THE APOCALYPSE AND THE TEMPLE CODE

C. T he “bright and morning star” is Christ (Rev. 22:16)

1. Venus is called the morning star and was named after the Roman goddess of love 2. Venus reaches its maximum brightness before sunrise and shortly after sunset 3. Some months it is first seen before the sun rises; it introduces a new day 4. On June 17 th , 2 BC, Venus seemed to be on a collision course with Jupiter (two brightest stars)

IN REVELATION CHAPTERS 2 AND 3, CHRIST IS PERFORMING A TEMPLE RITUAL

A. Christ is cleaning and relighting the Menorah

1. The lighting procedure of the Menorah at the Temple in Jerusalem

a. The priest was selected by casting lots; then he began a cleansing procedure b. The priest used gold tweezers and a gold jug of first pressed olive oil c. The procedure occurred prior to a new day beginning at the Temple’s morning service

In Revelation, this pictures a new day - the Lord’s Day or the Day of the Lord.

B. Jesus is trimming the Menorah (Revelation 2 and 3)

1. Jesus addressed seven churches located in Asia Minor (Rev. 2 and 3) 2. He rebuked five and commended two of the seven (Rev. 2 and 3) 3. He told one church their light would be snuffed out (Rev. 2:5)

C. Jesus taught to keep our lamps trimmed and burning

1. Our lights are to be continually burning (Luke 12:35) 2. We must keep oil in our lamps to keep the light burning (Matt. 25:7) 3. The Menorah needed fresh oil to continually burn (Exo. 27:20)

Note: As the priest first relit the Menorah – Christ is cleaning & relighting the church!

THE SEVEN CHURCHES IN REVELATION 2 AND

A. Details of the seven churches:

The City

The Reference

Meaning of the name of the City

1. Ephesus 2. Smyrna 3. Pergamos 4. Thyatira

Rev. 2:1-7 Rev. 2:8-11 Rev. 2:12-17 Rev. 2:18-29 Rev. 3:1-6 Rev. 3:7-13 Rev. 3:14-22

desirable

myrrh

height or elevation continual sacrifice

5. Sardis

a remnant

6. Philadelphia

brotherly love

7. Laodicea

the rights (rule) of the people

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