LAKE OF FIRE: December 2008

Smyrna signifies the next church era
which goes to the time of Constantine,
around 312 to 319 A.D.

It is remembered as the church of the
persecution.

Smyrna means 'myrrh.' Jesus said to
it, "Be faithful until death."

Today it is a modern port, with about
a half million people.

Read Revelation 2:8-10 what God had
to say to the church of Smyrna.

Ephesus signifies the history of the church
from its beginning at Pentecost to the
close of the ministries of the Apostles 94 A.D.

Paul lived there. Acts 19:10 "And this
continued by the space of two years;
so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard
the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews
and Greeks."

It was about the largest is the seven
cities. It had a outdoor theater that
held approximately 25,000 people.
There were heathen temples and
baths. The temple of the goddess
Diana was there. Acts 19:27

Now the place is desolate.

"The mystery of the seven stars which
thou sawest in my right hand, and the
seven golden candlesticks.

The seven stars are the angels of the
seven churches: and

the seven candlesticks which thou
sawest are the seven churches."
Revelation 1:20

The seven stars are the angels, the
ministers of these churches.

The candlesticks are the churches with
Jesus Christ walking among them.

They are the light of the world.

"Then we which are alive and remain
shall be caught up together with them
in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the
air: and so shall we ever be with the
Lord." I Thesselonians 4:17

Christ's revelation to the nations is not
the same as His coming for the church
at the rapture.

"And hath made us kings and priests
unto God and his Father; to him be
glory and dominion for ever and ever.
Amen." Revelation 1:6

He has made us. . . .you and me to be
kings (rulers) and priest (servants) unto
God.

Revelation 1:5
"And from Jesus Christ, who is the
faithful witness, and the first begotten
of the dead, and the prince of the kings
of the earth. Unto him that loved us,
and washed us from our sins in his
own blood,"

Jesus is a faithful witness to all men
of all ages.

Philippians

2:10-11
"That at the

name of Jesus

every knee
should bow,. . .
And that every

tongue should

confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,"

One day even Santa will bow to Him and

ask forgiveness for intruding on His

Birthday.

Santa lives at the North Pole ...
JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh ...
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year ...
JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies ...
JESUS supplies all your Needs. ~Amen

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited ...
JESUS stands at your door and knocks,
and then enters your Heart when invited.

You have to wait in line to see Santa ...
JESUS is as close as the mention of His Name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap ...
JESUS lets you rest in His Arms.

Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is
"Hi little boy or girl, what's your name?"
JESUS knew our Name before we did.
Not only does He know our name,
He knows our address too.
He knows our history and future

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly ...
JESUS has a heart full of Love.

All Santa can offer is HO-- HO-- HO ...
JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says "You better not cry" ...
JESUS says "Cast all your Cares on me
for I care for you."

Santa's little helpers make toys ...
JESUS makes new life, wounded hearts,
broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but ...
Jesus gives you Joy that is your Strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree ...
JESUS became our Gift and died on a tree.
~~~~~
It's obvious there is really no comparison.
We need to remember
WHO Christmas is all about.
We need to put Christ back in CHRISTmas,
Jesus is still the reason for the season.

The seven Spirits before the
throne represents the Holy Spirit.

And the spirit of the LORD (1) shall rest
upon him, the spirit of wisdom (2) and
understanding (3), the spirit of counsel (4)
and might (5), the spirit of knowledge (6)
and of the fear of the LORD (7);
Isaiah 11:2

These seven

churches

represented:

seven intervals

of time over 2000

years of the church age
seven conditions of the church
seven battles the Christians would have
to win over the world, the flesh and devil
seven rewards for the faithful
seven judgments on those who gave up
seven signs that Jesus reveals of Himself

From these first christians we learn that
success or failure is possible in our life
with Him.

God wanted these churches to be in the
world, not of the world. Through them
He was to teach us how we should live
and work for Him.

Revelation 1:20 The mystery of the seven
stars which thou sawest in my right hand,
and the seven golden candlesticks. The
seven stars are the angels of the seven
churches: and the seven candlesticks
which thou sawest are the seven churches.

The churches were made up of real,
living people who were pastors etc.

They lived in cities known today. They
are Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira,
Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.

These seven were representative and used
for teaching.

Revelation 22:10 "And he saith unto me,
Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of
this book: for the time is at hand."
This book is not sealed.

It is possible for every Christian to
understand the basic message of
this book which is a revealing of
our Lord Jesus Christ.

"Write the things which thou has seen, (past)
and the things which are, (present)
and the things which shall be hereafter. (future)
Revelation 1:19

John had seen Jesus' ministry......past
The things now happening around him.....present
The Church age, things to come, the Great
Tribulation, and the New Heavens and New
Earth.....future.

God wanted John to reveal Jesus personally,
as a High Priest, as a Judge and as a King.

It is not just a book for predictions of the
end times or of the end of the ungodly.

The fulfillment of prophecy
will be on time.

"But when the fulness of the time was
come, God sent forth his Son, . . . . . ."
Galatians 4:4-5

"And when the day of Pentecost was
fully come" . . . . . .
Acts 2:1

"And it shall come to pass afterward,
that I will pour out my spirit upon all
flesh;". . . . . .
Joel 2:28

The Apostle John, James' brother,
often called 'the beloved' is the
author of this book called
Revelation of Jesus Christ.

While he was praying and worshiping
God (when he was in exile on the Isle
of Patmos) he recorded the visions
that God revealed to him there.

At this time John is old; all the other
apostles are gone (martyrs); Jerusalem
has been destroyed and the church has
been dispersed. Surely being all alone
he was looking forward to heaven.

This Book is to show the true Christ.
There is no one like Him....He is Lord
of all. He is shown as King, Priest
Mediator and Judge.

It was written in 96 A.D. Sixty years
after the church was formed.

It was written on a small island called
Patmos.

Where Genesis is God's beginning of the
world and man....Revelation is the end.
All the other books are associated with
one or the other.

Revelation means to unveil (making clear)
or to uncover (seen plain by all)

Genesis 3:8 "And they heard the voice of
the Lord God". . . . .when man began
walking with God.

Revelation 3:21 "To him that overcometh
will I grant to sit with me in my throne." . . .
when man is living with God forever.

The book of Revelation tells of the
endings of many things......

Ends separation of God and man.
"I will write upon him the name of
my God,"
Revelation 3:12

ends time.
"that there should be time no longer: "
Revelation 10:6

ends the workings of the devil.
"the devil that deceived them was
cast into the lake of fire"
Revelation 20:10

ends all transgressions
"they were judged every man according
to their works."
Revelation 20:13

ends evil and wickedness.
"death and hell were cast into the lake
of fire."
Revelation 20:14

ends tears and sorrows.
"God shall wipe away all tears from
their eyes"
Revelation 21:4

ends abominations and lies.
"neither whatsoever worketh abomination,
or maketh a lie:"
Revelation 21:27

"The Revelation of Jesus Christ,
which God gave unto him.........
Blessed is he the readeth
and they that hear the
words of this prophecy,
and keep those things
which are written
therein:
for the time is at hand."
Revelation 1:1 & 3

These are the judgmental facts
revealed in this book of prophecy......

IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO
ACCEPT THESE TRUTHS
AND FINALITIES

Don't read on!

Hell is real.
"And whosoever was not found
written in the book of life was cast
into the lake of fire."
Revelation 20;15

It is a literal hell and is the future
home of those who refuse God in
this life.....

"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." Revelation 21:8

Heaven is real.
"And I saw a new heaven and a
new earth: for the first heaven and
the first earth were passed away;
and there was no more sea."
Revelation 21:1

There is a city with pure gold streets
that is prepared for those who have
Jesus as Savior.
"And the building of the wall of it
was of jasper: and the city was pure
gold, like unto clear glass."
Revelation 21:18

God is the judge.....
God has judged Satan (Lucifer) who had
once been an archangel in heaven.
Isaiah 14:12

God has judged Adam and Eve. After they
disobeyed in the Garden of Eden.
Genesis 3:16-19

God will judge the nations.

Revelation teaches more about the devil
than any other book of the Bible.

He is deceitful, destructive and evil.

THE DEVIL IS REAL

"And the devil that deceived them was cast
into the lake of fire and brimstone, where
the beast and the false prophet are, and
shall be tormented day and night for ever
and ever." Revelation 20:10

Angels exist and are working in
our lives today. They are ministers of
God, performing His purposes for US.

"Are they not all ministering spirits, sent
forth to minister for them who shall be
heirs of salvation?" Hebrews 1:14

There are many references to angels in
the Word of God.

"These have power to shut heaven, that it
rain not in the days of their prophecy: and
have power over waters to turn them to
blood, and to smite the earth with all
plagues, as often as they will."
Revelations 11:6

According to this book, great and mighty
things have taken place, are taking place,
and will take place on the earth.

Miracles are real.

"And out of the throne proceeded lightnings
and thunderings and voices: and there were
seven lamps of fire burning before the throne,
which are the seven Spirits of God."
Revelation 4:5

God exists as the Holy Spirit also. Revelation
teaches the trinity (three in one) of God.

Revelation 2:18 ". . . These things saith the
Son of God,. . . . . . . ." God the Father has a
Son called the Lord Jesus Christ.

He is the Great High Priest, the Savior of the
world, and the King of kings.
Revelation 2:16
"And he hath on his vesture and on his
thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS,
AND LORD OF LORDS.

This book of Revelation shows the power, the
anointing and the majesty of God.

There is a mighty God....
"And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper
and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow
round about the throne, in sight like unto an
emerald." Revelation 4:3