Food for Thought

By: Dr. Hilton Sutton, Th.D.

In the book of Revelation, prior to the events of chapters four and five, the letters to the seven churches are found in chapters two and three. This is perfect chronological order.

Chapter four begins with John experiencing the rapture prior to the beginning of the tribulation. Verses one and two correspond perfectly with 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 and Luke 21:36. John is immediately in Heaven by Holy Spirit Vision and describes, in detail, the scene around God’s throne. He carefully provides information as to individual personalities, huge companies of redeemed people and the ceremony before the throne. From John’s word picture, we clearly see the righteous in heaven, having been caught up and escorted to the presence of the Father by Jesus.

Amazing as it may seem, the Book of Revelation provides us ten proofs of t the righteous in Heaven throughout the tribulation. Page 104 in the Revelation Syllabus provides the list by chapter and verse.

To be among the company of those that are caught up to meet Jesus, one must pay attention to the messages to the seven churches. The messages in these letters are not dispensational and related to particular ages as some teach. If that teaching were correct then the church, prior to the rapture, would be “Lukewarm” and vomited out of our Lord’s mouth. Consequently the church would not be caught away.

We, the believing community, must not allow ourselves to lose our first love, allow persecution to change our confession, be misled into corrupt or compromising teachings, become spiritually dead or so materialistic that we become lukewarm.

These are the loving but firm warnings in six of the seven letters.

The sixth letter, to the church at Philadelphia, is an example to the body of Christ today. It is the only one with which Jesus was not displeased. The Word and the Holy Spirit were given absolute preeminence in this church by its minister and people.

Chronology, in Holy Scripture, is very important and reveals God’s divine order. Think with me, if we do not follow divine order as Christians, THEN WE ARE OUT OF ORDER! When divine order is not known circumstances develop for God’s people that are very unpleasant.
Study the seven letters and ready yourself for the catching away of the “GLORIOUS CHURCH”.