Book of Revelation, Explained E-Book

Bert Hovestadt

• Herausgeber: BoD - Books on Demand
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 319

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025

Beschreibung

The Book of Revelation covers, among other things, news of today's top events.

Das E-Book Book of Revelation, Explained wird angeboten von BoD - Books on Demand und wurde mit folgenden Begriffen kategorisiert:
SEAL,revival,new Jerusalem,pyramid,Zion

Leseprobe

DEDICATED

To my messianic brothers and their families, Ido and Ray, and to all who love Christ Jesus’ Manifestation

(Bible book 2 Timothy 4:8).

This book has been a study based on the teachings of brother Branham. With this fourth edition it has got its full content and size and at the same time greater clarity.

See you in Heaven!

The texts of the Book of Revelation and of the whole Bible have been translated as literal as possible/useful.

Especially helpful have been the Berean Standard Bible Text and the old trustful King James Version Text.

In addition, many other translations I have used.

In this way, the original texts and the equivalence of the words would help to understand everything in the best possible way.

0_Prayer

Hope, Faith, Love, Peace and Grace!

My life may guide He

Who created me

Who knows best

Who gives us rest.

One big Family

with God as Father.

Hope and a Family

on a hopeless earth.

God has a Plan

for every woman/man,

with Holy Spirit’s

Faith and Powers.

Lord Jesus thank You

for Washing Away our/my sins!

Lord God thank You

for Your Love, Peace, and Grace!

Romans 1:(1-) 7 (-17)

1 Corinthians 13:13

Ephesians 2:10

0_Preface

A Declining Civilization

Book of Revelation of the Bible shows events of our end-time, that nowadays news agencies, cultural journalists, and future researchers are also talking about. For example, democratic (former Christian) states and dictatorship states are lining up against each other (see page ‘0c_Summary: Explanation’).

Seek, find, and affirm God's solution!

Unfortunately, almost all real democracies have become similar dictatorships. Dictatorships of majorities, 51% majorities.

The picture of the last church mentioned in the Book of Revelation, the Laodicean church, sheds more light on the spiritual background of these events. It is a representation of the majority of revival believers, where at the end the Lord Jesus is no longer present. He stands on the outside of the majority, Revelation 3:20 {also page 5b§6(8)10}, <“…. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me. ….”>

At the end of our Christian civilization, two revivals can be noted. The revival of the true anointed ones and prophets, the elect, and the revival of the false anointed ones and prophets. Which revival do you belong to (compare Matthew 24:24)?

Anyway, my explanation cannot give you God's answer. I could be one of the false anointed ones or prophets! Study and pray to the Lord God for Wisdom. Who would be the false and who would be the real anointed believers {cf. [confer/compare] Mat. 7:1523}?

We live in the last days of our Christian civilization. The land of Israel is once again in Jewish hands. Soon it will be the turn of this state and this people to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. It is a God-given Biblical Promise!

Recognize your day and its message! And above all, ask still today the Lord Jesus to come into your life as your personal Saviour and Leader!

Bert Hovestadt

Postscript:

Just as it is good to read/eat the Bible daily, the Book of Revelation and the book “Book of Revelation, Explained” should be studied to be better and better understood.

For the same reason, improvements can always be found. See the date-marked pages of my website https://ilmestyskirja-branham.com/book-revelation/, and what in them is underlined.

0_Menorah: Drawing of Revivals {see page 6i§6(8)10}

The Glory of God in Seven Church Ages (page 2b§45)

0_Copyright

Peace with God!

^ This explanation of the Book of Revelation of the Bible reveals news of the past, of today, of the near future, and of eternity.

In addition, it had come forward as a poem, among others structurally.

^ Since September 2020, almost weekly, I had written one page after another for a small group of Finnish believers, starting from the first chapters of the Book of Revelation. Then, with the final last pages I found that it had divided into three parts, A, B, and C, each 18 pages long, and each A4-page (in the Finnish language with the same font and size) ≤ 60 lines long.

Next, I published everything on my new website on the Internet (ilmestyskirjabranham.com/). And soon after, I had translated and published everything in English. ^

^ Constantly improving everything, both versions got their last big change when I had written the Summary, Book-Revelation page (0b_SumBR).

Then, 2022.12.13, I found the last main title RECOGNIZE SIGNS OF OUR TIME (page 0c_SumEx, along with six other already existing main title pages: 2a§45, 4e§1317, 6m§6(8)10, 8c§89₁156, 10a§18 and 12c§1-22).

^ The seven is God’s number of perfection and central number in the Book of Revelation (seven churches, star messengers, seals, heavenly trumpets, and bowls). God inspired and confirmed all. I therefore believe that I too hold the copyright to this explanation.

^ He is the God of inspiration, harmony, and beauty.

Just as the world-famous painter Rembrandt had learned to accurately copy God's creation. Too, he had drawn many Biblical scenes (~300), for which in the same way ready-made Bible words can be found.

^

^ However, copyright should be considered in a broader sense. The second and more important copyright holder would be my spiritual brother in Christ, William Marrion Branham. On every major question, I have relied on his sermons. What is also based on the Bible.

To me he has been Elijah the prophet at the end of the church era. In the last verses of the Old Testament his coming had been promised {Mal. 4:1-6 (1d§1-3); 5cdef§6(8)10}.

^ BBranham had been a Christian minister in the United States (1909-1965). After the Second World War, expressly from the year 1946, he had started a healing-by-faith movement, and a part of his sermons was taped. There had been big meetings, partly all over the world. (Also two in Finland, in the year 1950.)

Over 1,200 of his sermons and sermon series were compiled and published in spoken and transcribed form by the Voice of God Recordings, Jeffersonville, Kentucky, USA. This is ‘copyright by themessage.com’ where all rights are reserved.

^

^ In addition, God's grace I must remember. In 1974, the Lord Jesus had called me, to which I answered ‘yes’. Thus, He had filled me with His love, His joy, His peace, etc. (Gal. 5:22; Phili. 4:4-7).

God's love had attracted me and actively I began to seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Then in 1981, God filled me with His Holy Spirit (Mat. 6:33).

^ Two thousand years ago, God had given His Son to be tortured to death by the cruelest death that mankind had invented by then, crucifixion (John 3:16).

Therefore at the name of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father {Phili. 2:(5-)10-11}.

^ By Jesus' Sacrifice, every human being was redeemed who follows Him with words and deeds (Rm. 10:9-11).

This is how I confess: the Lord Jesus Christ would be the chief holder of my copyright.

^

^ According to God's (Book of) Revelation, Christians in the end-time of the churches would be so blind that they would not know to be blind {Rev. 3:17 (5b§6(8)10)}.

However, you do not have to be a believer to understand the apocalyptic events (0c_SumEx).

^ Understanding the Book of Revelation starts with wanting to see and approve facts, which can be seen around us.

The Bible is of no private interpretation, It exactly means what It says (2Pet. 1:20).

^ In the same way through Jesus Christ can be gotten Peace with God {John (1:1-) 20:19-21}.

By Him you should be saved through faith! Pray, accept, and confess that Jesus Christ is your Lord, now! It is absolutely a free Gift of God (Eph. 2:4-9)!

^

Bert Hovestadt

~ ~ ~

0a_Contents

Pages and Titles

0_PRAYER

0_PREFACE

0_MENORAH: DRAWING OF REVIVALS

0_COPYRIGHT ~ ~ ~

0B_SUMMARY: BOOK-REVELATION [SUMBR]

TO EVERYONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN HIS/HER FUTURE

0C_SUMMARY: EXPLANATION [SUMEX]

“RECOGNIZE SIGNS OF OUR TIME” ~ ~ ~~ ~

A. CHURCHES (REVELATION §1,2,3)

1A§1-3

SEVEN REVIVALS

1B§1-3

SEVEN AGES AND MESSENGERS

1C§1-3

STATE OF THE END-TIME CHURCH

1D§1-3

JOHN THE BAPTIST OF THE END-TIME ~ ~ ~

A. IN HEAVEN (REVELATION §4,5)

2A§45

“HEAVEN”

2B§45

SEVEN SPIRITS OF GOD

2C§45

LAMB OF GOD ~ ~ ~

A. SPIRITUAL WAR (REVELATION §12)

3A§12

TWO SIGNS IN HEAVEN

3B§12

WOMAN OF THREE KINGDOMS

3C§12

MANKIND’S TWO MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMEN

3D§12

THE SEVENTY YEAR-WEEKS FOR THE JEWISH PEOPLE, DANIEL §9

3E§12

DETAILS OF YEAR-WEEKS’ PROPHESY, DANIEL §9 AND §12

3F§12

REVELATION §12 IN LIGHT OF THE SEVENTY YEAR-WEEKS ~ ~ ~

A. BEASTS (REVELATION §13,17)

4A§1317

FIRST BEAST

4B§1317

FIRST AND SECOND BEAST

4C§1317

SECOND BEAST AND IMAGE OF FIRST BEAST

4D§1317

SECOND BEAST AND MARK OF FIRST BEAST

4E§1317

BACKGROUND OF THE POPES’ TITLE “VICARIUS FILII DEI” ~ ~~ ~ ~

B. SEALS GENERALLY (REVELATION §6,(8,)10)

5A§6(8)10

RIGHT AND WRONG CHURCH

5B§6(8)10

END-TIME CHURCH AGE

5C§6(8)10

PROPHETIC BACKGROUND

5D§6(8)10

BACKGROUNDS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION

5E§6(8)10

SEVEN ANGELS OF HEAVEN (1): INTRODUCTION

5F§6(8)10

SEVEN ANGELS OF HEAVEN (2): SEVENTH SEAL

5G§6(8)10

SEVEN ANGELS OF HEAVEN (3): IMPOSSIBLE EXPLOSION, CLOUD, ETC. ~ ~ ~

B. SEALS EXPLAINED (REVELATION §6,(8,)10)

6H§6(8)10

FIRST SEAL

6I§6(8)10

SECOND SEAL

6J§6(8)10

THIRD SEAL

6K§6(8)10

FOURTH SEAL

6L§6(8)10

FIFTH SEAL (+ SEALS 1,2,3,4)

6M§6(8)10

“START OF SEVENTH SEAL” ~ ~ ~

B. SIXTH SEAL EXPLAINED (REVELATION §6,7,11,14)

7A§67₁14

LEARNING AND FULFILLING OF THE SEAL

7B§67₁14

NEW MENORAH TIME OF THE SEAL

7C§67₁14

144,000 ISRAELITES, AND THREE WOES

7D§67₁14

ALL JEWS COME TO FAITH

7E§67₁14

THE WORD HOUR IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION ~ ~ ~~ ~

C. JUDGMENTS GENERALLY (REVELATION §8,9,11,15,16)

8A§89₁156

SEVEN TRUMPETS IN HEAVEN

8B§89₁156

PLAN OF THE TRUMPETS (AND THE SEALS)

8C§89₁156

“TRUMPETS ARE OPENING”

8D§89₁156

COMING ECONOMIC COLLAPSE

8E§89₁156

THE NEW TESTAMENT’S WORDS FURY AND WRATH ~ ~ ~

C. JUDGMENTS EXPLAINED (REVELATION §8,9,11,15,16)

9F§89₁156

TRUMPET AND BOWL OF EPHESIAN CHURCH AGE (1)

9G§89₁156

TRUMPET AND BOWL OF SMYRNEAN CHURCH AGE (2)

9H§89₁156

TRUMPET AND BOWL OF PERGAMEAN CHURCH AGE (3)

9I§89₁156

TRUMPET AND BOWL OF THYATIREAN CHURCH AGE (4)

9J§89₁156

TRUMPET AND BOWL OF SARDISEAN CHURCH AGE (5)

9K§89₁156

TRUMPET AND BOWL OF PHILADELPHIAN CHURCH AGE (6)

9L§89₁156

TRUMPET AND BOWL OF LAODICEAN CHURCH AGE (7) ~ ~ ~

C. END OF CHRISTIANITY (REVELATION §18)

10A§18

“WHY, HOW AND WHO?” ~ ~ ~

C. KINGDOM OF GOD (REVELATION §19,20,21,22)

11A§19-22

MILLENNIAL SABBATH KINGDOM OF CHRIST

11B§19-22

AN ETERNAL FUTURE ~ ~ ~

C. OVERALL VIEW (REVELATION §1-22)

12A§1-22

TWO THOUSAND YEARS OF REVIVALS

12B§1-22

FINLAND, END-TIME AWAKENING

12C§1-22

“THE LAST AWAKENING” ~ ~~ ~ ~

13_CONCORDANCE (BIBLE BOOKS ABBREVIATIONS)

13A_USED BIBLE VERSES / §-PAGE

13B_USED BIBLE VERSES, SORTED ~ ~ ~

14_COMPILATION: LIST OF MARKS ~ ~~ ~ ~

15_THESIS: YOUR SOUL AND SPIRIT, EXPLAINED

16_LETTER TO NEWSPAPERS: A CRUCIFYING, NOW OF ISRAEL ~ ~~ ~ ~

17_PERSONAL NOTES

0b_Summary: Book-Revelation [SumBR]

To everyone who is interested in his/her future

^ The Book of Revelation is the last Book of the Bible, which came directly from God.

He had, He has, and He still has much to say (cf. Rev. 1:1, 19).

Two thousand years ago He had spoken especially, how at the end of the Gentile church ages the church and the world would look like, and what is soon going to happen. Recognize signs of our time!

^ However, knowledge does not save you. Spiritually you only grow when you humble yourself, as Jesus Christ had to humble Himself. We are not more important than Jesus.

Find a Bible and read about the Life of Jesus every day, possibly. You do not need to read much, but think about what you have read and pray. God answers people through all kinds of things/people and expressly through His Own channel of Salvation, Jesus Christ. The most important thing in the life of a human being is to accept the Lord Jesus as your personal Saviour and Leader. Then you get the power/right to become a child of God (John 1:12).

^ You must be the small child, what learns (again) to speak with its Heavenly Father.

By this attitude, you can be born from above. Study on your knees the Bible, then God will in His time fulfill you with His Holy Spirit. Then you desire to tell all people the gospel (Acts 2:38, and so on).

God is ready to set you free when you want to be truly free, when you are really sorry for your sins, when you do what you are able to do. Then God is doing what you are not able to do.

^

^ The explanation is divided in three portions,

A. History of the church, as it had been given in forward:

^ The seven churches in the Book of Revelation have represented seven successive Revival Light ages. They contain outlines and warnings for the Christian churches from their beginning till our end-time.

Already two thousand years ago God knew that before Jesus' Second Coming the believers would not be ready to meet their Lord and Groom. Throughout the time of the Old Testament God had used one great prophet at a time to warn His people. And for our end-time a same kind of prophet had been promised to come.

^ I believe he has been William Marrion Branham. However, everyone has to find that answer praying. Maybe you find that he is/was Lars Enarson, or Billy Graham, Baruch Korman, David Wilkerson, …., your pastor, or another spiritual leader, …., a multitude of Elijah prophets, or a future prophet.

But because of the many deceptions in this end-time, find answers that match Godgiven directions! ^

B. The Seven Seals, and God’s Own Explanation:

1-7S: Brother Branham did not get the revelations of the seven seals just in his study room. He was commanded to move to another town. After that, miraculous things started to happen.

After the revealing of the secrets of the seven seals can be believed, that these revelations had come in at least two main ways. One way is, what brother Branham had explained directly.

1-7$STB: The other way is, what he had said indirectly with the words

{from the book: An Exposition of the Seven Church Ages (4.), Introduction (5.)

(1. https://table.branham.org/#/en/main 2. ‘Bookmark’ 3. ‘III, IV, V’)}:

“…., for out of the (Church) Ages come the Seals, and out of the Seals come the Trumpets, and out of the Trumpets come the Vials [Bowls]. [One creates light for the other.]”

In this way every seal belongs to one church age. And with the help of the Seventh and last Seal believers can recognize the spiritual warfare of our end-time and find suitable spiritual weapons.

^

C. Judgments, and the Final Judgment, and Eternity:

^ Soon, the ready believers are raptured. They are the ones, who during their life have voluntary persevered “great tribulation, such as has not been” (“Mat. 24:21”; Rev. 7:14; Rev. 20:4).

After that, a period of distress begins, which I have called the greater tribulation time, “such as never occurred since there was a nation.” In this way, the difference between those time periods can be seen. The word greater I have used, because it now affects all mankind (“Dan. 12:1”).

During this time period, the Gospel and Its proclamation returns to 144,000 Israelites. And at the end of it all the Jews of Israel will be freed from their bondages by accepting the Lord Jesus as their personal Saviour.

^ From our beginning, in the 18th chapter of the Book of Revelation, every Christian has been severely warned about a system that would be very beautiful on the outside but very polluted on the inside (Acts 11:26), Rev. 18:4, <“Come out of her [the organized Church system], My people, so that you will not share in her sins or contract any of her plagues. ….”>

Soon it will be destroyed. Next, the Lord Jesus Christ will come and rule the world during the last seventh thousand sabbatical years together with His Bride believers. (According to the Jewish Biblical calendar, about 6000 years have now passed.)

^ After seven thousand years is the Final Judgment. After it, the holy city, the New Jerusalem, will come down from heaven, where God will dwell surrounded by His loved ones.

Till we meet again, Bert

0c_Summary: Explanation [SumEx]

“RECOGNIZE SIGNS OF OUR TIME”

^ In front of you is one explanation of the entire Book of Revelation. This Book came straightly from God and is part of the Bible.

God, Who created the first human being, had not only foreseen the fall of Adam and Eve (and all mankind). He had also planned before the foundation of the earth to come Himself in His Son Jesus as a to be slain Lamb. He, our Creator, sacrificed Himself in order to restore His relationship with everyone, whose heart thirsts for Him (Rev. 13:8b, 22:17).

^

^ I am Dutch who had moved to Finland with my family in 1996.

In September 2020 in the Finnish language I started this processing of the entire Book of Revelation together with a few interested Finnish believers. So it has not just been a writing of my thoughts, but a sharing of thoughts and at the same time my inviting to pray for each other. Too, still I thank for prayer, correction suggestions, and for helping to spread this writing (12a§1-22, my address).

^ Thereafter, while translating everything into English, I have mainly used the Berean Bible translation for an easy-to-understand entirety.

When necessary, I have translated the Bible texts with a word for word translation.

^

^ As the prophet Jonah I have had to warn. The Presence of the Lord Jesus in the air to catch up and meet His Bride believers, would already have been (Easter, April 2022).

This event is also called the rapture or the taking up into heaven of those believers, who are ready.

^ Jonah warned a big city and God’s judgment would have come. Then its whole population repented, and God had mercy on them (Jonah 3).

Although Jonah's 40 days’ prophecy had not been fulfilled, the Lord Jesus referred to him (Mat. 12:39-42).

^ He had preached powerfully. Therefore, a city of hundreds of thousands of people had turned from their bad ways.

Likewise, the using of the Book of Revelation has been an effective tool. E.g. the following signs of our time are easy to understand (cf. Mat. 16:2-4):

- In this end-time the United States will become the leading antichrist state of the western countries (4bcd§1317).

- In this end-time the world economy will tighten so much that a collapse will inevitably occur (8d§89₁156, etc.).

- At the end of this end-time, all the nations of the world will together attack Jerusalem and Israel. A fatal mistake of the West. Next, God will allow the dictator countries’ block to destroy with among others nuclear bombs the Western block. At the same time this fire baptism of the earth will solve the climate crisis (9k§89₁156 – 11a§19-22).

^

^ It is possible that the Bodily Presence of the Lord Jesus did not yet come and that the judgment period has not yet begun. In the same way as with Jonah. On the other hand, by Easter 2022 this entire writing had been completed in Finnish and widely visible on the Internet. It could have been God’s own explanation and confirmation, because He wants things to be done in faith {Luke 18:8 (12c§1-22; also 12ab§1-22)}. Later the English translation and website was completed. At another date, which I had mentioned (6m§6(8)10 and 12c§19-22).

^ The Book of Revelation helps to understand particularly the greater tribulation period after the rapture. After the church ages, the moment of the rapture and this next period show up expressly. Nevertheless, also of events of the past and the future is spoken, Rev. 4-18 {Rev. 4:1 (2a§45)}.

On earth, it will be a terrible hell-like time! Therefore, beware and seek God now (Isa. 55:6)!

^ In most Bible translations the word presence has not been translated with one clear word, as for example with the “Young’s Literal Translation”

( https://biblehub.com/1_thessalonians/4-15.htm ).

In the Bible 24 times this Greek word parousia occurs

( https://biblehub.com/greek/3952.htm ) :

Mat. 24:3, 27, 37, 39; 1Cor. 15:23, 16:17; 2Cor. 7:6, 7, 10:10; Phili. 1:26, 2:12; 1The. 2:19, 3:13, 4:15, 5:23; 2The. 2:1, 8, 9; James 5:7, 8; 2Pet. 1:16, 3:4, 12, and 1John 2:28.

Compare 1The. 4:15b, <We who are alive and remain until the presence of the Lord will by no means precede those who have fallen asleep.>

^ By the way, God and His plans can never be fully explained.

In view of this, He and His plans are too big, and besides, They are alive.

^

^ In addition the next general remarks:

- My website with the English and Finnish text can be extended only one year at a time ( https://ilmestyskirja-branham.com/ ).

So it exists as long as it exists.

- Many Christians turn to psychiatrists for answers, not to mention yoga, etc. However,

God can allow all kinds of problems before He allows complete blindness {Rev. 3:17 (5b§6(8)10)}.

God does not change. He does things in His Own perfect way. Two thousand years ago the prophet Elijah [John the Baptist] was needed to get the Jews ready. And the coming of a same kind of prophet has been promised to get us Christians (and Jews) ready for the Presence of the Lord Jesus {Mal. 4:1-6 (1d§1-3)}.

This last text was not fulfilled by John the Baptist. In his time he helped to turn only the hearts of the fathers, not the hearts of the children {Luke 1:17 (1d§1-3)}, Bert

~~ ~ ~ ~

A. Churches (Revelation §1,2,3)

1a§1-3

Seven Revivals

Shalom,

^ The Book of Revelation is a special book. It was the last Book of the Bible. And it came directly from God.

Likewise the first five Books of the Bible had come, written down by Moses (cf. Deu. 34:10).

Prayer of them who walk worthy of their calling, bearing with one another in love (Eph. 4:1-2), Bert

¤ The Book of Revelation is the Revelation of Jesus Christ given to Him by God. God's prophetic thoughts were what the congregations and in the future the nation of Israel needed/needs. Jesus Christ gave it to us through His angel, through His apostle John, and finally through His church (Rev. 1:1).

A miraculous revelation of which John, the only still living disciple of the Lord Jesus, wanted to testify as regards everything he had seen, that it was the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ (Luke 6:13; Rev. 1:2).

¤ Christ is the Head and Lover of the Church (Eph. 5:23-27).

He is God's Plan of Salvation for all mankind (Acts 4:12).

¤ Our only Hope is the Coming of Jesus/God (Rev. 1:7-8), Rev. 1:7a, <Behold, he is coming with the clouds,>

For this the Book of Revelation prepares, and this is what Jesus says at the end, Rev. 22:20, <"Yes, I am coming soon.">

¤

¤ If you keep the Book of Revelation, you will be blessed and heaven will open to you (cf. Rm. 4:6-8), Rev. 1:3, <Blessed is the one who reads, and they that hear the words of the prophecy, and obey what is written in it; because the time is near.> Jesus Christ is the Word of God, Which became Flesh and by Which Life and Light came (John 1:1-5 and 9-14).

¤ God did in Jesus what God had demanded in His Word. God let Himself in Jesus be crucified. In this way God's prophetic Word had spoken and is speaking, Rev. 19:10b,

<The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.> Woe to them who add something to it or take something away (Rm. 3:4; Rev. 22:1819). ¤

¤ The Prophetic Word has enormous power from God's point of view. Two thousand years ago, much had been foretold about the life of Jesus Christ. And among the Jewish people, Jesus fulfilled all those prophecies (Luke 24:44).

In the same way, He bluntly declared to his fellow citizens that no prophet has been honored in his hometown without much more explanation (Luke 4:16-30 and especially verse 24).

¤ And so on. To His cousin John the Baptist, when in prison he could not (anymore) believe everything, He answered (Luke 7:1-23), Luke 7:22b-23, <“Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the good news is preached to the poor, 23. and blessed is the one who does not fall away on account of Me.”>

This was based on several texts of the prophet Isaiah as regards the coming Messiah, for example, Isa. 61:1-2a (Luke 4:18-19), <The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, 2. to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, ….>

¤

¤ Imprisoned for his faith, the apostle John had been expelled to the prison island of Patmos. It was the year 96 AD. He was seeking the Presence of God, he was ‘on the Lord’s day in the Spirit’ (Rev. 1:10a).

Suddenly the Lord Jesus stood behind him. When he saw Him, he fell at His feet like a dead man. But the Lord Jesus reassured him and told him something miraculous (Rev. 1:10b-20), Rev. 1:20, <“…. The mystery of the seven stars you saw in My right hand and of the seven golden lampstands {is this}: The seven stars are the messengers/angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.”>

¤ He got among others seven letters from the Lord Jesus for the churches in seven Asian cities. The nearest large port city on the mainland was Ephesus. After that came the other cities in the same order as in the Book of Revelation, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea (Rev. 1:4-11).

But these events of Light would be more than just letters to seven churches (Rev. 2-3). ¤ The stars together with the lampstands would be seven huge Lights, seven events of Light, just as Jesus Christ Himself had come as the Light (John 1:4-5). Seven consecutive ages, such as the Feast of Unleavened Bread (the Lord’s Supper / Communion) was celebrated for seven consecutive days. At the beginning the Passover lamb had been sacrificed, and after the Sabbath, on Sunday, a Sheaf of the Firstfruits had been raised to God. All three Feasts Christ had fulfilled (Lev. 23:4-14; Luke 22:120).

¤ Seven successive Light periods, Revival events, Revival ages. For many churches at the same time (Rev. 2:7; 2:11; etc.). God’s Glory, experienced in the churches of the Gentile nations (0_Menorah).

1b§1-3

Seven Ages and Messengers

Shalom,

^ Relatively quickly I deal with the church ages. Deeper and wider it can be done,

what I have done further on. But in the beginning the getting of an overview of the Book of Revelation is more important.

After starting 2020.9 in Finnish my explanation, as a Finnish book it was completed 2024.4, in three and a half years.

With the prayer of believers who carry another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2), Bert

¤ In 70 AD Rome had destroyed Jerusalem (and its apostolic center) and among others the apostle John and the mother of Jesus, Mary, had settled in the city of Ephesus (cf. John 19:27).

In 96 John was Jesus' last living disciple/apostle. Times were hard and there was much persecution. Possibly John was boiled for 24 hours in oil before he was deported as a witch to the prison island of Patmos. Though, his presence near the church in Ephesus confirmed that it was the spiritual center of the churches of that time (Rev. 2:1-7), Rev. 2:7a, <“…. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. ….”>

¤ To seven churches the Lord Jesus had written His heartfelt messages. In the beginning He had referred to some of His attributes (Rev. 2:1, 8, 12, etc.).

For the church of John in Ephesus it had been an emergency message. Its lampstand would be soon removed out of its place, if it did not repent (Rev. 2:4-5), Rev. 2:4, < But I have this against you: You have abandoned your first love.>

¤ From John the first runner left for the first stop. He had among others the task of conveying the personal message of Jesus Christ to the messenger of the church, Rev. 2:1, etc., <To the messenger/angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘…. ….’>

The messenger/angel in question (the Greek word ‘angelo’ [‘angel’]) was a believer on earth, as the basic meaning of that word is messenger. Only in special situations, when it relates to heavenly beings, the translation would be angel. Throughout the Book of Revelation these meanings should be pondered.

¤ The church in every town represented one Light period for many churches, one revival age. A total of seven Light periods had been announced. It was the mystery of the lampstands (0_Menorah and 1a§1-3).

In addition, the messengers of the churches would represent seven different star messengers, with God’s Revelation and ministry for that day. It was the mystery of the stars (1a§1-3, =), Rev. 1:20, <…. The seven stars (in My right hand) are the messengers/angels of the seven churches. ….>

¤ According to brother Branham the star messenger of the Ephesian church age had been the apostle Paul. He had been absolutely true to the Word, done the work in the Power of the Holy Spirit and he had the evident fruit of his God given ministry. Multitudes of Gentiles had come to faith. Even, he had been the first apostle of the church in Ephesus. Here, about 53 A.D., the Foundation for the revival of the Gentile Church was laid and completed (Acts 19).

More than half of the letters of the New Testament he wrote. With sound teachings and his self-sacrificing way of life he equipped the churches. God's Love in him was never extinguished.

¤

¤ When the revivals of the Ephesian church age everywhere had died out, Jesus had removed its lampstand. But active believers, hungry and thirsty, had previously begun to pray to the Lord God for new Holy Ghost Power. When the believers of the Smyrna age had been ready for it, when the first love for God had returned into them, the next revival had begun, and at some point the next star messenger appeared.

Of the seven ages, only in two the believers would act so well, or the circumstances would be so harsh, that only words of encouragement were to be given to them, Smyrna and Philadelphia.

¤

¤ Nowadays in circles of revival Christians has somehow been accepted that, after the (Dark) Middle Ages, the Reformation of 1517 on the European continent represents the revival period for the fifth church, the church of Sardis (Rev. 3:1-6).

Under Luther's leadership the truth had been rediscovered that only through faith man can become righteousness, Rm. 1:17, <For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by

faith.”>

¤ Regrettably this Restoring did not go far enough. A new revival was needed (Rev. 3:713).

During the Philadelphian church age the blessing of a holy life was widely found back in Britain, with the birth of the Methodist Movement (later Church), the Salvation Army, and many mission societies. Next, in the United States it spread on a large scale (cf. Hep. 12:10b-14).

¤ Again the Reviving came to a standstill and died. One more revival was needed, the Laodicean church age revival, the Azusa Street revival, the worldwide revival of the Pentecostal churches. It began in 1906 in the city of Los Angeles. Then was found that the gifts of the Holy Spirit would also be part of the life of every believer (Rev. 3:1422).

But the message to the Laodicean church tells that this Reviving changed. For later the Lord Jesus is only found from the outside of this church (Rev. 3:20)….

1c§1-3

State of the End-Time Church

Shalom,

^ This time a part of my testimony.

Prayer, even in our weaknesses (2Cor. 12:10), Bert

¤ Last time I wrote about the church in Laodicea and its significance for us end-time believers. For decades, this had been a familiar explanation to me. But in the spring of 2012, I noticed that my spiritual state had become similar.

The spiritual fruits of my life were too little or too small. Something did not work. I was even depressed.

¤ I was a similar spiritual child, what had been predicted. Also I had given too good a picture of myself, Rev. 3:17a, <You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ ….>

There had come across what I had been trying to avoid. My facade did not work. I did not (longer) feel that the Lord God was with me.

¤ A year earlier, I had felt guided by the Holy Spirit to join a church. Before that in Finland, I had not been a member of any church. However, everywhere we need each other, especially when the day of Jesus' Coming is very near (Heb. 10:25, 37).

The best way to help myself was to learn to participate. My best act of repentance was to accept that I am as bad or good a believer, as this church and other end-time churches look like in the eyes of God.

¤ But e.g. the following things the Holy Spirit demanded of me. I had to begin to testify with cold or hot words and deeds. To neighbors and so on (cf. Rev. 3:15).

In addition, It instructed me to tell believers that the Second Coming / Presence of the Lord Jesus in the air will take place within a year. Then the believers who are ready, are raptured into heaven, Mat. 24:36-44.

¤ As the prophet Jonah I have had to preach the sermon of God {Jonah 3:1-4 (also 0c_SumEx)}.

Thus I became ready to act and write on God’s terms all, what you read here. ¤

¤ In our end-time, Jesus Christ stands before the door of the church of Laodicea, Rev. 3:20, <“…. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me. ….”>

He, the written and living Word of God, is no longer accepted as such in the churches of this end-time (cf. John 1:1-3, 14).

¤ Although the gifts of the Holy Spirit had been rediscovered (1b§1-3, Rev. 3:14-22). But if the Giver of the gifts is not served as the first one, whatever kind of heavenly gift is not relevant. ¤

¤ Where is Christ when He is no longer in the church? But the revival would not have gone out, because He is still visible. Only the revival would have moved to somewhere else.

Confirmation for this claim is, that also from the age of Laodicea believers are raptured to heaven, Rev. 3:21-22, <“…. To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”>

¤ Every believer is exhorted to act, Rev. 3:18-19, <“…. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. 19. Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent. ….”>

You are worth gold, when you are in the Body of the Lord Jesus in harmony with your position. When you are in God’s Clock the little movement, what is needed there, then people can see what the right time is (cf. 1Cor. 12).

¤ White robes are your righteous acts (Rev. 19:8).

Passport, ticket, instructions, etc. must be picked up at the correct locations. Eye-salve is needed to know these places.

¤ We must always be ready to leave for the land of Israel, which is the Land of God (Lev. 25:23), and whose future Capital Jerusalem awaits in heaven {cf. Gal. 4:26 (11b§19-22)}.

Even today, in the blink of an eye, that Moment of Departure may come {1Cor. 15:(50-) 51-52 (-53) (2a§45 and 5d§6(8)10)}! ¤

¤ In the Gospel according to Matthew the Lord Jesus got three questions about the future, and before He answered He gave words of warning {Mat. 24:1-3, and 4-14 (6h§6(8)10)}.

As the first answer, He gave details of the moment of the destruction of the temple {Mat. 24:15-21 (3e§12)}.