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Chapter 3
Does The “Last Days†Church
Suffer?
by Dene McGriff
In the last chapter, we showed how the seven lampstands/churches represented actual churches, historical stages and “last days†churches. In this chapter, we want to look specifically at the issues of tribulation, suffering and judgment and the seven prophetic churches.
The Lord is clear that in the world we will have tribulation (Matthew 16:33). The world hated Him and it will hate us as well. But many Christians today, especially in the West seem to think that we should be exempt from suffering. After all, God loves us. Surely He will protect us and not allow us to suffer. This is especially true when it comes to the last days. The whole idea of the “pre-tribulation rapture†is to remove the church so it won’t suffer. These escape enthusiasts believe that the church can’t suffer the wrath of God, and in that they are correct. In Chapters 1 and 2 of “In Search of Babylon†I have an in depth analysis of the chronology of the book of Revelation. It is clear that the church suffers the wrath of Satan and the world, but whenever the “wrath of God†is involved, the Church is either kept from it and protected or it is not there at all. The final outpouring of the wrath of God does occur after the rapture has occurred, thus the “pre-wrath rapture†as popularized by Marvin Rosenthal in his book of the same name.
Suffering, persecution and tribulation of one kind or another is a part of church history. Tribulation purifies a church that needs it and the Lord keeps those who don’t. Let me explain. We’ll set the first church aside for now. The young Ephesian church was commended for persevering but warned to return to their first love. God didn’t have anything against two churches (Smyrna and Philadelphia), yet Smyrna is the most persecuted church in history and Philadelphia is under great Satanic attack but kept amidst the trial. The other four churches are either mixed with false religion, are dead or lukewarm. Unlike the other two, they don’t suffer persecution but direct judgment by God as we will see in a moment.
The Book of Revelation is the story of the epic struggle between God and Satan, God’s people and Satan’s people. It culminates in a trial with two witnesses and Judgment. But just before that happens, God needs to see what the world is made of and to give them one more chance.
The book of Job is the most ancient book of the Old Testament. Satan comes before God and tries to make a deal.
6Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. 7And the LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?"
So Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it."
8Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?"
9So Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? 10Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!"
12And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person." (Job 1:6012)
Satan was allowed to kill Job’s wife and children, take away all his possessions, and cover his body with boils. Yet, Job refused to curse God and made this wonderful declaration, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth.†(Job 19:25) Job lost everything and everyone in his life and God allowed it to happen to prove to Satan that he did in fact have a testimony on the earth, that Job was not on God’s side just because of the blessings and wealth.
Today, we are part of God’s testimony but in the last days God will let Satan and the world touch his beloved Church. Satan is sitting there saying, “let me touch their bodies, their families and possessions and they will curse youâ€, but God disagrees.
Persecuted but Kept by the Lord.
The persecuted church in Smyrna was not criticized. In fact, it is very interesting as the Lord says, “"I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Rev 2:9-10). There were told not to fear things they were about to suffer but to be faithful until death. There is a tremendous contrast with lukewarm Laodicea that thinks it is rich and in need of nothing and Smyrna that is poor (but is rich). The persecuted church can be found today in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and parts of Latin America.
We read about the mysterious Church in Philadelphia:
8"I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie--indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.11Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12He who overcomes… (Revelation 3:8-12)
This church has a little strength, keeps His Word and does not deny His name. God keeps this church in the midst of the trial. He doesn’t take them out of it. He keeps them in the midst of it. Otherwise, why would he say, “Hold fast to what you have, that no one may take your crown� But we will come back to Philadelphia.
These two churches are persecuted by the world because they are a testimony. They are a threat and an exposure of the world and its sin. The world hated our Lord. It hates the true church that is willing to lose all for Him. This is in contrast to the other four compromised churches. God purifies them.
God Purifies His Church
The Church of Pergamos probably represents those Christians in orthodox churches and perhaps some Roman Catholics. It is certainly criticized for mixture with pagan religion, idol worship, sexual immorality and the clergy/laity system. They are told to “ Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouthâ€. (Rev 2:17) The church in Thyatira represents the full-blown heresy of the Roman Catholic Church which allowed all kinds of pagan mixture, idol worship and sexual sin. “Indeed I will cast her…into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death…†(Revelation 3:22-23) For those who don’t think that God would dare allow his church to suffer, they had better reread the verses above where it says “I will fight against them†and “I will cast her into great tribulation…kill her children.†Notice the similarities with the harlot church described in Revelation 17, including her “childrenâ€, the churches of the Reformation. These are clear instances of God using “great tribulation†is used to bring the church to repentance. God so hates the adulterous mixture and harlotry of the church, he allows tribulation.
Now we come to Sardis, the mainline churches of the reformation that has “a name that you are alive but are dead.†They have a few that have not “defiled their garmentsâ€. The things of the world and self defile us. Christians become clothed in their own righteousness, their own works rather than the white garments that Christ gives. Many of these mainline churches embraced the doctrine of the pre-tribulation rapture and it is ironic that they always site the verse in I Thessalonians 5:2 and 4 which they use to portray the rapture “the day coming as a thief in the night.†And here it says “if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief…†(Revelation 3:3)
The Lord tells them to “remember how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent.†Sardis is close to Laodicea in that they have received and heard the truth and have a name that says they are alive, but they are dead. Above all, they need to rekindle that living relationship with the Lord that they had when they first got saved. I experienced this and I know that many of you have also. The difference between death and life is the difference between “head knowledge†and “heart knowledge and relationshipâ€. We study, read books, go to Bible Schools and Seminaries, retreats and revivals. We learn and equate that head knowledge as living reality but it hasn’t been worked into our life. We study about the cross but don’t experience it. We study about dying to self, but it doesn’t happen. We study about sanctification and think we are, but we aren’t. We sit Sunday after Sunday and listen to sermon after sermon and our minds are filled but our spirit is as good as dead. We’ve lost the joy of our salvation. The world intrudes on our lives and defiles us as we get caught up in day to day humdrum survival. Going to church is just one of the motions we go through. We have a name, a reputation that we are alive, but we are dead inside.
In the early 60’s as a young college student, I was Vice President of InterVarsity, held Bible studies in the dorm. I even gave a couple of sermons at the Baptist Church on Sunday evening. But although I was saved, I had no reality and felt dead inside. A friend I had been witnessing to and who had attended my bible study, Joe M., went with me to the InterVarsity picnic on the Sunday afternoon before class started. On the way home, he asked me when we were going to get together because he really wanted to know how to become a Christian. I was excited that he asked but felt empty inside. I just said, we would get together soon. Two weeks later, Joe blew his brains out with a shotgun. I bottomed out as I realized what a sham my Christian life was. I was ready to throw it all away – it just wasn’t real to me any more (even though I had a real salvation experience and some wonderful experiences since then). I was done for as a Christian.
I’ll finish my testimony later, but have you ever had this experience? I had worked at Forest Home Christian Conference Center in Southern California and heard the greatest speakers of the day – Henrietta Mears, Rayford Johnson, the Olympic athlete, Bernard Ram, Bill Bright, Billy Graham, Richard Halvorsen, etc. I had memorized the Word faithfully with Navigators. I had great Christian friends, but I was a failure – as good as dead, and I knew it! Isn’t this the plight of so many Christians in this day and age?
I realized that just sitting in a pew would never get me anywhere, nor would Bible School or Seminary. I need to experience Jesus myself, “body life†and a loving community. I needed to find the church in Philadelphia and I did. More on that later.
Now we come to Laodicea which was covered in quite a bit of detail in the last chapter. Here we have the lukewarm church that thinks it is hot stuff but doesn’t have a clue. The Lord is standing at their door knocking. He says, “as many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.†What a wonderful God that treats us like children. I’ve been a Laodicean Christian as well. Most of us probably have at one time or another.
For those who think God is all love, let’s review what He does with the five churches he isn’t too happy with:
1. Ephesus – “Repent or He takes away their lampstand.†(Rev. 2:5)
2. Pergamos – “Repent or He will come and fight against them with the sword of my mouth.†(Rev. 2:16)
3. Thyatira – “Repent … or I will cast you into tribulation and kill your children†(Rev. 2:22-23)
4. Sardis – “Repent or I will come upon you as a thief…†(Rev. 3:3)
5. Laodicea – “Repent or I will vomit you out of my mouth.†(Rev 3:16)
There is an incredibly important distinction here. These are the five churches that God is not pleased with. They are no threat to Satan or the world per se. The first church has lost its relationship (first love). Pergamos and Thyatira are mixed up in pagan religion and politics. Sardis is dead and Laodicea is lukewarm. They don’t experience any tribulation from the world because they pose no threat. God Himself deals with these five churches. Unfortunately, there isn’t much of a testimony to the world.
Contrary to popular view of the Tim LaHayes of the world, the only two churches that are not criticized by God are the most persecuted. The Church flourished in the second and third centuries under the persecution of the world just as it does in China , Kuwait and Rwanda today. Surely, the suffering church and the “church of brotherly love†represent the Lord’s testimony today. Christians who happen to be in one of the other five still have an opportunity to overcome.
I have always been so contemptuous of Laodicea which has “Western Church†written all over it but God isn’t done with them yet! Certainly they are rebuked for being lukewarm and thinking they are rich. But He also says, “those whom I love, I reprove and discipline.†Please don’t ever become so elitist that you forget this S.R. Shearer! – and it has nothing to do with what country they live in. Daniel overcame in the heart of Babylon and there are overcomers in each church. Even Laodiceans have an opportunity to become truly rich, clothed and to have anointed eyes to see. Jesus Himself is standing outside their crystal cathedrals knocking and “if ANYONE hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and He with me.†Frankly, it is more humbling to see that, in a sense, the Lord seems to have more hope for Laodicea than He does for the mainline Protestants and Catholics (Sardis and Thyatira).
We are so quick to mock the excesses of the charismatic movement, signs and wonders, holy laughter, the green gospel, power evangelism and “kingdom now†theology. I might be a little harder on them if over the years, the Lord didn’t lead me in and out of all of these churches – a word/faith church in Minneapolis, Central Baptist in Wheaton, Sweetwater Church of the Valley in Phoenix, a Vineyard in Denver, a “latter rain†church in Avon, Connecticut, Lakewood Church in Houston, not to mention the “local church†and others. There were and are real brothers and sisters in these churches and God isn’t done with them yet any more than He is done with you or me. Our God is an “equal opportunity†God. Every saint has an equal opportunity to overcome.
I have been as critical of Laodicea as anyone as you can see in my book “Recognizing Apostasy and Deception, but we need to distinguish between the system and the leaders of the system and the people in it. They are public figures and are responsible for their public positions. The laity are still responsible to the Lord and need revelation and light and then to act on it. The Lord Jesus loves Christians in Laodicea so much that he is knocking on their hearts door yearning for fellowship with them. We should never forget it. We should never become so elitist and critical that we summarily write them off. God hasn’t.
It is easy to prey on weak Christians. There are elitist movements out there that tell you that you must meet with them if you want to be an overcomer. One ministry says you must move outside the United States to escape Babylon. This is absolutely ridiculous and unsupportable by any Scripture. The chronology of events in the book of Revelation is very clear. God loves all His children and His desire is that they would overcome. We should never be so arrogant to think we see the only way and all others are lost.
But before that happens there is a very good reason for the church to be on the earth. Tribulation has a way of refining God’s people.
Purpose of Suffering
Is God so mean spirited and vindictive that he would allow His people to suffer? Where is the love? People who think this way have no concept of a righteous and holy God. He loves the sinner but he hates the sin. He loves His people but He wants to see Christ formed in them. He wants to see them transformed into the image of His dear Son. (Romans 8:29, II Cor. 3:18, Col. 3:10). He wants them separated from the evil world system, not a part of it. He speaks of a corporate dwelling when He says:
“19Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.†(Eph 2:19-22)
He does not want mega churches and sanctuaries, but a “people building†– a body of forgiven, imperfect vessels that have the Spirit of God dwelling in them, transforming their lives and building them together in a living dwelling place. He wants living, vibrant Christians in living relationship with Him and one another – not stained glass sanctuaries, crosses, pews, altars, performing worship groups, scripted services, one man shows or any such nonsense.
God wants to see death to ourselves and His life formed in us. “For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.†(2 Corinthians 4:11) And just a few words from Hebrews.
“7If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.†…25See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, 26whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, "Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven." 27Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.
28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may[j] serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29For our God is a consuming fire.†(Hebrews 12:7-11, 25-29)
God allows trials and tribulations for our sake. We are His children. So do not refuse Him who speaks. Listen, learn and love Him. Our God is a consuming fire and He will burn up everything that is not of Him. What would God like to burn up in your life? What things just don’t matter in the light of eternity?
So what does God want? Why do we have tribulation and persecution? He wants to transform us into the image of His dear Son. He wants a testimony – a corporate expression so that when the world sees them they say, “behold how they love one another.†Unfortunately, if the church is accepted by the world, it is compromised and dead. If it is persecuted, it quickly becomes obvious who are the “real†Christians and who are the “false†ones. A person who is willing to lose all things, including his life for his Lord, is the testimony of Jesus.
Jesus reminds his disciples, "A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.†(John 15:10) Is our expectation to pay off our house, build up our retirement and live well until we die? Or as the apostle Paul declares, “18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us… 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?†(Romans 8:18, 35)
What does it mean to be a testimony?
Brothers and sisters, persecution and suffering have been the lot of Christians down through history. Why would we not rejoice with Paul? We are His testimony! We are His handiwork! And the Jews, as stiff necked as they may be, are too, in their own special way. God didn’t pick either group because of our attributes or inherent goodness, but out of His mercy He chose us. We are called to be witnesses, to testify and to be a testimony. The root word of “witnessâ€, “testify†and “testimony†is “marturiva†or “marturia†in Greek, meaning “martyrâ€. It is used 33 times in the New Testament and 8 in Revelation.
Let’s go back and look at the verses that use the word “testimony†in Revelation:
· Revelation 1:2 and 9 call the book, “the testimony of Jesus Christ.â€
· Revelation 6:9 says, “I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.â€
· Speaking of the two witnesses, it says, “When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.†(Revelation 11:7)
· In Revelation 12:11, it says, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.â€
· Revelation 12:17 says, “And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.â€
· And finally we find testimony used twice in Revelation 19:10, “And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."
Brothers and sisters, do you see it? We are His testimony! We are His witness! We are those who will be called to die for that testimony, those crying out from the altar, those who “overcome by the blood of the lamb, the word of their testimony and do not love their lives to death.†And when we come to the end of the book it declares, “4And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.†(Rev. 20:4) Truly, the sufferings of this present time are nothing compared to the glory before us.
God’s Other Reason for Witnesses
Now we come to the reason God needs two witnesses. The Bible says that, “Whoever is deserving of death shall be put to death on the testimony of two or three witnesses; he shall not be put to death on the testimony of one witness…One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.†(Deuteronomy 17:6, 19:15). This is also mentioned again in Hebrews 10:28, “Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.†The Book of Revelation is about the final days and judgment. If God is going to judge Satan, the fallen angels and unrepentant man, God needs two witnesses for any judgment to be valid.
God had a long range plan that began with Adam and Eve to redeem the world through a man, Jesus Christ, and bring those who would come back to Himself. He said to the Serpent who tempted Adam and Eve, “Because you have done this, you are cursed… And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel." (Genesis 3:14) Satan was to be judged by the seed of the woman (and we trace Jesus Christ from Adam through Abraham, David all the way to Mary). His heel was bruised on the cross but in so doing, Jesus dealt the death blow to Satan as well.
During the past two thousand years, God has been working on His testimony – His earthly and His heavenly peoples. He also has a score to settle with His arch enemy, Satan. Satan has had free reign on the earth to tempt, thwart and corrupt God’s work. We, the people, have had the opportunity to choose who we will serve. The day of reckoning is fast approaching. In Revelation 11:3, “And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty dayâ€, they prophesy for three and a half years. The two witnesses testify boldly and are even empowered to protect themselves. At the end of that time frame, the beast comes out of the pit and tries to do stop them. “7When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.†(Rev. 11:7) As I mentioned before, you don’t need to “make war†against Moses and Elijah. â€Make war†refers to an all out military campaign, a world war against the people who comprise the two witnesses. Please note again that we become the object of Satan wrath (not God’s). This is as it has been from the beginning. Satan is the one who hates and destroys. God is the one who loves and nurtures His people.
But with God, even death is just a temporary setback. Even though they are killed, God brings them to life. “11Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12And they[e] heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.†(Rev. 11:11-12) So after the second three and a half year period, they come to life, and a voice from heaven says, “Come up here†and that’s the seventh trumpet, the rapture and the Second Coming of Jesus followed by the judgment and the wrath. (Revelation 16-20).
The tribulation gives unrepentant man seven more years to change their minds. After listening to and seeing the two witnesses, they have no excuse. Yet many harden their hearts, and minds. God is then fully justified in pouring out his wrath and final judgment.
We should be clear on the chronology, the purpose of the tribulation and the two witnesses. Saints down through time and in the last days can be overcomers if they allow the overcoming life work within them. God deals with each one of us individually. We have an “equal opportunity†God who gives to all freely if they will receive. His life giving Spirit is available to every born again Christian. The interesting thing is that, at the end of the day, there will be overcomers in many different situations, different “churches†(from the institutional point of view), locations, walks of life. When the wheat and the chaff and the sheep and to goats are separated, I’m sure we will be quite surprised by who ends up on one side or another. Only God can judge our hearts and He will.
Any suggestion that there is a “magic bulletâ€, a special formula, special treatment or any such thing is not the way God works. He deals with us individually – “We work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.†(Phil. 2:12) The choice is ours.
But He doesn’t leave us alone to work it out. He also provides us with a family to grow in:
“14For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- 19to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.†(Eph. 2:14-20)
This passage gives the key to the Christian life. First, by His riches and glory he strengthens our inner man and dwells in our hearts. Then we are rooted and grounded in love (for Him and one another) and together we comprehend (literally, “apprehendâ€) His fullness and then we are His testimony – to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus! His testimony is corporate. The “church†doesn’t mean a building, an institution or 501-c3 tax exempt organization with priests or pastors. It doesn’t mean programs, gyms and campuses of facilities. It means the people who have that inward life and share it with one another.
Now we are ready to move on in our “search for the last days churchâ€. We need the eyes of our heart enlightened. We need to be sensitive to hear His still small voice. Now, let's keep looking for that illusive church in Philadelphia...
Does The “Last Days†Church
Suffer?
by Dene McGriff
In the last chapter, we showed how the seven lampstands/churches represented actual churches, historical stages and “last days†churches. In this chapter, we want to look specifically at the issues of tribulation, suffering and judgment and the seven prophetic churches.
The Lord is clear that in the world we will have tribulation (Matthew 16:33). The world hated Him and it will hate us as well. But many Christians today, especially in the West seem to think that we should be exempt from suffering. After all, God loves us. Surely He will protect us and not allow us to suffer. This is especially true when it comes to the last days. The whole idea of the “pre-tribulation rapture†is to remove the church so it won’t suffer. These escape enthusiasts believe that the church can’t suffer the wrath of God, and in that they are correct. In Chapters 1 and 2 of “In Search of Babylon†I have an in depth analysis of the chronology of the book of Revelation. It is clear that the church suffers the wrath of Satan and the world, but whenever the “wrath of God†is involved, the Church is either kept from it and protected or it is not there at all. The final outpouring of the wrath of God does occur after the rapture has occurred, thus the “pre-wrath rapture†as popularized by Marvin Rosenthal in his book of the same name.
Suffering, persecution and tribulation of one kind or another is a part of church history. Tribulation purifies a church that needs it and the Lord keeps those who don’t. Let me explain. We’ll set the first church aside for now. The young Ephesian church was commended for persevering but warned to return to their first love. God didn’t have anything against two churches (Smyrna and Philadelphia), yet Smyrna is the most persecuted church in history and Philadelphia is under great Satanic attack but kept amidst the trial. The other four churches are either mixed with false religion, are dead or lukewarm. Unlike the other two, they don’t suffer persecution but direct judgment by God as we will see in a moment.
The Book of Revelation is the story of the epic struggle between God and Satan, God’s people and Satan’s people. It culminates in a trial with two witnesses and Judgment. But just before that happens, God needs to see what the world is made of and to give them one more chance.
The book of Job is the most ancient book of the Old Testament. Satan comes before God and tries to make a deal.
6Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. 7And the LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?"
So Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it."
8Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?"
9So Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? 10Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!"
12And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person." (Job 1:6012)
Satan was allowed to kill Job’s wife and children, take away all his possessions, and cover his body with boils. Yet, Job refused to curse God and made this wonderful declaration, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth.†(Job 19:25) Job lost everything and everyone in his life and God allowed it to happen to prove to Satan that he did in fact have a testimony on the earth, that Job was not on God’s side just because of the blessings and wealth.
Today, we are part of God’s testimony but in the last days God will let Satan and the world touch his beloved Church. Satan is sitting there saying, “let me touch their bodies, their families and possessions and they will curse youâ€, but God disagrees.
Persecuted but Kept by the Lord.
The persecuted church in Smyrna was not criticized. In fact, it is very interesting as the Lord says, “"I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Rev 2:9-10). There were told not to fear things they were about to suffer but to be faithful until death. There is a tremendous contrast with lukewarm Laodicea that thinks it is rich and in need of nothing and Smyrna that is poor (but is rich). The persecuted church can be found today in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and parts of Latin America.
We read about the mysterious Church in Philadelphia:
8"I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie--indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.11Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12He who overcomes… (Revelation 3:8-12)
This church has a little strength, keeps His Word and does not deny His name. God keeps this church in the midst of the trial. He doesn’t take them out of it. He keeps them in the midst of it. Otherwise, why would he say, “Hold fast to what you have, that no one may take your crown� But we will come back to Philadelphia.
These two churches are persecuted by the world because they are a testimony. They are a threat and an exposure of the world and its sin. The world hated our Lord. It hates the true church that is willing to lose all for Him. This is in contrast to the other four compromised churches. God purifies them.
God Purifies His Church
The Church of Pergamos probably represents those Christians in orthodox churches and perhaps some Roman Catholics. It is certainly criticized for mixture with pagan religion, idol worship, sexual immorality and the clergy/laity system. They are told to “ Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouthâ€. (Rev 2:17) The church in Thyatira represents the full-blown heresy of the Roman Catholic Church which allowed all kinds of pagan mixture, idol worship and sexual sin. “Indeed I will cast her…into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death…†(Revelation 3:22-23) For those who don’t think that God would dare allow his church to suffer, they had better reread the verses above where it says “I will fight against them†and “I will cast her into great tribulation…kill her children.†Notice the similarities with the harlot church described in Revelation 17, including her “childrenâ€, the churches of the Reformation. These are clear instances of God using “great tribulation†is used to bring the church to repentance. God so hates the adulterous mixture and harlotry of the church, he allows tribulation.
Now we come to Sardis, the mainline churches of the reformation that has “a name that you are alive but are dead.†They have a few that have not “defiled their garmentsâ€. The things of the world and self defile us. Christians become clothed in their own righteousness, their own works rather than the white garments that Christ gives. Many of these mainline churches embraced the doctrine of the pre-tribulation rapture and it is ironic that they always site the verse in I Thessalonians 5:2 and 4 which they use to portray the rapture “the day coming as a thief in the night.†And here it says “if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief…†(Revelation 3:3)
The Lord tells them to “remember how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent.†Sardis is close to Laodicea in that they have received and heard the truth and have a name that says they are alive, but they are dead. Above all, they need to rekindle that living relationship with the Lord that they had when they first got saved. I experienced this and I know that many of you have also. The difference between death and life is the difference between “head knowledge†and “heart knowledge and relationshipâ€. We study, read books, go to Bible Schools and Seminaries, retreats and revivals. We learn and equate that head knowledge as living reality but it hasn’t been worked into our life. We study about the cross but don’t experience it. We study about dying to self, but it doesn’t happen. We study about sanctification and think we are, but we aren’t. We sit Sunday after Sunday and listen to sermon after sermon and our minds are filled but our spirit is as good as dead. We’ve lost the joy of our salvation. The world intrudes on our lives and defiles us as we get caught up in day to day humdrum survival. Going to church is just one of the motions we go through. We have a name, a reputation that we are alive, but we are dead inside.
In the early 60’s as a young college student, I was Vice President of InterVarsity, held Bible studies in the dorm. I even gave a couple of sermons at the Baptist Church on Sunday evening. But although I was saved, I had no reality and felt dead inside. A friend I had been witnessing to and who had attended my bible study, Joe M., went with me to the InterVarsity picnic on the Sunday afternoon before class started. On the way home, he asked me when we were going to get together because he really wanted to know how to become a Christian. I was excited that he asked but felt empty inside. I just said, we would get together soon. Two weeks later, Joe blew his brains out with a shotgun. I bottomed out as I realized what a sham my Christian life was. I was ready to throw it all away – it just wasn’t real to me any more (even though I had a real salvation experience and some wonderful experiences since then). I was done for as a Christian.
I’ll finish my testimony later, but have you ever had this experience? I had worked at Forest Home Christian Conference Center in Southern California and heard the greatest speakers of the day – Henrietta Mears, Rayford Johnson, the Olympic athlete, Bernard Ram, Bill Bright, Billy Graham, Richard Halvorsen, etc. I had memorized the Word faithfully with Navigators. I had great Christian friends, but I was a failure – as good as dead, and I knew it! Isn’t this the plight of so many Christians in this day and age?
I realized that just sitting in a pew would never get me anywhere, nor would Bible School or Seminary. I need to experience Jesus myself, “body life†and a loving community. I needed to find the church in Philadelphia and I did. More on that later.
Now we come to Laodicea which was covered in quite a bit of detail in the last chapter. Here we have the lukewarm church that thinks it is hot stuff but doesn’t have a clue. The Lord is standing at their door knocking. He says, “as many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.†What a wonderful God that treats us like children. I’ve been a Laodicean Christian as well. Most of us probably have at one time or another.
For those who think God is all love, let’s review what He does with the five churches he isn’t too happy with:
1. Ephesus – “Repent or He takes away their lampstand.†(Rev. 2:5)
2. Pergamos – “Repent or He will come and fight against them with the sword of my mouth.†(Rev. 2:16)
3. Thyatira – “Repent … or I will cast you into tribulation and kill your children†(Rev. 2:22-23)
4. Sardis – “Repent or I will come upon you as a thief…†(Rev. 3:3)
5. Laodicea – “Repent or I will vomit you out of my mouth.†(Rev 3:16)
There is an incredibly important distinction here. These are the five churches that God is not pleased with. They are no threat to Satan or the world per se. The first church has lost its relationship (first love). Pergamos and Thyatira are mixed up in pagan religion and politics. Sardis is dead and Laodicea is lukewarm. They don’t experience any tribulation from the world because they pose no threat. God Himself deals with these five churches. Unfortunately, there isn’t much of a testimony to the world.
Contrary to popular view of the Tim LaHayes of the world, the only two churches that are not criticized by God are the most persecuted. The Church flourished in the second and third centuries under the persecution of the world just as it does in China , Kuwait and Rwanda today. Surely, the suffering church and the “church of brotherly love†represent the Lord’s testimony today. Christians who happen to be in one of the other five still have an opportunity to overcome.
I have always been so contemptuous of Laodicea which has “Western Church†written all over it but God isn’t done with them yet! Certainly they are rebuked for being lukewarm and thinking they are rich. But He also says, “those whom I love, I reprove and discipline.†Please don’t ever become so elitist that you forget this S.R. Shearer! – and it has nothing to do with what country they live in. Daniel overcame in the heart of Babylon and there are overcomers in each church. Even Laodiceans have an opportunity to become truly rich, clothed and to have anointed eyes to see. Jesus Himself is standing outside their crystal cathedrals knocking and “if ANYONE hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and He with me.†Frankly, it is more humbling to see that, in a sense, the Lord seems to have more hope for Laodicea than He does for the mainline Protestants and Catholics (Sardis and Thyatira).
We are so quick to mock the excesses of the charismatic movement, signs and wonders, holy laughter, the green gospel, power evangelism and “kingdom now†theology. I might be a little harder on them if over the years, the Lord didn’t lead me in and out of all of these churches – a word/faith church in Minneapolis, Central Baptist in Wheaton, Sweetwater Church of the Valley in Phoenix, a Vineyard in Denver, a “latter rain†church in Avon, Connecticut, Lakewood Church in Houston, not to mention the “local church†and others. There were and are real brothers and sisters in these churches and God isn’t done with them yet any more than He is done with you or me. Our God is an “equal opportunity†God. Every saint has an equal opportunity to overcome.
I have been as critical of Laodicea as anyone as you can see in my book “Recognizing Apostasy and Deception, but we need to distinguish between the system and the leaders of the system and the people in it. They are public figures and are responsible for their public positions. The laity are still responsible to the Lord and need revelation and light and then to act on it. The Lord Jesus loves Christians in Laodicea so much that he is knocking on their hearts door yearning for fellowship with them. We should never forget it. We should never become so elitist and critical that we summarily write them off. God hasn’t.
It is easy to prey on weak Christians. There are elitist movements out there that tell you that you must meet with them if you want to be an overcomer. One ministry says you must move outside the United States to escape Babylon. This is absolutely ridiculous and unsupportable by any Scripture. The chronology of events in the book of Revelation is very clear. God loves all His children and His desire is that they would overcome. We should never be so arrogant to think we see the only way and all others are lost.
But before that happens there is a very good reason for the church to be on the earth. Tribulation has a way of refining God’s people.
Purpose of Suffering
Is God so mean spirited and vindictive that he would allow His people to suffer? Where is the love? People who think this way have no concept of a righteous and holy God. He loves the sinner but he hates the sin. He loves His people but He wants to see Christ formed in them. He wants to see them transformed into the image of His dear Son. (Romans 8:29, II Cor. 3:18, Col. 3:10). He wants them separated from the evil world system, not a part of it. He speaks of a corporate dwelling when He says:
“19Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.†(Eph 2:19-22)
He does not want mega churches and sanctuaries, but a “people building†– a body of forgiven, imperfect vessels that have the Spirit of God dwelling in them, transforming their lives and building them together in a living dwelling place. He wants living, vibrant Christians in living relationship with Him and one another – not stained glass sanctuaries, crosses, pews, altars, performing worship groups, scripted services, one man shows or any such nonsense.
God wants to see death to ourselves and His life formed in us. “For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.†(2 Corinthians 4:11) And just a few words from Hebrews.
“7If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.†…25See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, 26whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, "Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven." 27Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.
28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may[j] serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29For our God is a consuming fire.†(Hebrews 12:7-11, 25-29)
God allows trials and tribulations for our sake. We are His children. So do not refuse Him who speaks. Listen, learn and love Him. Our God is a consuming fire and He will burn up everything that is not of Him. What would God like to burn up in your life? What things just don’t matter in the light of eternity?
So what does God want? Why do we have tribulation and persecution? He wants to transform us into the image of His dear Son. He wants a testimony – a corporate expression so that when the world sees them they say, “behold how they love one another.†Unfortunately, if the church is accepted by the world, it is compromised and dead. If it is persecuted, it quickly becomes obvious who are the “real†Christians and who are the “false†ones. A person who is willing to lose all things, including his life for his Lord, is the testimony of Jesus.
Jesus reminds his disciples, "A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.†(John 15:10) Is our expectation to pay off our house, build up our retirement and live well until we die? Or as the apostle Paul declares, “18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us… 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?†(Romans 8:18, 35)
What does it mean to be a testimony?
Brothers and sisters, persecution and suffering have been the lot of Christians down through history. Why would we not rejoice with Paul? We are His testimony! We are His handiwork! And the Jews, as stiff necked as they may be, are too, in their own special way. God didn’t pick either group because of our attributes or inherent goodness, but out of His mercy He chose us. We are called to be witnesses, to testify and to be a testimony. The root word of “witnessâ€, “testify†and “testimony†is “marturiva†or “marturia†in Greek, meaning “martyrâ€. It is used 33 times in the New Testament and 8 in Revelation.
Let’s go back and look at the verses that use the word “testimony†in Revelation:
· Revelation 1:2 and 9 call the book, “the testimony of Jesus Christ.â€
· Revelation 6:9 says, “I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.â€
· Speaking of the two witnesses, it says, “When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.†(Revelation 11:7)
· In Revelation 12:11, it says, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.â€
· Revelation 12:17 says, “And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.â€
· And finally we find testimony used twice in Revelation 19:10, “And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."
Brothers and sisters, do you see it? We are His testimony! We are His witness! We are those who will be called to die for that testimony, those crying out from the altar, those who “overcome by the blood of the lamb, the word of their testimony and do not love their lives to death.†And when we come to the end of the book it declares, “4And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.†(Rev. 20:4) Truly, the sufferings of this present time are nothing compared to the glory before us.
God’s Other Reason for Witnesses
Now we come to the reason God needs two witnesses. The Bible says that, “Whoever is deserving of death shall be put to death on the testimony of two or three witnesses; he shall not be put to death on the testimony of one witness…One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.†(Deuteronomy 17:6, 19:15). This is also mentioned again in Hebrews 10:28, “Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.†The Book of Revelation is about the final days and judgment. If God is going to judge Satan, the fallen angels and unrepentant man, God needs two witnesses for any judgment to be valid.
God had a long range plan that began with Adam and Eve to redeem the world through a man, Jesus Christ, and bring those who would come back to Himself. He said to the Serpent who tempted Adam and Eve, “Because you have done this, you are cursed… And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel." (Genesis 3:14) Satan was to be judged by the seed of the woman (and we trace Jesus Christ from Adam through Abraham, David all the way to Mary). His heel was bruised on the cross but in so doing, Jesus dealt the death blow to Satan as well.
During the past two thousand years, God has been working on His testimony – His earthly and His heavenly peoples. He also has a score to settle with His arch enemy, Satan. Satan has had free reign on the earth to tempt, thwart and corrupt God’s work. We, the people, have had the opportunity to choose who we will serve. The day of reckoning is fast approaching. In Revelation 11:3, “And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty dayâ€, they prophesy for three and a half years. The two witnesses testify boldly and are even empowered to protect themselves. At the end of that time frame, the beast comes out of the pit and tries to do stop them. “7When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.†(Rev. 11:7) As I mentioned before, you don’t need to “make war†against Moses and Elijah. â€Make war†refers to an all out military campaign, a world war against the people who comprise the two witnesses. Please note again that we become the object of Satan wrath (not God’s). This is as it has been from the beginning. Satan is the one who hates and destroys. God is the one who loves and nurtures His people.
But with God, even death is just a temporary setback. Even though they are killed, God brings them to life. “11Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12And they[e] heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.†(Rev. 11:11-12) So after the second three and a half year period, they come to life, and a voice from heaven says, “Come up here†and that’s the seventh trumpet, the rapture and the Second Coming of Jesus followed by the judgment and the wrath. (Revelation 16-20).
The tribulation gives unrepentant man seven more years to change their minds. After listening to and seeing the two witnesses, they have no excuse. Yet many harden their hearts, and minds. God is then fully justified in pouring out his wrath and final judgment.
We should be clear on the chronology, the purpose of the tribulation and the two witnesses. Saints down through time and in the last days can be overcomers if they allow the overcoming life work within them. God deals with each one of us individually. We have an “equal opportunity†God who gives to all freely if they will receive. His life giving Spirit is available to every born again Christian. The interesting thing is that, at the end of the day, there will be overcomers in many different situations, different “churches†(from the institutional point of view), locations, walks of life. When the wheat and the chaff and the sheep and to goats are separated, I’m sure we will be quite surprised by who ends up on one side or another. Only God can judge our hearts and He will.
Any suggestion that there is a “magic bulletâ€, a special formula, special treatment or any such thing is not the way God works. He deals with us individually – “We work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.†(Phil. 2:12) The choice is ours.
But He doesn’t leave us alone to work it out. He also provides us with a family to grow in:
“14For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- 19to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.†(Eph. 2:14-20)
This passage gives the key to the Christian life. First, by His riches and glory he strengthens our inner man and dwells in our hearts. Then we are rooted and grounded in love (for Him and one another) and together we comprehend (literally, “apprehendâ€) His fullness and then we are His testimony – to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus! His testimony is corporate. The “church†doesn’t mean a building, an institution or 501-c3 tax exempt organization with priests or pastors. It doesn’t mean programs, gyms and campuses of facilities. It means the people who have that inward life and share it with one another.
Now we are ready to move on in our “search for the last days churchâ€. We need the eyes of our heart enlightened. We need to be sensitive to hear His still small voice. Now, let's keep looking for that illusive church in Philadelphia...
