The Covenant Class And The Book Of

The Covenant Class and the Book of

Interpreting the Book of Revelation Historicist approach Preterist approach Futurist approach Spriritual or Symbolic Approach

Patmos and the Churche s of Asia

Historicist Approach 

The fulfillment of the prophecy is progressing now and has been unfolding for 2000 years

th e e n tire a g e o f th e ch u rch . T h e se ve n ch u rch e s o f A sia re p re se n t se ve n p e rio d

E p h e su s

T h ya tira

Ph ila d e lp h ia

Pe rg a m o s S a rd is

S m y rn a

La o d ice a

Preterist Approach 

Prophecies have already occurred in the ancient past

n d itio n s p re va ilin g in se ve n ch u rch e s in th e R o m a n p ro vin ce o f A sia b e fo re th e J 

Futurist Approach 

Nothing has really happened yet

visio n co m m a n d in g h im to w rite d o w n th e e ve n t th a t w illb e fu lfille d ju st p rio r to

Spiritual Approach 

Everything is symbolic of the eternal battle between good and evil

u rch a g e , a n d th e le tte rs a re a p p lica b le to a n y ch u rch e s th a t sh a re th e ir co n d itio

Rev. 1:11 . . ."Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea."

Seven’s  Rev.1: 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth

came a sharp double-edged sword.

 Rev.2: 1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the

words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands

 Rev. 3: 1These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of

God and the seven stars.

 Rev. 4: 5 Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are

the seven spirits of God.

 Rev 5:  6Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing

in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits[a] of God sent out into all the earth.

 Rev 8: 2And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to

them were given seven trumpets.

Ephesus  1 To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:    These are the

words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands:

     2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I

know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.

     3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my

name, and have not grown weary.

     4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.      5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and

do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

     6 But you have this in your favour: You hate the practices of the

Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

     7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the

churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.



The “Acts of John”  Part of NT apocrypha, it contains two journeys of John to Ephesus,

filled with dramatic events, miracles such as the collapse of the Temple of Artemis just as John is in the theater preaching to try to convert Artemis' followers, anecdotes and well-framed melodramatic speeches.  42 And as John spake these things, immediately the altar of Artemis was parted into many pieces, and all the things that were dedicated in the temple fell, and [MS. that which seemed good to him] was rent asunder, and likewise of the images of the gods more than seven. And the half of the temple fell down, so that the priest was slain at one blow by the falling of the (?roof, ? beam). The multitude of the Ephesians therefore cried out: One is the God of John, one is the God that hath pity on us, for thou only art God: now are we turned to thee, beholding thy marvellous works! have mercy on us, O God, according to thy will, and save us from our great error! And some of them, lying on their faces, made supplication, and some kneeled and besought, and some rent their clothes and wept, and others tried to escape.

Ephesus

Roma

Julius Caesar

Ephesus  1 To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:    These are the

words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands:

     2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I

know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.

     3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my

name, and have not grown weary.

     4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.      5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and

do the at first. repent,men I willwillarise come to and di willnot spare thethings flock. you 2 0 : 3did 0 Even fromIf you your do ownnotnumber you and remove your lampstand from its place.      6 But you have this in your favour: You hate the practices of the

Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

     7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the

churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.



Ephesus  1 To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:    These are the

words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands:

     2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I

know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.

     3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my

name, and have not grown weary.

     4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.      5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and

do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

     6 But you have this in your favour: You hate the practices of the

Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

     7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the

churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.



1:20 The mystery of the seven stars that you

saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Ephesus  1 To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:    These are the

words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands:

     2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I

, a man

know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested fullof faithand of the Holy Spirit; but alsoare Philip , Procorus , Nicanor those who claim to be apostles not, and have found , Timon , P them false.

     3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my

name, and have not grown weary.

     4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.      5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and

do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

     6 But you have this in your favour: You hate the practices of the

Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

     7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the

churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.



Ephesus  1 To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:    These are the

words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands:

     2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I

know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, tested R e vethat la tioyou n 2 2have : claim bemapostles but found cle a r a s those cry stawho l, flo w in gtofro th e th ro n eare o fnot, G o dand a n dhave o f th e Lam b 2 d o w them false. Lu ke 2 2 :      ,3“You haveyou persevered andwillbe have with endured hardships us replied I assure , today you me in paradise for .” my name, and have not grown weary.      4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.      5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.      6 But you have this in your favour: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.      7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the

churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.



Smyrna

 8 To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:

   These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.      9 I know your afflictions and your poverty-- yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.      10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.      11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes

Smyrna

 8 To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:

   These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.      9 I know your afflictions and your poverty-- yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.      10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.      11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes

Smyrna

 8 To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:

   These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.      9 I know your afflictions and your poverty-- yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.      10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.      11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes

Smyrna

 8 To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:

   These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.    it,9and I know your afflictions and your t werein death and Hades gave up the dead thatpoverty-were in them yet , and each into the lake fire. Trich! h e la ke o f fire isthe th e se co n d d e aof th . those who youofare I know slander tten in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.      10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.      11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes

Lake of fire

Pergamum  12 To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:    These are the

words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.

     13 I know where you live-- where Satan has his throne. Yet you

remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city-- where Satan lives.

     14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have

people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.

     15 Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the

Nicolaitans.

     16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will

fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

     17 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. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.

Pergamum  12 To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:    These are the

words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.      13 I know where you live-- where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city-- where Satan lives.      14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have

people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.

     15 Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the

Nicolaitans.

     16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will

fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

     17 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. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.

Pergamum  12 To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:    These are the

words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.

     13 I know where you live-- where Satan has his throne. Yet you

remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city-- where Satan lives.

     14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have

people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.

     15 Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the

Nicolaitans.

     16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will

fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

     17 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. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.

Pergamu m  12 To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:    These are the

words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.

     13 I know where you live-- where Satan has his throne. Yet you

remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city-- where Satan lives.

     14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have

people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.

     15 Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the

Nicolaitans.

     16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will

fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

     17 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. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.

Thyatira  19 I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and

perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.      20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.      21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling.      22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways.      23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. 

Thyatira  19 I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and

perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.      20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.      21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling.      22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways.      23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. 

Sardis   1 And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These things saith

he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and thou art dead.

  2 Be thou watchful, and establish the things that remain, which

were ready to die: for I have found no works of thine perfected before my God. 3 Remember hand  [ Je su s] h e ld se v therefore e n stars, and ofhast his mouth came sharphear; double -edged how out thou received andadidst and keep it, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.   4 But thou hast a few names in Sardis that did not defile their

garments: and they shall walk with me in white; for they are worthy.

  5 He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments;

and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

  6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the

Sardis   1 And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These things saith

he that hath the seven of lGod, m 1 3 9and   the seven stars: I PsaSpirits lm 6 9Psa know thy works, that thou abefore name that livest, 26 To 16 punished the one you have You sawhast ,me they add insultto I was thou born injury . ; and thou arte ydead.       th       E a d dve torythdea py aoinf mo fy th life o sew ayo s urehco a ve rd ehdu irt n . yo u r b o o k .   2 Be thou watchful,    Eestablish ve ry m up o mthe e n tthings w, a s lathat id o uremain, t  27 Piletheir and sins high which a found si dfre a works ye h. a d pofa sse d . perfected were ready      a to die: n d      b dfor o ne’Itfo have leret th e mn ggleono thine before my God.  28 Erase their names from the Book of Life; o n ’ t le ttherefore th e m b e how co u nthou te d ahast m o n greceived th e rig hand te o udidst s.   3       d Remember hear; and keep it, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.   4 But thou hast a few names in Sardis that did not defile their

garments: and they shall walk with me in white; for they are worthy.

  5 He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments;

and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

  6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the

Sardis   1 And to the angel of the church in Sardis These things saith Lu ke 1write: 0

he that use your name ! ” hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars: I works, a name that thou livest, and wer of theknow enemythy, and youthat can thou walk hast among snakes and scorpions and crush the thou art dead.   2 Be thou watchful, and establish the things that remain, which

were ready to die: for I have found no works of thine perfected before my God.

  3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and didst hear; and

keep it, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

  4 But thou hast a few names in Sardis that did not defile their

garments: and they shall walk with me in white; for they are worthy.

  5 He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments;

and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

  6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the

Philadelphia  7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things saith he

that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and none shall shut, and that shutteth and none openeth:

  8 I know thy works (behold, I have set before thee a door opened, which

none can shut), that thou hast a little power, and didst keep my word, and didst not deny my name.

  9 Behold, I give of the synagogue of Satan, of them that say they are Jews,

and they are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

  10 Because thou didst keep the word of my patience, I also will keep thee

22 I willgive him the key to the house of David —the highest po replace youfrom . 21 the . . . hour of trial, that hour which is to come upon the whole world,

to try them that dwell upon the earth.

  11 I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no one take thy

crown.

  12 He that overcometh, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God,

and he shall go out thence no more: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God, and mine own new name.

  13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.

Philadelphia  8 “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you

that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me. 9 Look, I will force those who belong to Satan’s synagogue—those liars who say they are Jews but are not—to come and bow down at your feet. They will acknowledge that you are the ones I love.  10 “Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. 11 I am coming soon.[d] Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. 12 All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name.  13 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.

Philadelphia  8 “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you

that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me. 9 Look, I will force those who belong to Satan’s synagogue—those liars who say they are Jews but are not—to come and bow down at your feet. They will acknowledge that you are the ones I love.  10 “Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. 12 All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name.  13 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.

Laodicea   14 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea.

This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation:  15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.  20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share

Laodicea   14 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea.

This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation:  15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.  20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share

Laodicea   14 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea.

This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation:  15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.  20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share

Laodicea   14 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea.

This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation:  15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.  20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share

The Covenant Class and the Book of