The American Wisdom Series

Presents
Pamphlet 1842 Rev. kc 10-

And so we now find ourselves in the midst of the great famine of the end time
that Christ warned us about in Matthew 24 and Mark 13.

In this study we will begin chapter 4 of Revelation where John will be taken to the very throne of Almighty God
and we will get to see what lies beyond the veil, into the spiritual dimension, even into heaven itself.

Imagine that!

John was taken to heaven and records in detail all that he saw,
and yet people run around wondering what heaven is like.

Go figure!

They visualize people floating around on clouds
(I think the clouds are numbered because "cloud nine" seems to be the one to go for) and playing harps.

Perhaps their preacher told them they didn't have to read the Book of Revelation
because they weren't going to be here when those awful events take place.

That's a great "cop out" because they can't explain it anyway.

Their eyes are closed and they cannot see.

Isaiah said it best:

Isaiah 29:10 For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.
Yep, they're sleeping. Zzzzzzzzzzzzz!
[11] And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:
So, let's understand this.

You take the Bible to one that is "learned", whom you will recognize as "learned" because of the title he carries,
like PhD or Master of Divinity, and ask him to explain what candlesticks and stars represent in the Book of Revelation.

And the "learned" says (as he lowers his glasses to the bulbous portion of his nose
and peers ever so intellectually out over the frames),
"My child, it is a mystery of God and it can be interpreted many different ways."

He's clueless!

Next.

[12] And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.
So you ask a lay member of the church, one who has attended at least 35 years or more,
and he says "Beats me. You'll have to asked someone who is learned".

Oh boy!

You're in trouble now.

What to do, what to do!

(Suddenly, you realize that you went to school and you know how to read yourself.)

We must stop here.

This could go on and on,
but I recognize that I'm already "having more fun than a person should be allowed to have",
a quote from the Mahja Rushie.

So let's get serious and complete our study of the Seven Churches of Revelation by taking a TEST!

I used to hate tests, but in this case I'm giving it, not taking it, and that's not too bad.

I get to make up all the questions and it's kind of like playing Jeopardy,
start with the answers and then make up the questions.

We are all instructed by our Father, through His servant Timothy,
to study ourselves (because obviously asking the "learned" and the unlearned yields the same Babel).

Our Father likes us to study His letter, it pleases Him.

Yes, it's work.

That's why "studiers" are called workman.

2 Tim. 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
One of the reasons we study is obviously to learn,
but another reason we study is so that we can remember what we've learned,
for then can we help others with answers to their questions.

We are "reminded" to "remember" many times in the New Testament.

We realize that not everyone has the same ability to recall information.

For some it is a gift and comes naturally, for some they must study and work hard,
and still for others they simply cannot recall very well that which they have learned.

But, our Father knows, and so we do that which we are able and try our best.

TEST

Multiple Choice

1.) The word "revelation" means to:

a) ignore, while waiting for the rapture
b) uncover, take the lid off
2.) The Book of Revelation is the revelation of:
a) John the Revelator
b) Jesus Christ
3.) John was exiled to the isle of:
a) Patmos
b) Malta
4.) John was taken in spirit to the "day of the Lord" which is:
a) Sunday
b) The Millennium
5.) The sharp twoedged sword is:
a) the Word of God
b) an actual sword like the one Peter used
6.) John described Christ's feet as being like unto:
a) Iron mixed with miry clay
b) Brass
7.) Candlesticks symbolize:
a) Churches
b) Angels
8.) The seven stars were in which of Christ's hands?
a) His Left Hand
b) His Right Hand
9.) How many of the seven churches did Jesus find no fault with?
a) 5
b) 2
10.) The churches Christ found no fault with both taught about:
a) those who claim to be of Judah but are not
b) the Nicolaitanes
11.) Christ spoke the words "He who hath an ear let him hear" how many times?
a) 5
b) 7
12.) The church of Ephesus:
a) lost it's first love and are Biblically illiterate
b) are rich and increased with goods
13.) The church of Smyrna:
a) is admonished for celebrating Easter
b) Christ finds no fault with
14.) The church of Pergamos:
a) has preachers who teach for the money
b) tries those who say they are apostles
15.) The church of Thyatira:
a) is about to lose its candlestick
b) teaches false doctrines such as rapture
16.) The church of Sardis:
a) is dead (spiritually)
b) has no one who has not defiled their garments
17.) The church of Philadelphia:
a) has the key of David
b) holds the doctrine of Balaam
18.) The church of Laodicea:
a) is rich an increased with goods
b) Christ finds no fault with
Fill in the blanks.

19.) Which two churches did Christ find no fault with?

  __________________ & _________________
20.) Which of the Seven Churches most resembles the one you attend, and why?
__________________ because _________________________________
Bonus Question   (Yes or No)

21.) Do you have eyes to see and ears to hear?  NO _____  YES _____
 
 

You can correct your own papers by looking up the answers* in the Word of God. Get used to it! That's where all the answers are. When you have a question, don't run to some "learned" person. Go directly to Jesus Christ, the Living Word. He will answer you in the Written Word.

*Question 20 is a test of honest evaluation and is subjective, subject also to your honesty.

Question 21 is intuitive.

I sincerely hope you've enjoyed this section of Revelation concerning Christ's message to the Seven Churches.

He obviously thought it was important for us to evaluate what we believe
and what our church may be teaching!

For that which they teach either aligns with His Word,
or they are just following what tradition has laid before them,
never waking up from their slumber, never anointing their eyes with the poultice,
and thereby robbing the people of their crowns.

The blind leading the blind, the "learned" leading the "unlearned".

And so it has continued until we now find ourselves in the midst of the great famine of the end time that Christ warned us about in Matthew 24 and Mark 13.

The famine is for hearing the truth of His Word!

Amos 8:11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:
[12] And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.
From sea to shining sea they run.

They enter into the House of God as hungry sheep in the dark.

But they are not fed and the light is not turned on.

Instead, they are sheared and left to stand naked without honor.

It's a serious matter. It's a matter of eternal life and death.

We ask our Father's help as we search our hearts and minds, in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Amen

To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.
We pray that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you accomplish both.


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