In this study, we have spent the longest time on the church at Thyatira. This church spans the longest period of time in the church age, about 1,260 years. This period is measured from the Roman Emperor’s decree in 538 A.D. that made the Bishop of Rome the head of the church to Napoleon’s decree in 1798 that revoked that authority of the Pope.  

Last week we addressed how crucial it is to not just know the truth, but to love the truth. This week we are going to take it one more step to walking in truth. Knowing the truth is important, but not enough. Loving the truth is important, but not enough. We must live what we believe if we are going to be true. Jesus did not come to just be the Way or just be the Truth, but He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. If we are going to truly know Him and follow Him, He must be all three to us.

As we have discussed, man was created to be a social creature. But to be complete, we need a relationship with God first. Without this no human being can ever be all that they were created to be. Next we need relationships with other people. These can be of many different types and depths, but basically we were created to need both God and one another.

In this week’s study of Ephesians 6:23-24, we come to the conclusion of Paul’s great Epistle:

 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.”

Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne (Revelation 4:1-2).

Last week we discussed Ephesians 3:10, which explains our calling to be witnesses to principalities and powers. The next verse states that , “This (being a witness to principalities) was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Therefore, this is something we must take seriously. This also keeps us in touch with the perspective that our actions on earth have consequences in the heavenly realm.

         We continue our study with Revelation 4:9-11:

         When the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever,

         the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

         In Revelation 1:16, John describes the Lord: 

         “His face was like the sun shining in its strength.”