Habakkuk's Two Tables #42
PART SIX: 1989
Presented by Jeff Pippenger
BROTHER PIPPENGER: Before we have our opening prayer, you will notice two sets of notes this morning. This [holding up a document from the podium] is taken from Stephen Haskell's Bible Handbook, and it gives a brief overview of the Seven Churches of Revelation. I will give this a brief point of reference for the time periods of these Seven Churches which we are going to consider this morning.
This is on the website for those that are following this on LiveStream.
Also, we have put on the website for those that are following it LiveStream, we have referenced somewhere in there in this worship series that in September 2001 the Seventh-day Church implemented a policy that if you are going to be an ordained Seventh-day Adventist pastor that you are required to take a course on the Jesuit's techniques of Spiritual Formations. So, that document is now—or should be; I emailed it to my grandson this morning—it should be on the website today, if not already. You can download that document if you need that.
All of this is from Haskell, except for page 4. And we will talk about page 4 once we begin.
Shall we begin with a word of prayer.
Invocation by Brother Jeff Pippenger: Heavenly Father, we thank you for bringing us together once again this morning for a time that we can consider your Word as we start a day of service for you. We ask that you would grant us the presence of your Holy Spirit to take us through this study and to open our hearts and our minds to what you have for us. We want the Latter Rain poured out upon us, so we ask that you would accomplish that at this time. And we know that we need to be prepared for the Latter Rain, so we ask that you forgive us our sins that our vessels are qualified to receive the outpouring that you have for us. We thank you for the presence in this series so far. We ask or a continued blessing in Jesus's name. Amen.
BROTHER PIPPENGER: We are launching into a long study of 1989. We are going to eventually identify 1989 as the Time of the End for the Reform Movement of the 144,000.
And let me remind you, when I say "the 144,000," I am saying that in a very general, generic way. The 144,000 are those that have the Seal of God that are still alive when Michael stands up, and I am using this term "144,000" to represent the wise virgins in Adventism that receive the Seal of God at The Sunday Law. But if an Adventist receives the Seal of God at The Sunday Law in the United States, there is no guarantee that he is not going to get laid to rest before human probation closes. We know that.
So, when I am talking about the Reform Movement of the 144,000, it is in a generic way.
The Seven Churches
HISTORY OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES
| Ephesus | Smyrna | Pergamos | Thyatira | Sardis | Philadelphia | Laodicea |
L A O D I C E A
Figure No. 84A.
We are going to look at the Seven Churches of Revelation, in connection with identifying Daniel 11, verse 40, as the Time of the End in 1989.
And I took from Stephen Haskell's Bible Handbook a brief summary of the Seven Churches of Revelation that will give us the times, Ephesus being the first church. Smyrna, he has marked from the year 100 to 323; Pergamos, 323 to 538, all the way to the beginning of the Papacy—I am not going to go through these in detail. This is just for your own reference if you want it—Thyatira, 538 to 1798; Sardis, 1798 to 1833; Philadelphia, 1833 to 1844; and, then he has Laodicea, 1844, onward.
Now, there are some—I personally do not adhere completely to these dates. I mean, they may be accurate, but there are some overlaps and that is what I want to show you here.
On page 4 of your notes, it says, "I will give him the 'morning star'." {SpTB07 62.1}
This is speaking of Thyatira, and I know that Jesus is the Bright and Morning Star. Okay?
But, in Revelation 2:28, in the time period of Thyatira, which is the Papacy, from AD538 to 1798, there is a promise of giving the morning star; and, in The Great Controversy, page 80, Sister White says, "In the fourteenth century arose in England the 'morning star of the Reformation.'" So, for me, in this history of Thyatira you have the beginning of the Reformation marked, and John Wycliffe can be identified as the morning star of the Reformation; and, therefore, it could be also marked as the morning star in this history.
And at this point, God's people begin to wake up, even though still a few hundred years before 1798. But, those people that are waking up are the Sardisians (or whatever you would call them). So, you can trace the roots of Sardis farther back into Thyatira.
That is what I am, saying. There are some overlaps in these churches, from my perspective.
And Wycliffe, it says here, was born in 1320; some people say 1330. That is Wycliffe, the "morning star of the Reformation'."
And who is the symbol of the Reformation?
FROM THE AUDIENCE: Luther.
BROTHER PIPPENGER: Luther, Martin Luther.
You will see for Martin Luther that he was born in 1483. There are some historians who argue that he was born in 1484. That is not a problem, really; but, what I want you to see— just briefly; we are not going to deal with this—but, the seven times of Leviticus 26 is premised upon the land resting in Leviticus 25. They were to let the land rest every seventh year.
And over a seven-year cycle, six years they would work the land; the seventh year they would let the land rest. And then they were to repeat that cycle for 49 years, until they reached the [Great] Jubilee.
So, in a cycle of 49 years of the land working and resting, how many days would the land rest if they would have kept that statute?
Well, in a Jubilee cycle, the land would have rested 2520 days. That is in Leviticus 25; therefore, when you get to Leviticus 26, and the curse for not keeping that statute is understood to be 2520 years, that is in agreement with the principle that was identified by William Shea, Adventist theologian, that Leviticus 25 was the first reference of the year-day principle in God's Word. They were to let the land rest in a Jubilee cycle for 2520 days. Because, they did not keep that statute, their punishment was 2520 years, the year-day principle.
But all of this 2520 is based upon land resting in every seventh year. So, I just want you to see something—we are not at this point in our study: There are two 2520s, and the one that concludes in 1844, the one that is represented by Isaiah's son Shearjashub (a remnant shall return), in 1844 the Lord is going to raise up modern Israel. He is going to gather them at the end of the scattering time.
Well, that 2520-year period is seven 360-year periods: 7 × 360 = 2520. But, this whole thing is premised upon letting the land rest every seventh year.
So, if you go back 360 years from 1844—bam!—you come to the birth of Martin Luther; thus marking that this last 360-year period is the time when the Lord is going to begin to develop the remnant. And, of course, you can identify the Millerites in this history, leading up to 1844, what that was, was the climax of the Protestant Reformation.
So, when you go back 360 years from 1844, you come to the birth of these reformers that are going to initiate the Reformation.
And, of course, if you go back 360 years form 1798, you come to—what is that? In 1428—and we will dig this out for you at some other time—in 1428 the nation of France passed the first law that put a restriction upon the Papacy. So, that 360 years marks the beginning of the delivery of the deadly wound in 1798 at the end of that 2520.
So, I am wanting you to see that we are using Haskell. We are not arguing with him. But, these dates that we have, there is a little bit of wiggle room because there is more than one thing going on in these histories. Okay? There is more than one line.
Do you follow me?
And then at the bottom, you have a statement from Sister White that says, "The state of the Church represented by the foolish virgins, is also spoken of as the Laodicean state." {RH August 19, 1890, par. 10} The Laodicean Church here at the end, the experience represented by Laodicea is the foolish virgins. So, the experience represented by the wise virgins is what?
FROM THE AUDIENCE: Philadelphia.
BROTHER PIPPENGER: Philadelphia.
So, do the wise virgins and the foolish virgins live together until the separation?
FROM THE AUDIENCE: Yes.
BROTHER PIPPENGER: So, Philadelphia and Laodicea, they can be overlaid upon one another. So, there is more than one thing going on with the Seven Churches of Revelation.
We just wanted to put that in place, because we are starting—and what does this have to do with 1989 and Daniel 11, verse 40?
But, go to your notes now of Habakkuk's Tables, #42.
The Gospel of Revelation
We are going to deal with the Seven Churches of Revelation, of which all of us in this room and everyone watching LiveStream—I mean, as Seventh-day Adventists—are totally familiar with Revelation 2 and 3. We know this passage like the back of our hand; because, this is the milk of becoming a Seventh-day Adventist student of prophecy.
Sister says in Signs of the Times, July 4, 1906,
"As we near the close of this world's history, the prophecies relating to the last days especially demand our study. The last book of the New Testament is full of truth that we need to understand. Satan has blinded the minds of many, so that they have been glad of any excuse for not making the Revelation their study.
"The book of Revelation, in connection with the book of Daniel, demands close study. Let every God-fearing teacher consider how most clearly to comprehend and present the Gospel that our Saviour came in person to make known to His servant John,—'"—
Sister White does not quite understand the mentality of Seventh-day Adventists today. If she did, she would not have said what she just said; because, in Adventism today, we think the Gospel and Prophecy are two different things, and evidently she thinks they are the same thing because she just said that Revelation is the Gospel of Christ.
—"'The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass.' None should become discouraged in their study of Revelation because of its apparently mystical symbols. 'If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not.' 'Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein; for the time is at hand.' We are to proclaim to the world the great and solemn truths contained in the book of Revelation."—
This phrase, "great and solemn," is a key phrase in the writings of the Spirit of Prophecy.
—"We are to proclaim to the world the great and solemn truths contained in the book of Revelation." Into the very designs and principles of the church of God these truths are to enter. There should be a closer and more diligent study of this book, a more earnest presentation of the truths it contains, truths which concern all who are living in these last days. All who are preparing to meet their Lord should make this book the subject of earnest study and prayer. It is just what its name signifies,—a revelation of the most important events that are to take place in the last days of this earth's history. John, because of his faithful trust in the word of God, and the testimony of Christ, was banished to the Isle of Patmos. But his banishment did not separate him from Christ. The Lord visited His faithful servant in his banishment, and gave him instruction regarding what was to come upon the world.
"This instruction is of the greatest importance to us; for we are living in the last days of this earth's history. Soon we shall enter upon the fulfilment of the events which Christ showed John were to take place. As the messengers of the Lord present these solemn truths, they must realize that they are handling subjects of eternal interest, and they should seek for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, that they may speak, not their own words, but the words given them by God.
"The book of Revelation must be opened to the people. Many have been taught that it is a sealed book, but it is sealed to those only who reject truth and light."—
But, it is sealed only to those who reject light and truth.
—"The truths that it contains must be proclaimed, that people may have an opportunity to prepare for the events which are so soon to take place. The Third Angel's Message must be presented as the only hope for the salvation of a perishing world.
"The perils of the last days are upon us, and in our work we are to warn the people of the danger they are in. Let not the solemn scenes that prophecy has revealed are soon to take place be left untouched. We are God's messengers, and we have no time to lose. Those who would be co-workers with our Lord Jesus Christ will show a deep interest in the truths found in this book. With pen and voice they will strive to make plain the wonderful things that Christ came from heaven to reveal." Signs of the Times, July 4, 1906.
So, we have been commanded to study the Book of Revelation, teach the Book of Revelation. And if we will study it, we will be blessed.
The Solemn Events
The solemn events that Sister White emphasizes often in her writings, she says,
"That time is at hand. Today the signs of the times declare that we are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events." Education, 179.
We have gone through this previously in this worship. We are just emphasizing it once again: ". . . we are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events."
Which We Must Know
Selected Messages, book 2, page 109, she says,
"In the Revelation the Lion of the tribe of Judah has opened to the students of prophecy the book of Daniel, and thus is Daniel standing in his place. He bears his testimony, that which the Lord revealed to him in vision of the great and solemn events which we must know as we stand on the very threshold of their fulfillment." Selected Messages, book 2, 109.
We have to understand what these great and solemn events are in advance of these great and solemn events taking place.
The Closing of Probation
Prophets and Kings, pages 715 – 716:
"Today, in the spirit and power of Elias and of John the Baptist, messengers of God's appointment are calling the attention of a judgment-bound world to the solemn events soon to take place in connection with the closing hours of probation and the appearance of Christ Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords. Soon every man is to be judged for the deeds done in the body. The hour of God's judgment has come, and upon the members of His church on earth rests the solemn responsibility of giving warning to those who are standing as it were on the very brink of eternal ruin." Prophets and Kings, 715–716.
And what did we deal with yesterday; what was the quote? The events connected with the close of probation in the need of preparation for the time of trouble have been clearly revealed, but multitudes [in Adventism] have no more understanding of these important truths than if they had never been revealed because they have been listening to the pastors and the theologians, and the famous guys in Adventism that tell them that these events in the last six verses of Daniel 11 are not significant. We cannot understand them. That is what we looked at yesterday; and, those solemn events are the events connected with the close of probation that a judgment-bound world needs to understand.
Nothing Else
Testimonies, volume 8, beginning on page 301:
"The solemn messages that have been given in their order in the Revelation are to occupy"—the secondary place?
FROM THE AUDIENCE: The first place.
BROTHER PIPPENGER: —"the first place in the minds of God's people. Nothing else is to be allowed to engross our attention." Testimonies, volume 8, 301–302.
Okay. So, there are solemn messages in the Book of Revelation that are to have first place in our study.
Seven Churches
So, we are going to look at some of the truths in Revelation, in the Seven Churches,
Acts of the Apostles, starting at page 585:
"The names of the seven churches are symbolic of the church in different periods of the Christian Era. The number 7 indicates completeness, and is symbolic of the fact that the messages extend to the end of time, while the symbols used reveal the condition of the church at different periods in the history of the world.
"Christ is spoken of as walking in the midst of the golden candlesticks. Thus is symbolized His relation to the churches. He is in constant communication with His people."—
How is He in constant communication?
FROM THE AUDIENCE: Through the angels.
BROTHER PIPPENGER: Through the angels, through that ladder, through the two golden pipes, He is in constant communication.
And where is He at when He sends that Golden Oil down? He is walking in the candlesticks.
What are the candlesticks: it is a seven-branch candlestick? He is pouring that oil down that is feeding those candlesticks.
—"He is in constant communication with His people. He knows their true state. He observes their order, their piety, their devotion. Although He is high priest and mediator in the sanctuary above, yet He is represented as walking up and down in the midst of His churches on the earth." Acts of the Apostles, 585–586.
Now, I am not prepared to argue this; but, I do want to put this in place, at least here. At this next point we can at least put it here.
What am I saying? I am going to mark 1856 as the beginning of Laodicea, and I am not trying to mark that because I know there are people that have evidence that it arrives before 1856. Okay? But, my point is, is that I just want to keep it simple and clean for this presentation, that this particular testimony that we are going to read was written in 1856. So, at least by 1856 Seventh-day Adventists had become Laodicea.
And I know that there are some of you out here in LiveStream Land that will give me the evidence that it arrived before 1856. But, we are not making that issue now.
1856
Testimonies, volume 1, page 144, Sister White says,
"Some, I saw, would gladly return. Others will not let this message to the Laodicean church have its weight upon them. They will glide along, much after the same manner as before, and will be spewed out of the mouth of the Lord. Those only who zealously repent will have favor with God." Testimonies, volume 1, 144.
Now, it is obvious by the context here that the Laodicean message has already been presented to Adventism, because she is commenting on fact that there are some that are not going to let it impact them; but, she made this statement in 1856.
HISTORY OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES
Sunday
1856 Law
Ephesus Smyrna Pergamos Thyatira Sardis Philadelphia Laodicea
L A O D I C E A
Figure No. 84B.
So, in this flow of events of these Seven Churches, because these Seven Churches represent the history of the Christian Church from the time of the Apostles to the end of the world; and, at minimum we can start Laodicea in 1856.
Does everyone see that?
Is everybody with me on that?
And when do the Laodiceans get spewed out of the mouth of the Lord?
FROM THE AUDIENCE: The Sunday Law.
BROTHER PIPPENGER: The Sunday Law.
Miller's Rules
Sister White says in Review and Herald, November 25, 1884:
"Those who are engaged in proclaiming the third angel's message are searching the Scriptures upon the same plan that Father Miller adopted." Review and Herald, November 25, 1884.
They are not searching the Scriptures upon apostate Protestantism's Biblical interpretation that was brought into Adventism in the 1930s. They are searching the Scriptures based upon the method adopted by William Miller. If you are not using William Miller's approach to the study of the Scriptures, then based upon this quote you are not giving the Third Angel's Message.
But, that is not what we are dealing with here.
Early Writings, page 231:
"Preachers and people have looked upon the book of Revelation as mysterious and of less importance than other portions of the Sacred Scriptures. But I saw that this book is indeed a revelation given for the especial benefit of those who should live in the last days, to guide them in ascertaining their true position and their duty. God directed the mind of William Miller to the prophecies and gave him great light upon the book of Revelation." Early Writings, 231.
Sister White here says that William Miller was given great light upon the Book of Revelation, and then William Miller taught the first beast of Revelation 13 was Pagan Rome. But, we know the first beast of Revelation 13 was Papal Rome.
And William Miller taught that the second beast of Revelation 13 was Papal Rome, and we know that the second beast of Revelation 13 is the United States.
So, the great light that was given to William Miller, evidently, was not Revelation 13. Right?
Have you ever looked at what William Miller and the Millerites understood about Revelation 17? Sorry, but it does not square with end-time Bible prophecy. Okay. It just does not.
And, Miller was thinking that Revelation 14 was identifying the end of the world. There is not really great light there, is there?
And, I am not trying to be derogatory about William Miller. I am trying to focus in; because, even in looking at William Miller's analysis of Revelation 13, 14, and 17, there is wonderful principles to be gleaned. The way that he identified the first beast of Revelation 13 as Pagan Rome and the second beast as Papal Rome is still worth understanding. Okay? Because, Papal Rome is an image of Pagan Rome, just as the United States is going to form an image to Papal Rome. So, I am not being derogatory in that sense; but, what I am saying is, where the great light was given to William Miller is on the Churches, the Seals, and the Trumpets. There are no problems there. That is where he was given great light: Churches, Seals, and Trumpets.
So, we are going to look at a brief statement of the Churches by William Miller here.
This is William Miller, Miller's Lectures, volume 2, lecture 12, page 178.
"The seven churches of Asia is a history of the church of Christ in her seven forms, in all her windings and turnings, in all her prosperity and adversity, from the days of the apostles down to the end of the world.'"
The Seven Churches of Asia is a history of the Church, from the Apostles to the end of the world. That is what Miller taught, and Miller was correct.
—"The seven seals"—
Now, I hope you realize there are Seven Churches, followed by Seven Seals, followed by Seven Trumpets.
—"The seven seals are a history of the transactions of the powers and kings of the earth over the church, and God's protection of his people during the same time."
So, William Miller is saying that the Seals are repeating and enlarging the Churches. He is identifying it without saying it as we say it today, the principle of repeat and enlarge.
Do you follow me?
—"The seven trumpets are a history of seven peculiar and heavy judgments sent upon the earth, or Roman kingdom."—
So, now he is going to tell us that the Trumpets and repeating and enlarging upon the history of the Seals and the Churches.
—"And the seven vials"—
And this is the Seven Last Plagues.
—"are the seven last plagues sent upon Papal Rome."—
And, of course, Miller did not understand the Seven Vials correctly, because he understood that the Seven Last Plagues were going to come in 1844; but, the Seven Last Plagues are going to come here in the near future. But, nevertheless, he was operating upon the principle of repeat and enlarge with the Churches, the Seals, and the Trumpets.
Continuing on:
—"Mixed with these are many other events, woven in like tributary streams, and filling up the grand river of prophecy, until the whole ends us in the ocean of eternity.
"This, to me, is the plan of John's prophecy in the book of Revelation. And the man who wishes to understand this book, must have a thorough knowledge of other parts of the word of God. The figures and metaphors used in this prophecy,"—
In the Book of Revelation. And the scholars tell us that two out of three words in the Book of Revelation are derived from the Old Testament; and, this is what Miller is saying here.
—"And the man who wishes to understand this book, must have a thorough knowledge of other parts of the word of God. The figures and metaphors used in this prophecy are not all explained in the same, but must be found in other prophets, and explained in other passages of Scripture. Therefore it is evident that God has designed the study of the whole, even to obtain a clear knowledge of any part." William Miller, Miller's Lectures, volume 2, lecture 12, 178.
Internal and External
Okay. Uriah Smith comments on the Churches and the Seals, and I include this here because I like the way he expresses a thought here.
Uriah Smith, The Biblical Institute, page 253:
"The seals are introduced to our notice in the 4th, 5th, and 6th chapters of Revelation. The scenes presented under these seals are brought to view in Revelation 6, and the first verse of Revelation 8. They evidently cover events with which the church is connected from the opening of this dispensation to the coming of Christ.
"While the seven churches present the internal history of the church, the seven seals bring to view the great events of its external history." Uriah Smith, The Biblical Institute, 253.
Okay. This is a nice way to explain the repeat and enlarge. The Seven Churches are the internal history of the Church, what is going on between you and me as church members; the Seven Seals, what is happening to us from the outside: internal/external; repeat and enlarge.
It is the same history, though, right? Except that there is a break in the last three. The Seven Churches are structured upon 4:3, the Seven Seals are structured upon 4:3, and the Seven Trumpets are structured upon 4:3. Okay? But, nevertheless, it is repeated and enlarged, and the first four Seals are going to follow the first four Churches, point by point.
The Same Period of Time
James White said in Review and Herald, February 12, 1857:
"We have now traced the churches, the seals, and the beasts, or living beings, as far as they will compare as covering the same periods of time."—
He has just been discussing how the first four Seals covers the history of the first four Churches.
—"The seals are seven in number, the beasts but four."—
What does he mean by that?
With the first four Seals you have a beast that is associated with each of the Seals; but, when you get to the fifth, sixth, and seventh Seals there is no beast. James White is now going to give us a little bit of insight about this 4:3 breakdown in the Churches, the Seals, and the Trumpets.
What are the last three Trumpets?
FROM THE AUDIENCE: Woes.
BROTHER PIPPENGER: They are Three Woes. Okay?
But, the first four Seals have a beast associated with them, and there is a comment made in the first four Seals, "Come and see." Okay? The last three Seals, no beast, no "Come and see."
Back to James White:
—"The seals are seven in number, the beasts but four. And it may be well here to notice, that at the opening of the first, second, third and fourth seals the first, second, third and fourth beasts are heard to say 'Come and see;' but when the fifth, sixth and seventh seals are opened, there is no such voice heard. Neither do the last three churches, and the last three seals, compare, as covering the same periods of time, as the first four churches, and the first four seals do. But, as we have shown, the churches, seals and beasts do agree, as covering the same periods of time for the space of nearly 1800 years, till we come down to a little more than half a century of the present time." James White, Review and Herald, February 12, 1857.
He is saying, until you get to 1798.
Pergamos and Thyatira, Revelation 2:12-29
HISTORY OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES
Sunday
1856 Law
Ephesus Smyrna Pergamos Thyatira Sardis Philadelphia Laodicea
L A O D I C E A
Figure No. 84C.
The Mystery of Iniquity
Okay. So, now with that in mind, I am going to look a little bit in the Scriptures at the relationship between Pergamos and Thyatira. All right? Because, in the Scriptures—and that is what Miller said. If you are going to understand these Scriptures, where do you have to go? You have to go to the rest of the Bible.
In the Scriptures, Pergamos and Thyatira are connected like "soup and sandwich" or "a hand and a glove."
Okay. 2 Thessalonians, chapter 2, verses 5 through 8, is the history of Pergamos and Thyatira. It says,
"5Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time."
Pagan Rome is withholding the rise of the Papacy.
Okay. Pagan Rome is Pergamos. The Papacy is Thyatira.
—"7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth"—
Pagan Rome is the one that is restraining. This word letteth is restraining.
—"only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way."
Paganism will restrain the Papacy until it is taken away in AD508, when the Daily is taken away in 508.
—"8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming." 2 Thessalonians 2:5–8 (KJV).
After Pagan Rome, Papal Rome.
After Pergamos, Thyatira.
What am I doing here? I am showing you that in the Scriptures these two Churches are connected by cause and effect, cause and effect, and that they are referenced many times in the Scriptures.
Power (AD496), Seat (330), and Authority (533)
Look at Revelation 13:2.
"2And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard,"—
And the beast that we see in Revelation 13:2 that is like unto a leopard is the Papal beast, the Papacy.
—"2And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon"—
And who is the dragon? Pagan Rome. Sister White says the dragon in Revelation 12 is Satan, but in a secondary sense it is Pagan Rome.
Pagan Rome (Pergamos) is going to give three things to the leopard beast, to the Papacy. It says,
—"and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority." Revelation 13:2 (KJV).
He gave him is power in AD496, when Clovis formed a church/state relationship with the Papacy. He gave him his seat in 330 when Constantine moved the capital to Constantinople, and Justinian gave him his civil authority in the year 533.
But, this is the relationship between Pergamos and Thyatira that is here being marked.
A Host was Given Him—AD31, 508, 330, 496, 538 - 1260
Daniel 8:11-12 says,
"11Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host,"—
Pagan Rome, this is the masculine little horn in Daniel 8. This is Pagan Rome; magnified himself to Christ, who is the Prince of the Host, at His birth when they tried to kill him and at His death when they did kill Him.
—"11Yea, he [PAGAN ROME] magnified himself even to the prince of the host [Christ], and by him [by Pagan Rome] the daily sacrifice [Paganism] was [lifted up and exalted] taken away [rum], and the place of his [Pagan Rome's] sanctuary"—
And Pagan Rome's sanctuary was the Pantheon Temple. It was located in the City of Rome.
—"and the place of his sanctuary [the City of Rome] was cast down [by Constantine as the capital in the year 330]. 12And an host [military strength] was given him"—
This is the feminine little horn.
—"[military strength] was given him [the Papal Power in 496] against [from]"—
Against [from]; we looked at that yesterday, this word against, did we not? It can be understood to mean from.
—"[from] the daily sacrifice"—
The former Pagan powers provided the military strength that removed the three horns, allowing the Papacy to be placed upon the throne of the Earth,
—"by reason of transgression,"—
And the transgression that allowed this to happen was the combination of church and state between Clovis and the Papacy in AD496.
—"and it [the Papacy] cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered [for 1260 years, from 538 to 1798]." Daniel 8:11–12 (KJV).
So, here again we are seeing the relationship in prophecy of Pergamos and Thyatira.
Sister White has an interesting quote. Sometimes I remember it word for word, sometimes I do not, where it says, "The Lord does not repeat things that are of no great consequence. {Ms107-1897 (September 15, 1897) par. 2}" When you see something repeated in the Scriptures often, it is because the Lord is emphasizing it; and, you see this relationship between Pergamos and Thyatira often mentioned.
The Daily Taken Away (AD508) (538)
Daniel 12:11:
"11And from the time [AD508] that the daily sacrifice [Paganism] shall be taken away [shall be removed], and the abomination that maketh desolate [the Papacy] set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days [1290 days]." Daniel 12:11 (KJV).
Once again, this is about Paganism (Pergamos) being set aside in order to place the Papacy [Thyatira] for 1260 years.
They Place the Abomination that Maketh Desolate—AD496, 395-538, 508, 538
Daniel 11:30-31:
"30For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return,"—
This is Pagan Rome. We have read this in Uriah Smith.
—"therefore he [Pagan Rome] shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he [Pagan Rome] do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant."—
And those that forsake the holy covenant is the Papacy. Pagan Rome is going to now have intelligence with the Papacy. This is Pergamos and Thyatira.
—"31And arms [Pagan Rome] shall stand on his part [on the Papacy's part], and they [those arms] shall pollute the sanctuary of strength [the City of Rome],"—
And the warfare that takes place prior to the Papacy being placed upon the throne of the Earth.
—"and [those arms, Pagan Rome] shall take away the daily sacrifice [Paganism and they will set it aside], and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate [to prepare the way for the abomination of desolation being placed on the throne of the Earth in AD538]." Daniel 11:30–31 (KJV).
Once again, this is the history of Pergamos and Thyatira.
Daniel 11:40-45
We closed yesterday with reading of just a part of a passage from Sister White that we will spend probably a great deal of time on. We are going to take one little snippet out of this again.
Manuscript Releases, number 13, page 394:
"We have no time to lose. Troublous times are before us. The world is stirred with the spirit of war. Soon the scenes of trouble spoken of in the prophecies will take place. The prophecy in the eleventh of Daniel has nearly reached its complete fulfillment."—
And what we were doing yesterday is showing that Sister White understood that the part of Daniel 11 that was still to be fulfilled was verses 40 through 45. That is all we were doing with that quote yesterday.
But here, I want you to see that she is talking about Daniel 11; but, then she is going to mark a specific principle that is to be recognized in your study of Daniel 11 in the next sentence. She says,
—"Much of the history that has taken place in fulfillment of this prophecy will be repeated."—
When you are studying Daniel 11, Sister White is saying the future fulfillment of it is verses 40 through 45, but there are histories in verses 1 through 39 that will be repeated when verses 40 through 45 are fulfilled. So, therefore, as a student of prophecy, she is saying, "You need to understand those histories in the first 39 verses so that you have a point of reference for identifying verses 40 through 45."
And after she emphasizes that principle, then she really marks the history that you need to wrap your mind around. She says,
—"In the thirtieth verse a power is spoken of that 'verses 30 through thirty-six quoted.'"—
And then she quotes verses 30 to 36 of Daniel 11; and, as soon as she finishes quoting those verses, she says,
—"Scenes similar to those described in these words will take place." Manuscript Releases, number 13, 394.
So, Sister White just now in this passage tells us that the histories of verses 30 to 36 of Daniel 11 will be repeated in the last six verses of Daniel 11. And what I want you to see is that verses 30 to 36 include verses 30 and 31; and, verses 30 and 31 are the history of Pergamos and Thyatira.
HISTORY OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES
Sunday
1856 Law
Pagan Rome Papal Rome
Ephesus Smyrna Pergamos Thyatira Sardis Philadelphia Laodicea
Righteous Living Persecution
JEWISH NATION
PHILADELPHIA
EPHESUS AND SMYRNA
SARDIS
PERGAMOS AND THYATIRA
L A O D I C E A
Daniel 11:40-45
1798 - 1856
Figure No. 84D.
So, what Sister White is saying, what Sister White is saying, what she is saying here, is that the history of Pergamos and Thyatira, it is repeated in the history of Laodicea.
Did you get that?
You should get that; because, she is saying that this history here [of Pergamos and Thyatira] that will be repeated in the history of Laodicea1, that it is going to be fulfilled in the history represented by Daniel 11:40 to 45 [Laodicea]. Check that out. Do not let me misguide you on that one.
The Third and Fourth Seals
Okay. The third and fourth Seals are the third and fourth Churches, and the third and fourth Churches are Pergamos and Thyatira.
Pergamos and Thyatira are the internal history of the Church; but, the third and fourth Seals are the external history of that time. And you will find the third and fourth Seals in Revelation 6:6-8.
"6And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. 7And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. 8And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth." Revelation 6:6-8 (KJV).
But, I just want to show you something here from Manuscript Releases, volume 9, page 7. Sister White says,
"The same spirit is seen today that is represented in Revelation 6:6‑8."—
That is the history of the third and fourth Seals. She is saying the same spirit is represented today as was represented in the history of the third and fourth Seals; and, then she says this:
—"History is to be repeated. That which has been will be again." Manuscript Releases, volume 9, 7.
She just said that the history of the third and fourth Seals is repeated in Laodicea, and the history of the third and fourth Seals is the history of Pergamos and Thyatira, which she just said is going to be repeated in the history of Laodicea.
Did you get that?
Ephesus and Smyrna
Ephesus and Smyrna.
Okay. This here, Pergamos and Thyatira, Brothers and Sisters, this is cause and effect. Okay? There had to be a falling away first in the time of Pergamos in order to place the Papacy on the throne of the Earth. Pagan Rome was restraining the Papacy, and Pagan Rome had to be set aside for the Papacy to be established. This is a cause-and-effect relationship.
And in Ephesus and Smyrna, a cause-and-effect relationship.
2 Timothy 3:12:
"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." 2 Timothy 3:12 (KJV).
Was the Ephesus Church living godly in Christ Jesus?
FROM THE AUDIENCE: (Affirmations.)
BROTHER PIPPENGER: Yes. They carried the Gospel to the world.
So, because they were living godly in Christ Jesus, what do we know is going to happen to them?
FROM THE AUDIENCE: Persecution.
BROTHER PIPPENGER: Smyrna, cause and effect: righteous living – persecution. Ephesus and Smyrna, cause and effect.
Sister White says, in Selected Messages, book 3, page 397,
"Many will be imprisoned, many will flee for their lives from cities and towns, and many will be martyrs for Christ's sake in standing in defense of the truth." Selected Messages, book 3, 397.
What is Smyrna, what does it represent? The persecution of Pagan Rome against the Christian Church.
Maybe you have not settled into this, but it is: What is the primary symbol of the dragon power in the Scriptures? We will deal with this, the Lord willing, as we proceed: the number 10. Okay?
In Smyrna it was Pagan Rome. And in Daniel 7 how many nations does Pagan Rome disintegrate into? Ten.
Okay. And Pagan Rome accomplished a persecution in this history [of Smyrna] for how many days?
FROM THE AUDIENCE: Ten.
BROTHER PIPPENGER: Ten.
And what does history tell us about this history? It tells us that in this history, Pagan Rome actually carried out ten different periods of persecution; but, there was one that was worse than all of them, and that was the persecution of Diocletian that lasted how long?
FROM THE AUDIENCE: Ten years.
BROTHER PIPPENGER: Ten years.
So, when it comes to the dragon, Pagan Rome, the number 10 is a symbol.
And at the end of the world down here in the Laodicea time period with us, in Revelation 17 there are Ten Kings that are going to make war against the Lamb. Okay?
So, this warfare of the Ten Kings, this blood spilling that we just read about that there will be many martyrs, that is Smyrna being repeated in Laodicea.
And why is it being repeated in Laodicea? Because the Lord is going to lift up an ensign at The Sunday Law, an ensign that has been made up of the wise virgins of Adventism; and, when they are lifted up, all that lived godly in Christ Jesus are what?
FROM THE AUDIENCE: They are persecuted.
BROTHER PIPPENGER: They are going to suffer Smyrna.
See, Ephesus and Smyrna, it is repeated in Laodicea. And if it is repeated in Laodicea, it is repeated in the last six verses of Daniel 11.
Ephesus and Laodicea
Early Writings, 259-2602; The Great Controversy, 611; Joel
Now, you can see a relationship between Ephesus and Philadelphia and Laodicea often, often marked by Ellen White.
And we have read these next two references more than once in this worship series.
In Early Writings, page 259 and onward, Sister White gives a warning to Laodicea, that there was going to be an attack made upon the foundations. That is the first paragraph.
The next paragraph in Early Writings, page 259, she talks about a progressive testing process in the time of Christ. She says, "All those that would not receive the message of John the Baptist could not be benefitted by the teachings of Jesus"; and, it concludes with the Jews being left in perfect darkness.
And the third paragraph, she goes to the history of the Millerites, and she says, "All those that would not receive the First Angel's Message could not be benefitted by the Second Angel's Message."
And what she is doing here, the first paragraph is our history, a warning that the foundations are going to come under attack. The second paragraph is Ephesus; the third paragraph is Philadelphia. These three histories, in The Great Controversy, page 611, she says, the Mighty Angel of Revelation 18 is going to come down and the Earth is going to be lightened with His glory, and it will be a work similar to what took place in 1840 and 1844 in Philadelphia. And then she says it will be similar as to Pentecost [pointing to the Church of Ephesus on the whiteboard], these three histories.
Okay. In the history of Laodicea, you have repeated the history of Ephesus and also Philadelphia.
Now, I did not put those references in, because if you do not understand this, this far in this worship series, if you do not understand that the Millerite history is repeated in the history of our day and age, if you do not understand that the Seven Thunders represented the delineation of events that transpired under the First and Second Angels' Messages and that they also represent future events that will be disclosed in their order, if you have not already settled into the fact that the history of Philadelphia is repeated in the history of Laodicea, then go back to the beginning of this worship study. There is plenty of evidence of this.
So, what I am saying is, Ephesus, Philadelphia, Smyrna, Pergamos, and Thyatira are all repeated in the time period of Laodicea.
Notice Christ's Object Lessons, page 170.
"'Judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off; for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey.' Isaiah 59:14, 15. This was fulfilled in the life of Christ on earth."—
This was fulfilled in Ephesus. Okay? Right? Sort of?
FROM THE AUDIENCE: (No audible responses.)
BROTHER PIPPENGER: —"He was loyal to God's commandments, setting aside the human traditions and requirements which had been exalted in their place. Because of this He was hated and persecuted. This history is repeated." Christ's Object Lessons, 170.
Ephesus is repeated in Laodicea.
Southern Watchman, March 21, 1905:
"The work of John the Baptist, and the work of those who in the last days go forth in the spirit and power of Elijah to arouse the people from their apathy, are in many respects the same. His work is a type of the work that must be done in this age. Christ is to come the second time to judge the world in righteousness. The messengers of God who bear the last message of warning to be given to the world, are to prepare the way for Christ's second advent, as John prepared the way for his first advent. In this preparatory work, 'every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain shall be made low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain'"—
John the Baptist: Ephesus, Laodicea. Right?
And towards the end of the paragraph she says,
—"for history is to be repeated, and once again 'the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.'" Southern Watchman, March 21, 1905.
She says the history of John the Baptist is to be repeated.
Selected Messages, book 2, page 111:
"Satan is working that the history of the Jewish nation may be repeated in the experience of those who claim to believe present truth." Selected Messages, book 2, 111.
Hmm. We will deal with this tomorrow; but, let us make note that here she says the history of the Jewish Nation will be repeated.
Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea
Manuscript Releases, volume 18, page 193:
"Oh, what a description! How many there are in this fearful condition. I earnestly entreat every minister to study diligently the third chapter of Revelation,"—
Now, Brothers and Sisters, I was being a bit facetious earlier on when I was saying that every Seventh-day Adventist knows the Seven Churches; this is basic for us. What churches are in Revelation, chapter 3?
We should know this; but, which churches are represented in Revelation, chapter 3. We should know this without thinking.
FROM THE AUDIENCE: (Responses in unison.)
BROTHER PIPPENGER: Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea; that is what Sister White is talking about, are those three Churches, if you are going to take her simply at her word; His Word, which is faith.
—"I earnestly entreat every minister to study diligently the third chapter of Revelation, for in it is portrayed the condition of things existing in the last days."—
That says that in the last days you also have Sardis. We have already noted Philadelphia and Laodicea. Sardis takes place in the time of Laodicea.
So, we have just put into the record that the history represented by all Seven Churches is repeated in our history.
—"Study carefully every verse in this chapter, for through these words Jesus is speaking to you." Manuscript Releases, volume 18, 193.
Pioneer Understanding
Okay. The Pioneer understanding, as expressed by Joseph Bates—you may not know this. We are going to read this in a second—the Pioneers believed that in their history, which was the history of what?
FROM THE AUDIENCE: Philadelphia.
BROTHER PIPPENGER: Philadelphia. They believed that in their history of Philadelphia that all three of these Churches [Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea] were there contemporaneously. And that is what Sister White just said, "Read chapter 3 and study it carefully, because this history is going to be repeated, the history of Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea."
The Millerites believed (the Millerites that were truly following the Lord) that they were Philadelphians; but, they believed that those involved with the Millerite Movement that were rejecting the message of the Millerites, they were Laodicean. But, they believed that their audience, those that they were taking the message to outside of the Millerites, was Sardis. That is why the Millerites saw all three of these Churches at the same time.
Here is Joseph Bates, Review and Herald, volume 1, November 1850.
"'In all the land saith the Lord; TWO PARTS therein shall be cut off, and die;"—Sardis and Laodicea—"but the THIRD shall be left therein. God says he will bring the THIRD PART through the fire, and refine them. They shall call upon him, and he will hear them. He will say IT IS MY PEOPLE; and they shall say the LORD IS MY GOD.' First part, SARDIS, the nominal church or Babylon. Second part, Laodicea, the nominal Adventist. Third part, Philadelphia, the only true church of God on earth, for they ask to be translated to the city of God. Revelation 3:12; Hebrews 12:22–24. In the name of Jesus, I exhort you again to flee from the Laodiceans, as from Sodom and Gomorrah. Their teachings are false and delusive; and lead to utter destruction. Death! DEATH!!* eternal DEATH!!! is on their track. Remember Lot's wife." Joseph Bates, Review and Herald, volume 1, November 1850.
I just want you to see that the Millerites understood that all three of these Churches were in Philadelphia; so, when Sister White says all three of these Churches are in Laodicea, it is simply saying that the Millerite history is repeated to the very letter at the end of the world.
Sardis
It is interesting to note that Taylor Bunch in his book on Revelation, The Seven Epistles of Christ, page 186, says this about Sardis—I like this—it says,
"Sardis not only represents 'those escaping' or 'that which remains' after the great apostasy and terrible persecutions of the Middle Ages, but some authorities believe that the word ardis means 'remnant' of 'an escaped few,' and therefore represent Protestantism after what was vital in it had evaporated so that there are only a few faithful ones remaining. There would be a 'remnant' who would continue the work of reform even after the Reformation had waned and Protestantism in general was dead. There would be 'a few names,' or 'a few souls' (Moffatt), in Sardis who had 'not defiled their garments.'" Taylor Bunch, The Seven Epistles of Christ, 186.
What I read that for is he is identifying from the Greek that Sardis means those that escape.
And in Daniel 11:41 says,
"41He"—
And this is the Papacy. We have not explained this yet, but I am going to just give you an overview so you can see Sardis in it.
—"He [The Papacy] shall enter also into the glorious land [the United States of America at The Sunday Law], and many countries shall be overthrown:"—
And many Seventh-day Adventists will be overthrown because they are going to be held accountable to the light of Sabbath and Sunday.
—"but these shall escape out of his hand,"—
And there is the definition of Sardis, "those that escape."
And according to Taylor Bunch, that is Babylon. Okay? "These shall escape from His hand, . . ."—
—"even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon." Daniel 11:41 (KJV).
That is the threefold makeup of modern Babylon. They are those that escape at The Sunday Law when the message goes forth, Revelation 18, verse 4, "Come out of her my people."
Haskell
Okay. Now, if you think that the idea that all of these Churches, that all Seven Churches are repeated in our day and age, in the history of Laodicea, I want you to understand that this is an old Adventist understanding. Stephen Haskell puts it in his book on the Book of Revelation.
Notice what Haskell says on page 69 from the Story of the Seer of Patmos. He says,
"It should be remembered that, as the experience of Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamos, will be repeated in the last church before the second coming of Christ, so the history of Thyatira will have its counterpart in the last generation." Stephen N. Haskell, Story of the Seer of Patmos, 69.
He has been developing this through several paragraphs, of course. I am just snipping out his conclusion. He says that Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, and Thyatira are repeated in Laodicea.
Then on page 75, speaking of William Miller, he says,
"He applied the test, but all pointed forward to the year 1843 as the time when the world must welcome its Saviour. The condition of the people at the first advent of Christ was now repeated." Stephen N. Haskell, Story of the Seer of Patmos, 75.
What was the condition of the people at the first advent of Christ? Well, that is Ephesus, and he was saying it was repeated in Philadelphia, in the history of the Millerites. So, he has already said that Ephesus is repeated in the history of Laodicea in the previous quote on page 69; and, now he is saying that Ephesus is repeated in Philadelphia. So, he is saying that Philadelphia is repeated in Laodicea.
Do you understand the logic?
Pages 75 and 76 of the Story of the Seer of Patmos, Haskell says,
"There was a time in the history of Pergamos, when Christianity thought Paganism was dead; but in reality, the religion which was apparently vanquished, had conquered. Paganism baptized, stepped into the church. In the days of Sardis this history was repeated." Stephen N. Haskell, Story of the Seer of Patmos, 75, 76.
Okay. What history? Well, the history of Pergamos. He just said that Sardis is a repetition of Pergamos, and he has already said that Pergamos is repeated in Laodicea.
So, Haskell is saying that all these Churches are repeated in Laodicea.
And then, of course, on Page 69, he says,
"Upon this last church—the remnant,—shine the accumulated rays of all past ages." Stephen N. Haskell, Story of the Seer of Patmos, 69.
Okay?
So,—what? Are you wanting to say a question?
BROTHER FROM THE AUDIENCE: On Page 75, that is the Jewish nation, is it not—
BROTHER PIPPENGER: Yes, that is the Jewish nation.
BROTHR FROM THE AUDIENCE: —like you were saying earlier?
BROTHER PIPPENGER: Yes. The Jewish nation we will deal with tomorrow.
The question is, we have already put the Jewish nation up there from the Spirit of Prophecy that it is repeated in our history; and, Haskell says the same thing, that it is repeated in our history.
But, we do not want to deal with that today, because we are going to deal with that tomorrow.
What I am saying is, this history here, this is the history of—and correct me if I am wrong—that is the history of the New Testament, the history of the New Testament and beyond, all the way up through 1798 and Thyatira. But, everything in the New Testament, all the way to our day and age, is repeated right here [underscoring Laodicea on the whiteboard].
But, we know from yesterday's study that Daniel 11:40 begins in 1798, and at least by 1856 Laodicea had arrived.
And Daniel 12:1, Daniel 12:1 says, "At that time shall Michael stand up." And we identified yesterday, when Michael stands up it is the close of human probation; and, those first few words in Daniel 12:1 says, "And at that time," meaning that human probation closes somewhere back here in verse 45. So, this history here is Laodicea.
So, what we are saying, Brothers and Sisters, at minimum today, that all the Biblical history, from the time of the Disciples until our day and age, is repeated in the last six verses of Daniel 11. So, when it comes to studying Daniel 11, verse 40, which opens up the events connected with the close of probation and 1989, this is just one argument that this verse is one of the most profound verses in all of God's Word, because it is the verse that opens the door up for us to understand that all of the Bible is portrayed in the last six verses of Daniel 11.
We just showed you the New Testament today. Tomorrow we will show you the Old Testament.
And what for? Because, if we are going to study Daniel 11, verse 40, that was fulfilled in 1989, and demonstrate that in 1989 the Time of the End for the 144,000 arrived, and at the Time of the End in Daniel 12 is the point in time when the Lion of the tribe of Judah, or the Dirt Brush Man of William Miller's dream, unseals the increase of knowledge that is going to be the Everlasting Gospel that is going to test that generation, then we would expect that Daniel 11, verse 40, and 1989 should produce some type of light that qualifies as an increase of knowledge, that identifies that the Book of Daniel has been unsealed.
And in advance of our studying these verses, I want you to understand that the events connected with the close of probation that the multitudes in Adventism do not understand, in those last six verses of Daniel 11 the entire Bible is illustrated upon those verses. And that is pretty profound!
Shall we pray?
Benediction: Heavenly Father, we want to be among those that recognize this increase of knowledge, but we know that in order to do so we must run to and fro in your Word. We thank you that you have instructed us in Habakkuk 2, that you would have the vision printed upon Tables that those that wanted to study these things could run to and fro in your Word. We thank you that you have given us a point of reference, a key, to unlock these truths, and we want to stand upon that key, upon this foundational truth, though many wish to set them aside and tear them down. We thank you for our study this morning. We ask that you would bless our day of service to you. Keep us safe. Help us do a work that is honorable for you, and ask a continued blessing on the work that we are attempting with the DVDs and LiveStreaming. In Jesus's name, amen.