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A Bible Study:
The Revelation to John
May 30, 2006
A Study of the Revelation to John
A Study of the Revelation to John
By Bernie Parsons - May 30, 2006
A Study of Revelation Chapter 2:1-29
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Revelation 2:1: Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
2: I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
3: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4: Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5: Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
6: But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
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The church at Ephesus had patiently labored to promote God’s truth. However, the Lord found some fault with them in that they had begun to weaken. They were encouraged to return to their first love—to work as they had at the first. There is a promise of eternal life to those who will persevere steadfastly to the end of the trouble.
Matthew 7:15 “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”
Matthew 24:11 “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.”
Matthew 24:24 “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”
2 Corinthians 11:12 “But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
13: For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14: And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15: Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”
2 Peter 2:1 “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2: And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3: And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
4: For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;”
The whole chapter of 2 Peter 2 describes these false prophets, how they misbehave, and how destruction lies in store for them. 1 John 4 also deals with this important subject.
1 John 4:1 “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2: Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
4: Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
5: They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
6: We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.”
As for the Nicolaitans, there is some controversy as to what this means. Many take the literal translation from the Greek, which appears to mean “victorious over the people”, or “conquerors of people”. Many take it to mean that it is speaking of men who lorded over the congregations, assuming too much authority, and expecting the membership to do whatever they said. Others dispute this.
Despite all the trouble in that congregation, the righteous among them are encouraged to continue in righteousness, and not to give up—the crown for the race is eternal life.
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Revelation 2:8: And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
9: I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
10: Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
11: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
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There was severe persecution against the Christians in Smyrna. It would appear that much of it came from those who professed Judaism. These Christians were told that they would suffer, and some would be tormented, and even killed.
We often hear the phrase “be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” misapplied. It is rendered in many sermons, as “be thou faithful until death”, which is incorrect. “Until death” suggests “as long as you live”. “Unto death” indicates “even if your life is required as a result”. The admonition was to be faithful, even if it meant that they would lose their lives for their profession of faith. Such would not be hurt in the second death, but would have eternal life.
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Revelation 2:12: And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
13: I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
14: But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
15: So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
16: Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
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Pergamos had a great pagan temple, said to have been built in 29 AD, in honor of the first Roman Emperor, Augustus. He was worshipped as a god, and this became a center of pagan worship among the Asians. No wonder, then, that it was called the seat of Satan.
The new name mentioned in verse 17 is reminiscent of Isaiah 62:1 “For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. 2: And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.” This was a new name for the new Jerusalem, as indicated.
Yet, in Revelation 2:17, the name is described as one that only the person who receives it will know. The white stone signifies purity of the individual. In the ancient Jewish culture, it was not unusual to be given a new name when circumstances changed. Abram became Abraham, Sarai became Sarah, and Jacob became Israel. In the New Testament, Jesus gave Simon the new name, Peter—the rock, or stone—while Saul of Tarsus became the Apostle Paul. It is not unusual to believe that God will give His children a name of His choosing, and not the name that our earthly parents gave us.
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Revelation 2:18 “And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
19: I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
20: Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
21: And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
22: Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
23: And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
24: But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
25: But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
26: And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
27: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
28: And I will give him the morning star.
29: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
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Verse 19 indicates that this congregation was known for its good works, hard work, faith, and patience. They had endured a lot, for that is how patience is won. Works is mentioned at the beginning of the sentence, and again at the end. The latter works were more than the first works, indicating that this was a very active congregation.
Verse 20 indicates, that for all their works, there was a problem in that someone designated here as Jezebel was leading some in the church astray. Who was the actual Jezebel of scripture?
1 Kings 16:30 “And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him.
31: And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.
32: And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria.
33: And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.”
1 Kings 18:13 “Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD, how I hid an hundred men of the LORD's prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?
14: And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here: and he shall slay me.
15: And Elijah said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely shew myself unto him to day.
16: So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him: and Ahab went to meet Elijah.
17: And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?
18: And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.
19: Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.”
1 Kings 21:25 “But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.
26: And he did very abominably in following idols, according to all things as did the Amorites, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.”
2 Kings 9:30 “And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window.
31: And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, Had Zimri peace, who slew his master?
32: And he lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who is on my side? who? And there looked out to him two or three eunuchs.
33: And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down: and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he trode her under foot.
34: And when he was come in, he did eat and drink, and said, Go, see now this cursed woman, and bury her: for she is a king's daughter.
35: And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands.
36: Wherefore they came again, and told him. And he said, This is the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel:
37: And the carcase of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel; so that they shall not say, This is Jezebel.”
Some say that this Jezebel of Revelation 2 is an actual woman, a corrupt prophetess who led Christians astray with idol worship and sexual sin. Others say that the fornication was spiritual, the result of worshipping the false gods. Still others say that Jezebel is a name for that false doctrine and its practices, and not an actual person. I believe it to be an actual person, since the book of Revelation usually drops clues and hints if a person, government, or idea is being represented by another figure. As for the fornication, it may have included both spiritual and physical fornication, because the Gentiles often committed fornication as part of their “worship” practices to their idol gods.
One of the things that stands out in particular in this letter is that although there were corrupt worshippers in this church, there were also righteous followers of God. Reread verse 23. Contrary to what many say, this proves that it is possible to assemble with hypocrites and still be acceptable to God. The scriptures plainly describe that we shall each be judged upon an account of the deeds of our own life, and not the lives of others.
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Revelation 2:25 “But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
26: And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
27: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.”
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We read in the first chapter of Revelation that the things in this book must shortly come to pass. Now, we find in the letter to the church at Thyatira, in Revelation 2:25 “But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. 26: And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end…” This fits with the events that Jesus described, as recorded in Matthew 23-24, Mark 13, and Luke 21—things that would take place in that generation.
Matthew 19:28 “And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Luke reveals that the above conversation took place in the presence of the twelve apostles, when they dined with the Lord prior to His trial and crucifixion.
Luke 22:28 “Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.
29: And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
30: That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
The twelve apostles would judge the twelve tribes. But what of the Gentile nations? In the Revelation, it is revealed that the Gentile Christians would rule “the nations”—a term used to describe the Gentile peoples.
Consider this: most of the Jews rejected Jesus. The apostles were Jews who believed, and were chosen to take the gospel first to the Jews, then to the world (Gentiles). Jewish Christians (the apostles) were promised that they would rule the twelve tribes of Israel (the Jews). Gentile Christians (those at Thyatira) were promised that they would rule the nations (the Gentiles). That is fitting. Those Jews who obeyed the gospel were qualified to rule and judge those among them who had rejected the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gentiles who obeyed the gospel were qualified to rule and judge those Gentiles who had rejected the gospel of Jesus Christ. Why? Because, in each case, they had come from that class of people, had heard the same gospel as their fellows, yet, had believed and obeyed the message, while their brethren had not.
As for ruling with a rod of iron, this is a quotation from Psalms chapter 2.
Psalms 2:1 “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
2: The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
3: Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
4: He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
5: Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
6: Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
7: I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
8: Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
9: Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
10: Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
11: Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12: Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.”
Jeremiah 19:11 “And shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Even so will I break this people and this city, as one breaketh a potter's vessel, that cannot be made whole again: and they shall bury them in Tophet, till there be no place to bury.”
The events coming upon the generation were the fulfillment of Psalms 2 and Jeremiah 19:11. Both Jews and Gentiles had rejected Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, and had refused to obey the gospel of Jesus Christ, which was preached by the apostles. In His wrath, God was preparing to vex them—the Jew first, and then the Gentile.
Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
17: For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
18: For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19: Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.”
Romans 2:1 “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
2: But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
3: And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
4: Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
5: But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6: Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
8: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
9: Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
10: But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
11: For there is no respect of persons with God.”
The gospel was preached to the Jew first, and then to the Gentile. Salvation was first embraced by Jews, and later by Gentiles. The judgment of God, followed by the His fiery wrath and indignation, would be upon the unbelieving Jew first, and then the Gentile. The apostles would reign with Jesus over the twelve tribes, and the Gentile Christians would reign with Him over the nations.
1 Corinthians 6:2 “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
3: Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?”
Again, recall what we studied from Daniel. There would be four great kingdoms (empires): the Babylonian, the Medo-Persian, the Grecian (Macedonian), and the Roman. In the days of the latter kings (the Roman empire), the Lord would establish the eternal kingdom. It would break into pieces and subdue all the other kingdoms. Where are the four great empires? They are all gone. Where is the Lord’s kingdom? It still stands, and will do so eternally. It is a spiritual kingdom, as we are reminded in the scriptures.
John 18:36: “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”
Ephesians 6:12: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Our fight as Christians is not as nation against nation, but as workers of light against workers of darkness.
2 Corinthians 10: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5: Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
Therefore, we can see that the way in which the kingdoms of men would be shattered would be through a spiritual warfare, not a physical one. Recall that the Roman Empire was based upon the pagan worship of false gods and goddesses—that is, idol gods. They had mainly adopted the Greek religious figures.
In 286 AD, the Emperor Diocletian split the empire into eastern and western. He persecuted and executed Christians.
After 312 AD, when the Emperor Constantine forbad persecution of Christians, and then gradually turned various governmental offices over to those professing Christianity, Christianity in the Roman Empire grew by leaps and bounds. So, in less than 300 years, the empire went from one of officially worshipping pagan gods, and persecuting Christians, to one that preferred Christianity as the main religion.
By 476 AD, the “western Roman empire”, which was ruled from Rome, ceased to exist. By about 614 AD, the eastern empire was also conquered. The Empire that boasted that it was eternal had fallen to the eternal kingdom of God Almighty! The true King of Kings reigned!
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Revelation 2:28: “And I will give him the morning star.
29: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
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There is much debate about the morning star, which is also known as the day star. Some suppose it to mean the sun, but most scholars agree that it is referring to a bright star that appears in the morning, while it is still dark, just before the day dawns—the planet, Venus.
Jesus says that He is the bright and morning star. Revelation 22:16: “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.”
2 Peter 1:19: “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:”
There is no doubt that Jesus is the light that pierced the darkness.
Luke 1:76: “And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
77: To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
78: Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
79: To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Whether talking about the morning star that appears in the sky just before dawn, or about the sun as it rises, either way it is the symbol of the coming daylight, which dispels the darkness. Jesus is that light, and that light is to be seen in His followers.
John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2: The same was in the beginning with God.
3: All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4: In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5: And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6: There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7: The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8: He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9: That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
10: He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11: He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12: But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17: For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18: He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19: And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20: For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21: But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”
John 8:12: “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
John 9:5: “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
John 11:9: “Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.”
John 12:35: “Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.”
John 12:36: “While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.”
Matthew 5: 14: “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15: Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Paul sums it up nicely in:
2 Corinthians 4:3: “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
5: For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
6: For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7: But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”
Those who love the Lord listen to His voice, and obey it. As He is the light of the world, so those who follow Jesus become a light to the world.
Jeremiah 9:11: “And I will make Jerusalem heaps, and a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant.
12: Who is the wise man, that may understand this? and who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD hath spoken, that he may declare it, for what the land perisheth and is burned up like a wilderness, that none passeth through?
13: And the LORD saith, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein;”
Genesis 26:2: “And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:
3: Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;
4: And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
5: Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.”
The obedient will listen to the Lord, and will be blessed; but the disobedient will not hearken, and will suffer for it!
Matthew 13:37: “He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
38: The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
39: The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
40: As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
41: The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
42: And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
43: Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
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