There are seven churches mentioned in the Revelation; Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. Of these seven churches there are only two where Jesus found no fault, Smyrna and Philadelphia. I would like to focus on the last two churches; Philadelphia and Laodicea. In Revelation 3:10 is a promise of protection for the people of this church from the great tribulation. Revelation 7:3 is the fulfillment of this promise. The Laodiceans however did not receive this promise but rather a punishment. Revelation 3:17. The fulfillment of this is in Revelation 7:9-14.
Both of these churches are the church of God but one of them failed to make their calling and election sure as they were caught up in the things of the world, to be rich and increased with goods having need of nothing. In His mercy and love God rebukes them and puts them through the horrors of the tribulation and they will be martyred by the beast. The group called the elect receives protection from God because they were faithful even before the time of trouble came. Revelation seven speaks of two groups, one of a definite number , 144000 , and one that is innumerable . Both of these churches will be in the first resurrection. Now ask yourself, what resurrection will Abraham, Moses, King David and all the others mentioned in Hebrews 11 be in ? The people in Hebrews 11 are the root of the olive tree in Romans 11 and the Gentiles are the grafted in branches to replace unbelieving Israel. Together they are the Church of God before and after Jesus. They are the symbolic loaves of bread in Leviticus 23:17 ,the first fruits of God. As we approach that day we must keep our spiritual foundation sure, based God and His son. We must not allow the cares of this world to overcome us. We should take heed of the warning Jesus gives to the Laodicea church so that we may be faithful Philadelphians. I know both will be in the kingdom but would it not be better to obey and be protected than to disobey and be punished. What we are seeing in Israel now, the rise of a possible monarchy, should get our attention. The current government in Israel is now controlled by ultra Orthodox Jews who want a third temple and a king messiah. This has caused and uproar in Israel. We will have to wait and see how it goes.
Both of these churches are the church of God but one of them failed to make their calling and election sure as they were caught up in the things of the world, to be rich and increased with goods having need of nothing. In His mercy and love God rebukes them and puts them through the horrors of the tribulation and they will be martyred by the beast. The group called the elect receives protection from God because they were faithful even before the time of trouble came. Revelation seven speaks of two groups, one of a definite number , 144000 , and one that is innumerable . Both of these churches will be in the first resurrection. Now ask yourself, what resurrection will Abraham, Moses, King David and all the others mentioned in Hebrews 11 be in ? The people in Hebrews 11 are the root of the olive tree in Romans 11 and the Gentiles are the grafted in branches to replace unbelieving Israel. Together they are the Church of God before and after Jesus. They are the symbolic loaves of bread in Leviticus 23:17 ,the first fruits of God. As we approach that day we must keep our spiritual foundation sure, based God and His son. We must not allow the cares of this world to overcome us. We should take heed of the warning Jesus gives to the Laodicea church so that we may be faithful Philadelphians. I know both will be in the kingdom but would it not be better to obey and be protected than to disobey and be punished. What we are seeing in Israel now, the rise of a possible monarchy, should get our attention. The current government in Israel is now controlled by ultra Orthodox Jews who want a third temple and a king messiah. This has caused and uproar in Israel. We will have to wait and see how it goes.
