He Who has Ears to Hear


	Chapter Eleven He Who has Ears to Hear Part Seven SOME AFTER WORDS 1. During every period of the "Dark Ages" there were in existence many Christians and many separate and independent Churches, some of them dating back to the times of the Apostles, which were never in any way connected with the Catholic Church. They always wholly rejected and repudiated the Catholics and their doctrines. This is a fact clearly demonstrated by credible history. 2. These Christians were the perpetual objects of bitter and relentless persecution. History shows that during the period of the "Dark Ages," about twelve centuries, beginning with A.D. 426, there were about fifty millions of these Christians who died martyr deaths. Very many thousands of others, both preceding and succeeding the "Dark Ages," died under the same hard hand of persecution. 3. These Christians, during these dark days of many centuries, were called by many different names, all given to them by their enemies. These names were sometimes given because of some specially prominent and heroic leader and sometimes from other causes; and sometimes, yea, many times, the same people, holding the same views, were called by different names in different localities. But amid all the many changes of names, there was one special name or rather designation, which clung to at least some of these Christians, throughout all the "Dark Ages," that designation being "Ana-Baptist." This compound word applied as a designation of some certain Christians was first found in history during the third century; and a suggestive fact soon after the origin of Infant Baptism, and a more suggestive fact even prior to the use of the name Catholic. Thus the name "Ana-Baptists" is the oldest denominational name in history. 4. A striking peculiarity of these Christians was and continued to be in succeeding centuries: They rejected the man-made doctrine of "Infant Baptism" and demanded rebaptism, even though done by immersion for all those who came to them, having been baptized in infancy. For this peculiarity they were called "Ana-Baptists." 5. This, special designation was applied to many of these Christians who bore other nicknames; especially is this true of the Donatists, Paulicians, Albigenses and Ancient Waldenses and others. In later centuries this designation came to be a regular name, applied to a distinct group. These were simply called "Ana- Baptists" and gradually all other names were dropped. Very early in the sixteenth century, even prior to the origin of the Lutheran Church, the first of all the Protestant Churches, the word "ana" was beginning to be left off, and they were simply called "Baptists." 6. Into the "dark ages" went a group of many churches which were never in any way identified with the Catholics. Out of the "dark ages" came a group of many churches, which had never been in any way identified with the Catholics. The following are some of the fundamental doctrines to which they held when they went in: And the same are, the fundamental doctrines to which they held when they came out: And the same are the fundamental doctrines to which they now hold. FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINES 1. A spiritual Church, Christ its founder, its only head and law giver. 2. Its ordinances, only two, Baptism and the Lord's Supper. They are typical and memorial, not saving. 3. Its officers, only two, bishops or pastors and deacons; they are servants of the church. 4. Its Government, a pure Democracy, and that executive only, never legislative. 5. Its laws and doctrines: The New Testament and that only. 6. Its members. Believers only, they saved by grace, not works, through the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit. 7. Its requirements. Believers on entering the church to be baptized, that by immersion, then obedience and loyalty to all New Testament laws. 8. The various churches--separate and independent in their execution of laws and discipline and in their responsibilities to God--but cooperative in work. 9. Complete separation of Church and State. 10. Absolute Religious liberty for all.” Therefore, in this seventh letter to the churches, by the word of the “Faithful Witness,” Jesus Christ Himself, he establishes by two separate witnesses the beginning of the church age delineated by the church of Laodiceans. By the Word of God alone, we see: 1) The witness against the false teaching of evolution. 2) The witness against the false manuscripts from the Catholic theologians that have closed the “open door” brought in by the King James Bible. 3) The witness against the age of “tolerance” by lukewarm Christians. 4) The witness against the vexation of the righteous by the ungodly before the rapture. All of these false doctrines were in force by the start of the twentieth century. Thus, the Lord Himself has given the starting point and completion point for this church age prophetically predicted by the church of Laodiceans. The letter ends with a promise to those who overcome: “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” To begin to comprehend the glory that the Lord shall reveal in us and not to us is first the comprehension of the fact that we shall sit upon the Lord’s throne. For those who overcome the evils of this age of tolerance, for those who have already overcome the ages of persecution, affliction, false doctrines, false apostles and evil rulers, this promise is shared by all. “Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? And where is the place of my rest? (Isaiah 66:1) The question that we must all ask then is, are we in Christ? There is no promise of eternal life unto those that do not overcome the sins of the flesh. For it is by grace that we are saved and not of works lest any man should boast. The question that we must ask in this age is whether we are heirs of the promise: “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:29) In this essay, we have seen the witness of the parables of the kingdom of heaven and the promise of eternal life for those that have ears to hear. These parables speak of the message of salvation and the message warning against the things of this world. But most especially, the parable of the women who leavens three measures of meal warns us of the evils of the MYSTERY BABYLON sun god religion started by Nimrod, Semiramis and Tammuz at the tower of Babel. So likewise does Revelation chapters two and three speak of the kingdom of God as the seven successive church ages. This also is only to those that have ears to hear what the Spirit says unto the churches. As such, the parables and the seven churches are two witnesses with the same testimony, that is of the church age from the time of the Lord’s first advent until the second advent when He shall deliver up the kingdom unto the Father. J.M. Carroll tells the story of the church from the time of the apostles until the early twentieth century. All three of these separate witnesses tell the complete story of the kingdom and the new covenant called the church. The works of the saints throughout the centuries cries out to us in our time if we will only listen to what the Spirit says unto the churches. The only way to hear the word of the Lord is to keep those things that are written *“therein.”* The only way to hear what the Spirit says to the churches is to compare “spiritual with spiritual.” May the Lord give you an ear to hear what the Spirit says unto the churches. May the Lord grant unto you the grace of salvation if you have never before called upon His name. May the spirit of peace give you the boldness of heart that you will need before he delivers us from all temptations: “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.” (II Peter 2:9) “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” I Corinthians 6: 19-20 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” Matthew 13: 44-46 Ephesus - The time of the apostles - 33 to 100 AD: 1) The witness of the false doctrine of apostolic succession. 2) The witness of the false doctrine of the “Nicolaitanes” which means "Lords over God's heritage." “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; 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: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 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. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. 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." Revelation 2:1-7 Smyrna - The time of persecution - 100 to 313 AD: 1) The witness of the persecution against the Christians by the Jews after the death of the apostles and before the Edict of Toleration. 2) The witness of the simultaneous persecution against the Christians by the pagan Romans after the death of the apostles and before the Edict of Toleration. “And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 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. 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. 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.” Revelation 2:8-11 Pergamus - The marriage with the pagan world - 313 to 452 AD: 1) The witness against the false doctrine of Balaam. 2) The witness against the false doctrine of the Nicolaitanes. 3) The witness of where Satan’s seat is. (Rome) 4) The witness of the pagan king Constantine mentioned by his deeds. “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 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. 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. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 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.” Revelation 2:12-17 Thyatira - The adulterous church - 452 to 1229 AD: 1) The witness of the start of Papal Rome by Pope Leo the “Great” from 440-461 AD. 2) The witness of the start of the worship of Mary as the “queen of heaven” in 451 AD. “And unto t he 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; 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. 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. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 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. 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. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 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. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Revelation 2:18-29 Sardis - The dead church - 1229 to 1611 AD: 1) The witness against the dead church in Rome that took the Word of God away from the people and persecuted the world through the inquisition. 2) The witness of the righteous ministers of Christ who strengthened the things that remained and held fast to the gospel of Christ and did not defile their righteous garments in the sins of “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF ALL HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” “And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shalt walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Revelation 3:1-6 Philadelphia - The keeper of the Word - 1611 to 1900 AD: 1) The witness of God’s Word fighting against the evil of the Vatican through the King James Bible and the “open door” of salvation. 2) The witness of the synagogue of Satan (i.e. the Roman Catholics) coming to worship (give civil reverence) to the king of England after he “kept” and “authorized” the translation we now call either the “Authorized version” or simply the King James Version. “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the work of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Revelation 3:7-13 Laodicians - The lukewarm church - 1900 to the Second Coming: 1) The witness against the false teaching of evolution. 2) The witness against the false manuscripts from the Catholic theologians that have closed the “open door” brought in by the King James Bible. 3) The witness against the age of “tolerance” by lukewarm Christians. 4) The witness against the vexation of the righteous by the ungodly before the rapture. “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Revelation 3:14-22 Partial list of books used in preparing lectures on "the Trail of Blood" History of Baptists in Virginia, Semple Baptist Succession, Ray Baptists in Alabama, Holcomb History of the Huguenots, Martin Fifty Years Among the Baptists, Benedict Fox's Book of Martyrs My Church, Moody The World's Debt to Baptists, Porter Church Manual, Pendleton Evils of Infant Baptism, Howell Reminiscences, Sketches and Addresses, Hutchinson Short History of the Baptists, Vedder The Struggle Religious Liberty in Virginia, James The Genesis of American Anti-Missionism, Carroll The True Baptist, A. Newton A Guide to the Study of Church History, McGlothlin Baptist Principles Reset, Jeter Virginia Presbyterianism and Religious Liberty in Colonial and Revolutionary Times, Johnson Presbyterianism 300 Years Ago, Breed History of the Presbyterian Church of the World, Reed Catholic Belief, Bruno Campbellism Examined, Jeter History of the Baptists in New England, Burrage History of Redemption, Edwards Principles and Practices of Baptist Churches, Wayland History of the Liberty Baptist Association of North Carolina, Sheets On Baptism, Carson History and Literature of the Early Churches, Orr History of Kentucky Baptists, Spencer Baptist History, Orchard Baptist Church Perpetuity, Jarrell Disestablishment, Harwood Progress of Baptist Principles, Curtis Story of the Baptists, Cook Romanism in Its Home, Eager Americanism Against Catholicism, Grant The Faith of Our Fathers, Cardinal Gibbons The Faith of Our Fathers Examined, Stearns The Story of Baptist Missions, Hervey Baptism, Conant Christian "Baptism," Judson Separation of Church and State in Virginia, Eckenrode The Progress of Religious Liberty, Schaff Doctrines and Principles of the M. E. Church The Churches of the Piedmont, Allix The History of the Waldenses, Muston The History of Baptists, Backus The Ancient Waldenses and Albigenses, Faber The History of the Waldenses of Italy, Combs History of the Baptists, Benedict Baptist Biography, Graham Early English Baptists, Evans History of the Welsh Baptists, Davis Baptist History, Cramp History of the Baptists, Christian Short History of the Baptists, Vedder The Plea for the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Jones Religions of the World, Many writers History of the Reformation in Germany, Ranke Church History, Kurtz Constitution of the Presbyterian Church in the USA Doctrines and Discipline, African M. E. Church, Emory Church History, Jones History of the Christian Religion and Church, Neader Ecclesiastical History, Mosheim History of the Christian Church, Gregory History of the Church, Waddington Handbook of Church History, Green Manual of Church History, Newman History of Anti-Pedobaptists, Newman Catholic Encyclopedia (16 vols.) The Baptist Encyclopedia, Cathcart Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, Brown Encyclopedia Britannica Origin of Disciples, Whittsitt Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, Schaff-Herzogg Book of Martyrs, Foxe Baptist History, Schackleford Return to Home Page (www.kjv1611revealed.com)