who said it would take its seat in the temple of the Lord, which is the church. They all foresaw a time of great corruption in the church that would become the seat of some of the worst evil of man. This “man of sin” would be the personification of the “sin of man.”

            As we look at the history of the institutional church in the Middle Ages, it is hard to imagine anything more antichrist in nature and teaching. Its doctrines and practices became almost exactly counter to the teachings of Christ. During this time, it became church doctrine that salvation was corporate and attained by being a member of the church. So excommunication was considered a sentence to eternal punishment. Fear was used to control the people, and faith in God was supplanted by a faith in church authorities and priests.  

         As bad as this was, that institutional church had some positive accomplishments that the world benefits from today. Subsequent movements among Christians that identified the unbiblical and antichrist nature of much of what the institutional church was promoting and doing usually ended up doing the same things. Why?

         The revelation of how such an antichrist spirit could take its seat in the church is part of “the revelation of Jesus Christ.” It reveals the foundations of the fallen nature of man that we all have in us, and this will dominate us too if we do not abide in Christ—His grace and the power of His cross. He gives His grace to the humble and resists the proud. It is a very arrogant thing to condemn others and consider ourselves as better when we almost certainly would do the same things in their place, except for the grace of God.

         The grace of God that enables us to take on His nature begins with acknowledging what we are without Him and how much we need His grace. What has transpired through history, and was foretold in Revelation, is a message of what we are without Him and how badly we need Him. That is why so much about the antichrist is included in the “revelation of Jesus Christ.”

         We must keep this in mind as we look at the deep darkness those claiming to be followers of Christ fell into. We need to use this knowledge to humble ourselves, realize how much we need Him, and not become prideful, thinking we are better than they were. If we have more grace it is grace—not a cause for boasting in ourselves or condemning others but to be thankful and humble before the Lord. 

The White Stone Promise—The Book of Revelation

         As we have been covering, the church at Pergamos faced one of the greatest trials of all—going from one of the worst periods of persecution to being elevated to the highest position of authority in the empire. It also dwelt at the place of “Satan’s throne.” As the church and state “married” during this period, the church took on many of the ways of the world and adopted the Empire’s hierarchal form of government. The Emperor then elevated the Bishop of Rome over all the other bishops and called him the “pope” or “papa,” the father over the entire church. Many resisted, and John referred to Antipas as the “faithful witness.” Antipas means “anti-pope.” William Miller wrote of this, saying:

It is supposed that Antipas was not an individual, but a class of men who opposed the power of the bishops, or popes, in that day, being a combination of two words, “Anti,” opposed, and “Papas,” father or pope. Many who opposed this form of government for the church suffered martyrdom in Constantinople and Rome, where the bishops and popes began to exercise the power which soon after brought into subjection the kings of the earth, and trampled on the rights of the church of Christ.…

         Jesus warned His people not to call any man on earth “father” because we have one Father in heaven. This elevation of one position in the church over the entire church claimed to usurp Christ’s rightful place as the Head of His church. This began a fall into the darkest period of church history—and possibly human history—becoming known as “the Dark Ages.”

         In the New Testament, the church had been given the simplest but most effective form of government for its administration. One church in every city would have multiple meeting locations. There was a council of elders for the church in the city, often made up of the leaders of the different congregations. Deacons that served the church at the direction of the elders were often elevated to the position of an elder when there was an opening or need. One would usually be a presiding elder in a city, as we see James presiding over the apostles and elders in Jerusalem in the Book of Acts. These positions of authority were for service, not for controlling or lording it over the saints.

         Apostles were over the elders of the local churches. The apostles traveled about to help set things in order in the churches, mostly through teaching and helping to build the churches. Christ was over the apostles and presided personally over His church universal. He directed His church through His apostles and prophets, but the life of every church was in their relationship to Christ, not just to an authority structure or organization. This made the church the most dynamic and unique entity the world had ever seen. Multitudes were drawn to it as they were born again by powerful personal encounters with Christ through His Holy Spirit.

         During the persecution, being an elder was an honorable thing, mostly because it made you a special target for persecution. In some places during this time, the life expectancy of an elder was very short. Because of this, only the most devoted and noble minded would even consider the position. The apostles and prophets had laid a strong foundation in the church and understood that all the testing they endured enabled them to grow stronger in Christ and His nature.  

         Once the persecution lifted, and the church was elevated in stature, and these positions of authority in the church became positions of increasing power and wealth. They became sought after by some of the most corrupt and unsavory people. Quickly the leadership of the church was permeated by the foulest and greediest men who knew and cared little about spiritual authority. Many discerned that this was not the doing of their Lord and fled from the church. Others did not and were taken over by an antichrist spirit, just as John and the other apostles predicted.

         Once you start down the wrong road, it never turns into the right road and you get further from your purpose as you go. Once the church embraced and married the ways of the world, the darkness got greater and greater. However, there was a remnant that did not go with the rest of the church. To those who overcame the temptation, the Lord had a great promise:

         He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. “To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it” (Revelation 2:17).

         The hidden manna and stone with their name on it that no one knows speaks of a secret provision and relationship with the Lord. All Christians that refused to bow their knee to the new institution of the church had to remain hidden because they were hunted and persecuted by the increasingly corrupted church. We can only imagine how confusing this was, but God took care of the faithful. There has always been a remnant that kept itself from the corruption of the world.

         In Roman trials, the accused would be given a black stone if found guilty and a white stone if found innocent. By the Lord promising those who overcome in this period a white stone, He was saying to the overcomers that He found them innocent and has given them a new name, even if it could not be revealed yet. To be given a new name is one of the greatest honors from the Lord, such as when He gave Jacob the name Israel, and He also gave different names to some of His disciples. The names given by God are a reflection of how He sees us, who we really are. It is far better to be known by God than by all men.

 

In the World, Not of the World—The Book of Revelation

         The world has changed in profound ways from the time of the prophetic church of Pergamos. Even the forms of government are different. We still have many autocratic governments where power is centered in a strongman (or woman) and usually supported by an elite political class. We also have a number of more democratic governments. However, the issue of how governments and the church, or other religions, relate to each other remains.

         As we have covered, when Christianity became the state religion of the Roman Empire, making it mandatory for anyone holding a position in government to be a Christian, many unsavory and unprincipled people claimed to be Christians. Although true Christians may have raised the civil government’s character for a time, far more happened to corrupt the church than was done to elevate the government.

         Before this, Christians had lived almost exclusively for the next life. There was little opportunity for them except the chance to be tried in the fires of persecution. When Christianity was made the state religion, suddenly worldly possibilities were everywhere, as Christianity became the fastest path to wealth and power. It seems that the devil’s strategy against the church was, “If you can’t beat them, join them.” This is an example of how the mixture of the state and church brought devastating corruption to the church that has many Christians today not wanting anything to do with civil affairs. Because of this example, they may have a good argument for their position, but is it right?

         As stated, since this time there has been major change in the form of many governments. Until the American Revolution, virtually all governments were imperial. With the release of democracy and republican governments that resulted directly from the teaching of the Reformation, the people became the sovereign in these nations— governments existed to do the will of the people instead of the other way around. From this time, being “salt and light” was also interpreted as bringing Christian principles and standards of morality and integrity into government and the daily life of society.

         This still opens important questions about how much Christians, or churches, should be involved in civil government. Jesus said that His kingdom was not of this world, so why should those seeking to prepare the way for the kingdom of God become engaged in any earthly government? The answer for many has been the Great Commission that is to disciple nations, not just individuals. We are here to prepare the way for the Lord and His kingdom, and one way that we do this is by standing for His righteousness and justice in government.

         Large church denominations and movements have come from doctrines that sought to clarify this “two kingdoms” issue for Christians. These have had a major impact in the church and in government. This began when modern democracy and republican forms of government were birthed out of the Swiss Reformation under John Calvin, who is rightly called “the father of modern democracy” by many. Even though Calvin intended the form of government he taught to be for the church not civil authority, the two were so intermingled at the time that it naturally carried over into civil government.

         Even with the great tragedy of the church at Pergamos and the terrible trials and mistakes of over one thousand two hundred years—a large part of the message of the rest of the Book of Revelation—the church finally landed on teachings about this that preserved the church’s nature and was a great benefit to the world. All of this unfolds in the Book of Revelation, but before we go there we need to cover more of the message to the church at Pergamos.

         Once we answer the question that Christians can have a calling to civil government, how do we do this and remain the pure virgin waiting for the wedding feast of the Lord? If we perceive the church as a “holy nation,” our first identity should be to that more than any earthly nation. That does not negate the calling to civil government, but if a Christian in any position does not keep their primary devotion to the Lord and His kingdom, they are vulnerable to corruption by the spirit of the world. The unfolding message to the rest of the seven churches includes some other answers as to how individual Christians, and the church, must navigate this.

In the World, Not of the Word—The Book of Revelation

         The world has changed in profound ways from the time of the prophetic church of Pergamos. Even the forms of government are different. We still have many autocratic governments where power is centered in a strongman (or woman) and usually supported by an elite political class. We also have a number of more democratic governments. However, the issue of how governments and the church, or other religions, relate to each other remains.

         As we have covered, when Christianity became the state religion of the Roman Empire, making it mandatory for anyone holding a position in government to be a Christian, many unsavory and unprincipled people claimed to be Christians. Although true Christians may have raised the civil government’s character for a time, far more happened to corrupt the church than was done to elevate the government.

         Before this, Christians had lived almost exclusively for the next life. There was little opportunity for them except the chance to be tried in the fires of persecution. When Christianity was made the state religion, suddenly worldly possibilities were everywhere, as Christianity became the fastest path to wealth and power. It seems that the devil’s strategy against the church was, “If you can’t beat them, join them.” This is an example of how the mixture of the state and church brought devastating corruption to the church that has many Christians today not wanting anything to do with civil affairs. Because of this example, they may have a good argument for their position, but is it right?

         As stated, since this time there has been major change in the form of many governments. Until the American Revolution, virtually all governments were imperial. With the release of democracy and republican governments that resulted directly from the teaching of the Reformation, the people became the sovereign in these nations— governments existed to do the will of the people instead of the other way around. From this time, being “salt and light” was also interpreted as bringing Christian principles and standards of morality and integrity into government and the daily life of society.

         This still opens important questions about how much Christians, or churches, should be involved in civil government. Jesus said that His kingdom was not of this world, so why should those seeking to prepare the way for the kingdom of God become engaged in any earthly government? The answer for many has been the Great Commission that is to disciple nations, not just individuals. We are here to prepare the way for the Lord and His kingdom, and one way that we do this is by standing for His righteousness and justice in government.

         Large church denominations and movements have come from doctrines that sought to clarify this “two kingdoms” issue for Christians. These have had a major impact in the church and in government. This began when modern democracy and republican forms of government were birthed out of the Swiss Reformation under John Calvin, who is rightly called “the father of modern democracy” by many. Even though Calvin intended the form of government he taught to be for the church not civil authority, the two were so intermingled at the time that it naturally carried over into civil government.

         Even with the great tragedy of the church at Pergamos and the terrible trials and mistakes of over one thousand two hundred years—a large part of the message of the rest of the Book of Revelation—the church finally landed on teachings about this that preserved the church’s nature and was a great benefit to the world. All of this unfolds in the Book of Revelation, but before we go there we need to cover more of the message to the church at Pergamos.

         Once we answer the question that Christians can have a calling to civil government, how do we do this and remain the pure virgin waiting for the wedding feast of the Lord? If we perceive the church as a “holy nation,” our first identity should be to that more than any earthly nation. That does not negate the calling to civil government, but if a Christian in any position does not keep their primary devotion to the Lord and His kingdom, they are vulnerable to corruption by the spirit of the world. The unfolding message to the rest of the seven churches includes some other answers as to how individual Christians, and the church, must navigate this.

Into All the World—The Book of Revelation

         This week we will cover the Lord’s charge to the church at Pergamos and His promise to those who overcome their trials.

“Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it” (Revelation 2:16-17 NKJV).

         The church before this one—the one under the most intense persecution—was not called to repent. It seems the persecution kept them pure, but Pergamos was warned that if they did not repent, the Lord Himself with fight against them! He would do it with the “sword of His mouth”—His Word— and He did with great voices of conviction and truth challenging the direction of those turning the church toward alignment with the Roman Empire. To this day, this has been an almost continual challenge, and often a trap that subdues God’s people.

         Because of this almost continual challenge for the church, how should we be the prophetic voice to nations and governments—the light and salt we are called to be—without wrongly uniting with them in a way that compromises our calling as the bride of Christ? Many have succumbed to marrying these governments in a way that betrays our calling as a chaste virgin for the Lord.

         Almost every prophet in Scripture had to speak to kings or governments. Many, such as Isaiah, had close personal relationships with them. Some, like Daniel and Joseph, not only spoke to kings, but worked for them at the highest levels, becoming administrators over the government. As we see with Joseph and Daniel, one key characteristic of this type of prophet was their devotion to living pure before the Lord, even risking their lives and suffering great persecution to remain pure and faithful. Few are able to handle this kind of closeness to power without being corrupted.

         I have visited churches in dozens of countries, and most of them stay far from politics. For most of these, I think this is right for them because they are not in democracies with a right and responsibility to be part of government. In democracies, or republics, where the government exists for the people and is responsible to them, this is different. Our calling to be salt and light should cause us to engage in the important issues of our countries, not necessarily as the church but as Christians.

         The command to “go into all the world” was not just geographical. We are called to be salt and light in every field of influence, including government. However, government is the trickiest. Although we need special grace for every calling, I think we need an extra special grace to be called to government because of the dangers.

         Of all the countries I’ve been in, I think Christians in the U.S. are the most engaged in their government. This is likely because America was a refuge for persecuted Christians from Europe, and Christians were a huge influence in the birth of the nation. They continued as a great influence in the country, much more than almost any other country since the dominance of the Roman and Orthodox churches in the Middle Ages.

         During this period of the church at Pergamos (approximately A.D. 323-538), the church in general did not do too well moving from persecution to a place of influence in government. She did not stay chaste, but married the earthly government. Then she became a weapon against other Christians who resolved to stay pure virgins for their Lord. This has also happened to a degree in the United States. Christians have been split between the liberal and conservative parties about as equally as the people have been. When one group is in power, there has often been a persecution of the Christian brothers who are not. This persecution may not come with tortures and death, but it has come in many other forms.

         Studying how this happened during the church period represented by the church at Pergamos can help those called to be in government or to have influence with them stay away from the traps. One of the biggest traps for the church was opened with the conversion of the Roman Emperor. I’m not debating whether his conversion was real or not, but the effect of his conversion on the church, and then the entire Western world, was very bad. The church may have influenced him some in ways that helped bring better behavior, but the Empire’s ways influenced the church much more and brought greater evil.

         Maybe we need to ask why we want our civil government leaders to be devout Christians. The mandate on civil governments from God is different than the mandate on His church. We often get the two confused. Understanding what unfolded during the period represented by Pergamos can help us get this sorted out, and this is why we will continue with this church a bit more.

The Trial of Extreme Elevation—The Book of Revelation

         We continue our study of the church at Pergamos (meaning “elevated,” approximately. A.D. 323 - 538) This week, we will cover the rest His complaint against this church, and also how it applies to us.

“But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 

“Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate” (Revelation 2:14-15 NKJV).

         Again, this church went from suffering its worst persecution to becoming the state religion of the Roman Empire almost overnight. As can be expected, few handled it well. Would we do any better today? The evidence is strong that we would not in our present condition. The Lord gave this revelation to His people so that we could learn from the mistakes of those who have gone before us, hopefully keeping us from making the same mistakes.

         We must keep in mind that this lesson is not given so that we can condemn those who made mistakes. This kind of pride will only lead to our own fall. We’re not better than them, but we have been given grace by having the lessons of those who went before us. Many have such pride that they don’t think they need to know this history. These are the ones doomed to fall as they did. Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it.

         Ponder how fast and dramatic this change was in the fourth century and how it shook even the strongest to their foundation. We may think we could handle it better, but we should “take heed when you think you stand lest you fall” (see I Corinthians 10:12), because “pride comes before the fall” (see Proverbs 16:18). Our attitude when examining the mistakes of those who went before us should always be to learn all we can from them, but with an attitude that we are of the same weak human nature.

         Think about it: Few of us have been under persecution where we wonder if every day would be our last. Few of us have had close loved ones brutally slaughtered, and then almost immediately, had the Emperor say you were right and open the world up to you.

         Going from the most grievous persecution to immediate and almost unlimited prosperity can be the most difficult trial of all. Few have passed this test with a high score. According to Isaiah 60:1-5 and other biblical prophecies, Christians will face this trial in the times that are unfolding. It can be a glorious opportunity if we keep our integrity, or it can be the biggest trap leading to the most tragic spiritual devastation. Two people in Scripture who faced this trial of extreme elevation almost overnight are Joseph and Daniel, two important models for the church in these times.

         A reason why the antichrist is covered so much in this revelation of Jesus Christ is because this “man of sin” is the personification of the sin of man. This evil is what we would all be in life if not for the grace of God given to us through Jesus. Therefore, rather than becoming arrogant toward the institution of the church during this time, we should consider that this is us without the grace. We should not claim to be any better. We are even more foolish if we do not learn from historic mistakes with such clear consequences.

         The Apostle Paul wrote that he had learned how to be abased and to abound. Many do not understand that abounding can be a more difficult trial than being abased. This is not to imply that we should refrain from prospering, but the warnings in Scripture about its potential to corrupt should cause us to handle it like nuclear radiation. The deep darkness that the church sank into during the Middle Ages is one of the clearest examples of this danger.

         Had the church of this period heeded the Lord’s warning to look to His word, “the sword of His mouth,” the church could no doubt have avoided the tragic fall from the faith that it experienced. Certainly there were individuals, small groups, and even movements that did heed the Lord’s exhortation, and they remained faithful throughout the dark times that fell upon institutional Christianity. Those who remained faithful in this way were persecuted by the institutional church, just as the Revelation foretold and we will cover.

         Will we remain faithful to the end, which may hold the greatest tests of all? Much of this has to do with three basic character issues:

The faith to see the testing of our faith as more valuable than any human treasure.



Keeping the knowledge that God gives His grace to the humble, and that we not become prideful or arrogant toward those who fall, thinking we are better than they are.



Using this knowledge to remain teachable, a basic quality of humility.



Having the humility to honor our fathers and mothers to receive the biblical blessing that it would “go well with us.” This command does not qualify the fathers and mothers as being the great ones, or even the acceptable ones, but the ones we had. Learning to honor the bad ones is an even greater faith and could result in greater blessings.

His Faithful Witness—The Book of Revelation

         The church at Pergamos is commended by the Lord for being faithful even in the days of Antipas, whom the Lord called His “faithful witness.” That this is linked to “Satan’s throne” is no accident. Paul wrote in II Thessalonians 2:3-4:

Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,

who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God (NKJV).

         The early church fathers who addressed this subject seemed to agree that they expected this “man of sin,” or the “abomination of desolation” (see Daniel 11:31) as Daniel referred to it, to take its seat in the temple of God, which is the church. None of the early church fathers, or even the Reformers until the 1844 Advent Movement, foresaw a rebuilding of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem or the man of sin manifesting there. Rather they saw him manifesting in the church.

         Antipas means “anti-pope” or “anti-father.” This was a movement that rose up after the church became the state religion of the Roman Empire. This movement resisted the exceptional authority given to the bishops, especially to the Bishop of Rome, by the Emperor. Those in this movement believed that the only Head of the church was Jesus, and that no man should presume His rightful place or be called “father,” a title that should be reserved for the Lord alone.

         Over a thousand years later, the Reformers rose up to be “antipas” as well. They declared the institution that exalted men to Christ’s rightful place as the head of the church to be the “abomination of desolation,” or “the abomination that desolated” the church by separating the people from their direct relationship to the Lord by putting men in His place.

         There are other factors to this issue that deserve a much deeper study of the writings of the early church fathers and the Reformers. Some we will cover later in this study of the Book of Revelation. In this one revelation that John had, there are connections to virtually every important doctrine, the spiritual traps every Christian and church must learn to recognize and avoid, and historic examples of how they played out—a history written in advance!  

         The authority structure the Lord built His church upon was brilliant for its simplicity. If was efficient and effective, unlike anything the world had ever seen. With the elevation of the bishops to a position above elders and deacons, and then the archbishops and the Bishop of Rome as the head of the church, the ecclesia of the church was radically changed into a reflection of the worldly, human authority of the time.

         As we continue to cover what unfolded from this, it is easy to see why the Reformers would call this “the abomination of desolation,” or the way that it is literally translated, “the abomination that desolates.” With this, the character and nature of the church was transformed from an image of Christ to everything that was in fact antichrist, opening the way for the darkness of the times.