Sunday Bible School
January 26, 2025
The Preparation of the Church for the Rapture - Revelation - Part XXXIV
January 26, 2025
The Preparation of the Church for the Rapture - Revelation - Part XXXIV
Summary of the president’s message
The Sunday Bible School on January 26th, 2025, was held live, directly from the Communications Center of the Maranatha Christian Church, Vila Velha, Espírito Santo, with the participation of pastors Gedelti Gueiros, Gilson Sousa and Josias Junior
Message from pastor Gilson Sousa:
We greet all our brethren with the peace of the Lord Jesus! We are starting the Sunday Bi-
ble School. The subject to be presented is the book of Revelation: the message of the Holy Spirit resonates in the midst of the Faithful Church, in relation to the prophetic markers that are being fulfilled in our day, in the preparation of the Church for the rapture.
Pastor Gilson Sousa presented the answers given by various brethren to the questions posed, as well as various experiences and testimonies.
Question
Answered through a video contribution
Reading Revelation, chapter 3,
verse 1a compared with Revelation, chapter 2, verse 1a, what is the relationship between the glorious title of the Lord Jesus in Ephesus and Sardis?
Answer:
Ephesus: Apostolic ChurchGlorious title of Jesus: he who has the seven stars and walks in the midst of the seven lampstands. Operation of the Seven Spirits of God in Ephesus: to enable the church to enter the world, sowing the seed of the Gospel.
Sardis: Church of the 16th Century Religious ReformationGlorious title of Jesus: The one with the Seven Spirits of God and the seven stars. Operation of the Seven Spirits of God in Sardis: to enable the church to leave the world for its rapture.
“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds seven starts in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands ...” Revelation 2:1
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven starts: ...” Revelation 3:1
Question
Pr. Gilson Souza conducting the Sunday Bible School
The Preparation of the Church for the Rapture - Revelation - Part XXXIV
Answered through a video contribution
Reading Revelation, chapter 3, verse 3, the remnant of Thyatira, in Sardis, were told by the Lord Jesus to repent of the imperfect works of Thyatira. What are these imperfect works brought from Thyatira?
Answer: the works resulting from mixing the woman’s leaven into the three measures of wheat. False teaching, prostitution/sexual immorarily and idolatry.
“Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you know not what hour I will come upon you.” Revelation 3:3
Question
Answered through a video contribution
Reading Revelation, chapter 3, verse 3, what was the main responsibility of the remnant in Sardis regarding what they had received and heard?
Answer: Because the last works of the remaining faithful ones who came from Thyatira pleased the Lord, for they were done by those who had not defiled their garments and were worthy to walk in white with the Lord. These were the pre-reformers.
“You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.” Revelation 3:4
“I know your works, love, servisse, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.” Revelation 2:19
Message from Pastor Edson Iahn:
Among the pre-reformers was Jerome of Prague (a contemporary of John Huss). Jan Hus was burned at the stake in 1415. Jerome of Prague signed a letter denying his faith in order to be pardoned by the Inquisition. But he later repented and was burned to death a year later as a result.
Savonarola, in Italy, was burned alive in 1498; he and two of his disciples.
William Tyndale, in 1524, after Luther had placed the the-
ses in Wittenberg Cathedral, translated the New Testament into English. And he distributed them secretly. But in 1536, he was burned in the public square. He left one word at his death at the stake: “Lord, open the King of England’s eyes”.
Message from pastor Gedelti Gueiros:
The last works, referred to in the letter to Thyatira, were those of the pre-reformers, who did not deny the faith and continued this journey. These works were greater than the others.
It’s important to follow history
Pr. Gedelti Gueiros conducting the summary of the Sunday Bible School
The Preparation of the Church for the Rapture - Revelation - Part XXXIV
because there were great persecutions. In 1536, Brazil was 36 years old (after its discovery). Look at the time and where we are today. There were servants of God living at that time. The unfaithful Church destroyed all those who rose up against it. You couldn’t have the so-called “Protestant faith”.
So, we see a story that unfolded centuries ago with struggles and trials, but here we are as remnants. The word “remnants” is very important to us.
The church today, this handful who are here, and the others, scattered around the world, regardless of organization, are living in the last days. There is a Protestantism that is over, a Christianity that no longer exists.
I remember when we were in a traditional church. We were a part of a community. I was an elder in the church. On Sundays, the Bible School had around 130 students. It was a struggle. And I said: “We can’t go on like this”.
I said: “I only have two options. Either I go to the world, or something has to happen in my life. This doesn’t satisfy me. I can’t live with what’s here.”
People believed that if they simply went to the evening service, they were saved. Many people still think like this currently.
Then the Lord began to do a Work. A pastor came and held a series of conferences. He was baptized with the Holy Spirit. And from 130, the Bible School grew to more than 300 people.
It was the answer the Lord was giving us. I didn’t know that the baptism with the Holy Spirit existed.
The blessing has always been the same for the world, ever since Pentecost. We saw the first outpouring at the feast of Pentecost. It happened at the time of Ephesus. Ephesus had the responsibility of delivering the Word. But in Sardis a new outpouring takes place with the aim of preparing the church for the rapture. In what way? Through a complete change. It would be through the Revealed Word, the Baptism with the Holy Spirit, the pleading for the blood of Jesus, the ministry bestowed by the Holy Spirit, among other operations.
We are the remnant, a small group with the responsibility not to die as the church of Thyatira died.
That is the blessing we have received. We are the remnant. Not many are saved. There
are only a few. Religion is one thing, but the Gospel and salvation comprise an experience with the Lord.
May the Lord Bless us.
Pr.
Gedelti Gueiros President of the Maranata Christian Church
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Sunday Bible School
January 26, 2025
The Preparation of the Church for the Rapture - Revelation - Part XXXIV