Revelation

Rev 3:10: Is This Referring To The Pre-Tribulation Rapture Of Church Age Believers?

Don Gerrity Q&A: Bible Prophecy & End Times, Rev 3, Revelation, The Rapture (Harpazo)
The Blessed Hope

“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 KJV)

Is this Rev. 3:10 a proof of the Pre-Tribulation Harpazo/Rapture of Church Age believers? Or is this showing a post Tribulation Rapture of Church Age believers view shown in Rev. 3:10?

Some who hold a Post Tribulation belief say it is not Pre-tribulation timing shown. They believe the word KEEP (Greek word G5083 ‘Tereo’) shows this. They believe that the meaning of this Greek word is defined as ‘take care of’ is why they believe this.  Therefore, it shows God will take care of believers living THROUGH the Tribulation Period. Some also refer to the use of the Greek word ‘Tereo’ in Jesus’ prayer for the disciples (and us today) in John 17,

“I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest KEEP them from the evil.” (John 17:15 KJV)

But what about the next verse 16?

“They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” (John 17:16 KJV)

A born again believer may live on Earth but we dwell in Christ and Christ in us. This is abiding, where we dwell as believers in the Spirit.

In John 17, this is Jesus referring to His early church and is a prayer that God will keep believers after His soon to happen event of the Passion of Christ and the cross. It shows the intention that Christ will work through believers as He did Paul, as ambassadors on Earth, to build His Church. How? Because of the union born again believers have with Christ which we also read in John 17:21-22.

However, in Rev 3:10, it is a different timing view of context.

“Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;” (Rev 1:9 KJV)

In Rev. 3:10, the view is ‘things which are’. It is the Church Age time period we now live in. The ‘…time of testing which will come upon THEM that dwell in Earth’ is the time period once the Church Age ENDS, “…things which shall be hereafter”. We see a pivotal change point in time. A distinct different time period. The Church Age will end and then the Tribulation Period will begin. The wrath of God will start in Rev. 6.

Looking at this in Strongs Greek concordance we see the definition of the word KEEP is ‘to guard from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon;’.

And when we read on in Rev 3:10 we see a strong pivoting word FROM, which in Strongs Greek concordance (Greek G1537 word ‘ek’) which is defined as,

‘a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):—after, among, × are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, × hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, × thenceforth, through, × unto, × vehemently, with(-out).’

The English translated word FROM (EK in Greek it was written) literally means OUT OF the time as well as the location of an event. We see the truth when we realize this pivotal point and see how the word KEEP (Tero) is being used. Church Age saints will be ‘taken care of’ (kept) and will be taken OUT OF the time as well as the location of the time of testing on THEM that dwell on the Earth at that time, Daniel’s 70th week, The Tribulation Period.

Who will endure this time of testing in Rev. 3:10? The verses reads, “…to try THEM that dwell upon the earth.”

The Church is removed, snatched off Earth and it is those left on Earth, not born again believers, but -THEM- that dwell upon the Earth.

Also, there are many other passages that point to a Pre-Tribulation Harpazo/Rapture that cannot be ignored on this topic event. Scriptures such as Romans 11:25, Acts 15:13-18, Romans 5:9, 1 Thes. 1:10, and 1 Thes. 5:9 . These are just some such passages. These cannot be ignored either as part of context about the Harpazo/Rapture event timing, and as examples of Church Age believers being snatched by force off of the Earth (Harpazo in Greek)  before God’s wrath upon -THEM- that DWELL ON THE EARTH.

Apostle Paul wrote,

“And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which DELIVERED US  FROM the wrath to come.” (1 Thes. 1:10 KJV)

‘Delivered’ is past tense. Christ made sure of this on the cross for all who believes on Him (John 3:14-18, 1 Cor. 15:1-4, Eph. 1:13-14, Colossians 2). Church Age believers are promised to be kept OUT OF the time as well as the location of the Tribulation Period which is God’s wrath to come.

All such passages certainly do make a strong case for the rapture taking place before Daniel’s 70th Week, The Tribulation Period on Earth. And Rev 3:10 is also one of the Scriptures in support of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture of Church Age believers.

And what is next? Read Rev 4:1 ! The Harpazo!

“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.” (Rev 4:1 KJV)

AMEN!!

Revelation 3:5: Need more works or lose salvation?

Don Gerrity Q&A: Bible Prophecy & End Times, Rev 3, Revelation
Revelation 3:5: Need more works or lose salvation?

Revelation 3:5

“5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; 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.” (Revelation 3:5 KJV)

Some read this one verse and then decide it means that a person needs more works and better works in order to remain saved, otherwise their name will be blotted out of the Book Of Life. THIS IS A VERY WRONG BELIEF! The Context makes this verse actually to mean the very opposite of this false belief. First off, the very same person who wrote down Rev. , Apostle John, also penned this in 1 John 5,

“4 For whatsoever IS BORN OF GOD OVERCOMETH the world: and this is the victory that OVERCOMETH the world, even OUR FAITH. 5 Who is he that OVERCOMETH the world, but he that BELIEVETH THAT JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD?” (1 John 5 KJV)

The English translated word FAITH in this passage is not an action verb, it is a NOUN and in the Greek from Strongs Concordance is:

“πίστις pístis, pis’-tis; from G3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:—assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.”

It is simply defined as BELIEVE and in context to belief on Christ for salvation. This Verse 5 of Revelation is a promise for a believer on Christ and also an encouragement to believe on Christ for a person not believing on Christ, to become born again by belief on Christ alone. Read the entire pass and it becomes clearer:

“And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, AND REPENT. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; 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.” (Rev. 3:1-5 KJV)

We read here a warning to believe on Christ alone for salvation. Why does Jesus find fault with their WORKS? Well, Jesus taught that the way to bear good fruit for God is by abiding in Him and Him abiding is us. In John 15, Jesus taught,

“3 Now YE ARE CLEAN through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As THE BRANCH CANNOT BEAR FRUIT OF ITSELF, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I AM THE VINE, YE ARE THE BRANCHES: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: FOR WITHOUT ME YE CAN DO NOTHING.” (John 15 KJV)

In Matthew 7 Jesus taught that people who are focusing on ‘their many wonderful works’ to save them, are not even born again. Christ will on their judgment day tell them that He ‘NEVER KNEW THEM’. Christ was not abiding in them because they never believed on Christ alone for our righteousness (John 3:14-18, 36, 6:37-40). Do you see this truth Jesus taught clearly? No works we do are good enough to save us. The wages for our sins is not good works. The wages for our sin is DEATH (Romans 6:23). In fact all our own righteousnesses are as FILTHY RAGS to God if we are not yet born again. (Isaiah 64:6) Trusting in our own ‘goodness’ in works does not erase our sin debt and that is needed for the Holy Spirit to indwell a born again believer. That is why Jesus said it was important that He die so that the Holy Spirit could come. Jesus paid the sin debt of the whole world on the cross (1 John 2:2) and all who believe on Him has their sin debt eradicated as HIS payment was placed on the believer’s account in belief (2 Cor. 5:21).

Ephesians 1:13-14 and Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us a person is born again and indwelt by the Holy Spirit from the very moment they BELIEVE ON CHRIST ; nothing to do with our goodness nor works. And 2 Cor. 5:17-21 and Ephesians 2:10 states that AFTER we believe on Christ for righteousness, we became a new creation IN CHRIST UNTO good works. We became the very righteousness of God, IN CHRIST. This is because once the Holy Spirit indwells, Christ in IN US, abiding in us as we are abiding in Him (John 15). And so, NOW, once born again, we can bear good fruit for God. My point is a person’s Good Works is as filthy rags before believing on Christ and HIS finished work on the cross. Churches have both saved born again people attending and also unsaved attending. And some of the unsaved THINK they are saved by their good works (Matthew 7:15-23) because they see believers doing good works for God.

Yet, they are not born again by trusting in Christ alone for salvation as a GIFT. A GIFT is never EARNED nor worked to attain nor keep. Otherwise it is not a GIFT. So why is Jesus not happy with the works of the church in Sardis? They fell away from the true Gospel of salvation by belief on Christ and HIS finished work for righteousness and started relying on their good works. It was a progression from a believing Church in the Gospel of Grace to slowly becoming a false Gospel church based on works and not Christ. Jesus wants them to REPENT (change their mind) because that is the road to where the Pharisees in Jesus time on Earth were wrongly believing. It is the sin of Pride. It is Apostate. Jesus warns the Church to get back to the true Gospel of salvation and strengthen the true Gospel belief that still is remaining, as some in the church of Sardis were born again in right belief on Christ alone for salvation and righteousness. Jesus is warning the Church as a whole, before their lamp stand would be taken away completely and they would no longer be a Christian church! The Church false belief in works was taking over the Gospel of Grace for salvation. The church was about to die.

“2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things WHICH REMAIN, THAT ARE READY TO DIE: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.” So this warning is to encourage the unsaved in the Church who were relying on good works for righteousness, to repent and believe the true Gospel of Grace through Christ crucified died and risen. 4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; 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.” (Rev 3:4-5 KJV)

Many many churches in these End Times are just the same. Many have completely fallen, using the name of Christ but teaching against the true Gospel of Christ and focusing on ‘works for salvation’ or ‘works required from salvation to remain saved’. Others, focus on their works more and more and such Churches are about to die as well from God’s perspective. Good works are good! But they have nothing to do with Salvation other than once born again in the Spirit, Christ is abiding in us and we in Him, and the Holy Spirit indwells us. Good works flow outwardly from our new Spirit.

It is Christ living through us and those good works – they are the ones that matter most.

Apostle Paul,

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20 KJV)

Who “OVERCOMETH” in Revelation 2 and 3? Is it those who do more works or is it all believers from the Church Age?

Don Gerrity Q&A: Bible Prophecy & End Times, Q&A: The Truth About..., Revelation
Who “OVERCOMETH” in Revelation 2 and 3? Is it those who do more works or is it all believers from the Church Age?

First, to understand who ‘he that overcometh’ is in Revelation 2 and 3, we must be using the Biblical definition of who an overcomer actually is. The same John that penned Revelation (yes it is Jesus telling John what to write, but John penned it down) uses the word ‘overcometh’ clearly in 1 John. It is not about a difference of context between 1 John and Revelation 2-3 either as some teach. It is just the opposite I believe. John’s definition is correct and here in Revelation 2 and 3 those who ‘overcometh’ is indeed the believer in Christ and not just a special group of believers who have more works. Here are some context observations as to why I believe this is so.

OBSERVATION 1: REFERENCE TO THE SECOND DEATH

“11 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 KJV)
Here we see who the person that ‘overcometh’. The one who overcometh is the one that will not see the Second Death. So what is the Second Death?
“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death” (Rev. 20:14 KJV)
This is describing what will happen to those at the Great White Throne judgment of the wicked, unsaved, unborn again, who reject the GIFT of salvation. So the person that ‘overcometh’ is all who have accepted the free gift of salvation by belief on Christ (1 Cor. 15:1-4, John 3:14-18, 37-40, Eph 1:13-14, etc.)
This is the Bible’s definition of ‘The Second Death’ which is where all unbelievers will end up, The Lake Of Fire. So this cannot be a correct interpretation and we must apply this truth as stated to Rev 2:11 as well. And when we do, in proper context, we see the meaning cannot be that ‘he that overcometh’ is a believer who has done over the top works. It is telling us that only the overcomer will not be found at the Second Death. Is that by works? If so, than that means this passage in Rev 2 and 3 is teaching the false ‘salvation by works’, or as we know it today as ‘lordship salvation’ and that just cannot be when we take all the passage on salvation. And I know that the person who preached this does not believe in the false ‘works for salvation’ teaching that is so rampant today. I believe he just has not seen the context I am showing that I see.
In Rev 2, avoiding the Second Death, is everyone that is saved. Not just a special group of believers. That is correct context right? Context found in the passage of Rev 2 and 3 itself. If this alone is not convincing enough there is more.

OBSERVATION 2: JOHN 1. WHO IS A SON OF GOD?

What is the definition of a person who are a ‘sons of God’ in the Bible? Is it any being created by God? Well, no it is not according to Scripture.
In the book of Genesis, we see Angels described as ‘sons of God’ who intermingled with human women and produced offspring called the Nephilim. Why were they called ‘sons of God’? Because a ‘son of God’ is any being that was created by God, as eternal. Not that they always existed, but that they were CREATED BY GOD into an eternal state of being. When Satan and the angels who sided with him in ride against God (their creator!), they fell and became the enemy of God and humankind. They are still eternal beings because that is how God created them. One day they will be cast into the Lake of Fire.
John wrote that,
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12 KJV)
As a human, only those who BELIEVE on Christ for salvation and have received Him by being born again in the Spirit (John 3) have BECOME ‘sons of God’. Why? Because the VERY MOMENT a person believes on Christ alone (Eph 1:13-14, and not by our works Eph 2:8-9) for righteousness by faith and trust in His once for all sacrificial blood atonement on the cross (Hebrews 10:10) and His rising from the dead (1 Cor, 15:1-4), their Spirit has been RECREATED by God as a NEW CREATION which God MADE the very righteousness of God, IN CHRIST.
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might BE MADE the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Cor. 5:21)
This is not anything we work to achieve. Our Spirit is a new created BEING as a believer and it is now an ETERNAL being Heaven bound to be with God forever as a son or daughter in His family. In UNION with Christ and the Father and Holy Spirit (John 17).
Now let’s go back to the book of Revelation 21:7 where it reads clearly,
“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” (Rev. 21:7 KJV)
The one who ‘overcometh’ shall be His son. Not just a special group of believers who have more or better works on their belt. In Rev 21, it is all about the place Jesus went to prepare for ALL born again in the Spirit believers (John 14) and where all believers from the Church Age will end up. It is our blessed hope to be Raptured with glorified bodies as Jesus has and live in this place, the HEAVENLY New Jerusalem.
This is the definition of the ‘sons of God’ in Revelation as well then. Do you see what I mean? Not just some special believers who did more works.

OBSERVATION 3: 1 JOHN’S DEFINITION OF HE THAT OVERCOMETH

Some pulpits are teaching that because the context is different in Revelation 2 and 3,  1 John 5 does not apply. I strongly believe otherwise, especially when we see the context I have shown in observation 1 and 2 above.
Now going back to what I believe is the very definition the Bible is giving for ‘he that overcometh’, found in 1 John. Not just 1 John 5, which is where it is very clear to see what the definition is. But looking at the context just prior in 1 John as well. And we must remember that this is the same John that penned Revelation 2 and 3 we are discussing here. I feel that certainly holds much weight.
John tells us the very purpose of his writing 1 John and it is “so that your joy may be full”. He is refuting the Gnostics that did not believe Jesus is God and that we have been given a new born again recreated Spirit. The joy is knowing that as a born again believer, we are sealed in salvation. We have become the ‘sons of God’ as he wrote in John 1.
In 1 John 5 we see the clearest definition of what the New Testament defines ‘he that overcometh’ is referring too. And it is all believers from the Church Age, not just a special group of believers. John wrote these letter to the various churches in his time of writing as instructed by the risen Christ Jesus our Lord. First, do you think all members of churches are truly believers? Or are some using the lingo and seem to be believers but are not even born again. We find this true in today’s church organizations and it was also true back then when John wrote this. IN fact, he wrote 1 John to refute those teaching falsely among the church. That is how we also must be reading and interpreting Revelation 2 and 3 to see clearly what is being said by Jesus. The churches in Revelation 2 and 3 being discussed by Christ also have meaning of not just the churches of that time, but is a history of the Church of Jesus over time. And we are likely the last churches. Each church discussed have implications for individual believers as well right? So it is important to get the definition of who the overcomers are being discussed.
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that OVERCOMETH THE WORLD, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5 KJV)
What does the world view believe? They believe in false ‘works for salvation’ to have right standing with God. Even in non Christian religions, it is all about works works works. We are bombarded with this false teaching constantly. The one that overcometh the world is the one that knows the truth. They are overcoming the lies of the devil ruling our current world system. Our ‘many wonderful works’ will not save us (Matthew 15-23) nor will our works keeps us saved (Gal 3, 4:4-5). It is clear however, that as born again believers, we SHOULD have good works because we have been MADE a new creation in the Spirit, created in Christ UNTO good works (Eph 2:10).
HE THAT OVERCOMETH is all true born again believers in Jesus as the Messiah, The Christ, who is God in the flesh, never sinned, and took our sins and paid fro all sins of the whole world and then rose from the dead. By belief on Chris the believer surely has OVERCOME the world. They are Heaven bound. It is the ONLY way a person can overcome the world; trust and belief on Christ.

OBSERVATION 4: JOHN 16:33, WHO OVERCAME THE WORLD EXACTLY?

Jesus said that HE OVERCAME THE WORLD. He did not ever teach that by OUR WORKS WE can overcome the world. In fact, in Matthew 7 Jesus warned sternly that such people will find themselves at the Great White Throne judgment to be condemned because they were never born again in the Spirit by trusting in Him as the foretold Messiah who was to come and be the final payment for sin. In PRIDE they thought they were good enough. Jesus will tell them, “I NEVER KNEW YOU”. Scary words!
Jesus said,
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 KJV)
So who are the “he that overcometh”? Jesus or believers? We are only overcomers because we are in union with Christ! We are only

deemed HOLY and righteous (2 Cor. 5:17-21) because we are sealed in union with Christ (Eph. 1:13-14). We are only perfect in the Spirit because we are in union with Christ (Heb. 10:14). We are only complete in Christ because.. yeah, we are in union with Christ, and already risen with Christ (Colossians 2).

It Is Christ in us, the hope of glory you see?

OBSERVATION 5: REV. 2:26. IS OVERCOMING & GOOD WORKS THE SAME THING?

“And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:” (Rev 2:26 KJV)
See that word “AND”? This verse is the only one in Rev 2 and 3, where works will be given a special reward.
There is those who “overcometh”. How? by belief on the testimony of Christ and His death, having paid for our sins and His resurrection. BELIEVERS are all Church Age people who believed on Christ and received the FREE GIFT of being born again in the Spirit.
In this specific verse, it states the one that overcomes AND ALSO “keepth my works unto the end” will be given POWER over the nations on Earth during the 1000 year Kingdom age to come. This is a special reward for a select few exceptional believers.
Two different groups of believers in this one verse and only for a select group of believers – not all believers. The rest of Rev 2 and 3 promises for ‘he that overcometh’ is for ALL Church Age Believers.
This is how I see it with context. Rev 2 and 3 has always been a challenging passage. So many teaching differently about it as well. So far, this is how I see it and believe because of the context.

 

Does Revelation 3:1-6 Show A Believer Can Be Blotted Out And Lose Salvation?

Don Gerrity Q&A: Bible Prophecy & End Times, Revelation
Does Revelation 3:1-6 Show A Believer Can Be Blotted Out And Lose Salvation?

“And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the Seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.  Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.  Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.  Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.  He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; 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.  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” (Revelation 3:1-6 KJV)  

There are many clear verses that support OSAS. Passages such as John 3:5-6,14-1,36, John 6:37-49, John 10: 27-30, Romans 5 & 6, Romans 8:38-39, Ephesians 1:13-14, 2 Cor. 5:17-21, Colossians 2, Ephesians 2:8-9, are just some. The Bible does NOT contradict on this.   First, Jesus tells about 👉NOT👈 blotting out a persons name as an encouraging promise to BE SAVED.

Second, who is the person that ‘overcometh’ in this passage? Remember John penned Revelation. John was told ,

“What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia;” ( Rev 1:11 KJV) In the book of 1 John he also wrote about how a person “overcometh” and it is not by our works,   “For whatsoever is born of God OVERCOMETH the world: and this is the victory that OVERCOMETH the world, even 👉our faith👈.  Who is he that OVERCOMETH the world, but he that 👉BELIEVETH that Jesus is the Son of God👈?” (1 John 5:4-5 KJV)

Earlier in 1 John he wrote that Jesus on the cross paid for all sins of the whole world,

“And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of 👉the whole world👈.” (1 John 2:2 KJV)  

He that BELIEVETH ON CHRIST IS the person that overcometh the world in Rev. 3.   In Rev. 3, we see “The Book Of Life” mentioned. However, this is a different book than “The Lamb’s Book of Life” that is mentioned much later in Rev. 13. This is the other big confusion many have; these are TWO DIFFERENT BOOKS and not the same book.

Book Of Life (Book Of The Living)  

Psalm 139:16 shows that every person was written in the Book of Life.

  “Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.” (Psalm 139:16 KJV)  

The Book Of Life was translated from a more literal ‘Book Of The Living’. The names of everyone ever born are written in the Book Of Life.   This Book of The Living is seen also in Exodus 32 when the Hebrew slaves made a golden calf idol to worship. Such a grave sin that the Lord threatened to put to death ALL the Israelites!

In Exodus 32:32, Moses intervened and offered his own life in exchange (a foreshadowing of what Christ did for us on the cross).

“Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin–; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, 👉him will I blot out of my book.👈” (Exodus 32:32-33 KJV)  

So a person’s sin can mean being blotted out of this Book Of The Living. However it is important to understand that this was long before Christ came and paid for all sins of the world. The Israelites were given The Law and Ten Commandments. They sacrificed animals as a temporary covering for their sins as to not be blotted out of this book. When Christ came as foretold, He became the FINAL ONCE FOR ALL blood atoning sacrifice for ALL SIN (Hebrews 10:10, 1 John 2:2). Unbelievers today can also be blotted out of this book due to their sins, if they were not ATONED FOR.

The Lamb’s Book of Life

This different book is specifically a book with all members of CHURCH AGE BELIEVERS. That is all believers from the cross until the Tribulation Period begins. This is the Bride Of Christ. Any person that believes on Christ and His once for all atoning blood sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10) for the sin of the whole world (1 John 2:2) have eternal life from the moment of belief (Eph. 1:13-14) and are written in both The Book Of The Living AND The Lambs Book Of Life.

Those who deny belief in Christ for salvation are not found in this book (Rev. 13:8). Therefore all believers from the cross to present are IN this book. It is the registry of church age believers; the dispensation of the age of grace in which we now live.

The Bride Of Christ are in this book. Eternally saved by BELIEF ON CHRIST. Secure forever. In Rev. 3, Jesus is giving the unsaved people in the church in Sardis, who were relying on their works for salvation, the opportunity to be eternally saved and secure. For them to REPENT (change their mind) and believe the true Gospel of grace for salvation by belief and trust on Christ which is how a person is born again in the Spirit and saved eternally (John 3). And promises 👉as an encouragement👈 to stop relying on works for salvation but to believe the Gospel.

For those that do that Christ promises that He will NEVER BLOT OUT THEIR NAME from this book. Only a few members of the Church in Sardis will be saved and raptured. He was addressing the majority of unbelievers in this church who strayed from the simple Gospel of Grace and truth of salvation by belief alone in Christ’s finished work on the cross. To these unsaved, who think they are saved by works, He warned them to wake up and REPENT. Change their mind from believing on good works for salvation to BELIEF ON Christ and HIS finished work on the cross.

Just as Jesus warned in Matthew 7:21-23, ‘many wonderful works’ will save no one.

“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.  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?  And then will I profess unto them, I NEVER KNEW YOU: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:21-23 KJV)

Believing that your works and good deeds will eradicate your sins is FALSE belief. It is actually the same sin as Lucifer committed when he became our adversary Satan; the sin of pride. The only way to have he punishment for our sins removed is by believing that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, who is God, who came, never sinned and as the perfect Lamb without blemish, paid for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2) on the cross as the once for all final blood atoning sacrifice for all sins (Hebrews 9 and 10). And as Jesus stated very clearly in John 3,

“That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:15-18 KJV)

Rev 3:16: ‘spue you out of my mouth’

Don Gerrity Q&A: Salvation, Revelation
Rev 3:16: ‘spue you out of my mouth’

Is Revelation 3 saying a believer will be spued out of Jesus mouth and Salvation is lost?

“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I KNOW THY WORKS, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art LUKEWARM, and NEITHER COLD NOR HOT, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I AM RICH, AND INCREASED WITH GOODS, AND HAVE NEED Of NOTHING; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy OF ME gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” (Revelation 3: 14-18 KJV)

Laodicea was a city famous for its wealth. That is what is mentioned in Rev. 3:14-18, and not just general good works. Jesus has no commendation for this Church. This church became worldly wealthy in externals. But had pretty much stopped preaching the Gospel of Grace for salvation. They focused on WEALTH. This church is said to be the state of a majority of Christian organized Church religions of the End Times, the time we now live in. Look around! It is alive today! Mega wealthy churches, false prosperity gospels and prosperity preaching. It is rampant heresy today.

First, notice hot or cold are both seen as good here. It is the Lukewarm that is not good right?

Not all people that attend a church service know the Lord right? Matthew 7 shows how true that is and that many THINK they are true Christians and think they are saved by going to church services and by their works – yet never accepted the free gift of Salvation, not of works, through Christ crucified, died and risen. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Ephesians 2:8-9, Hebrews 10:10-11)

The Corinthian Church is a church that Paul was rebuking as a very bad example of how believers should be living. In the case of the Church of Laodiceans in Revelation 3, it is their RICHES AND SELF SUFFICIENCY that is being addressed specifically as the root cause of their being so Luke warm, having fallen into a heretical, non-believing church. So far away from the Gospel truth that Jesus wants to spew them out of His mouth. 

Jesus addresses these unbelievers to come to Salvation. Why? They think they are saved but are not! They go to church. They tell others they are ‘Christian’. They believe they are spiritually rich and have God’s favour by their externals of wealth. Jesus is talking about unbelievers in this passage – not true believers of the Gospel of Grace through Jesus Christ that Apostle Paul taught.

Their works are useless for Salvation. It is the same as living under the Law of Moses. The Ten Commandments are God’s Holy standard but they cannot make anyone Holy! They are thinking they are rich spiritually yet have not even grasped Salvation through Christ’s act of atonement. A ONCE FOR ALL sacrifice for the sins of the world. (1 John 2:2, Hebrews 10:10-11)

These are people who are trying to cover up their sin by looking good to others instead of acknowledging the truth that they will never match up to the Holy standards of God.

These are people who are trying to cover up their sin by looking good to others instead of acknowledging the truth that they will never match up to the Holy standards of God. Do you see any church religions filled with people like this? It is RAMPANT in these last days! Church religions teaching false Salvation by works and false prosperity gospels. Most MEGA CHURCHES… BEWARE! They teach, ‘Your best life now…God wants you rich…do this..chant that..word of faith movement, declare it…’ ; it is all false!

Just look at Apostle Paul’s life and tell me that the prosperity Gospel is truth. Look how the Apostles as a group suffered for the Gospel message they preached. This ‘NAME IT & CLAIM IT…GAB IT & GRAB IT’  teaching is  false gospel! This ‘best life now’ Gospel is false heresy. Go tell a born again believer who is persecuted and even tortured for their faith this and see what they think. What about the porr who are born again, does their not having wealth mean God has abandoned them? It is pure heresy folks, that appeals to the Flesh. Run away from such false teaching church pulpits!

That is NOT the Gospel of Jesus Christ! That is PRIDE. The same sin of Satan. Jesus said, I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH. It is Jesus who is the head of the Church (Ephesians 1:22), not us! It is the Lord Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:8-9). Naming and claiming something into your life as if God HAS TO DO SO is wrong? Who is acting like God there?

God is calling these unbelievers back to the true Gospel.  Calling them out to ‘change their mind’ (the Bible definition of the English translated word REPENT) in Revelation 3 so that they can be saved by entering HIS REST (see Hebrews 4 as well).

They are looking at their wealth, externals and works, thinking they are spiritually rich, instead of relying on God’s grace alone (Romans 4)! Yet, they are the opposite; having a large sin debt that keeps on growing and heading for the Great White Throne judgment. Never having trusted in Christ alone and HIS once for all sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 10:10-14, 1 John 2:2).

God does not want anyone to go to condemnation! That is why Jesus came and paid the debt of sins for us. Those that believe this are 100% forgiven. But believing right matters!

In his book, Understanding Revelation, I like how Jack Kelly explained the truth about the HOT, COLD and LUKEWARM aspects of this passage of Scripture when he wrote,

“The church in Laodicea receives no commendation, only this criticism, rich in symbolic sarcasm. Laodicea got its water from nearby Heiropolis, a hot spring resort that still flourishes today, now called Pamukkale. The water came across the valley in an open aqueduct. Having begun its journey fresh from the hot springs, it was luke warm by the time it arrived. Too cool to be used for cleaning or bathing, and too warm to be refreshing, it was unfit for use until it could be either heated up or cooled down. The fire of the Spirit had gone from the Church in Laodicea leaving its members engaged in “form without substance” ritual. Not that they minded. They were happy as clams with their no commitment, no responsibility religion. So it is in much of the emergent church today. They look like a church and do some things that a church does, but you won’t detect the power of the Holy Spirit there and the gospel of our salvation is only obvious by its absence. Even though their congregations are often large and well financed, their spiritual condition is one of poverty.”
– Jack Kelly, Free E-Book, Understanding Revelation

 

The hot, cold and lukewarm theme to this church of believers becomes clear:

  • HOT: Hot water is very useful. It cooks..cleans. A hot drink is refreshing. Drink coffee anyone? A hot shower.
  • COLD: Cold water is very useful. Nice cold drink of water gives life and is refreshing. Sometimes a cold shower is useful.
  • LUKEWARM: What about lukewarm water? Ever drink a bottle of lukewarm water? Yuck! Spew it out!! It is pretty useless for anything actually.

..

That is what this passage is all about and it also fits the state of many Apostate Church pulpits today in these End Times. These people today need to stop sitting on the fence of the Gospel of Grace and accept the FREE GIFT WITHOUT WORKS REQUIRED of salvation by being born again in the Spirit through belief on Christ and HIS finished work on the cross alone by faith and not works. To realize that wealthy or poor externally does not make a person saved and that God loves all equally just as James wrote. We are all sinners saved by God’s GRACE and our Earthly wealth has NOTHING to do with our salvation. A believing poor person or rich are BOTH rich Spiritually and both look for the future rewards of Heaven.

“1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? 5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? 7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? 8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. 10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.” (James 2:1-11 KJV)

Jesus is pleading with these people who think they are saved by externals to change their mind and get saved.

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and REPENT. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 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. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” (Revelation 3: 14-21 KJV)

Here we see Jesus tells them to REPENT which in the Greek it was penned means ‘change your mind’. This word repent is used throughout the New Testament and the vast majority of the time it is used in the context of an unbeliever, who turns to belief in Christ alone for their Salvation by the accomplished work of Christ shedding His blood on the cross, paying for the sins of the WHOLE WORLD (1 John 2:2) and having their own sin debt paid for in full by belief on Christ alone (John 3:18, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Ephesians 2:8-9 and many more). Changing their mind from external good works for salvation, to belief on the Messiah, Jesus, The Christ.

Also, when a believer accepts Christ by believing in Christ alone for Salvation, where is Christ? Is Christ living inside the believer? Yes, Ephesians 1:13-14 tells us that the Holy Spirit dwells in and seals the person for eternal Salvation. But here in Revelation 3, we see Christ is OUTSIDE the person’s heart and knocking on the door, asking to let Christ in. And that happens only by BELIEF on Christ. (John 3:14-18)

There are people that outright reject God entirely. There are those that reject Jesus. But there are those that seek God using externals, hiding away their own Spirit wretchedness and nakedness before God. They go to church services thinking it is the way to please God and be forgiven. They say prayers even but they have never understood that Salvation is not of ourselves in any manner. It is only by belief on what Christ did on the cross 2000 years ago. Salvation is not by good works, being a good person, religious rituals, or doing more good than evil. ( Ephesians 2:8-9) That is not the Gospel of Christ crucified. That is doing the same as the Jews living under the Old Covenant. Apostle Paul calls this the Ministration of death and condemnation (2 Corinthians 3:7-9).

Jesus tells these people to REPENT and believe on Him alone for Salvation, not relying on their self righteousness nor wealth. Jesus says to come as you are! Salvation is HIS WORK ALONE! He can MAKE you Holy.

Jesus says,

“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.”

Who is it that overcometh? John, the writer of Revelation, by what he was told to write down, is the same John that wrote,

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even OUR FAITH. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that BELIEVETH that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5 KJV)

Do not go through rituals nor believe it is your works or wealth that save you without being born again! Jesus gave a very strong warning against that in Matthew 7:15-23. Even ‘many wonderful works’ done using Jesus’ name will not save anyone! Only belief and trust in the FINISHED WORK of Christ on the cross will.

“For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:14 KJV)

“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” (Romans 5:19 KJV)

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Cor. 5:21 KJV)

Through one man, Adam, were were all born sinners but by the blood atoning sacrifice of Christ on the cross and His rising from death are we MADE righteous BY GOD.

Where you will spend Eternity is at stake!

You can understand Salvation through Christ in the next minutes of your life. Find out why Jesus had to die and how to be saved by reading my full article at:

What Must I Do To Be Saved?

 

Does Revelation 22:19 show us that a person can lose their Salvation as some are teaching?

Don Gerrity Q&A: Bible Prophecy & End Times, Revelation
Does Revelation 22:19 show us that a person can lose their Salvation as some are teaching?

“And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” (Revelation 22:19 KJV)

Q: Does Revelation 22:19 show us that a person can lose their Salvation as some are teaching?

A: No.

In this verse we see the book of life is mentioned. It also states God shall take away the person’s part from the Book of Life. So it is a Salvation issue to be sure. The question is, does this apply to believers?

First, notice that it does not say ‘if any believer’ or ‘if any brethren’ shall take away the words. No it states if ‘ANY MAN’ shall take away. So this applies to ANYONE, not just believers.

A believer in Christ bases His whole faith on the Word of God. As believers we may have issues of wrongly interpreting a passage but that is not the same as actually changing the words themselves! Unfortunately, today we see that this is happening with most modern Bible translations, especially the new NIV Bible that so many church leaders are now using! I will not get into this large topic for the purpose of this article but there is a truth here every believer must hear and understand. That truth is that, if the devil wants to deceive people and stop them from believing the knowledge of truth of Salvation in Christ by faith alone and not by works, what will he try to do? He will try to deceive and what greater way is there to deceive but to create modern Bible versions that changes words so drastically, even about the very foundations of the faith in Christ, and to cause division and misunderstanding.

Second, this verse does not state if any man take away any words ‘from the entire Bible…’  We see here that this verse of warning is very specific to  “the words of the book of THIS prophecy“. This is a warning about changing the words in the Book of Revelation in specific. The Book of Revelation has very specific language and imagery that can only be understood by comparing other Scriptures in the Bible to it. It is then that we can get clearer pictures of what it is saying in the prophecies for the end times in particular.  Change the words, and the meaning can be said to be anything a person wants. As with all Scripture, God preserves His Word!

This verse in Revelation 22:19 is a very stern warning to anyone. The book of Prophecy in Revelation is very important to warn unbelievers and to show believers what will happen, as well as the blessing it will bring to Israel and those who become believers during the Tribulation period (the worst period of time to live within in all of history).

During the Tribulation Period the Antichrist will be doing everything he can to deceive the people on Earth and that includes those who have become believers on Christ during this horrible period of time. He may try to change the words of the time the prophecy is regarding. Censorship will likely be put into place. Just think how Hitler duped the German people. He used deception right? He created issues and then came along and solved them, to make people believe this guy has the answers. Although conjecture only on my part, it may also have something to do with the great deception to take place during this time period as well. Maybe that is why Jesus gives this stern warning. Whatever the case, Jesus made the warning with a purpose and that is for sure.

Before this warning is given, Jesus tells John to write down a blessing to believers in the first seven verses. So first we are told there is a blessing for believers who are paying attention to the Prophecy in the Book of Revelation. Not all Christians read this book of the Bible. Many find it hard to understand and the imagery is confusing as well. The problem is that even the majority of Christian church religions do not preach on the Book Of Revelation nor Bible Prophecy at all. They are worried more about their church membership and maybe ‘not getting it right’. And also they themselves have difficulty in understanding it all. Yet, with 1/3 of all Scriptures referring to Bible Prophecy and Jesus Himself teaching it during His Earthly ministry; don’t you think it is important to God that we do study it?

Those that do are eagerly looking for the Lord’s Return and the Blessed Hope of the Rapture where we attain our new glorified resurrected bodies as promised in Ephesians 1:14. God has a special blessing for these believers. God tells us that we are to WATCH.

In stark contrast to the warning in verse 19 is a blessing in verse 7 that is specifically addressed to believers of Salvation through faith alone in Christ, who are reading and studying the words of the Book Of Revelation. The very first verses in Revelation 22 are showing us a glimpse of what Heaven will be like, the New Jerusalem, to give us a hope of the amazing things to come for believers of Christ:

“And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.  In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” (Revelation 22:1-7 KJV)

Keeping the sayings and words of this Prophecy surely does bless the believer. It is an amazing future God has in store for all who accept Salvation through the only atonement for our sins; belief in Christ Jesus for our Salvation (John 3:18). Jesus told us that in our Earthly life right now we will have struggles and times of tribulation.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 KJV)

Apostle Paul tells us that the struggles and strife and even persecution that believers will face in life are nothing in comparison to what God has planned for the believers future! For what God will reveal in our lives at that glorious future time.

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18 KJV)