About "What is Now"

Revelation Chapters 2 and 3, a collection of letters of Jesus sent to the seven churches, are explained through “What is now”, which shows the appearances and statuses of the churches in the Revelation times.“What is now” is described in Revelation 1:19 as the middle step of the three steps that divide the contents of Revelation after Revelation 1:19.

Revelation 1:19 is very important to understand Revelation more systematically.Looking at it closely, .

"Write, therefore, 1)what you have seen, 2)what is now and 3)what will take place later." (Rev 1:19)

The book of Revelation, which is consisted of contents up to and after Revelation 1:19, the introductory portion of the book, is divided into 3 steps. The first step, “what you have seen” covers Revelation 1:20, while “what will take place later” (Rev 4:1) covers from Chapter 4 Verse 1 to Chapter 22, the last chapter. Thus, “what is now”, Chapters 2 and 3 which covers what is between the aforementioned two steps represents the letters of Jesus sent to the seven churches.

Looking at Chapter 1 Verse 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." (Rev 1:20)

Also, looking at Chapter 4 Verse 1,

"After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what

must take place after this." (Rev 4:1)

Here, it can be known that from Chapter 4 Verse 1 to Chapter 22 records “what will take place later”.

Chapter 1 Verse 19 is crucial in understanding Revelation more systematically.After Verse 19, the book of Revelation can be divided into 3 parts; "which thou hast seen" is Revelation 1:20, which talks about the mystery of the seven stars and the seven golden candlesticks, "the things which are" represents Revelation Chapters 2 and 3, and "the things which shall be hereafter" (Rev 4:1) Revelation Chapters 4 to 22.Therefore, the contents of Revelation after 1:19, up to which is the introduction of Revelation, can be largely divided into "which thou hast seen" (Rev 1:20), "the things which are" (Rev Chap. 2-3), and "the things which shall be hereafter" (Rev Chap. 4-22).

1

① Chapter 1: the introduction(Rev 1:1-19) as well as "which thous hast seen", the mystery of the seven stars in the right hand of Jesus, and the seven golden candlesticks (Rev 1:20).

② Chapters 2-3: "What is now", the conditions of the church in the Revelation times.

③ Chapters 4-22: "the things which shall be hereafter", the prophecy of the things that will surely happen.

Revelation 1:20 above, which is the prophesy of the mystery shown to Apostle John, explains that "seven" and "stars" symbolize seven spirits and crowns of 12 stars (Rev 12:1), respectively.

It reveals to us about the "mystery of 7 stars", the first mystery of Revelation, using the number 7 and 12 hidden in the meaning of stars. The essence of it is the appearance of "the crowns of 12 stars worked by 7 spirits, who represent the network of 12 partnering disciples" (Php 4:1-7).

These 7 spirits, which is the nickname of the Holy Spirit in the times of Revelation, symbolize the combined 7 kinds of activities of Holy Spirit, represented by 1)the Spirit of the Lord, 2)the Spirit of wisdom and 3)of understanding, 4)the Spirit of counsel and 5)of might, 6)the Spirit of the knowledge and 7)the fear of the Lord.

<Isa 11:1-2>1. And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his

roots:2. And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the

spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

Here, the key to unlock "the mystery of 7 stars" lies in separating and understanding the meanings of the number 7 and stars in "7 stars".

Looking at the Reference Verses,

<Zec 4:10>10. For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the

plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

<Zec 3:8-9>8. Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are

men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.9. For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes:

behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.

<Rev 5:6>6. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the

2

elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

Looking at “seven” and “stars” separately, “seven” represents God’s seven spirits that act as seven eyes of Jesus (Zec 4:10/Rev 5:6/Rev 4:5), and “stars” symbolizes people who lead many to righteousness as prophesied in Daniel and 12 offspring of Jacob, which refers to 12 branches. (Dan 12:1-3/Gen 37:9-10) Thus, “the mystery of 7 stars” predicts the start of the open revelation as well as the appearance of the numbered new humankind symbolized by the crown of 12 stars, which refers to the network of Jesus' 12 disciples. (Psa 147:2-4/Rev 21:16-17)

<Da 12:1-4>1. And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of

thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

2. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

3. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

4. But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

<Ro 8:14>14. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

<Isa 66:20-22>20. And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon

horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.

21. And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the LORD.22. For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith

the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.

<Php 4:1-7>1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, 1)so stand fast in

the Lord, my dearly beloved.2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of 2) the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, 3) help those women which laboured with me in the

gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

4 4) Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 5) Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.6 6) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing7) by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known unto God.

3

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Jesus informs us about the creation of his true disciple network, formed by the crown of 12, 144 or more stars, which represent the partnering disciples recorded in the book of life. (Rev 12:1/Php 4:1-7) He also lets us know that many people will come back to the right path (Isa 30:20-22) by providing light of Jesus’ revealing word to the world churches darkened by invasion of Satan (Rev 4:5), and that the disciples light up the seven lampstands with the same olive oil representing Jesus’ revealing word as messengers of Jesus with guardian angels. (2Co 8:23/Mt 18:10/Rev 22:16)

The fundamental principle of God's network of the new mankind formed by 12 and its multiples constituting the kingdom and the priests of God in the Revelation times is based on the idea that the 12 partnering disciples written in the book of life (1 Th 2:19-20/Php 4:1-4), which is symbolized by the crowns of the twelve starts in Revelation 12:1, become the stars numbered and called by God by their names (Ps 147:2-4), teach the words of the open revelation to those to be evangelized, maintain loving relationships and constitute 12 partnering disciples each to form one large spiritual family.

As groups of 12 and more than 144 (12X12) unite in love and come together to form God's human network constituted by multiples of 12 true disciples of Jesus, we build a wall, which becomes a part of the Holy city.

Therefore, when the principle of the creation of the symbiotic community formed by multiples of 12 is aplied, each of the twelve gathers twelve partnering disciples devoted to God to build 144 people, which forms a wall of the Holy city. Subsequently, when two walls, the basic unit of a city, work together to achieve goodness (Ro 8:28)and praise God, it becomes 288 (144X2) people.(1Ch 25:7)

<Rev 21:17>17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the

measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

<Rev 21:14>14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve

apostles of the Lamb.

<Mk 3:13-15>13 And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came

unto him.   14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,   15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:.

4

 <Rev 12:1>1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon

under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:

<1Ch 25:7>7 So the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed in the songs of the LORD,

even all that were cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight.

Therefore, in the Revelation times, we consider 144, which is the symbol number of a wall of the Holy city, as the basic unit of the wall representing the process of salvation in which the kingdom of God and Christ (Rev 10:7) are wholly achieved as the mystery of the seventh trumpet is opened and it is played (Rev 10:7/Rev 11:15/Col 1:12-14/2 Ti 4:1-2). Such a process to achieve it is the shortcut to eternal love and respect that most people of the world living on the earth must learn. Also, it is the providence of salvation of the eternal resurrection in the end times in which Jesus is the first fruit. (1Co 15:44/Isa 10:20-23)

<Isa 26:1-10>1 In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.2 Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:5   For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust.6 The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy.7 The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just.8 Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.10 Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD.

<Isa 60:18-22>18 Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders;

but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.19 The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light

unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.20 Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall

be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.21 Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my

planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.22 A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will

hasten it in his time.

5

<Mic 7:11>11 In the day that thy walls are to be built, in that day shall the decree be far removed

<Isa 13:2-5>2 Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that

they may go into the gates of the nobles.3 I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger,

even them that rejoice in my highness.

<Rev 21:5>5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me,

Write: for these words are true and faithful.

<1Co 15:19-20>19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

Also, Revelation Chapters 2 and 3 write in detail about the 12 fruits borne towards the everlasting life given to the believers.

It is summarized as follows.

<Reference 1>12 Fruits of the One who overcomes toward Eternal Life(12 Fruits of the New Covenant)

-Jesus’ Revelation

① Fruits of the Tree of Life"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;

To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." (Rev 2:7):(Ge 3:22-24/Rev 2 2:14)

② The Crown of Life"be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.(Rev 2:10):(1Th 2:19/Php 4:1/Jas 1:12/Rev 12:1)

③ Shall not be hurt of the second death"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death."(Rev 2:11):(Rev 20:6/Rev 21:8)

④ The hidden manna"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna,"(Rev 2:17):(Rev 10:9-11)

6

⑤ A white stone"and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written,which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it." (Re v2:17):(Zec 3:9/1Pe 2:4-5)

⑥ Authority over the nations "And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:" (Rev 2:26):(Rev 12:5)

⑦ The morning star"And I will give him the morning star." (Rev 2:28):(Rev 22:16)

⑧ Dressed in white"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment;" (Rev3:5):(Isa 61:10/Rev 3:18/Rev 7:9-14/Rev 19:14)

⑨ Will never blot out his name from the book of life"and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels." (Rev3:5):(Ps 69:28/Php 4:3/Rev 20:12-15/Rev 21:27)

⑩ A pillar in the temple of my God"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God,"(Rev 3:12):(Rev 21:16-17/Isa 26:1/Isa 60:18)

⑪ Will write upon him the name of my God, new Jerusalemand my new name“I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of thecity of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out ofheaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.”(Rev 3:12):(Isa 62:2-5/Isa 65:15-17/Rev 21:9-10/Isa 18:7)

⑫ Grant to sit with Jesus on his throne “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”(Rev 3:21):(Jer 3:17/Rev 21:7/Lk 22:28-30) (계 3:21):(렘 3:17/계 21:7/눅 22:28-30)“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”(Rev 3:21):(Jer 3:17/Rev 21:7/Lk 22:28-30)

Here, first of all, t he Tree of Life from which gifts of fruits had already appeared in Genesis (Ge 2:8-9) but the access to it was restricted due to the disobedience of Adam and Eve (GE 3:22-24). However, it shows up again in Revelation in which the servants of God eat the fruits of the Tree

7

of Life and taste the incredible blessings reaching the eternal life. Like this, Gensis and Revelation, the beginning and the new beginning, are connected to each other.

With related verses, the mutually supplementary elements between Gensis and Revelation are shown as follows.

<Ge 3:22-24>22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil:

and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from

whence he was taken.24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a

flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

<Pr 3:18>18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

<Rev 2:7>7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that

overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

<Rev 22:14>14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and

may enter in through the gates into the city.

.Like this, Gensis and Revelation, the beginning and the new beginning, are connected to each other.

<Comparison between Genesis and Revelation regarding Tree of Life>Genesis RevelationThe beginning of the Bible (First Beginning) End of the First Beginning - the New Beginning

Temptation of Satan (Ge 3:1-24) Fall of Satan - the ultimate victory of Christ (Rev 20:1-3/Rev 20:10)

Restrictions and sadness resulting from disobeying God's laws and the beginning of death (Ge 3:14-24/Ge 4:1-12)

Forgiveness of sins as well as the end of tears and death (Rev 21:1-7)

Forbiddance to access the Tree of Life (Ge 3:22-24)

The blessings of eternal life from eating the fruits of the Tree of Life (Rev 2:7/Rev 21:3-4/Rev 22:14)

Beginning with the first covenant(Ge 1:26-29)

Bearing fruits with the new covenant (Rev 1:3/Rev 22:1-7)

Disobedience of men, which resulted in incomplete relationship with God - immature relationship (Ge 3:8-24)

Completion of the relationship with God - mature relationship (Rev 21:3-7/Rev 22:1-5)

First Adam and the Garden of Eden (Ge 2:15-25)

New Jerusalem (1 Co 15:44-58/Rev 21:2/Rev 21:10-27)

8

The beginning of the Bible - first heaven first earth (Ge 1:1-31)

The completion of the Bible and the new beginning - new heaven new earth (Rev 21:1-7)

Also, the Bible is the book that records the process to obtain wisdom for the sons and daughters of God to reach the Tree of Life through the grace of Jesus Christ who, in the Revelation times, restored the path of eternal life, which was blocked by God in Genesis due to the sins of Adam and Eve.

Also, "the second death" means the casting into the eternal lake of fire upon judgment (Rev 19:20/Rev 20:14-15), which is from Revelation 20:15, so not being hurt of the second death (Rev 21:8) means that those who die in the Lord after obeying him until death, overcoming trials and fulfilling the words of his prophecies (Rev 14:13) directly go to the third heaven, which is the paradise, to receive the blessings of eternal life and resurrection.

Therefore, those who are saved and die in the Lord transcend death and reach God's paradise, the third heaven. However, those who cannot and are spiritually dead initially await in hell and face the final judgment of the white throne. If one does not become written in the book of life upon this judgment, he or she will be thrown into the eternal lake of fire burning with brimstone. This is the second death.

<Rev 20:11-15>11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the

heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and

another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

<Rev 20:6>6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no

power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

<Rev 21:5-8>5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me,

Write: for these words are true and faithful.6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give

unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and

sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

9

<Mt 13:40-43>40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this

world.41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all

things that offend, and them which do iniquity;42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears

to hear, let him hear.

Here, the way not to be hurt of the second death is through the testimony of salvation in which, without going to Hell and being thrown into the lake of fire, we become the brides of Jesus and participate in the resurrection of the holy body (Lk 10:19-20).

Also, eating of the hidden manna, which is the spiritual food given to those who overcome Satan

Its starting point is when we take in and fully understand "Revelation Chapters 2-3", the small book within Revelation which is the spiritual food of life that completes the new covenant (Lk 22:13-20/Jn 6:47-58/Dt 8:3/Mt 4:4). Then, we are called to prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

Here, peoples represent all men and women who have the religious faith, nations the believers of God to whom the kingdom of God has come, tongues the people with different languages used, and kings the priests.

<Rev 1:11>11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book,

and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

<Rev 10:9-11>9 And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me,

Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.

10 And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.

11 And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

<2Pe 3:7>7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved

unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

<1Co 11:23-29>23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus

the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

10

24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

25 After the same manner also   he took  the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink   it, in remembrance of me.

26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall

be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not

discerning the Lord's body.

<Jn 4:32-38>32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift

up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that

soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are

entered into their labours.

<Am 3:7>7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the

prophets.

Jesus says in John Chapter 6, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever" (Jn 6:53-58). Therefore, the true meaning of the Holy Communion is eating of the words of prophecy of Jesus who is the Word made flesh (Jn 1:14).

In the end times, we eat Revelation Chapters 2-3, which is the small book within Revelation. Here, the meaning of "I will raise him up at the last day" promised by Jesus is that those who eat and digest this small book and keep the prophecies of Jesus will live again after they die, participate in the first resurrection and enjoy the eternal life. This is the will of God, which is repeatedly emphasized a number of times (Rev 20:6/Rev 22:7).

<Dt 8:2-3>2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in

the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou

11

wouldest keep his commandments, or no.3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou

knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every   word  that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

<Jn 6:31-35>31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to

eat.32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread

from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger;

and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

<Heb 9:3-5>3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold,

wherein   was  the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;

5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.

<Rev 11:19>19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his

testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

<Jer 3:14-18>14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take

you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge

and understanding.16 And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days,

saith the LORD, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit   it; neither shall that  be done any more.

17 At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.

18 In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers.

<Reference> The will of God to resurrect a believer

12

Jn 6:39 "And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day."

Jn 6:40 "And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."

Jn 6:44 "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day."

Jn 6:54 "Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day."

Jn 6:57-58 "As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever."

Ro 8:11 "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."

1Co 6:14 "Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body."

1Co 15:15 "Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not."

2 Co 4:14 "Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you."

1 Jn 4:9 "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him."

Jn 12:48-50 "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak."

Therefore, the letters sent to the Churches in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea comprise Revelation Chapters 2 and 3 and represent the small book within Revelation.This small book lets us know through Revelation Chapter 10 that it will prophesy again for many people who receive, consume and completely digest the small book.

Looking at it again, (Rev 1:11)

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

"Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: "Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land." So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, "Take it and eat it. It will turn

your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as

13

honey." I took the little scroll from the angel's hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. Then I was told, "You must prophesy

again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings." (Rev 10:8-11)

In the book of Revelation, there are a number of cases in which hints leading to answers within Revelation are provided. Examples are as follows.

<Rev 19:11-16>11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

<Rev 17:14>14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of

lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

Here, it can be known that “he that sat upon the white horse” is indeed Jesus Christ the Lamb,

<Rev 3:8>8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name

<Rev 4:1>1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

It can be also known that the open door of the Church in Philadelphia is indeed the door opened in heaven, which is the gate to heaven. (Rev 4:1)

Therefore, above Revelation Chapter 1, Verse 11 is the command to record all you saw in a book and then send it to the seven chuches in Asia (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea). Here, the appearances of the seven churches refer to "what is now", which tells the current status of churches in the Revelation times, and a symbolic division of all churches encountering the Revelation times into seven different types.

14

Also, the letters sent to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3 are written as a small book within Revelation, which were in the form of a circulating letter transferred by the messengers of Jesus and read by various churches. In the end times, the small book is received and consumed through a Holy Communion and tells us that the believers who have digested its meaning must prophesy again to all peoples who have the religious faith, to whom the kingdom of God has come and who speak different languages as well as who hold the position of priests.

The letters of Jesus sent to the seven churches, which form the small book within Revelation and whose overall order is written in quite a unique structure, retain the common structure as follows.

<The Common Structure for All Steps of the Letter>

1. Reciepient2. Jesus says3. He knows everything about you4. There is something to rebuke (except the Church in Philadelphia)5. Repent and come back (except the Church in Philadelphia)6. Blessings for those who overcome7. The one who has ears hear the word of the Holy Spirit to the churches

Let’s look at the reference verses.

<2Co 3:2-6>2. Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:3. Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written

not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

4. And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:5. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency

is of God;6. Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit:

for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

<2Co 8:23-24>23. Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our

brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.24. Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our

boasting on your behalf.

Also, Jesus' letter to the seven churches, which is Revelation Chapters 2 and 3, talks about the word that the Holy Spirit gives to the churches and is the core command of the Holy Spirit to the seven types of churches, which represent all churches on earth in the end time. It is summarized as follows.

15

<The Core Command of the Holy Spirit>

① Keep your first love and the things you did at first. (Rev 2:4-5) - the Church in Ephesus

② Do not be afraid of the suffering and be faithful even to the point of death. (Rev 2:10) - the Church in Smyrna

③ Do not fall for the teachings of Balaam and Nicolaitans who pursue greed and authority. (Rev 2:14-15) - the Church in Pergamum

④ Repent of the immorality when given an opportunity to repent (Rev 2:20-21) - the Church in Thyatira

⑤ Find the completeness of deeds and be awake (Rev 3:2) - the Church in Sardis

⑥ Hold on to what you have to protect the crown (Rev 3:11) - the Church in Philadelphia

⑦ Be either cold or hot and be earnest. (Rev 3:15-19) – the Church in Laodicea

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;"<Rev 2:7/Rev 2:11/Rev 2:17/Rev 2:29/Rev 3:6/Rev 3:13/Rev 3:22>

Taking to heart the earnest plea of the Holy Spirit, which says “he that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” repeated 7 times, the comparisons and analyses of the current status of the seven churches are summarized as follows.

Summary of Comparisons of the Seven Churches

Order Church Description Current Status1 The Church

in Ephesus(Rev 2:1-7)

The members of the Church in Ephesus not only revealed the deceivers who belong to Satan but also worked hard patiently to shine the name of Jesus. Most importantly, however, they lost the first love and the things they did at first, showing a situation of an imminent danger in which, without repenting, the lampstand of God would be removed from its place.

The church that has lost the first love and the things they did at first

2 The Church in Smyrna(Rev 2:8-11)

The Church in Smyrna is a church that has been put to the trial by Satan by the interference of the Jews, the synagogue of Satan, who called themselves the chosen ones. The believers, however, showed a

They have fallen into the trial by Satan but have spiritual thirst.

16

strong desire about the word of eternal life even during the times of poverty and depletion of the spiritual word.

Also, it fortells that when some of those who merely repeat the elementary teachings of God and fail to reach the whole measure of the fullness of Christ, recognize the afflictions of the reality of the spiritual prison, they can join in the symbiotic community of those who overcome. And they will become rich with truth and receive the crown of life.

3 The Church in Pergamum(Rev 2:12-17)

The Church in Pergamum is where the throne of Satan was. As Jesus revealed the signs of the end of the world, he told the readers to understand when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation' (Mt 24:15). Pergamum is a place in which Satan who leads the whole world astray (Rev 12:9) deceives in the name of God and take control of the people of God with clever pretense of spreading God's words like Balaam.

Though they definitely refer to the Bible even today and fluently preach God's words to show that they follow them wholeheartedly, the secularized church leaders (Mt 23:16-18) whose actions are directed by a desire for materials and authority are said to the Nicolaitans following the teachings of Balaam (Jude 1:11-13).

They call themselves arbitrators between God and his people but allow the Nicolaitans following the teachings of Balaam who turn believers into blinded followers with a strong desire for materials and authority.

4 The Church in Thyatira(Rev 2:18-29)

The Church in Thyatira is overflown with things of deeds, love, faith, service and perseverance. However, as it allowed the deceipt of a self-proclaimed prophet (Eze 13:17-23) symbolized by Jezebel, a woman who was not to be tolerated (1Ki 16:29-33/1Ki 21:1-16) because she deceived and committed sexual immorality, the Church befriended the spirit of deceipt and ultimately left God as it embraced the mammonism of the world and corrupt authority and escaped from the essence of faith (Jas 4:4)

Also, the servants of God did not repent their routine immoral acts and ate together the sacrifices for the idol due to greed, one of the worst kinds of idolatry in the revelation times (Col 3:5). Therefore,

By tolerating a self-proclaimed prophet, Ethbaal, they pursued the secularization with aims for authority, superstitious elements and the privatization of the church.

17

it predicts that, in the end, they will be thrown into great afflictions.

5 The Church in Sardis (Rev 3:1-6)

The Church in Sardis looked fine on the outside but, inside, was filled with those who have gone away from the truth due to their unwholesome acts, those who live with decent positions and names but are spiritually dead; the spirits of its members became dark as well. Here, the people who have living names but are dead are those who pursue uncharacteristically overflowing respect, complacency and vanity (1Ti 5:6), who spread them to other believers who must reach to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ, (Eph 4:13-16) and who prevent them from bearing any fruit being choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures and from becoming mature (Lk 8:14).

Though the Church in Sardis was a weak church whose deeds were not sound, a few who washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Rev 7:14) were together with Jesus in righteousness, which did not dirty the robes.

The church was full of those with living names but who are dead spiritually but also had a small group of believers in white robes who walked with Jesus.

6 The Church in Philadelphia (Rev 3:7-13)

The Church in Philadelphia is the only church out of the seven churches that completely suppressed the synagogue of Satan with brotherly love. The synagogue of Satan is a group of those who call themselves Jews who look like chosen people and legitimate people but are not truly chosen people and only liars. The church is consisted of believers who made the synagogue of Satan submit and received an abundance of Jesus' grace.

It is a non-denominational symbiotic community of the brothers who overcame the synagogue of Satan by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony and who did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death (Rev 12:11), and also of the saints who overcome with patient endurance and obey the revealed faith to the end (Rev 14:12). Also, it is a holy place of God, Jesus and the name of the new Jerusalem in the revelation times (Rev 3:12/Isa 18:7).

Even with little strength, the complete church that did not betray the name of Jesus, overcame the synagogue of Satan and avoid the trial in the end time.

7 The Church The Church in Laodicea is the church rebuked because its members are neither cold nor hot. It is faced with a

The rebuked

18

in Laodicea (Rev 3:14-22)

situation in which they are hearing the word of a powerful warning that God will cast away from salvation those who are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold if they do not break peace with Satan (Rev 6:4), repent and obey God with earnestness.

God points out that, even if those deceived by Satan call themselves rich and say that they have acquired wealth and do not need a thing, they are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked, looking from the spiritual perspective.

And they must repent, open the door of their hearts, wear the white robe of salvation through refinement removing impurities and dross like pure gold refined in fire (Job 23:10/Isa 1:22-27/Eze 22:17-22), pursue the spiritual wealth following the word of Jesus' prophecy and not show the shameful nakedness (Rev 19:8).

Also, he warns them, by buying and putting salve on their eyes, they must open up their spiritual vision and see clearly those who are deceived by Satan who invaded the church.

church that is arrogant in its wealth and lukewarm in its attitude of faith, and whose spiritual vision is closed and that only puts Christ outside the door.

Here, in order to learn about the lesson of Balaam who appears as the subject of reproach (Rev 2:14), let us examine further about Balaam and Balac.

Balaam was a prophet of Mesopotamia, a region that had the means of communication with God, but had so much covetousness for his riches that he eventually became one of the most significant people who corrupted the word of God. He makes his first appearance in Numbers Chapter 22.

He was invited by and promised a lot of riches from Balac, the king of Moab, who was fighting against the people of Israel led by Moses. Balaam was commissioned to curse the Israelites who had pitched their camps in the plains of Moab across from Jericho. However, based on God's command to him, he instead delivered the words of God that blessed the people of Israel, and acted as a prophet of God.

But Balaam was a Mesopotamian (Ac 7:2-4), and even though he was a special prophet who communicated with God, he indulged in the unjust wages for his fortunetelling given from Balac, the elders of Moab and of Midian, and reached for even more riches. Though, with his mouth, he delivered the words and prophecies of God, he set up a trap for the Israelites with a surreptitious plot, making them consume the sacrifices unto idols and commit adultery.

<Nu 22:7-8>7 And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in

their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.

19

8 And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.

<2 Pe 2:15-22>15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the

sonof Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

<Jude 1:11-13>11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of

Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves

without fear: clouds   they are  without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

<Dt 23:3-6>3 An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their

tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever:4 Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of

Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.

5 Nevertheless the LORD thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee.

6 Thou shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity all thy days for ever.

<Nu 31:6-18>6 And Moses sent them to the war, a thousand of every tribe, them and Phinehas the son of

Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the holy instruments, and the trumpets to blow in his hand.

20

7 And they warred against the Midianites, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew all the males.

8 And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain;   namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.

9 And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods.

10 And they burnt all their cities wherein they dwelt, and all their goodly castles, with fire.11 And they took all the spoil, and all the prey, both of men and of beasts.12 And they brought the captives, and the prey, and the spoil, unto Moses, and Eleazar the

priest, and unto the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the camp at the plains of Moab, which are by Jordan near Jericho.

13 And Moses, and Eleazar the priest, and all the princes of the congregation, went forth to meet them without the camp.

14 And Moses was wroth with the officers of the host, with the captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, which came from the battle.

15 And Moses said unto them, Have ye saved all the women alive?16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit

trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.

17 Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him.

18 But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.

In other words, Balaam incited Moab women to commit adultery with the Israelites and made the people of Israel worship and bow to the god of Moab and eat the sacrifices unto idols together. This is the act of the people of God eating the sacrifices unto idols, and Balaam plotted this to induce God's anger at his people and his subsequent punishment handed down to them. As a result, 24,000 of these Israelites who fell into this trap, die from the plague. (Nu 25:1-9/Nu 31:16/2 Pe 2:15/Jude 1:11)

Balaam initially rejected the invitation from Balac but became blinded and tempted by a great amount of riches sent from him.

Also, he refused to follow the request of Balac to curse the Israelites at first but obeyed the command of God to bless them instead, but ultimately forgot his original resolution, pursued the idols of covetousness (Col 3:5) and left God.

In today's world, there are church leaders who definitely refer to the Bible and preach to fully obey the words of God but whose actions and directions are driven by covetousness of riches and authority (Mt 23:16-18). These can be said to be the Nicolaitans who hold the doctrine of Balaam (Jude 1:11-13).

The Nicolaitans are not related to Nicolas who is one of the seven evangelists (Ac 6:1-6), but is

21

rather a combination of Nico, which means conquering, and Laos, which means people, resulting in a term based on the word "Nicolaus", which means the conquerer of people. They are those whose original resolutions have been marred by covetousness for riches but still pursue the quality of authority. They represent "spiritual brokers who dominate and rule over the people of God".

Revelation 2:14-15 clearly defines those who follow the doctrine of Balaam as the Nicolaitans.

Therefore, the Nicolaitans symbolize the corrupted spiritual brokers who have Satan of mammonism and materialism seated in their hearts, which ought to be the place where the Trinity God dwells and the kingdom and the holy temple of God must be.

When we examine closely these "people who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans" who consider themselves as spiritual brokers, it can be found that they are not devoted to the process of the Holy Ghost who changes a believer into a true disciple of Jesus and a priest of God. Instead, they represent those who falsely prophesy, misusing God's words such as "all are saved" or "all are at peace", and the ignorant, wage-earning ministers who are driven by the internal covetousness for their own benefits (2 Pe 2:12-22).

<Jer 23:14-20>14 I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and

walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.

15 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land.

16 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart,   and  not out of the mouth of the LORD.

17 They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.

18 For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it?

19 Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked.

20 The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.

<Eze 13:9-16>9 And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not

be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.

10 Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and   there was  no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered   morter:

11 Say unto them which daub   it  with untempered   morter, that it shall fall: there shall be an

22

overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend   it.12 Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye

have daubed it?13 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even rend it with a stormy wind in my fury; and

there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in my fury to consume it.

14 So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered morter, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

15 Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered morter, and will say unto you, The wall is no more, neither they that daubed it;

16 To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and   there is  no peace, saith the Lord GOD.

<Ac 20:29-31>29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

<Mt 7:15-23>15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Also, here, the historical meaning of Jezebel at the church in Thyatira, the self-proclaimed prophet, must be examined. Jezebel was an actual person in the times of Elijah the prophet, the wife of King Ahab who is seen by God as the most wicked king in the history of Israel and the daughter of Ethbaal, the king of the Zidonians (1 Ki 16:29-33).

Jezebel worshipped idols, persecuted Elijah the prophet and killed many of God's prophets (1 Ki 19:1-18), confiscated Naboth's vineyard that represents the church of God by using the elders and nobles sucking up for power (Jer 12:10-13), and tempted King Ahab to commit a countless number of idolatries and evil deeds.

23

Therefore, as Jezebel used not only false prophets but also elders and nobles who colluded with the authority of the world and sucked up for more power when she commited evil deeds, there are similar people in today's world who privatize the holy temple and the organization of God, the vineyard, through false testimonies and secular authorities, act as self-proclaimed prophets, and make people to worship mammonism, materialism, authority and superstition in order to secularize churches.

<1Ki 16:29-33>29 And in the thirty and eighth year of Asa king of Judah began Ahab the son of Omri to reign

over Israel: and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty and two years.30 And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him.31 And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam

the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.

32 And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria.33 And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger

than all the kings of Israel that were before him.

<1Ki 21:1-16> 1 And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.

2 And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money.

3 And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.

4 And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.5 But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread?

6 And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard.

7 And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.

8 So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth.

9 And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people:

10 And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die.

11 And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them.

24

12 They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people.13 And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial

witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.

14 Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead.15 And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, that Jezebel

said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give thee for money: for Naboth is not alive, but dead.

16 And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.

For the seven churches described in Revelation Chapters 2 and 3 excluding the church in Philadelphia, Jesus rebukes that they,

First, have lost the first love and the first deed (the church in Ephesus)Second, merely repeat the initial stage of faith even in such a spiritual thirst (the church in

Smyrna),Third, have fallen into idolatry and authoritarianism based on covetousness (the churhc in

Pergamum),Fourth, pursue secular powers and superstitious elements together (the church in Thyatira),Fifth, are soaked with empty formalities and vanity and pleasure of the world (the church in

Sardis),Sixth, lack repentance and diligence due to spiritual arrogance (the church in Laodicea).

On the other hand, by saying that "I know thy works: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name" (Rev 3:8) and "because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth" (Rev 3:10), Jesus praises and chooses the church in Philadelphia as the righteous church in the end times.

Among the seven types of churches depicted in Revelation Chapters 2 and 3, the church in Philadelphia is the only one that achieves the relationship of brotherly love and conquers the synagogue of Satan. Jesus protects its believers and keeps them away from the times of trial that would come to the whole earth. They form a symbiotic community of those who overcome in the end times, and the church, which has received all the nations(all peoples who have the religious faith with the kingdom of God), is especially blessed with believers who participate in the kingdom of our Lord and Christ.

<Rev 11:15>15. And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms

of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

<Rev 10:7>7. But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery

of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

25

<1Co 15:51-54>51. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,52. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the

dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.53. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on

immortality.54. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on

immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

<2Co 5:1-4>1. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building

of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.2. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from

heaven:3. If so be that being clothed we shall not be found

naked.4. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be

unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

<Jn14:2-3>2. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to

prepare a place for you.3. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that

where I am, there ye may be also.

Since this is a very essential notion, the twelve blessings prophesied to the church in Philadelphia will be examined more in-depth in twelve paragraphs.The prophecies of Jesus and the twelve blessings for the church in Philadelphia are summarized and explained in the table as follows.

The 12 Blessings to the Church in Philadelphia

To the Churchin Philadelphia <Rev 3:7-13>

The 12 Blessings to the Church in Philadelphia Believer

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; ① These things saith he that is holy, he

that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it:

① Blessed is the one who enters the gate of heaven with the key of David

② Blessed is the one who kept the words of the prophecy in the revelation in his heart

③ Blessed is the one who is faithful to the end in the name of Jesus.

④ To him who overcomes the synagogue of Satan which says

26

② for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word,

③ and hast not denied my name.④ Behold, I will make them of the

synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet,

⑤ and to know that I have loved thee.⑥ Because thou hast kept the word of my

patience, ⑦ I also will keep thee from the hour of

temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

⑧ Behold, I come quickly⑨ hold that fast which thou hast, that no

man take thy crown.⑩ Him that overcometh will I make a

pillar in the temple of my God, ⑪ and he shall go no more out: ⑫ and I will write upon him the name of

my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

they are Jews, and they are not, but do lie; Jesus will make them come and fall down at his feet.

⑤ Blessed is the one who acknowledges that Jesus has loved him

⑥ Blessed is the one who overcomes since he has kept the word of Jesus with patience.

⑦ Jesus will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.

⑧ Blessed is the one who meets Jesus who is coming soon.

⑨ Blessed is the one who holds onto what he has, so that no one will take your crown

⑩ Blessed is the one who overcomes, Jesus will make a pillar in the temple of God

⑪ Blessed is the one who shall go no more out in the temple of God

⑫ Blessed is the one who writes upon him the name of God and the name of the city of God, the new Jerusalem and write upon him of new name of Jesus.

Here, by saying "I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name" (Mt 23:39/Isa 26:8-13), Jesus declares that the fruit of the new covenant in the end times will be borne for the believers of the church in Philadelphia who have gathered under the flag of Jesus Christ (Ps 20:4-6/2 Th 1:11-12).

In other words, at the church in Philadelphia, which is a gathering place for God's "servants"(Rev 1:1) who hear and understand the word of the prophecy and, with goodness and gratitude, take it to their hearts where God's name dwells, fruits as much as thirty times, sixty times or even a hundred times will be borne, and the mysteries of kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ(Rev 11:15) in which God has placed his name will be revealed.(Mk 4:20/Dt 28:10/Mt 13:11-23/Jn 15:26/Php 2:9-11)

Looking at the reference verses,

<Mt 18:20>20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

27

<Isa 18:7>7 In that time shall the present be brought unto the LORD of hosts of a people scattered and

peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of the LORD of hosts, the mount Zion.

<Isa 8:16-18>16 Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou

shalt know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.17 For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones

iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness.18 Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but

thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise

<Isa 60:8-9>8 Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?9 Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far,

their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.

<Dt 16:2-17> 2 Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the passover unto the LORD thy God, of the flock and the herd,

in the place which the LORD shall choose to place his name there. 3 Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread

therewith, even the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life.

4 And there shall be no leavened bread seen with thee in all thy coast seven days; neither shall there any thing of the flesh, which thou sacrificedst the first day at even, remain all night until the morning.

5 Thou mayest not sacrifice the passover within any of thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee:

6 But at the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt.

7 And thou shalt roast and eat it in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose: and thou shalt turn in the morning, and go unto thy tents.

8 Six days thou shalt eat unleavened bread: and on the seventh day shall be a solemn assembly to the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no work therein.

9 Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn.

10 And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto the LORD thy God with a tribute of a freewill offering of thine hand, which thou shalt give unto the LORD thy God, according as the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:

11 And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger,

28

and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there.

12 And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt: and thou shalt observe and do these statutes.

13 Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine:

14 And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates.

15 Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD shall choose: because the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice.

16 Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:

17 Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee.

<Mk 4:13-20>13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? 14 The sower soweth the word. 15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard,

Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard

the word, immediately receive it with gladness;17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or

persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things

entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it,

and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

<Mk 4:26-29>26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he

knoweth not how.28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full

corn in the ear.29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest

is come.

29