According to Old Testament prophecy, only a small “remnant” was to be saved from the Jewish nation. In view of the wayward tendencies of ancient Israel, this is actually a miracle. “The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God. For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness.” Isaiah 10:21, 22.
Why are so few saved from that vast multitude numbered as the sand of the sea? Because, as Paul explained, Israel had “a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” Romans 10:2, 3.
But, by the election of grace, the Lord promised that “a remnant shall be saved: For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.” Romans 9:27, 28. Faithful Gentiles are also grafted into this olive tree, since “they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham,” “and if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:9, 29.
God’s promises have always been rich and bountiful, and His requirements simple and easy to understand. All He has sought is a people willing to become obedient to His moral law, through faith in His power. It is tragic to consider how so many who have eagerly taken His name throughout the centuries have been so reluctant—so halfhearted—in cooperating with this basic condition.
“If we comply with the conditions the Lord has made, we shall secure our election to salvation. Perfect obedience to His commandments is the evidence that we love God, and are not hardened in sin.
“Christ has a church in every age. There are in the church those who are not made any better by their connection with it. They themselves break the terms of their election. Obedience to the commandments of God gives us a right to the privileges of His church.” 1
What has taken place during the history of the Christian era? In chapters 2 and 3 of the book of Revelation, “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.” 2
Christ addresses the “angels” of each of the seven churches. The “angel” does not refer to an individual person but rather to the church leaders of that period. While Jesus initially addresses the letter to the leaders, the contents of the letter cover the condition of the whole church, from the minister to the youngest of the members.
Let us first consider the opening period of Christian church history, referred to as the church of Ephesus. We read about the experience of God’s church in this era in Revelation 2:1–7. The name “Ephesus” means “desirable.” This church was founded by Jesus Christ at the beginning of His earthly ministry. Its leaders learned from Jesus, the Master of masters, and they continued teaching His pure doctrines, even after His ascension. The apostles performed miracles, and great signs followed their work. They gave a powerful testimony of Jesus, and their message reached every corner of the then-known world. Perfect unity existed among the believers—truly a period in church history that could be considered desirable.
Unfortunately, the pure zeal that had characterized the early church soon began to wane. Their love for God and for one another began to deteriorate. Coldness and differences crept in, and a critical, condemnatory spirit plagued the believers.
“The discussion of unimportant points of doctrine, and the contemplation of pleasing fables of man’s invention, occupied time that should have been spent in proclaiming the gospel. The masses that might have been convicted and converted by a faithful presentation of the truth were left unwarned. Piety was rapidly waning, and Satan seemed about to gain the ascendancy over those who claimed to be followers of Christ.” 3
But God in His mercy did not leave His church without warning. He appealed to them to return to their first love of gospel truth. “Remember,” he pleaded, “from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works.”
What would result if the church were to continue in her condition, lacking her first love and works? The warning sounded: “I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent” (Revelation 2:5).
The removal of the candlestick means that Jesus would withdraw His blessing and the precious light of the gospel that the church had enjoyed thus far, and would give it to others. We do not know the percentage of unfaithful souls in the church at that time, but by the experience of the different periods in later times we can conclude that only a few were ready to heed the counsel of Jesus, and practice the first works. The experience of this faithful remnant is recorded as an example.
One of the characteristics of the remnant in the era of Ephesus is that they hated the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. The Spirit of Prophecy sheds some light on this point in the following statement: “The doctrine is now largely taught that the gospel of Christ has made the law of God of no effect; that by ‘believing’ we are released from the necessity of being doers of the Word. But this is the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which Christ so unsparingly condemned.” 4
The message to the remnant of Ephesus closes with a promise to all who would faithfully endure as overcomers.
The message to the church of Smyrna is recorded in Revelation 2:8–11. The name “Smyrna” means “myrrh” or “sweet perfume.” Myrrh was used in Bible times for various purposes, and was well known for its pleasant aroma.
The leaders of the church of Smyrna were not the apostles that had been with Jesus, neither were they those who had left their first love. They were the remnant who had not conformed to the worldliness of the majority. During this period, the church faced hardship, persecution, and even martyrdom. They were poor in this world’s goods, but rich in faith.
On the other hand, those who were unfaithful during this era were referred to as “the synagogue of Satan.”
“Satan has a large confederacy, his church. Christ calls them the synagogue of Satan because the members are the children of sin. The members of Satan’s church have been constantly working to cast off the divine law, and confuse the distinction between good and evil. Satan is working with great power in and through the children of disobedience to exalt treason and apostasy as truth and loyalty.” 5
Thus we can see the contrast: The church of God teaches and practices obedience to the Ten Commandments of God’s law, while the synagogue of Satan tries to make the law void. The synagogue of Satan existed then, it exists today, and it will exist until the end.
The church of Smyrna was to suffer ten prophetic days of fierce tribulation—ten literal years. History indeed confirms that this cruel persecution took place from 303 to 313 A.D. under the Roman emperor, Diocletian.
Jesus promised a crown of life to those who would be faithful to the end of this difficult period. He had no words of reproof, only encouragement, for these remnant souls who would “be recompensed at the resurrection of the just” (Luke 14:14).
The message to the church of Pergamos is written in Revelation 2:12–17. “Pergamos” means “elevation” or “exaltation” plus “marriage.” Hence, the era of Pergamos saw the pride of pagan customs united to the church in wedlock.
“Almost imperceptibly the customs of heathenism found their way into the Christian church. The spirit of compromise and conformity was restrained for a time by the fierce persecutions which the church endured under paganism. But as persecution ceased, and Christianity entered the courts and palaces of kings, she laid aside the humble simplicity of Christ and His apostles for the pomp and pride of pagan priests and rulers; and in place of the requirements of God, she substituted human theories and traditions. The nominal conversion of Constantine, in the early part of the fourth century, caused great rejoicing; and the world, cloaked with a form of righteousness, walked into the church. Now the work of corruption rapidly progressed. Paganism, while appearing to be vanquished, became the conqueror. Her spirit controlled the church. Her doctrines, ceremonies, and superstitions were incorporated into the faith and worship of the professed followers of Christ.” 6
The period of Pergamos saw one of the most destructive blows to the Christian church—the decision made in A.D. 364 by the Council of the Church at Laodicea, accepting the first day of the week as the Lord’s day. Prayers for the dead, worship of the virgin Mary, and the establishment of December 25th as a Christian holiday all came on the scene during this era.
“After a long and severe conflict, the faithful few decided to dissolve all union with the apostate church if she still refused to free herself from falsehood and idolatry. They saw that separation was an absolute necessity if they would obey the word of God. They dared not tolerate errors fatal to their own souls, and set an example which would imperil the faith of their children and children’s children. To secure peace and unity they were ready to make any concession consistent with fidelity to God; but they felt that even peace would be too dearly purchased at the sacrifice of principle. If unity could be secured only by the compromise of truth and righteousness, then let there be difference, and even war.” 7
Christ promises the hidden manna to the remnant of overcomers who would manage to remain faithful during this sad period in church history.
The message to the church of Thyatira corresponds to the fourth period of the Christian era, and is recorded in Revelation 2:18–29. The name means “sacrifice of contrition.”
Jesus Christ introduces Himself to the church as the “Son of God”—the first time in these letters that He presents Himself to the church as such. This emphasis was needed, because by this time the man of sin had usurped the authority that belongs to Christ alone, declaring himself to be Vicar of the Son of God. Jesus thus clarifies His rightful authority and position. He knows the works, charity, service, faith and patience of the faithful remnant who had not defiled themselves with falsehood and idolatry.
The sins of Balaam of which the Pergamos church was guilty are continued during this period–only this time, Jezebel is brought to view as responsible for these sins.
The union of Christianity with paganism is spiritual adultery, and the spiritual Jezebel is responsible for this corruption. “The unfaithfulness of the church to Christ in permitting her confidence and affection to be turned from Him, and allowing the love of worldly things to occupy the soul, is likened to the violation of the marriage vow.” 8 Never before had the church fallen into such great idolatry and apostasy as in the Middle Ages. During this period several innovations were introduced, such as the veneration of images, penance, purgatory, extreme unction, transubstantiation, the use of the rosary, auricular confession, baptism by sprinkling, and the sale of indulgences.
During this period, spiritual Jezebel shed the blood of multitudes of innocent followers of Christ in the time of the Inquisition.
The Lord did not overlook the great suffering of His remnant people under this fierce persecution. His heart was moved with sympathy, and He enjoined them to fight idolatry, and assured the overcomer of the dawning of a new era—the beginning of a great reformation.
The message of the True Witness to the church of Sardis is found in Revelation 3:1–6. The name “Sardis” means “that which remains” or “remnant.” This fifth period in Christian history is the era of Protestantism—the church of the Reformation.
Back in 1529, the Protestant faith had been summarized in the protest of the Princes in Spires:
“ ‘We are resolved, with the grace of God, to maintain the pure and exclusive preaching of His only word, such as it is contained in the biblical books of the Old and New Testaments, without adding anything thereto that may be contrary to it. This word is the only truth; it is the sure rule of all doctrine and of all life, and can never fail or deceive us. He who builds on this foundation shall stand against all the powers of hell, while all the human vanities that are set up against it shall fall before the face of God.’ ” 9
Yet, how far the Protestant churches have strayed from this solemn declaration made by those noble pioneers! Indeed, the True Witness to the church of Sardis states that the church had a good name: a name that it was alive, but in reality it was dead. The remnant church sorely battled against the idolatry and apostasy of the period of Thyatira, yet its work was incomplete. The innumerable sects and parties into which the church of Sardis was divided is an accurate fulfillment of the message of Jesus to this church. It also confirms the evidence that these messages are not limited to one single church organization in each period, but rather describes the overall condition of the Christian people living at that time.
The True Witness states that a few in the period of Sardis had not defiled their garments. Although the majority rejected the messages of the great reformers, a remnant would be faithful to the end.
The sixth period of church history is the era of Philadelphia—meaning “brotherly love.” The message of the True Witness is written in Revelation 3:7–13 and offers no words of condemnation or rebuke. The Christians of the Philadelphian period were the remnant of the Protestant churches who were expecting the soon coming of the Lord.
During this era, the keys of David in the hands of Jesus shut one door and opened another. Those who have studied the subject of the heavenly sanctuary understand this prophecy as referring to the opening of the door in the most holy place. “This door was not opened until the mediation of Jesus was finished in the holy place of the sanctuary in 1844. Then Jesus rose up and shut the door of the holy place, and opened the door into the most holy, and passed within the second veil, where He now stands by the ark, and where the faith of Israel now reaches. . . .
“The enemies of the present truth have been trying to open the door of the holy place, that Jesus has shut, and to close the door of the most holy place, which He opened in 1844, where the ark is, containing the two tables of stone on which are written the ten commandments by the finger of Jehovah.” 10
The unity of the Philadelphian remnant was strong. It was a powerful era for the progress of the true spirit of the gospel:
“Ministers laid aside their sectarian views and feelings and united in proclaiming the coming of Jesus. Wherever the message was given, it moved the people. Sinners repented, wept, and prayed for forgiveness, and those whose lives had been marked with dishonesty were anxious to make restitution. Parents felt the deepest solicitude for their children. Those who received the message labored for their unconverted friends and relatives, and with their souls bowed with the weight of the solemn message, warned and entreated them to prepare for the coming of the Son of man. Those cases were most hardened that would not yield to such a weight of evidence set home by heartfelt warnings. This soul-purifying work led the affections away from worldly things to a consecration never before experienced.” 11
The church of Philadelphia covers the time for the proclamation of both the first and second angels’ messages. The believers were expecting the return of the Lord to earth—but He did not come in the expected time, instead He entered into the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. In order to comfort His disappointed ones, Jesus assures that He will indeed come, and quickly. The second coming of Jesus in glory is the most wonderful and greatest event in history. It is just before us.
We are now living in the seventh and final period of church history. Once again, the True and Faithful Witness has warnings and counsel for all Christians in this period, regardless of denominational affiliation. The name “Laodicea” means “judgment of the people” and covers the time of the proclamation of the third angel’s message as well as “that other angel” of Revelation 18.
Just as in the previous six periods of church history, the Lord is preserving a remnant also during this present era of Laodicea. “Although the law of God will be almost universally made void in the world, there will be a remnant of the righteous that will be obedient to God’s requirements. The wrath of the dragon will be directed against the loyal servants of Heaven. Says the prophet, ‘The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ’ (Revelation 12:17). We can see from this scripture that it is not the true church of God that makes war with those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. It is the people who make void the law, who place themselves on the side of the dragon, and persecute those who vindicate God’s precepts.” 12
“Obedience to the law of God, and the spirit of prophecy has always distinguished the true people of God.” 13
Christ’s special message for His faithful people today is found in Revelation 3:14–22. He cautions them against the prevailing tendency toward lukewarmness, and, as a heavenly Merchantman, offers to sell them the gold of faith and love, the white raiment of His own spotless character, and eyesalve for spiritual discernment against the rampant deceptions of the last days.
The general condition of Laodicea is lukewarmness. Jesus says, “because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:16). “The figure of spewing out of His mouth means that He cannot offer up your prayers or your expressions of love to God. He cannot endorse your teaching of His word or your spiritual work in anywise. He cannot present your religious exercises with the request that grace be given you.” 14
Because the angel of the church of Laodicea did not heed the counsel of the True Witness, the message is directed to individuals: “The True Witness says, ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock.’ Every warning, reproof, and entreaty in the word of God or through His messengers is a knock at the door of the heart. It is the voice of Jesus asking for entrance.” 15
Who will open the door and invite the Saviour in? The basis of God’s covenant is the same in the New Testament as it was in the Old—perfect obedience to His law through the power of Jesus. In each of the first six periods of Christian history, only a faithful remnant complied—and once again, only a faithful remnant will comply during the period of Laodicea. Will we be among them?