Sunday School School
August 17, 2025
The Preparation of the Church for the Rapture - Book of Revelation - Part LXI
Sunday School School
August 17, 2025 Aug. 2025 | Volume 6 |
The Preparation of the Church for the Rapture - Book of Revelation - Part LXI
The Sunday Bible School on August 17th was held live, directly from the Maranatha Christian Church Communications Center in Vila Velha, Espírito Santo, with the participation of Pastors Alexandre Gueiros, Gilson Sousa, Alexandre Brasil, Marcelo Ferreira, 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 Bible School. Today, the Sunday Bible School will be special, with the conclusion of the study of the seven letters.
Question
[Answered via video contribution]
Reading Revelation, chapter 3, verses 17 and 18, identify the relationship between the following characteristics of the church of Laodicea and the advice of the Lord Jesus. Make the prophetic application to our days.
Answer:
a. Baptism with the Holy Spirit – the church clothed with the power of the Holy Spirit, to bear witness to the Lord Jesus. It does not know that it is poor, because it does not have
the power of the Holy Spirit. It wants to do God’s work without the resources of the Holy Spirit, but rather with the resources of reason, with its own strength. It wants to live in the holy way without the power of the Holy Spirit.
b. Spiritual Discernment – in this prophetic time of spiritual darkness that the world is experiencing, the church needs to have a clear vision of the Lord’s Work, knowing how to discern between light and darkness. It does not discern what is sin, it intermingles with the world, it copies the world and its ways, its manner of speaking and dressing, for example.
c. Experience of Salvation – The lack of experience of salvation reveals the spiritual nakedness of the church of Laodicea. It has no garments of salvation, that is, garments washed in the blood of the Lamb. Its testimony of life reveals that it has no fellowship with the Lord. It does not have a life transformed by the power of the blood of Jesus, nor does it live in sanctification by the Spirit.
“[...] and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.” Revelation 3:17. Pastor
Gilson Sousa leading Sunday School
The Preparation of the Church for the Rapture - Book of Revelation - Part LXI
“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.” Revelation 3:18.
Message from Pastor Alexandre Gueiros:
I greet all the brethren with the peace of the Lord. Today we are concluding our study of the seven letters in the book of Revelation. We will present the conclusions of this study. The letters were addressed to the seven local churches in Asia.
First, we observe that in the seven letters, the Lord continues to reveal Himself as the One who supplies all the needs of His church, for this life and for eternity. The Lord presents Himself as the author and finisher of our salvation, and present in all phases of church history. Each of the seven letters speaks of a period of the church. All of God’s Word is useful for our teaching, edification, and correction, and so it is with the seven letters. Although the letters refer to the seven phases of church history, we see lessons that apply to us in each of these moments.
When talking about the seven letters to the churches of Asia, it is important to emphasize that the Lord’s church is only one church, which is being prepared for the rapture, the faithful church. From the first to the last letter, we see the moments that the church experienced. The church begins in Ephesus and ends with the rapture. The Holy Spirit was poured out in the time of Ephesus, and this same Spirit will take the church to heaven for eter-
nity. Throughout the history of the church, the Holy Spirit has been at work. The most important thing was always to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. When we listen to the Holy Spirit, we receive the secrets of heaven, the mysteries contained in the Word of God.
When we hear the Holy Spirit speak, we enjoy the wonderful grace of the Lord Jesus. As we listen, we discover the treasure and riches of the living Word, the power of Jesus’ blood, and we understand how the Holy Spirit has led His Church from its beginning until the rapture.
In this journey, the Holy Spi-
rit identifies all the ages (time periods) of the church, with all its obstacles and battles. At all times, the Lord brought encouragement and sustenance to the life of the church.
Throughout its history, the church has triumphed through the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Today, we also have a promise of victory. Therefore, do not be alarmed by trials and struggles, because if you are listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit, it is the sure guidance we have, as a church and individually, so you will also be victorious. [Pastor Alexandre Brasil].
Pastor Alexandre Gueiros leading the Sunday School summary
The Preparation of the Church for the Rapture - Book of Revelation - Part LXI
The letter to the Church of Ephesus
Nowadays, we find brothers and sisters going through similar struggles, as in the time of Ephesus. At that time, we find the church being strengthened in the face of opposition that arose at the time because of the Judaizers* and false apostles. But the church, living through Pentecost, was already experiencing the full operation of the Holy Spirit. It was the church that experienced first love. But some wavered. Are we seeing this in our church today? Or have we already begun to forget our first love? First love refers to the wonderful experience of salvation. The desire of those who have the first love is to testify about Jesus to their family and friends. Evangelism was a characteristic of the church in Ephesus. The great evangelism of the first century was extraordinary.
The church was faithful, kept the Word, was victorious, and lived that blessing.
The letter to the Church of Smyrna
We recall that, in the letter to Smyrna, the church experienced a time of great persecution. Many lost their material possessions. But the Lord said, “You are rich.”.
“I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan” Revelation 2:9 (added emphasis).
The church was rich in God’s grace, in the work of the Holy Spirit, which led it to praise the Lord in the midst of tribulation, in the face of material losses. This church reminds us of our need to deny ourselves. To understand that it is worth renouncing the things of this
life when they prevent us from fully experiencing spiritual blessings. Many times, we go through tribulations and ask for them to cease. But we forget that the Lord has a plan in our tribulation. Today, the Lord is working in the lives of
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The Preparation of the Church for the Rapture - Book of Revelation - Part LXI
many people, in the face of our tribulation, when we remain steadfast, witnessing and giving thanks to the Lord for all that we have received from Him. These blessings are worth much more than a peaceful life in the material sense.
Job had a moment of great struggle, but he persevered in keeping the Word of the Lord. The Lord was glorified in Job’s attitude. In his suffering, he was praying for his friends. Smyrna’s suffering is an example for us. The word of the Lord to Smyrna was:
“[...] Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
Revelation 2:10
We must not forget this promise.
The letter to the Church of Pergamos
Pergamos means “perverted marriage.” It is the danger that lies before us in marrying the world (in the sense of bringing worldly things into the church). We must grow through the renewal of our understanding.
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2..
We cannot accept conforming to what the world preaches regarding our daily relationships, because the Holy Spirit dwells in us. We remember that the church, throughout the ages, has been victorious and has not accepted that perverted marriage that most of Christianity, seeking ecclesiastical power, has accepted. The faithful church has continued to persevere in doctrine and faithful-
ness to the Lord. Today, we are faced with the proposal of ecumenism, which we will never accept.
The letter to the Church of Thyatira
During this period, heretical doctrines and pressure from religious authorities arose. The fruit of the Spirit is listed in the letter: love, faithfulness (service), perseverance in faith, and obedience to the Lord’s guidance.
“I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.” Revelation 2:19.
In the midst of that tribulation, the Lord observes and says that the last works would be greater than the first. The final advice was for them to keep His Word. This advice was present in all the letters. And, for the first time, the Lord speaks of His coming in Thyatira
“But hold fast what you have till I come.” Revelation 2:25.
The Letter to the Church of Sardis
Sardis speaks of the remnants, those who were about to die. The Lord sees His servants, those who have not been defiled, and says that they will walk in white garments.
“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.
There is a blessing for those who wash their garments in the blood of Jesus.
“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through
the gates into the city.” Revelation 22:14.
The advice to Sardis is: “Behold, I am coming as a thief.” Today, there are few faithful remnants. But thank God, the Lord has revealed to us how to live in sanctification, with our garments washed in the blood of the Lamb.
The letter to the Church of Philadelphia
“Phileo” means “love” and ‘adelphos’ means “brethren.” Thus, Philadelphia means brotherly love. This love characterizes this period. It was the love that was present in Ephesus that led the church to evangelize the world. This love is emphasized in Philadelphia. In Philadelphia, this love once again worked to evangelize the world. Missionaries were sent to China, Japan, and all parts of the world. Evangelism thus reaches the ends of the earth. The door of evangelism has been opened.
“[...] See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it [...]” Revelation 3:8.
This great revival continues to this day.
The Word was rediscovered in Sardis, and in Philadelphia, the great work of the Holy Spirit comes with the discovery of the pearl of great price.
The Letter to the Church of Laodicea
Let us not emphasize the negative aspect, where many people are becoming spiritually lukewarm. Love has grown cold and is dying out in the hearts of many. But during this period, the Lord is working in the lives of many who are lukewarm, because the Lord wants to save them, baptize
The Preparation of the Church for the Rapture – Book of Revelation - Part LXI
them with the Holy Spirit and with fire, and give them garments of salvation. And finally, the Lord is granting, in addition to the garments of salvation, a life worthy of sanctification and spiritual discernment (eye salve for their eyes).
“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.”
Revelation 3:18.
Thus, we are all being prepared for the return of the Lord Jesus. We must hold on to what we have until Jesus comes, as the Lord Jesus himself says. We have come to the end of this study and would like to conclude by pointing out four things that are common to all seven letters. All of them relate to the Lord Jesus because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
The first point that is shared by all the letters is the presence of Jesus. Each letter always begins by talking about His presence. Even in times such as Pergamos and Thyatira, He was present to care for the faithful.
The second point is the Word of the Lord. God does His work through His Word. The verses are clear:
“[...] for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” Revelation 3:8 (added emphasis)
“Because you have kept My command to persevere, I will also keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.” Revelation
3:10 (added emphasis).
The church keeps the Word and lives the blessing that is given to us through it.
The third common point is: “He who has ears, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” In other words, the Holy Spirit has never stopped speaking to the Church. Even in times like those in Thyatira, the Lord did not remain silent. The Holy Spirit is committed to caring for the Church. The key point is “listen.” This was the great advice throughout the centuries.
And the last common point in the letters refers to the fact that Jesus shows that he is present, and at the end records a promise for those who overcome.
Ephesus: “[...] To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” Revelation 2:7.
Smyrna: “[...] He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” Revelation 2:11.
Pergamos: “[...] To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a White stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” Revelation 2:17.
Thyatira: “And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations.” Revelation 2:26.
Sardis: “He who overcomes shall be clothes in White garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His
angels.” Revelation 3:5.
Philadelphia: “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God[...].” Revelation 3:12.
He ends the letter to Laodicea with a promise.
To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne [...].” Revelation 3:21.
We are also concluding this study, but we live under a promise: the church is victorious through the blood of the Lamb. For us, that is everything. “We are under that promise. The Word has prevailed. Those who prevailed were those who listened, because Jesus is present. Jesus is present in all phases of the church, present in every moment of the church. [Pastor Marcelo Ferreira].
May the Lord bless us.
Pr. Alexandre Rubem Milito Gueiros President of the Maranatha Christian Church