The Bible in many places is written in code or symbols, especially the prophecies which foretell future events. The use of codes and symbols is one of the methods God has chosen to preserve the Bible, for if certain powers which have existed had been aware that the Bible was talking about them, they would have done their best to destroy every trace of the Word of God. They would have persecuted Christians with much more vigor than thy did, and many millions more of God’s true people would have died at the stake or suffered other agonizing torture and death. Only those who take the time and put forth the effort to learn these codes and symbols are blessed with a thorough understanding of the Bible.

That God would choose to give His Word to us in symbols is not really so strange; the secular world often uses symbols to convey information. For instance, suppose you picked up an evening paper in the United States and saw a political cartoon on the editorial page which depicted a donkey kicking an elephant. You would understand that the Democrats had defeated the Republicans in the recent election.

God tells us plainly and clearly in the Bible what each symbol means, and when we are familiar with His prophetic symbols, we will be able to understand prophecy just as clearly as if it had been written in plain text. God has not kept an understanding of the Bible from those who sincerely, with all their heart, want to know and understand.

The first item to consider in understanding God’s symbols is the meaning of the word “day” in Bible prophecy. Numbers 14:34 tells us, “After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years.” Ezekiel 4:6 also mentions that a day represents one year. “I have appointed thee each day for a year.”

Thus we see that when “day” is used in Bible prophecy, a year of actual time is meant. The prophetic year consists of twelve months of 30 days each, or 360 days, and represents 360 years of actual time. That the prophetic year contains 360 days can be shown quite clearly in the book of Revelation, since one particular period of time is mentioned in four different verses. Revelation 12:6 and Revelation 12:14 both speak of the same period of time, as is obvious from the context. Verse 6: “And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.” (A score is 20.) Clearly, this time period is 1260 days, or 3 ½ years of 360 days each. Now notice verse 14: “And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.” Since this time period is 3 ½ years, the word “time” in verse 14 is therefore one year, “times” is two years, and “half a time” is one-half year. Revelation 11:2,3 shows that the prophetic month contains 30 days. “But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.” Here again we have this same period of 1260 days which is mentioned in verse 2 as 42 months. Forty-two months of 30 days each is exactly 1260 days, or 3 ½ 360-day years.

The prophetic year will be discussed further in the study of prophecies which directly relate to this 1260-day time period. (For those who think it strange for prophecy to use a 360-day year, consider that in calculating interest many banks, before the proliferation of computers, used a 360-day year consisting of twelve months, each having thirty days.) When this 360-day prophetic year is used and when the prophetic day is taken as one year of actual time, we will see that the time prophecies of the Bible which have already been fulfilled have occurred precisely on schedule. You will remember from chapter one that before the event occurred Josiah Litch was able to pinpoint the day on which the Ottoman Empire would fall. He did so by applying this rule of prophetic prophecy that a day represents a year of actual time and that the prophetic year, consisting of twelve months of thirty days each, contains 360 years of actual time.

Many beasts are described in the prophecies of the Bible. What do these represent? Daniel 7:17 tells us that “These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.” Verse 23 says, “The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth.” A beast, therefore, represents a king or a kingdom or a nation — some political entity.

The secular world also uses beasts symbolically to represent various nations. A bear, for instance, represents Russia; a lion represents England; and an eagle represents the United States.

Horns also represent kingdoms, as Daniel 7:24 indicates. “And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise.” God also uses horns to symbolize nations; in so doing He can show that one nation follows another in chronological sequence. For instance, a beast which grows several horns signifies a power followed by several other powers.

The symbol of heads is also used in various places in the Bible to represent kings and kingdoms. One of the best illustrations of this symbol will be discussed in the following chapter.

Jeremiah 25:32,33 shows that winds represent war and strife. “Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth.”

Why would Rome ever apologize for or even admit this holocaust? No one calls her to account today. Protestants have now forgotten the hundreds of thousands of people burned at the stake for embracing the simple gospel of Christ and refusing to bow to papal authority. Amazingly, Protestants are now embracing Rome as Christian while she insists that the "separated brethren" be reconciled to her on her unchangeable terms!

Many evangelical leaders are intent upon working with Roman Catholics to evangelize the world by the year 2000. They don't want to hear any "negative" reminders of the millions of people tortured and slain by the Church to which they now pay homage, or the fact that Rome has a false gospel of sacramental works.

"Christian" Rome slaughtered Jews by the thousands —far more than pagan Rome ever did. The land of Israel was seen as belonging to the Roman Catholic Church, not to the Jews. In 1096 Pope Urban II inspired the first crusade to retake Jerusalem from the Muslims. With the cross on their shields and armor, the Crusaders massacred Jews across Europe on their way to the Holy Land. Almost their first act upon taking Jerusalem "for Holy Mother Church" was to herd all of the Jews into the synagogue and set it ablaze. These facts of history cannot be swept under the carpet of ecumenical togetherness as though they never happened.

Nor can the Vatican escape considerable responsibility for the Nazi Holocaust, which was thoroughly known to Pius XII in spite of his complete silence throughout the war on that most important of subjects. The involvement of Catholicism in the Holocaust will be examined later. Had the pope protested, as representatives of Jewish organizations and the Allied Powers begged him to do, he would have condemned his own church. The facts are inescapable:

In 1936, Bishop Berning of Osnabruch had talked with the Fuhrer for over an hour. Hitler assured his lordship there was no fundamental difference between National Socialism and the Catholic Church. Had not the church, he argued, looked on Jews as parasites and shut them in ghettos?

"I am only doing," he boasted, "what the church has done for fifteen hundred years, only more effectively." Being a Catholic himself, he told Berning, he "admired and wanted to promote Christianity."

There is, of course, another reason why the Roman Catholic Church has neither apologized for nor repented of these crimes. How could she? The execution of heretics (including Jews) was decreed by "infallible" popes. The Catholic Church herself claims to be infallible, and thus her doctrines could not be wrong.

Those who first proclaimed the gospel as instructed by Jesus went throughout the world, but they made a point to go to wherever the tribes of Israel were scattered among the nations. These people did a great work and established many congregations who practiced the faith with varying degrees of zeal. When the work of the early church was complete, the church vanished from the world scene as a powerful entity. From the context of what is recorded in the scriptures and secular history about the demise of the early church and what is written about the called and these seven churches in the Book of Revelation, it is evident these seven churches represent congregations and individuals who exist as real entities during the time just before Christ's return.

Notice that this message to the Ephesians is directly from Jesus who walks among the seven churches and is the head of the church:

""To the angel of the Ephesian church, write: These things says He Who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands. I know your works, and your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot bear those who are evil; and that you did test those who proclaim themselves to be apostles, but are not, and did find them liars; And that you have borne much and have endured, and for My name’s sake have labored and have not grown weary;"" (Revelation 2:1-3)

Those who have the attitudes and behaviors of a spiritual Ephesian persevere, work hard, and try to keep false teachers out of the church. However, the Ephesians have a major problem that needs to be corrected:

""Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore, remember from where you have fallen, and repent, and do the first works; for if you do not, I will come to you quickly; and I will remove your lampstand out of its place unless you repent. But this you have: that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate."" (Revelation 2:4-6).

The Ephesians seem to forget that a major part of their calling and mission is to grow in grace, knowledge, and love. They lose their intense love and fall into apathy at the final call to battle. Jesus warns them to rekindle their first love or he will remove their candlestick. This is an extremely serious warning. Because the candlestick symbolizes the entire Ephesian group, Jesus is saying that he will remove them from among his followers.

Smyrna

""And to the angel of the church of the Smyrneans write: These things says the First and the Last, Who was dead but is alive. I know your works and tribulation and poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy of those who declare themselves to be Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of the things that you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death."" (Revelation 2:8-11)

was one of the principal cities of Roman Asia. It vied with Ephesus and Pergamum for the title "First City of Asia." The city did not begin to reach its height of importance until after Alexander the Great laid the foundation for a new city.

The English word tribulation is from the Greek which means crushing beneath a weight. Those of Smyrna are under much personal pressure and have virtually no material goods.

One reason for this poverty is the natural order of things, which can be seen in economically disadvantaged countries and the lower economic class of society as a whole. In the early church, the elect were impoverished as a result of persecution that caused them to flee to other areas. And sometimes their goods were stolen while they were being beaten in their own homes for their beliefs. The prophecies indicate that these conditions will also exist during the time just before the Lord returns.

Some of spiritual Smyrna will suffer imprisonment for ten days during a time of intense persecution that will come to an end. However, in the ancient world, imprisonment was just a prelude to being executed. Thus, many of this group of elect may end up being persecuted and some will be imprisoned before being executed. Christ is telling those of Smyrna that he and his Father demand absolute loyalty even in the face of death. Christ warns those of Smyrna not to give up but to remain steadfast in the faith and overcome through their persecution, imprisonment, and physical death in order to obtain the crown of eternal life.

Pergamos (Pergamon)

 was a city in Asia Minor. It was the seat of the kings of Attalia and the capital of the Kingdom of Pergamon during the Hellenistic period.In 133 B.C., the last Attalia king bequeathed the city to the Romans in order to prevent a civil war.

""And to the angel of the church in Pergamos, write: These things says He Who has the sharp two-edged sword. I know your works and where you dwell, where the throne of Satan is; but you are holding fast My name, and did not deny My faith, even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells."" (Revelation 2:12-13).

Jesus praises those of Pergamos for not being afraid to be called Christians and for holding onto the faith, even after one of their group was martyred for being faithful. However, notice in verses 14-16 what Christ has against some of them. Some held the teaching of Balaam who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating things sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality:

""But I have a few things against you because you have there those who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication. Moreover, you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent! For if you do not repent, I will come to you quickly, and will make war against them with the sword of My mouth"" (Revelation 2:14-16).

What is said about some in Pergamos can also be said about some Christians today. We are a extremely promiscuous world with many sexual perversions being accepted and practiced. And some of the elect, including their spiritual leaders, suffer from the same attitudes and behaviors found in ancient Pergamos. Because of this, the Lord says that he will fight against those of Pergamos who do such abominable things. This is an extremely serious warning. Jesus does not play games with a person's salvation. Therefore, any to whom this warning applies should take it very seriously and act appropriately.

Those of ancient Pergamos lived in an environment where Satan's influence, through false religions, was exceptionally strong and some of the elect had compromised God's standards in order to avoid problems with the society around them. Rather than having an attitude of coming out of this society and being separate as Christians, they became a part of the evil society around them.

The converted are warned that any of them who have an attitude of compromise concerning the truth of God during the time just prior to his return will find themselves at war with him. Remember that the Bible cuts as a two edged sword and causes division between those who truly believe and those who do not. Therefore, we can assume that division over what is right and wrong will cause great turmoil among those with the attitude of Pergamos. They will be persecuted by the world and warned by Jesus Christ of his intent to kill those of his church who refuse to behave righteously and avoid partaking of the evils of this society:

""The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes I will give the right to eat of the hidden manna; and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knows except the one who receives it."" (Revelation 2:17).

""And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These things says the Son of God, He Who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like fine brass. I know your works, and love, and service, and faith, and your endurance, and your works; and the last are more than the first"" (Revelation 2:18-19).

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Thyatira

was a trading town famous for its dyeing and was a center of the indigo trade. Jesus offers much praise for the good done by this group. However, a very serious problem needs correction if they are to be successful in gaining eternal and immortal life.

""But I have a few things against you, because you allow the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce My servants into committing fornication and eating things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her fornication, but she did not repent. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their works. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am He Who searches the reins and hearts; and I will give to each of you according to your works."" (Revelation 2:20-23).

The problems within Thyatira did not come from outside the church. It came from within. Their problems began with the acceptance of the teachings of a woman who was thought to be a prophetess. She was, however, an evil person like Ahab's wife Jezebel. This woman urged them to compromise in order to comply with the world's standards and thereby gain the acceptance of non-believers, advantage in business, and prosperity in other areas of life.

This false prophetess was not necessarily trying to destroy the church. She just wanted the elect to view the truth of God in a more liberal way than Jesus and the apostles had taught. However, her teachings led to compromise, especially in relation to idolatry, which led to spiritual fornication. On the surface, this church looks very productive by having good people with good works. Yet, they have compromised the truth. They are self-seeking and deceived because they have been following the false teaching of a false prophetess for many generations. Therefore, this is a serious warning to them from Jesus that their salvation is in jeopardy. Many of Thyatira will receive the trial of fire because of their lack of zeal for the truth.

""But to you I say, and to the rest who are in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, and who have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will not cast upon you any other burden " " (Revelation 2:24)

Some have deliberately sought to do evil. But why? The teachings of the ancient Jezebel seemed to encourage sin. Many today have actually built this case by corrupting the scriptures and thereby turning God's grace into a license to sin.

At the center of Thyatira's problems is the acceptance of the teachings of a false prophetess. Many of these people appear to be righteous but they will not easily give up their false teachings. They worship a person and their false teachings, which is idolatry and compromising of the truth. To those of Thyatira who are carefully and zealously following the teachings of God, the Lord says:

""But hold fast what you have until I come. And to the one who overcomes, and keeps My works unto the end, I will give authority over the nations; And he shall shepherd them with an iron rod, as vessels of pottery are broken in pieces; as I have also received from My Father; And I will give him the morning star. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."" (Revelation 2:25-29).

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""And to the angel of the church in Sardis, write: These things says He Who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your works, and that you have a name as if you are alive, but are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things that remain, which are about to die. For I have not found your works complete before God. Therefore, remember what you have received and heard, and hold on to this, and repent. Now then, if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you shall by no means know what hour I will come upon you. You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with Me in white because they are worthy."" (Revelation 3:1-4)

Within the Sardis church there are only a few who have not defiled themselves spiritually. The implication is that unless there is a major change in their attitude and behavior, most who have the attitude of the Sardis church will end up in the Lake of Fire.

The warning to those of Sardis is that they had better quickly wake up to their deadly lethargy and watch out, because their salvation is in jeopardy. Our Savior warns that only a few truly love the Father and him. Jesus encourages these few to continue to be watchful and they will receive their reward. However, most of their brothers and sisters in Christ who appear outwardly to be spiritually alive but are spiritually dead, will die the second death in the Lake of Fire if they do not repent of their evil ways. Vigilance is really part of the price of liberty under Christ.

Sardis is in great danger. They have accepted the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as their own and have known the Father. But, because of their sins, they are on the pathway that leads to eternal death. That is why this warning is so severe. They have little or no will to study God's word or to use it on a continuing basis to help them overcome their spiritual flaws. They are so self-deceived that they do not even realize that the little truth they have is slipping away and that they are in danger of losing their salvation.

Jesus says in order to be among those who overcome who he will accept, any with the Sardis attitude must awaken from the deadly lethargy and show some signs of repentance and change:

""The one who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments; and I will not blot out his name from the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."" (Revelation 3:5-6).

Those of Sardis are not fulfilling their responsibilities to grow in grace and knowledge nor are they fulfilling their commission properly. Most in Sardis are complacent. They are not trying to live a righteous life. They have allowed the truth to slip away, and Jesus considers them spiritually dead. Because they have stopped trying to overcome, Jesus sees no benefit in pursuing their salvation any further and will allow them to die if they do not make an effort to repent and live righteously.

Only those who triumph over sin will keep their name from being blotted out of the book of life. Jesus says that any with the attitude of Sardis are on the verge of losing their eternal life because of a compromising, complacent, and lazy attitude toward the things of God and their calling. What a terrible accusation from our Lord and Savior. Those of Sardis have a reputation for being alive, however, they are in fact already spiritually dead. Few from Sardis will pass the test of persecution.

""And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia, write: These things says the Holy One, the one Who is true; the one Who has the key of David, Who opens and no one shuts, and Who shuts and no one opens. I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, and no one has the power to shut it because you have a little strength, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name."" (Revelation 3:7-8).

King Eumenes II of Pergamon founded the city in 189 B.C. Eumenes named the city for the love of his brother, who would be his successor, Attalus II.

Notice the emphasis in the above verse upon having kept Jesus' word and not denying his name. In the Greek language, the verbs are in the aorist tense, which describes a definite, specific act in the past. The implication is Philadelphia emerged from a particular spiritual trial. It is for this reason that God uses and empowers them to perform a great work for him in the end of the age. Part of the reward for having the Philadelphia attitude and behavior is to be given an extremely prominent position in the Kingdom - a position worthy of great respect and honor:

""Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who proclaim themselves to be Jews and are not, but do lie - behold, I will cause them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept the word of My patience, I also will keep you from the time of temptation which is about to come upon the whole world to try those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly; hold fast that which you have so that no one may take away your crown."" (Revelation 3:9-11).

Only those with the Philadelphia attitude and behavior are given a significant measure of protection. This does not mean that they are totally free from persecution or even martyrdom. The rest of God's children will be severely reprimanded by Jesus Christ through the Bible and the persecution by Satan and the world at large in order to try, purify, perfect, and save them from eternal death.

""The one who overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall not go out any more. I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which will come down out of heaven from My God; and I will write upon him My new name. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."" (Revelation 3:12-13).

Those of Philadelphia may only have a little strength, their resources and numbers may be small, but they are faithful. Notice, Jesus also said that they have kept his commandments, he will keep them. They are keeping God's word, the word of endurance. Those of Philadelphia try hard to practice the kind of endurance that Jesus Christ displayed. They are people who do not compromise. They endure and firmly keep in mind the goal.

Our Creator wants all the elect to serve him in various ways. The point is that he watches for individuals and even groups of individuals who will take hold of a particular opportunity to serve him. If they act, he uses them in that responsibility. The Father and Jesus look at each of those who have been called to salvation as individuals and, if they seize the moment and take action, they will be used to accomplish great things.

""And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans, write: These things says the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginner of the creation of God. I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot; I would that you be either cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and are neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth."" (Revelation 3:14-16).

Laodicea, built on seven hills like Rome, was one of the most important cities of Asia Minor. It flourished primarily due to its position along a critical trade route. In fact, the city minted its own coins, the inscriptions of which show evidence of the worship of Zeus, Apollo and the emperors.

Of the seven fellowships spoken to by Jesus, this one is the most roundly corrected. They are neither faithful nor unbelieving. They are COMPLETELY indifferent. Their indifference to God's truth is sickening to Jesus. The Laodiceans are so self-satisfied that they think everything is fine and that they are doing great works. They view themselves as the recipients of great spiritual understanding, but they have practically none.

""For you say, 'I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’; and you do not understand that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold purified by fire so that you may be rich; and white garments so that you may be clothed, and the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and to anoint your eyes with eye salve, so that you may see."" (Revelation 3:17-18).

Here, we see a people who are so apathetic and lazy because of their perceived knowledge and spirituality that they are in danger of being cast away. They are self-deceived into thinking that they are spiritually rich, when they are actually poor. Christ is giving them their last opportunity to repent and become zealous. If these people will hear and heed what he is saying, he will again establish fellowship with them. If not, they will be cast into the Lake of Fire with the unrepentant wicked.

Christ is searching for people that want him and his Father to be a major part of their life. He says he is at the door knocking, hoping the wayward elect will let him back into their hearts and minds. But he will not force his way into their lives. These individuals have to make a decision to repent of their nauseating quality of being spiritually lukewarm, self-satisfied, complacent, and in need of nothing.

Their indifference has left them self-deluded and they do not realize they are spiritually poor, miserable, wretched, blind, and naked. Those who lead such a people and do not themselves repent are in deep trouble. Those individuals have an attitude of having it made, but have no real commitment for spiritual growth. They feel secure as long as they associate with a particular group (i.e., success by association). That kind of attitude leads to indifference and complacency, which Christ severely rebukes. He will bring fiery trials in order to bring those with such an attitude to genuine repentance:

""As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me."" (Revelation 3:19-20).

Jesus is showing, in an extremely strong way, that some of the elect who are in this decadent condition can expect extremely severe trials that come directly from him. Because of their self-righteous attitudes, Jesus says they will be tried in fire. A Laodicean needs a major attitude adjustment. This is why Jesus has to deal so severely with them. The Father and his Son are extremely merciful. If a Laodicean repents, he will be forgiven.

""{To the one who overcomes will I give authority to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and sat down with My Father in His throne. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."" (Revelation 3:21-22).

Any of the chosen who are alive during the time of the end and who think that they will live out their lives in peaceful coexistence with non-believers while Jesus pours out God's wrath upon a wicked and rebellious world are not in touch with reality.

It seems that only a few understand the seriousness of the times. Most think everything is just fine. Hoever, things are not just fine. This is why Jesus will pour out his wrath on all but one- seventh of those of his church. Make no mistake, Jesus would much rather see those who need to repent do so without having to be corrected through trial and persecution. However, because Jesus loves us deeply, he will attempt to shake the lazy, the lethargic, and the sinful out of their sleep of death with strong persecution and trials of fire, in the hope that they will awaken to their terminal condition and repent.

Those who are converted are continually barraged with evil from the world. Many have allowed themselves to become influenced by wrong values and have compromised themselves and become blind to their sins. It is easy to see how wrong attitudes, behaviors, and characteristics of the seven ancient churches of Asia mentioned in Revelation exist within various individuals and congregations scattered throughout the earth today. Although all seven churches suffer great persecution for the truth that they believe and practice, the general admonition to all of God's people is to come out of and remain separate from the things of the world that can pollute one spiritually (Revelation 18:3-4).

Because of the increased activity of evil spirits during the time of the end, there will be great religious confusion (especially concerning the teachings of the Bible). As people become more and more confused as to what is right and wrong, God's people who are not diligent in their pursuit of righteousness will be drawn into evil behavior and compromising attitudes. They will lose the love and zeal.

Jesus often spoke to the disciples about the need to perform the task that they had been given concerning the gospel and the persecution and rewards associated with its proclamation (Mark 8:34-38, See also 1Peter 3:14-17). Make no mistake, the Father and Jesus Christ are solidly against the tolerance of evil. They want their chosen people to either repent and remove the evil from among them or remove themselves from the evil. Jesus said:

"And Jesus answered and said, 'Truly I say to you, there is not one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My sake and for the gospel’s, Who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time: houses, and brothers, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the age that is coming, eternal life.'" (Mark 10:29-30).

It behooves us to be a person who has an ear to hear Jesus' warning to Revelation's churches. If your heart is right God, you do not need to fear.

"On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it." Matthew 16:18

We live in a world in which all things are passing away. Kingdoms, empires, cities, institutions, families—all are liable to change and corruption. One universal law seems to prevail everywhere—in all created things there is a tendency to decay. There is something sad and depressing in this. What profit has a man, in the labor of his hands? Is there nothing that shall stand? Is there nothing that shall last? Is there nothing that shall endure? Is there nothing of which we can say—This shall continue forever? no visible Church has any right to say, "We are the only true Church. We are the men, and truth shall die with us." No visible Church should ever dare to say, "We shall stand forever. The gates of hell will not overcome us." This is that Church to which belong the Lord's precious promises of preservation, continuance, protection, and final glory. "Whatever," says Hooker, "we read in Scripture, concerning the endless love and saving mercy which God shows towards His Churches, the only proper subject is this Church, which we properly term the mystical body of Christ." Small and despised as the true Church may be in this world, it is precious and honorable in the sight of God. The temple of Solomon in all its glory was nothing, in comparison with that Church which is built upon a rock.

Great is the wisdom with which the Lord Jesus Christ builds His Church. All is done at the right time, and in the right way. Each stone in its turn is put in the right place. Sometimes He chooses great stones, and sometimes He chooses small stones. Sometimes the work moves fast, and sometimes it moves slowly. Man is frequently impatient, and thinks that nothing is happening. But man's time is not God's time. A thousand years in His sight are but as a single day. The great Builder makes no mistakes. He knows what He is doing. He sees the end from the beginning. He works by a perfect, unalterable and certain plan. The mightiest conceptions of architects, like Michelangelo are mere insignificant child's play, in comparison with Christ's wise counsels respecting His Church.

Great is the condescension and mercy, which Christ exhibits in building His Church. He often chooses the most unlikely and roughest stones, and fits them into a most excellent work. He despises no one, and rejects none—on account of former sins and past transgressions. He delights to show mercy. He often takes the most thoughtless and ungodly, and transforms them into polished corners of His spiritual temple.

Great is the power which Christ displays in building His Church. He carries on his work in spite of opposition from the world, the flesh, and the devil. In storm, in chaos, through troublesome times—silently, quietly, without noise, without stir, without excitement—the building progresses. "I will work," He declares, "and none shall hinder it." Brethren, the children of this world take no interest in the building of this Church, they care nothing for the conversion of souls. What are broken spirits and penitent hearts to them? It is all foolishness in their eyes. But while the children of this world care nothing, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God. For the preserving of that Church, the laws of nature have oftentimes been suspended. For the good of that Church, all the providential dealings of God in this world are ordered and arranged. For the elect's sake, wars are brought to an end, and peace is given to a nation. Statesmen, rulers, emperors, kings, presidents, heads of governments, have their schemes and plans, and think them of vast importance.

But there is another work going on of infinitely greater significance, for which they are all but as the axes and saws in God's hands. That work is the gathering in of living stones into the one true Church. How little are we told in God's Word about unconverted men, compared with what we are told about believers! The history of Nimrod, the mighty hunter, is dismissed in a few words. The history of Abraham, the father of the faithful, occupies several chapters. Nothing in Scripture is so important as the concerns of the true Church. The world makes up little of God's Word. The Church and its story make up much.

Forever let us thank God, my beloved brethren, that the building of the one true Church is laid on the shoulders of One who is mighty. Let us bless God that it does not rest upon man. Let us bless God that it does not depend on missionaries, ministers, or committees. Christ is the almighty Builder. He will carry on His work, though nations and visible Churches do not know their duty. Christ will never fail. That which He has undertaken He will certainly accomplish! I pass on to the third point, which I proposed to consider—

 The Lord Jesus Christ tells us, "On this rock I will build my church." What did the Lord Jesus Christ mean, when He spoke of this foundation? Did He mean the Apostle Peter, to whom He was speaking? I think assuredly not. I can see no reason, if he meant Peter, why did He not say, "On you" will I build My church. If He had meant Peter, He would have said, I will build My Church on you, as plainly as He said, "I will give you the keys." No! it was not the person of the Apostle Peter, but the good confession which the Apostle had just made. It was not Peter, the erring, unstable man; but the mighty truth which the Father had revealed to Peter. It was the truth concerning Jesus Christ himself, which was the Rock. It was Christ's Mediator ship, and Christ's Messiah ship. It was the blessed truth, that Jesus was the promised Savior, the real Intercessor between God and man. This was the rock, and this was the foundation on which the Church of Christ was to be built.

My brethren, this foundation was laid at a mighty cost. It was necessary that the Son of God should take our nature upon Him, and in that nature live, suffer, and die, not for His own sins, but for ours. It was necessary that in that nature Christ should go to the grave, and rise again. It was necessary that in that nature Christ should go up to heaven, to sit at the right hand of God, having obtained eternal redemption for all His people. No other foundation but this could have borne the weight of that Church of which our text speaks. No other foundation could have met the necessities of a world of sinners.

That foundation once obtained, is very strong. It can bear the weight of the sin of all the world. It has borne the weight of all the sins of all the believers who have built on it. Sins of thought, sins of the imagination, sins of the heart, sins of the head, sins which everyone has seen, and sins which no man knows, sins against God, and sins against man, sins of all kinds and descriptions—that mighty rock can bear the weight of all these sins, and not give way. The mediatorial office of Christ is a sufficient remedy for all the sins of all the world.

To this one foundation every member of Christ's true Church is joined. In many things believers are disunited and disagreed. In the matter of their soul's foundation they are all of one mind. They are all built on the rock. Ask where they get their peace, and hope, and joyful expectation of good things to come. You would find that it all flows from that one mighty truth—Christ the Mediator between God and man, and the office that Christ holds, as the High priest and Promise of sinners.

Here is the point which demands our personal attention. Are we on the rock? Are we really joined to the one foundation? What does that godly man, Leighton say? "God has laid this precious stone for this very purpose—that weary sinners may rest upon it. The multitude of imaginary believers lie all around it, but they are not any better for that, any more than stones that lie loose in heaps, near a foundation, but not joined to it. There is no benefit to us by Christ, without union with Him."

Look to your foundation, my beloved brethren, if you would know whether or not you are members of the one true Church. It is a point that may be known to yourselves. Your public worship we can see—but we cannot see whether you are personally built upon the rock. Your attendance at the Lord's table we can see—but we cannot see whether you are joined to Christ, and one with Christ, and Christ in you. But all shall come to light one day. The secrets of all hearts shall be exposed. Perhaps you go to church regularly and you pray faithfully. All this is right and good, so far as it goes. But see that you make no mistake about your own personal salvation. See that your own soul is on the rock. Without this, all else is nothing. Without this, you will never stand in the day of judgment. Better a thousand times in that day to be found in a poor cottage on the rock, than in a stately palace on the sand! I proceed, in the fourth place, to speak of—

There is mention made of "the gates of hell." By that expression we are to understand the power of the devil! The history of Christ's true Church has always been one of conflict and war. It has been constantly assailed by a deadly enemy, Satan, the prince of this world. The devil hates the true Church of Christ with an undying hatred. He is ever stirring up opposition against all its members. He is ever urging the children of this world to do his will, and injure and harass the people of God. If he cannot bruise the head, he will bruise the heel. If he cannot rob believers of heaven, he will aggravate them as they travel the road to heaven.

For six thousand years this hostility has gone on. Millions of the ungodly have been the devil's agents, and done the devil's work, though they did not know it. The Pharaohs, the Herod's, the Nero's, the Julian's, the Diocletians, the bloody Mary's—were Satan's tools, when they persecuted the disciples of Jesus Christ. Warfare with the powers of hell has been the experience of the whole body of Christ. It has always been a bush burning, though not consumed—a woman fleeing into the wilderness, but not swallowed up. The visible Churches have their times of prosperity and seasons of peace, but never has there been a time of peace for the true Church. Its conflict is perpetual. Its battle never ends.

Warfare with the powers of hell is the experience of every individual member of the true Church. Each has to fight. What are the lives of all the saints, but records of battles? What were such men as Paul, and James, and Peter, and John, and Polycarp, and Ignatius, and Augustine, and Luther, and Calvin, and Latimer, and Baxter—but soldiers engaged in a constant warfare? Sometimes their persons have been assailed, and sometimes their property. Sometimes they have been harassed by slander, and sometimes by open persecution. But in one way or another the devil has been continually warring against the Church. The "gates of hell" have been continually assaulting the people of Christ.

Men and brethren, we who preach the Gospel can hold out to all who come to Christ, exceeding great and precious promises. We can offer boldly to you in our Master's name, the peace of God which passes all understanding. Mercy, free grace, and full salvation, are offered to everyone who will come to Christ, and believe on Him. But we promise you no peace with the world, or with the devil. We warn you, on the contrary, that there must be warfare, so long as you are in the body. We would not keep you back, or deter you from Christ's service. But we would have you count the cost, and fully understand what Christ's service entails. Hell is behind you. Heaven is before you. Home lies on the other side of a troubled sea.

Thousands, tens of thousands have crossed these stormy waters, and in spite of all opposition, have reached the haven where they would be. Hell has assailed them, but has not prevailed. Go forward, beloved brethren, and fear not the adversary. Only abide in Christ, and the victory is sure. Marvel not at the hatred of the gates of hell. "If you were of the world, the world would love as its own." So long as the world is the world, and the devil the devil—there must be warfare, and believers in Christ must be soldiers! The world hated Christ, and the world will hate true Christians, as long as the earth stands. As the great reformer, Luther, said, "Cain will go on murdering Abel so long as the Church is on earth."

Be prepared for the hostility of the gates of hell. Put on the whole armor of God. The tower of David contains a thousand shields, all ready for the use of God's people. The weapons of our warfare have been tried by millions of poor sinners like ourselves, and have never been found to fail. Be patient under the bitterness of the gates of hell. It is all working together for your good. It tends to sanctify. It keeps you awake. It makes you humble. It drives you nearer to the Lord Jesus Christ. It weans you from the world. It helps to make you pray more. Above all, it makes you long for heaven, and say with heart as well as lips, "Come, Lord Jesus."

Do not be cast down by the hatred of hell. The warfare of the true child of God is as much a mark of grace as the inward peace which he enjoys. No cross, no crown! No conflict, no saving Christianity! "Blessed are you," said our Lord Jesus Christ, "when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me." There remains one thing more to be considered—

There is a glorious promise given by the mighty Builder, "The gates of Hades will not overcome it." He who cannot lie, has pledged His royal word, that all the powers of hell shall never overthrow His Church. It shall continue, and stand, in spite of every assault. It shall never be overcome.

All other created things perish and pass away, but not the Church of Christ. The hand of outward violence, or the moth of inward decay, prevail over everything else, but not over the church that Christ builds. Empires have risen and fallen in rapid succession. Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Tyre, Carthage, Rome, Greece, Venice—where are all these now? They were all the creations of man's hand, and have passed away. But the Church of Christ lives on. The mightiest cities have become heaps of ruins.

The broad walls of Babylon are sunk to the ground. The palaces of Nineveh are mounds of dust. The hundred gates of Thebes are only matters of history. Tyre is a place where fishermen hang their nets. Carthage is a desolation. Yet all this time the true Church stands. The gates of hell do not prevail against it.

The earliest visible Churches have in many cases decayed and perished. Where is the Church of Ephesus and the Church of Antioch? Where is the Church of Alexandria and the Church of Constantinople? Where are the Corinthian, and Philippian, and Thessalonian Churches? Where, indeed, are they all? They departed from the Word of God. They were proud of their bishops, and synods, and ceremonies, and learning, and antiquity. They did not glory in the true cross of Christ. They did not hold fast the Gospel. They did not give Jesus His rightful office, or faith its rightful place. They are now among the things that have been. Their candlestick has been taken away. But all this time the true Church has lived on.

Has the true Church been oppressed in one country? It has fled to another. Has it been trampled on and oppressed in one soil? It has taken root and flourished in some other climate. Fire, sword, prisons, fines, punishments—have never been able to destroy its vitality. Its persecutors have died and gone to their own place, but the Word of God has lived, and grown and multiplied.

Weak as this true Church may appear to the eye of man, it is an anvil which has broken many a hammer in times past, and perhaps will break many more before the end. He who lays hands on it, is touching the apple of God's eye!

The promise of our text is true of the whole body of the true Church. Christ will never be without a witness in the world. He has had a people in the worst of times. He had seven thousand in Israel even in the days of Ahab. The devil may rage horribly. The Church may in some countries be brought exceedingly low. But the gates of hell shall never entirely prevail. The promise of our text is true of every individual member of the Church.

Some of God's people have been brought very low, so that they despaired of their safety. Some have fallen sadly, as David and Peter did. Some have departed from the faith for a time. Many have been tried by cruel doubts and fears. But all have gotten safely home at last, the youngest as well as the oldest, the weakest as well as the strongest. And so it will be to the end. Can you prevent tomorrow's sun from rising? Can you prevent the tide in the channel from ebbing and flowing? Can you prevent the planets moving in their respective orbits? Then, and then alone, can you prevent the salvation of any believer, however feeble—of any living stone in that Church which is built on the rock, however small or insignificant that stone may appear.

The true Church is Christ's body. Not one bone in that mystical body shall ever be broken. The true Church is Christ's bride. They whom God has joined in everlasting covenant, shall never be put asunder. The true Church is Christ's flock. When the lion came and took a lamb out of David's flock, David arose and delivered the lamb from his mouth. Christ will do the same. He is David's greater son. Not a single sick lamb in Christ's flock shall perish! He will say to His Father in the last day, "I have not lost one of those you gave me!" The true Church is the wheat of the earth. It may be sifted, winnowed, buffeted, tossed to and fro. But not one gain shall be lost. The tares and chaff shall be burned. The wheat shall be gathered into the barn.

The true Church is Christ's army. The Captain of our salvation loses none of his soldiers. His plans are never defeated. His supplies never fail. His roll call is the same at the end—as it was at the beginning! Of the men that marched gallantly out of England a few years ago in the Crimean war, how many never came back! Regiments that went forth, strong and cheerful, with bands playing and banners flying, laid their bones in a foreign land, and never returned to their native country. But it is not so with Christ's army. Not one of His soldiers shall be missing at last. He Himself declares "They shall never perish."

The devil may cast some of the members of the true Church into prison. He may kill, and burn, and torture, and hang. But after he has killed the body, there is nothing more that he can do. He cannot hurt the soul. When the French troops took Rome a few years ago, they found on the walls of a prison cell, under the Inquisition, the words of a prisoner. Who he was, we do not know. But his words are worthy of remembrance. Though dead, he still speaks. He had written on the walls, very likely after an unjust trial, and a still more unjust excommunication, the following striking words, "Blessed Jesus, they cannot cast me out of Your true Church!" That record is true. Not all the power of Satan can cast out of Christ's true Church one single believer! The children of this world may wage fierce warfare against the Church, but they cannot stop the work of conversion.

What did the sneering Emperor Julian say, in the early ages of the Church, "What is the carpenter's son doing now?" An aged Christian made answer, "He is making a coffin for Julian himself." But a few months passed away, when Julian, with all his pomp and power, died in battle. Where was Christ when the fires of Smithfield were lighted, and when Latimer and Ridley were burnt at the stake? What was Christ doing then? He was still carrying on His work of building. That work will ever go on, even in troublesome times.

Fear not, beloved brethren, to begin serving Christ. He to whom you commit your soul has all power in heaven and earth, and He will keep you. He will never let you be cast away. Relatives may oppose. Neighbors may mock. The world may slander and sneer. Fear not! Fear not! The powers of hell shall never prevail against your soul. Greater is He who is for you—than all those who are against you.

Fear not for the Church of Christ, my brethren, when ministers die, and saints are taken away. Christ can ever maintain His own cause, He will raise up better and brighter stars. The stars are all in His right hand. Leave off all anxious thought about the future. Cease to be cast down by the measures of statesmen, or the plots of wolves in sheep's clothing. Christ will ever provide for His Own Church! Christ will take care that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it! All is going on well—though our eyes may not see it. The kingdoms of this world shall yet become the kingdoms of our God and of His Christ.

 I ask you, whether you are a member of the one true Church of Christ? Are you a member of the Church built upon the rock. I ask you, with all solemnity—Are you a member of that one Church of Christ? Are you joined to the great Foundation? Have you received the Holy Spirit? Does the Spirit witness with your spirit, that you are one with Christ, and Christ with you? I beseech you, in the name of God, to lay to heart this question, and to ponder it well. Take heed to yourselves, dear brethren, if you cannot give a satisfactory answer to my inquiry. Take heed, take heed, that you do not make shipwreck of faith. Take heed, lest at last the gates of hell prevail against you, the devil claim you as his own, and you be cast away forever. Take heed, lest you go down to the pit from the land of Bibles, and in the full light of Christ's Gospel. 

 I address it to all who are not yet true believers. I say to you—Come and join the one true Church without delay. Come and join yourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ in an everlasting covenant not to be forgotten. The day of decision must come some time. Why not today, while it is called today? Why not this very night, before the sun rises tomorrow morning? Come to my Master, Jesus Christ. Come, I say, for all things are now ready. Mercy is ready for you, heaven is ready for you, angels are ready to rejoice over you, Christ is ready to receive you. Christ will receive you gladly, and welcome you among His children. Come into the ark, the flood of God's wrath will soon break upon the earth, come into the ark and be safe. Come into the life-boat. The old world will soon break into pieces! Do you not hear the trembling's of it? The world is but a wreck stuck on the sandbar. The night is far spent—the waves are beginning to rise—the winds are rising—the storm will soon shatter the old wreck! But the life-boat is launched, and we, the ministers of the Gospel, beseech you to come into the life-boat.

Do you ask—How can I come, my sins are so many? Do you ask how you shall come? Hear the words of that beautiful hymn: "Just as I am: without one plea, But that Your blood was shed for me, And that You bid me come to Thee, O Lamb of God I come." That is the way to come to Christ. You should come, waiting for nothing, and tarrying for nothing. You should come, as a hungry sinner, to be filled; as a poor sinner to be enriched; as a vile, undeserving sinner to be clothed with righteousness. So coming, Christ would receive you. "Him that comes" to Christ, He "will not cast out." Oh! come, come to God !!!

 Live a holy life, my brethren. Walk worthy of the Church to which you belong. Live like citizens of heaven. Let your light shine before men, so that the world may profit by your conduct. Let them know whose you are, and whom you serve. Be epistles of Christ, known and read by all men; written in such clear letters, that none can say—we do not know whether he is a member of Christ or not. Live a courageous life, my brethren. Confess Christ before men. Whatever station you occupy, in that station confess Christ. Why should you be ashamed of Him? He was not ashamed of you on the cross. He is ready to confess you now before His Father in heaven. Why should you be ashamed of Him? Be bold. Be very bold. The good soldier is not ashamed of his uniform. The true believer ought never to be ashamed of Christ.

Live a joyful life, my brethren. Live like men who look for that blessed hope—the second coming of Jesus Christ. This is the prospect to which we should all look forward. It is not so much the thought of going to heaven, as of heaven coming to us, which should fill our minds. There is a good time coming for all the people of God—a good time for all the Church of Christ—a good time for all believers. But there is a bad time coming for the impenitent and unbelieving—a bad time for those who serve their own lusts, and turn their backs on the Lord—but a good time for true Christians. For that good time, let us wait, and watch, and pray. The scaffolding will soon be taken down—the last stone will soon be brought out—the top-stone will be placed upon the edifice. In a little while, and the full beauty of the building shall be clearly seen. The great master Builder will soon come himself. A building shall be shown to assembled worlds, in which there shall be no imperfection. The whole universe shall acknowledge, that in the building of Christ's Church all was well done!

You have the answer to these questions in the words of our text. Our Lord Jesus Christ speaks of something which shall continue, and not pass away. There is one created thing which is an exception to the universal rule to which I have referred. There is one thing which shall never perish and pass away. That thing is the building founded upon the rock—the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ. He declares, in the words you have heard tonight: "On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it." There are five things in these words which demand your attention:

1. A Building: "My Church"

2. A Builder: Christ says, "I will build My Church"

3. A Foundation: "On this rock I will build My Church"

4. Perils Implied: "The gates of hell"

5. Security Asserted: "The gates of hell will not overcome it"

May God bless the words that shall be spoken, and know whether or not we belong to this one Church.