Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:

Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.

To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him.

And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying,

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me,

saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches. -Revelation 1:1-20

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.

The book of Apocalypses is one of the most wonderful prophetic letters of the bible. It is a special book in its own category, because it’s the one book that Jesus wrote through his angels scribed by John the Apostle while imprisoned on the Island of Patmos in the midst of persecution.

Apocalypse (ἀποκάλυψις, apokálypsis) is a Greek word meaning “revelation”, “the unveiling or the unfolding of things not known. I would say mysteries revealed.

In the English language this book is called “The Book of Revelation”, because it is the Revelation of Jesus Christ to His Bride the Church.

“God gave Him to show His servants”: The Father gave this revelation to the Lord Jesus to unveil mysteries about Himself, the battle plan, and end time events which are soon to take place.

“things which must shortly take place.”

This book is not only a prophetic message for the things “which will shortly take place”, but it has hidden rewards and secret benefits laid out deep inside for those who read it, obey it, and make it keep it during its unfolding. The book itself is the testimony of who Jesus is and His majesty.

And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.

The Angel of the Lord manifests this message to John. John in turns is given the message to give to the seven messengers of the seven churches in Asia Minor or present day Turkey.

Jesus chose the one apostle who bore witness of Him being the actual “Word of God” and to the testimony of Him being the Christ the messiah.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.-John 1:1-5

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.-John 1:14

For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.

-1 John 5:7

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!-Deuteronomy 6:4

John bore witness to all that he saw and alongside of him is accompanied an intermediary angel who is interrupting the vision and explaining him what he is seeing.

And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”-Revelation 19:10

The Book is called the Revelation of Jesus mainly because it reveals Jesus’ Majesty, intentions, leadership, and battle plan for the end times. You will know Him as King, Priest, and Prophet.  You will also see the majesty and beauty of the Lord Glorified and how He fits in with the Father and Holy Spirit as the Son of Man forever. How He shares His heart to the seven churches to correct, discipline, and bring them to maturity.  The instructions, corrections, and directions laid out for the Bride to know how to “make herself ready.”  He is coming back to a prepared bride. One that is unafraid of the unveiling.

• It’s a book not only about an event, but the man behind the plan—Jesus.
• There are 30 descriptions of Jesus’ Majesty and Ministry.
• Jesus talks about 18 or 22 eternal rewards depending on how you see them (some are possible repeats).
• Prepare the end-time church for the end-time events.
• How to deal with 6 specific temptations: Immorality, Idolatry, The Doctrine of the Nicoleatans, Leaving our first love, having a name that we are spiritually alive but we are actually dead, Luke-warmness (spiritual passivity)
• Three of the seven churches in their individuals’ lives needed to give themselves in a more concerted way.
• There are 7 pictures or letters of how an overcoming church should look like (Jesus’ solutions to these problems).
• Warning against fear, warning against what other people are thinking of you as you serve him faithfully, fear of rejection or persecution
• Promises when they overcome and to lay a hold of something and get a particular reward (18 eternal).

In these descriptions we learn who He is, how he thinks and feels, and what He through Holy Spirit is doing to get the Bride ready.  He is first a King in the lineage of David and then the Priest according to the order of Melchizedek and the Prophet of prophets like Moses.  He is the Bridegroom, King, and Judge.

The content of this book is unlike any other in the level of revelation and blessings which it offers.  The reciprocal is also true for the curses for those who add or remove to this prophecy:

For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. -Revelation 22:18-19

Take away his part in the Book of Life, the Holy City, and the things or Rewards which are written in this prophecy. This is very specific to the book of Revelation not the entire bible as some interpret. Although I believe there is a similar thing for those who add/remove to the other book of the bibles, but I don’t think It is as severe as tempering with the actual prophecy that Jesus gives Himself.

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

There are three things or three levels of blessings that Revelation one verse three offers:

Blessings is promised to those who;

• First “read it”
• Secondly to those who “hear it”
• Thirdly those who “keep it” or obey it as a lifestyle. Those who will use it during the time of it taking place and keeping it until death in-order to overcome.

One would argue that hear it means obeying as well and keeping it until death maybe to memorize and becoming the word made flesh, but either way it’s acting on it.

Those who keep the prophecy are acting on the prophecy by obeying Jesus, by saying it, and praying it to come to pass.

John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:

The seven churches which were in Asia minor of the time, present day Turkey:

Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea

Bible History.com photo resource

We will look in details each message to the seven churches and the remedies that Jesus gives to them.

Additional resources found in  Mike Bickle notes on the “Book of Revelation Study Guide.”

photo image credits: https://revelationillustrated.com/ by Paul Marvenko Smith

For those who would like to get a word or .pdf format of this teaching feel free to contact us at me@thierrynakoa.com 

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

“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.

So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—

I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.–Revelation 3:12-22 

Jesus knows our works. These works can be cold or hot. It shows in this that there are those who are lukewarm. These are neither cold nor hot. The Lord equates your works with who you are. You are either cold or hot. Lukewarm according to the Merriam-Webster also means lacking conviction and half-hearted besides moderately warm and tepidness.

This word of Lukewarm-ness reminds me of the following scripture which Jesus taught on the seed which represented the Word of God in the parable. Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.-Luk 8:14

These are believers who have heard the word of the Lord, but they “go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life.” These are the same that do not come to maturity because the seed doesn’t die to self and doesn’t reproduce itself. They don’t grow enough to be able to produce any fruit which is a sign of maturity of the lifecycle of the seed. When these go out of the shadow of the wings of the Lord, which is His presence and safety in community and counselors. They rely on the “riches and pleasures of life” which restricts the seed from growing. The things which would restrict growth would be the distractions of day to day worries, the idols of entertainment in our modern daily living. The pleasures of life are not evil when enjoyed in moderation, but when they begin to overtake us, we lose focus on the Word of the Lord—Jesus Himself. The hindrances we are talking about here are not just once or twice, but a steady lifestyle without discipline to overcome lukewarm attitude. The idols of entertainment are subversives’ tools used by the enemy to slowly pervert and corrupt our morals into seeing sinful behaviors as normal (our minds seared with a hot iron: “speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,…”-1Ti 4:2). The normalization of sinful behaviors reminds me of the metaphor of the boiling frog who is in a state placed in lukewarm water which is pleasurable and enjoyable. The frog is slowly subverted and deceived from the dangers of hot water, they remain, thinking they can get out whenever they feel they can. “Some would say, I am not addicted to this, I can lay it down whenever I want.” This type of behaviors and conduct removes the spirit of discipline and excellence from our conduct to want to serve the Lord with our original youthful love and zeal which we once had at our conversion. The excuse of saying that we are not being religious, but mindful of the culture of the world, falls in the same category.

On the other hand, let us look at the etymology of the word Laodicea and where the city was located and what those people stood for in history. The word comes from Latin and is referenced in Asia Minor for the early Christians who lived in modern day Turkey near the Lycus river. The name of the city was named after the wife of Antiochus II king of Syria, Laodicea was her name which means justice of the people or the place of people of common fairness. The city is 40 miles east of Ephesus and just southeast of Hierapolis. The city was originally called Diospolis and then Rhoas, before it was named Laodicea when it was rebuilt by the king of Syria mentioned above. This was one of the most important flourishing cities on Asia Minor at the time. It was also considered one of the chief seats of Christianity as mentioned in the following verses:

“For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh,…”-Col 2:1

“Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here. Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house. Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.”-Col 4:7-16

saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”-Rev 1:11

Laodicea was a place of great wealth.

“as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.”-Col 1:7-8

History tells us that Epaphras, Mark, and Timothy were the first to introduce the gospel there (Col 1:7).

“For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh . . . Colossians 2:1”

Although Paul mentions this city several times it appears that he did not physically visit personally.

What you are seeing today in America is the result of the Lord’s Judgment on America as a wealthy nation which has been normalized in the Laodiceans spirit of luke-warmness. Just like the city of ancient Laodicea which was a center of trade and banking business, the United States has become as such. In order for us to be able to triumph over this spirit over our nation, we must overcome by buying gold refined by His fire (there is a price to pay). The Lord is refiners’ fire and He is able to purge by His fire. Our destiny is to not be like the seed mentioned in Luke 8:14 which fell among thorns;

“Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.-Luke 8:14

America has become a place of much enjoyable riches and distractions from the cares of life which choke the seed or the word of God in our lives. Our entertainment and lifestyles have normalized sinful behavior to be tolerated and accepted. These idols in the lives of many Christians have influenced us to a place where we have been nurtured from bringing any fruit–which is the sign of maturity.

On the other hand, consider this time of trials and testing as a nation is to help us come out from among the filth of the world (Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” 2 Cor 6:17). The Mercies of God endures forever and triumph over judgment. We as a people must continue to seek the Lord in a manner which brings us to place of fruit and maturity. We must become churches not of operating in the confines of buildings, but which operates outside of them and into the world. Bringing the Lost into a place of maturity and joining ourselves to the unity of the Bride of Christ on the earth as one body. It seems to me the major restructuring I had begun to prophesy back in the 2015 is coming to pass. It’s coming to pass in a way none of us could have imagined.

The Lord is separating us from that which is lukewarm and lacking of passion. He is re-awakening the hearts and minds of many to a fiery zeal for what is first–The Love of Jesus, and souls (Our future brothers and sisters). Our passionate pursuit for what is Holy and clean should be of the utmost importance again. What is of the Kingdom of Heaven must be first again.

Again, we must submit to God and then resist the devil (James 4:7) by leaving this type of mediocre and un-disciplined lifestyle and the Lord will receive us. We must “Therefore be zealous and repent…,” because “He rebukes and chastens as many as He loves.” -Rev 3:19 We must return to our strong convictions and wholeheartedness for the things of God. We must place the first commandment as number one in our lifestyles. He loved us so that we maybe to love Him. When we love Him, we are easily able to love ourselves and those around us. This love through compassion is when we begin to release the kingdom. The kingdom is healing the sick, casting out demons, and preaching many unto salvation and making disciples of Jesus. This is what’s coming to American as we embrace the mercy of God for our nation. His desire for us is for us to be planted in His house forever.

So therefore, “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.”-Rev 3:18-19

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. -Rev 3:20-21

If you hear His voice in this message, repent and be zealous and set yourself on fire again for being in His presence. For the washing of the water of His Word over your spirit and soul is the process of sanctification. Pray that the Lord would cover you with His blood and His Mercy would triumph over the judgments and that you would be found in the riches of His grace through His Son Jesus Christ. It’s time for you to return to the Father’s house now. Right now! You may not have another day or moment of clarity. He is knocking on the door of your heart. He is ready to receive you with hugs of joy for your obedient heart in returning. He loves you.

What is Buying Gold Refine by His Fire?

It means we must pursuit and pay a very costly price. Character and the fruit of the spirit are very costly and these only come when patience has its perfect work

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. -Jas 1:2-4

The riches of this world do not compare to the glory to come. These earthly riches are corrupted and will not last long. There have no use for us in the after-life. We will not be able to take them with us, but the works we do for the Lord here on earth are transferable to our eternal life. Our hearts learning to love Jesus and those He has placed in our lives is what could be the gold or glory that could be transferable. Our trials and suffering and the fellowship of His suffering—this we must count it all joy.

What are the white garments?

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.-Jas 5:1-2.

Our clothing or garments on earth are perishable items and can be moth-eaten. We must put on the robes of righteousness as mentioned in Revelation 19:8 “And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.-Rev 19:8.”

First and foremost it His righteousness that makes up the base of the white garments and on top of that the works and “acts of the saints” are built on top of that plumb line.

Finally, this letter from Jesus to the saints is to show another facet of failure the body of Christ must guard itself from. It shows a manner the people of God and can backslid. The good thing the Lord Jesus does in this message is He always gives us a remedy on how to fix the problem. Those who can overcome these maladies will be able to come to maturity and therefore mature to inherit all that is described as rewards. We must begin to take these prophecies by Jesus himself not only personal, but as an end-time battle plan strategies on how to defeat our foes, and to equip the bride for the end time revival-awakening. The bride must make herself ready. The unfaithful attitude of the church must end and we must be mature sons. We must learn to walk in our pre-ordained power and authority now.

This message will continue to be very relevant to us now who live in the United States and all over the world today. I believe this message will still apply until we actually enter in the awaiting revival and greatest awakening we have all been waiting for.

being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;—Philippians 1:6

The Lord who has begun the good work in us will surely complete it, when we surrender our hearts to Him. How many of us can truly say we are on fire for the Lord and have been on a steady streak with the Lord? I believe we must ask the Lord to be the judge of this. Ask the Lord; Have I been on fire for you or a bit lukewarm? Be honest with the Lord. We need to press into the Lord with all our hearts and minds and strength like never before. We must be in a constant repentant mode asking the Lord to show us how “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked” we are. What are our blind spots in our spiritual relationship with the Lord? Are we so busy with the worries and day to day duties and matters that we forget and are distracted? Can we focus more?

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.—Colossians 3:1-2

We must continually renew our mind. Seeking those things which are above where Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father. We must clothes ourselves with garments of His righteousness.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.—Matthew 6:33

 Seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness while fulfilling the first commandments is a great reminder on how to remain steady and focused

 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.—Deuteronomy 6:5

 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”—Matthew 22:36-40

I believe there is always room for improvement when it comes to serving the Lord. The first step is recognizing that we must repent of any level of luke-warmeness in our lives, and then push delete and reset. Every day is a day to begin a new pursuit with the Lord. He is waiting. He is faithful till the end.

 Obedience of His instructions; Fasting and Praying with reading of the Word will re-ignite your will into the things of God. Preaching of the Word to new believers; Being a disciple to others. A constant re-awakening of the spirit with hunger for His presence and touch will be necessary.

 Fellowshipping with believers who are on fire for the Lord on a constant basis, by maintain accountability with them is a must for spiritual growth. Helping those in need.

 Daily Praise and Worship of the Lord

 Maintaining freedom from demonic oppression and subversion

SEVEN COMMITMENTS FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH (from IHOP-KC) 7 | P a g e The Loadicean Message

Additional study materials

Laodicea Bible Meaning: Justice of the people. Place Of People Of Common Fairness. Strong’s Concordance #G2993

Laodicea, because it lacked its own water supply, had to have it transported from the nearby city of Hierapolis. The water in Hierapolis came out of the ground hot. After its journey of six miles (9.6 kilometers) to the city, however, the water became lukewarm. Although cold water was desired for drinking purposes and hot water for bathing, lukewarm water was good for neither. Citizens had to make the water either hot or cold in order for it to be of use to them. Sourced from: https://www.biblestudy.org/meaning-names/laodicea.html

Like those in Laodicea and their water, God prefers dealing with people who are either hot (zealous for him and abound in good works) or cold (not converted). He does not like those who display only a half-hearted zeal toward him. https://www.biblestudy.org/meaning-names/laodicea.html

download this message here The Laodicean Message: