.1 THE PARABLE

Again the kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls (oyster - pearls), who on finding one pearl (interpreter) of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it"

7.2 THE MERCHANT AND THE PEARLS

The word merchant used here is one that is to be interpreted as a whole sale merchant - one who buys and sells on a large scale. He is said to be in search of fine pearls. The word used here exactly means oyster pearls. But the second word pearl is to be translated from original Greek as expounder or interpreter or one who explains clearly. (Refer Strong’s Concordance)

It is immediately apparent that the Pearl of Great Price is the Holy Spirit, who is the expounder of Truth. Jesus promised, "The counselor, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things." (John 14:17) "But when the Counselor comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, he will bear witness to me" (John 15:26) "But when the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into all the Truth" (John 16:13) The indication here therefore is about a Spirit filled Church.

There is going to be a repeat performance of the days of Pentecost and the early church, when according to the prophecy of Joel, the spirit shall rain upon God’s elect,

Act. 2: 17 "'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.

This repetition is to be expected because the Gentile period is coming to a close. This phenomenon of outpouring of the Spirit is going to be a a whole sale affair. Jesus is looking for pearls.

Pearls are produced inside an oyster due to constant irritations produced by a grain of sand, It secretes a fluid which covers and gradually smoothens it out into a pearl. It is the picture of the believer who is a grain of sand - man made out of common earth, worldly in his soul outlook, sinful by nature. It is a great pain for Jesus. From the suffering of Jesus on the Cross of Calvary, the sinner is covered with the very blood so that he becomes a thing of beauty and joy for ever. It takes time for a pearl to be formed inside the oyster shell. Saints are not made overnight. It is the ongoing process of Christian growth that produce the Christian. Once it is formed, it converts ordinary light into myriads of shapes and colors.

Pear is also indicative of the bride. As the bride is adorned with most expensive and beautiful pearls, so is the Church, the bride of the Lamb adorned with the Holy Spirit. 1 Peter 3: 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.

4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." "Rev. 21: 9 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb."

10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.

11 It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal."

The Church is the whole community of believers who are anointed by the power of the Holy Spirit.

This period therefore could me considered as the end time church filled with power.

7.3 THE PHILADELPHIA CHURCH

In Rev. 3:7 this church is called the church in Philadelphia. This name itself means brotherly love indicative of the true nature of the end time church. "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another." (John 13:35) was stated in just before the promise of the counselor was given in close connection. The letter is discussed in my Seven Churches article elsewhere.

Rev. 3: 7 "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.

8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars--I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.

10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.

11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.

12 Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.

13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

One characteristic of this church is its evangelical zeal. Jesus himself opens the door and so no one can shut it. The door that Jesus opens is the hearts of men. This is evidently the work of the Holy spirit. Jesus himself will open up new world for missions. In this sixth era there will be an abundance of fruits. Lev. 25:21 says that the last harvest will be three times compared to the previous eras.

Then we notice that this church is not a powerful church. Its members are not rich, influential or famous. Their only distinction is that they keep the Word of God, with patience and endurance.

Here is the Church of this period -

Filled with love - love among themselves

- loved by the Lord

- they loved the Word

This is the picture of the Church at the rapture time. Rev 3:11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.

7.4 THE OPEN DOOR

Apart from the state ordered conversions and the so called enlightening of pagans in State Church period, the world has seen two great periods of missionary endeavor. The first was at the Apostolic Period and the second during the the nineteenth century.

Protestant reformation was concentrated essentially in the Europe. They did nothing substantially to encourage missions abroad. They were too preoccupied to consolidate their gains or too narrow in their outlook to love each other. Besides most missionary areas abroad were controlled entirely by Roman Catholics. The Churches in other parts of the world remained ritualistic with no missionary vision. Then there came a spurt of missionary activities. History of missionary church starts with Moravian Mission to the West Indies in 1730. They were the first to feel the necessity of spreading the gospel through the nations of the world. It is one of the conditions required to be fulfilled before the second  coming of our Lord. By 1760 Moravian Missions reached Greenland, South America, Surinam, Guinea, Egypt, South Africa, Tranquabar and South India. A flood of missionary societies followed in succession. They are too numerous to catalogue. You can get a general idea of the thrust of evangelism of this open door period from the chart below.

7.5 A PEOPLE OF PRAISE AND POWER

If the period of reformation was the age of reason, the new period became the age of the spirit. The growth of the church came in three steps in that order - body, mind, spirit. The building up of the external church was followed by the intellectual church. Then to complete the whole person of man comes the spiritual church. One cannot be taken away from the other. All three together form the completed church.

As the centrality of the person of Christ began to dawn a new and vibrant form of Christianity came into existence which expressed itself not only impersonal piety and morality, but also in their entire spheres of activities. Small groups of ordinary men and women from all denominations are springing up everywhere around the Word of God to worship in spirit and truth. The church has now entered into the holy of holies to simply adore and praise. From the outer form of ceremonies of the early era and from sheer intellectualism of the age of reason and enlightenment the church finally enters boldly into the very presence of God claiming the royal priesthood. From out of this total engrossment and surrender flowed power - great miracles and supernatural gifts. Ordinary people from all churches even from within the fold of Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches as well as from the Pentecostal and Brethren life emerged. Wherever the gospel is preached it was confirmed by power, gifts and wonders.

1 Pet 2: 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

But this new power and period also involves responsibility as otherwise Satan can duplicate the outward manifestations and mislead many. Hence Peter exhorts:

1 Pet. 4: 7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.

7.6 MYSTERY, BABYLON, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS

As Jesus prepares his bride so does Satan. In these days Satan is also pouring down his spirit. Just as Christ centered churches are coming up in existence, Satanic churches are also coming into being. It was a great a tactic of Satan to shatter all belief in the supernatural and in miracles first. Having established to his satisfaction that "thinking people everywhere do not believe in the person of Satan, Heaven or Hell" he is now back in the stage. If in the past theologians and ordained ministers questioned the reality of miracles and even the personality of Jesus of the Gospels, of his resurrection, to day we are witnessing an unprecedented come back to magic, witchcraft, occult, astrology, numerology, crystal gazing and finally to Satan himself.

The Church of Satan is an established church. It is strange that their worship follow the ceremonial worship of the Roman Church. The Harlot is getting ready.

On close heels comes heresies to keep seekers at bay. New churches claim new revelations that directly contradicts the written word of God. Theosophists, Mormons, Spiritism, Christian Science, Jehovah Witness, Shakers and Slainers. 2 Thess. 2:3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that day will not come, except there be a falling away first......"

There will be compromises between denominations, Romanism and even with other great religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Occult, Gnosticism. A powerful apostate church with outward form of religion with rituals, ceremonies, idols and sacrifices will be set up. A new world religion with its headquarters in the city of Seven Hills.

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