Memory verse: “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” Revelation 2:17 (last part)

1. Revelation 2:12 “And to the ________ of the church in __________ write; These things saith he which hath the ________ _______ with two edges;” What is the sharp two edged sword represent? Ephesians 6:17 “And take the helmet of salvation, and the _________ of the _________, which is the _______ _____ __________:”

Revelation 1:16 “And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his __________ went a ___________ twoedged __________: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.”

Hebrews 4:12. “For the word of God is ________, and _________, and _________ than any ________ __________, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” The Word of God is sharp, when we read it, it cuts us to the heart. The one speaking is Christ for He is the one with the sharp sword, with two edges (Word with power).

2. Jesus said, I know thy works, and where thou dwelleth. Revelation 2:13 “I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where _________ ________ is: and thou ________ fast my ________, and hast not ________ my ___________, even in those days wherein ________ was my faithful _________, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.”

“Pergamos was the headquarters of Satan’s religion. Christ said to this church: “I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is.” Revelation 2:13. When the Persians over threw Babylon, they gave the inhabitants 0f the city their freedom. But the Babylonian priests later led a revolt and were driven from the city. “The defeated Chaldeans fled to Asia Minor, and fixed their central college at Pergamos, and took the palladium of Babylon, the cubic stone, with them. Here, independent of state control, they carried on the rites of their religion.”—William B. Barker, Lares and Penates, pages 232, 233. Pergamos, therefore, became the “seat” of the satanic system of the Babylonian “mysteries. This counterfeit religion was built on the claim that it made a bridge between heaven and earth. The ruling monarch became the head of the system. He had many titles, one of which, “Pontifex Maximus,” is significant. Pont means a bridge; factio I make; and maximus, greatest. Put together, it simply means The Greatest Bridge Builder. In Genesis 11:1-5 we have the story of the ancient Babel builders. They wanted to have a tower whose top might reach unto heaven, or “be in the heavens,” as other translators read this passage.” Unfolding The Revelation page 23

“Almost imperceptibly the customs of heathenism found their way into the Christian church. The spirit of compromise and conformity was restrained for a time by the fierce persecutions which the church endured under paganism. But as persecution ceased, and Christianity entered the courts and palaces of kings, she laid aside the humble simplicity of Christ and his apostles for the pomp and pride of pagan priests and rulers; and in place of the requirements of God, she substituted human theories and traditions. The nominal conversion of Constantine, in the early part of the fourth century, caused great rejoicing; and the world, cloaked with a form of righteousness, walked into the church.” Great Controversy 49, 50 The seat of Satan was now seated in the church. Christ and His gospel were removed, and Satan had His way, through its church leaders. It was a time of compromise. Papal Rome was rising to power. This period was represented as Pergamos which was developing The Papacy (A.D. 313 – 538). It seems quite evident that Satan’s throne is a reverence to the center of Papal worship, namely Rome. Human theories and traditions took the place of Christian truth. Make note that the end of this church was the beginning of the 1260 years that started in 538 A.D.. Christ gives a call, that they hold fast and not deny Christ name.

“Thou holdest fast My name, and hast not denied My faith.” Even in Pergamos, the center of state religion and the very throne of Satan, God had a faithful people. Antipas is mentioned as having been martyred in Pergamos. Tradition tells us; slowly baked in a brass bull that was heated until it red-hot. It might well be a symbolic name representing all the martyrs of that period. Some have seen in this name the symbol of a movement to withstand the development of a hierarchy: Anti, meaning “against;” papas meaning “father” or “pope.” Whatever may have been the significance of the name, the church itself was commended for courage. And it took real courage to withstand the popular trend when apostate Christianity was being made the state religion and sat, as it were, on the throne of the Roman world.” Unfolding The Revelation 25

3. What things did Christ say was against them? Revelation 2:14 “But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the _________ of __________, who taught __________ to cast a __________ before the children of Israel, to eat things _______ unto ________, and to commit _________.”

4. They held onto the doctrine of Balaam – turned form the worship of God to idol worship. What was that? Revelation 2:14 (last part) “But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Baalim, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.”

2 Chronicles 33:3 “For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up ________ for ________, and made __________, and _________ all the ________ of _________, and served them.”

2 Kings 23:5 “And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto __________, to the _________, and to the __________, and to the ____________, and to all the host of heaven.”

Baal appears in it’s plural form Balaam. Balaam was considered to be nature deities. Baal death and resurrection was supposed to occur annually. Another name for Baal was “Ashtroth”. Judges 2:13 (Read) In various places Baal came to be identified with Helios (The Sun), with Hercules, or with the chief Greek god, Zeus (The Roman Jupiter).

5. They also brought things into the church that Christ hated. Revelation 2:15 “So hast thou also them that hold the _______ of the __________, which thing ___ ________.” “It is our work to know our special failings and sins, which cause darkness and spiritual feebleness, and quenched our first love. Is it worldliness? Is it selfishness? Is it the love of self-esteem? Is it striving to be first? Is it the sin of sensuality that is intensely active? Is it the sin of the Nicolaitans, turning the grace of God into lasciviousness? Is it the misuse and abuse of great light and opportunities and privileges, marking boasted claims to wisdom and religious knowledge, while the life and character are inconsistent and immoral?” Review and Herald June 7, 1887 “The doctrine is now largely taught that the gospel of Christ has made the law of God of no effect; that by "believing" we are released from the necessity of being doers of the Word. But this is the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which Christ so unsparingly condemned.” Signs of The Times Jan. 2, 1912). / 7 Bible Commentary page 957

6. Christ calls them to do what? Revelation 2:16 “_________; or else ___ will ________ unto thee ________, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.” The first two churches Christ calls them to overcome, this is another word for repent. Overcome and repent of what? “Sins”. Asking God for forgiveness of our sins and being sorry for our sins. So that we turn away from them or overcome them through Christ power.

7. If we repent and overcome, Christ gives us a promise. Revelation 2:17 “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to ______ of the ________ ________, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.”

8. Christ gave his people manna to eat in the wilderness. It come down from heaven six days a week, to feed them. Christ has given us the manna from heaven, which is His word. We are feed from the manna of heaven, when we study God’s Word. It was in 508 A.D. that king Clovis made a political agreement with the leaders of the Jewish church. Just 30 years before the church of Pergamos ended.

“A pot of manna was placed in the sacred ark in the sanctuary erected by Moses. This was known as “the hidden manna” (Hebrews 9:3, 4), and was a type of Christ. John 6:26-63. Only as we feed on Him, “the living Bread,” can we grow into His likeness. The “white stone” also was significant. Judges in the courts of that day used white and black stones in making their decisions: white for acquittal, black for condemnation. Also, when slaves were freed, they were given white stones on which their names, sometimes new names, were inscribed. These stones were called tessera. They were badges of friendship, and they entitled the holders to special privileges. If a gladiator won fifteen victories in combat, he was given a white stone, symbol of freedom and honor.” Unfolding The Revelation 26

“That is the experience of all who feed upon the precious word of God. Our trouble is we get so busy that we fail to take our portion of heavenly manna each day. God’s ancient people were commanded to gather fresh manna every morning. Exodus 16:25.” Unfolding The Revelation 27

• a. Verse 12: Sharp sword with two edges (Word with power)
• b. Verse 13: Hold fast my name and not deny my faith, faithful martyrs.
• c. Verse 14, 15: You have allowed the doctrine of Balaam come into the church and the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, (they failed to keep the laws of God)
• d. Verse 17: He that has an ear let him hear (Which means: Do) what the Spirit says unto the churches.
• e. Verse 16: I will come and fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
• f. Verse 16: Warning: Repent
• g. Verse 17: Promise: eat of the hidden manna, a white stone with a new name; Christ said He will give those who repent.

1. Thyatira means “Sweet savor of labor.” Revelation 2:18 “And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the _______ of _______, who hath his ________ like unto a _______ of ________, and his _______ are like fine ____________;” Those words are the words of Chrsit, The Son of God. We see the same description of Christ likeness in another lesson, Daniel 10:5, 6 and Revelation 1:13 – 16.

2. Christ said, that He knew what, about the church of Thyatira? Revelation 2:19 “I know thy ______, and ________, and _______, and ______, and thy ________, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.” There were some that remain faithful, during this period. Simple faith was exchanged or sacrificed for outward works, and penances. The Papal supremacy ruled during The Middle Ages. The city of Thyatira was built in 280 B.C. by Seleucus one of Alexander’s generals. It was at first a cavalry outpost.

3. Chrsit was not happy with many in the church, for they had gone the way of Jezebel. What was Jezebel, known for? Revelation 2:20 “Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman ________, which calleth herself a _________, to _______ and to ________ my servants to ______ _______, and to eat things ______ unto ________.” The name Jezebel used here refers to the pagan wife of Ahab, king of Israel. False prophet who killed the prophets of God and set up a pagan priesthood and worshiped idols as well as sun worship. Paganism came into the church, and the head of the church became, also head of the state. The church ruled both church and state. Thyatira was known for dying of cloth, especially red and purple. (Read Acts 16:14) Lydia helped to carry the message to Thyatira. Red and purple were pronounced in the cloth trade and these colors become a vital part of the apostate church. Revelation 17:4

“In A.D. 538 Emperor Justinian made effective a decree establishing the bishop of Rome “the corrector of heretics,” thus giving him temporal and ecclesiastical authority over all the churches. For three and a half prophetic years, or 1260 literal years (538 A.D. -1798), this power was vested in the bishop of Rome.” Unfolding The Revelation 31

4. Revelation 2:21 “And ____ _______ her space to ________ of her fornication; and she _______ ______.” God gave the apostate church time to repent and she did not; so she never will as a church, but there is many in her system, who will repent and come to God’s true church. A pure woman is a symbol of the pure church. Jeremiah 6:2 “I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman.” Revelation 12:1 “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:” A corrupt woman represents a corrupt church. In Revelation 17:3-6 we see the Woman sits on a Beast. What did we learn a beast was? It is a kingdom or power. The woman (church) guides the beast (civil power). This is the church and state. They are given wine to drink from her golden cup. The food given by the church during this time was, heathen customs mingled with truth. How is she dressed? She is dressed in purple and Scarlet. These are the colors that the church used and still uses.

5. What did Christ say would happen to her? Revelation 2:22 “Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into _______ _______, except they repent of their deeds.”

6. Christ said, that those who hold fast to His doctrines, He will not put these burdens on them. Jesus says hold on to my truth. Revelation 2:24, 25 “But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already ______ ________ till I come.

7. Again comes a call to His people to repent, and overcome. Revelation 2:26 “And he that _________, and ________ my _______ unto the _______, to him will I give power over the nations:” Stay faithful to the end. When I come, I have power over nations, we have learned in Daniel, that Christ puts up nations and powers. We learned from Daniel’s image (Daniel 2:34, 35) Christ is the stone that will break all the nations; and Christ kingdom will fill the earth. Read Psalms 2:8, 9. “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt ______ them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a _______ _______.” Christ is talking about what will happen to the nations of this earth, when he comes. They will be no more.

8. What does God promise the faithful? Revelation 2:28 “And I will give him the _______ ________.” We know that Christ is the morning star. Revelation 22:16. Read the statement below, about Wycliffe and the work he did in the reformation. He was called “The Morning Star of The Reformation”. “But there was another promise: “I will give him the Morning Star.” Verse 2 As the daystar, or morning star, appears in a dark hour of the night, o Christ, “the Daystar” (2 Peter 1:19), or “the bright and morning Star” (Revelation 22:16), promises to appear in the hour of our greatest trial. At the time the church was passing through her darkest hour of apostasy, the Spirit of Christ inspired God-fearing men like Wycliffe, Huss, and others, who led the people hack to the word of God. The were heralds of the coming day of Reformation. In fact, Wycliffe is sometimes called the ‘‘Morning Star of the Reformation.” Unfolding The Revelation 32

• a. Revelation 2:18; Eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass.
• b. Verse 19: Works was charity, service, faith, patience.
• c. Verse 20, 24 Went after the ways and teachings of Jezebel. (deep things of Satan.)
• d. Verse 21, 25 was given time to repent, hold fast till I come.
• e. Verse 22, 23 Kill her children with death, hell fire, and tribulation.
• f. Verse 29, 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit says, repent.
• g. Verse 26, 28 Promise: I will give power over nations, “I will give Him the morning star.”

Some Christians were loyal to Christ throughout the period. The church of Thyatira is a fitting symbol of the Christian church throughout The Middle Ages A.D. 538 – 1517 A.D. Many Christians were loyal and had the faith in Christ. People like the Waldenses and those who followed Wycliffe and Huss. The Bible was regarded as the only rule of faith.

“In lands beyond the jurisdiction of Rome, there existed for many centuries bodies of Christians who remained almost wholly free from papal corruption. They were surrounded by heathenism, and in the lapse of ages were affected by its errors; but they continued to regard the Bible as the only rule of faith, and adhered to many of its truths. These Christians believed in the perpetuity of the law of God, and observed the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. Churches that held to this faith and practice, existed in Central Africa and among the Armenians of Asia.” Great Controversy 63