What title was given to the fourth state of the church?
Answer
"Unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write." Verse 18.
NOTE - Thyatira means song of labor, or sacrifice of contrition, and points out the condition of
God's people during the long, dark period of 126o years, beginning with the establishment of papal
supremacy in AD. 538, and closing with the downfall of that power in 1798. See notes on page 27, Vol. IL
During that time, millions of the saints of God were put to death in the most cruel manner that wicked men
and demons could invent. Christ referred to this time in His wonderful prophecy recorded in Matthew 24,
in these words: "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this
time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should he shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but
for the elect's sake those days shall he shortened." The tribulation of the 1260 years was cut short through
the influence of the Reformation.
Who was this promised seed?
How was the ceremonial law made known to Israel?
What was Christ's reply?
On what day was John in the Spirit?
Under what striking symbol was all this foretold?
How should we sympathize with others in their sorrows?
Of what will the saints speak?
Questions & Answers are from the book Bible Readings for the Home Circle