"I"	The John Class.
"Lamb"	Our Lord Jesus in resurrection glory.
"First seal"	The period covered is from approximately CE 33-70. The "angel" of this period is Paul. (Peter may have been in the forefront of the church until Paul became active).
"One of the four beasts," actually "Living Creatures"	The attribute of God's power.
"Come"	Action instructions for the vision to unfold.
"White horse"	Pure doctrines of the early church.
"He that sat on him"	The rider, an ambitious class wishing to gain power in the church.
"Had a bow"	Enabling the rider to project their influence beyond their own powers for evil.
"Crown was given him"	Symbolizing authority that came to the ascending "mystery of iniquity."
"Conquering, and to conquer"	Taking control and subjugating the church to its quest for power and glory.

    These symbols graphically illustrate the condition in the early church. Paul said in 2 Thessalonians 2:7: "The mystery of iniquity doth already work."
    The early church provided an opportunity for ambitions to be fulfilled, for status among those in authority, for recognition, and for ingratiating their own agenda. The devil was quick to infiltrate the church with his children.
   Hence we read in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Paul the first messenger is speaking:

"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

"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."

    We do not have to look far even in the early church to find a class who wanted to use the church, not to enrich the New Creation, but for its personal agenda.
 

Conflict with Jewish Leaders in Early Church

 

    Jesus warns the "angel" (Paul) of the Church of Ephesus, about this ambitious class within the church, the planting of Satan. Oddly enough, even using pure teachings that were largely accepted, this class tried to advance their own agenda. If they had attacked the fundamental teachings of the early church, they would easily have been recognized as apostates.
    However, by outwardly adhering to the true doctrines as a cloak, they could sedulously work to draw disciples after themselves. They used the "bow" to send out their poison arrows to kill true Christianity and replace it with a carnal spirit. Paul realized how a carnal spirit was at work destroying the church at Corinth.    
    Paul observes their condition saying: "Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ" (1 Corinthians 1:12).
    By lining up believers behind personalities, they were busy dividing and subjugating followers into different camps.

Apostle Paul Preaching Christ

 

    What was wrong with following Paul, Apollos, Cephas or Christ?
    Nothing was wrong in itself. However, this created a party spirit and therein lay its wickedness. False leaders wanted a party spirit so they could form their own party. Paul did more to keep these false leaders at bay than any other apostle of that time.
    While the apostles lived, false teachers were exposed. Some of them were dealt with rather severely. We read in 1 Timothy 1:20: "Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme."
    In Titus 1:10, 11, we read: "For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake."
    These deceivers could not overthrow the authority of the apostles, so they kept up a constant barrage calculated to wrest the truth to accommodate their quest for recognition and power. Their patience and doggedness paid off. This element grew through the centuries and ultimately became enthroned in the church.

Click to go to the following:

         TOPICAL STUDY ON THE SEVEN SEALS:
Seven Seals Part I - Part 2
1st Seal - 2nd Seal - 3rd Seal - 4th Seal - 5th Seal - 6th Seal - 7th Seal

CHAPTER/VERSE BY VERSE STUDY ON THE SEVEN SEALS:
1st to 6th Seal [Revelation 6] - 7th Seal [Revelation 8:1]

 

TOPICAL STUDY ON THE SEVEN TRUMPETS:
Prelude to the Trumpets - 1st Trumpet - 2nd Trumpet - 3rd Trumpet
4th Trumpet - 5th Trumpet - 6th Trumpet - 7th Trumpet

CHAPTER/VERSE BY VERSE STUDY ON THE SEVEN TRUMPETS:
1st through 6th Trumpet [Revelation 8,9] - 7th Trumpet [ Revelation 11:15-19]

 

TOPICAL STUDY ON THE SEVEN CHURCHES:
7 Churches Topical Study Home Page
Ephesus - Smyrna - Pergamos - Thyatira - Sardis - Philadelphia - Laodicea

CHAPTER/VERSE BY VERSE STUDY ON THE SEVEN CHURCHES:
7 Churches Verse by Verse Home Page
Ephesus - Smyrna - Pergamos - Thyatira - Sardis - Philadelphia - Laodicea

 

Topical Study Home Page - Chapter Study Home Page  
- Sinaitic Manuscript - Questions - Glossary.

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