HISTORY OF THE

CHRISTIAN CHURCH
(Part 1)
Revelation 12:1-5
2 Timothy 3:16
Isaiah 28:9-10
2 Corinthians 13:1
Revelation 1:3
Revelation 1:1
2 Peter 1:20
Genesis 40:8
Revelation 12:1
Woman = church (Jeremiah 6:2; Isaiah 51:16; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 6:23)
Sun = God(Father, Son, Holy Ghost)(Psalms 84:11); Word of God(Psalms 119:105); Jesus = the Word of God
(John 14:1-3,14; Revelation 19:13)
Twelve = stands for organization of Gods church(12 tribes; 12 disciples; 12 apostles, etc.)
The line of prophecy in which these symbols are found, begins with Revelation 12, with the dragon that sought to
destroy Christ at his birth(GC 438.2)
Revelation 12:3
Red = Sins/Blood of Jesus (Isaiah 1:18)
Dragon = Satan/Roman Empire(see verses 3-4) (Revelation 12:9; Matthew 2:12-16)
The dragon is said to be Satan; [Revelation 12:9.] he it was that moved upon Herod to put the Saviour to death. But
the chief agent of Satan in making war upon Christ and his people during the first centuries of the Christian era, was
the Roman Empire, in which paganism was the prevailing religion. Thus while the dragon, primarily, represents Satan,
it is, in a secondary sense, a symbol of pagan Rome.(GC 438.2)
Revelation 12:4
Tail = Lies (Isaiah 9:15)
Stars of heaven = angels (Revelation 1:20)
Revelation 12:5
Man child = Jesus
READ Revelation 12:6-13

The reasons why we are denominated people of God are to be repeated and repeated 1905 {8MR 427.1}

***continue on next page for Part II***

HISTORY OF THE
CHRISTIAN CHURCH
(Part 2)
Revelation 12:6-13
Revelation 12:6
Woman = church (Jeremiah 6:2; Isaiah 51:16; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23)
A thousand two hundred threescore days = 1260 days or Literal 1260 years(score = 20)
A day = a year when dealing with prophecy(see Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6)
Revelation 12:7
Dragon = Satan (Revelation 12:9)
Revelation 12:12
Short time(see Rev 22:12) = 2 days for God; 2,000 years for us; 1,000 yrs here = 1 day with God
See 2 Peter 3:8 and Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 5:5

How did Satan persecute Gods church after Jesus went back to heaven?

Read Hebrews 11:36-38

2 Timothy 3:12

Why?
1 Peter 5:8
Isaiah 59:15

Who were the first of those persecuted?

Loyal Stephen was stoned to death

(Acts 7:51-6034 AD) (Jesus went back to heaven 31 AD)
Stephen was stoned after giving the history of the church of his day (see Acts 6:9-7:50)
It was the leaders of his day who fought against the history of the church Stephen was sharing

When we start teaching the history of the SDA church, persecution will ariseBut Jesus says be of good cheer, I have
overcome the worldgreater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. (John 16:33; 1 John 4:4)

12 Disciples were Martyred

1. James beaten in the head
2. Thomas darted
3. Simon - crucified
4. Another Simon crucified upside down
5. Mark burned & buried
6. Bartholomew beaten with staves, crucified, and beheaded
7. Andrew crucified
8. Matthew speared
9. Philip crucified & stoned to death
10. James stoned & beaten in the head
11. Peter crucified upside down (Nero)
12. Paul beheaded (Nero)

Read Foxes Book of Martyrs (Pages 1-13)

Go to Roman Emperors Page found right here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Roman_emperors
Then Read Luke 2:1 and Luke 3:1

There were 10 persecutions. We will only go over 5 major persecution times under 8 Roman leaders
1st persecution: NERO 64 AD June 9, 68 AD
4th Caesar after Augustus; 3rd Caesar after Tiberius; 2nd Caesar after Caligula; 1st after Claudius
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Roman_emperors
Nero had both Peter and Paul killed
1st persecution period ceased under Vespasian(father of Titus and Domitian)
Vespasian ruled from Dec. 21 69 AD June 24, 79 AD
-It was under Vespasian and Titus that Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD
-Christ prophesied about the destruction of Jerusalem(Matt 24:15-18; Luke 21:20-21;
Luke 19:41-44

2nd persecution: DOMITIAN(brother of Titus) September 14, 81 AD September 18, 96 AD

John the Beloved and writer of Revelation was exiled to Patmos by him
After Domitians death, John was released to Ephesus in 97 AD
-Christians killed in Roman Coliseum under Domitian

3rd persecution: TRAJAN (January 28, 98 AD August 7, 117 AD)

4th persecution: MARCUS AURELIUS (March 7, 161 AD Mar 17, 180 AD)
5th 9th persecutions: (181-283)
10th persecution: DIOCLESIAN (November 20, 284 AD May 1, 305 AD)
MAXIMIAN (April 1, 286 AD May 1, 305 AD)
GALERIUS (May 1, 305 AD May 311 AD)
CONSTANTIUS (May 1, 305 AD Jul 25, 306 AD)

THE CHURCH IN THE WILDERNESS:

Pagan Kings were after Gods church until 538 AD
Papal Rome after Gods church from 538-1798(this is where the 1260 of Daniel & Revelation comes in)
300-1300 AD - Waldensians & Albigenses
Crusaders against the Waldensians
1300s John Wycliffe(England)
Morning star of the Reformation
Translated the Bible to English
1400s - Huss & Jerome(Bohemia) burned at the stake
Crusaders against the Bohemians
SEE PICTURE OF CRUSADERS
http://www.allsculptures.com/proddetail.php?prod=Armor+Crusader+With+Axe%2FShield%2FMaltese+Cross+S
tatue&gclid=CIqorcnP58ACFYqBfgodYyAA0w#.VBkp9xarmZQ
1500s
-Martin Luther(Germany)
had a very strong belief in the power of prayer
taught righteousness by faithdid not believe in penances
Lutheran Church
-Melancthon
Luthers partner in spreading the message in Germany
-Tyndale(England)
completed work of Wycliffe
-Barnes & Frith
friends of Tyndales
-Erasmus
-Calvin(Paris)
Calvinist Church
the Bible is the book of morals we are to live by and not the Papacy

-Zwingli(Swiss people)
burnt at the stake
-Knox(Scotland)
witnessed to Queen Mary, Queen of Scotland(sister of Queen Elizabeth of England)
he taught the Bible is our standard book
he taught to believe the religion prohibited by the state
Presbyterian church
***The Jesuits were raised up to crush out the Reformers and the Reformation
http://www.ianpaisley.org/article.asp?ArtKey=jesuit
1500s-1600s:
John Smyth
-Founder of the Baptist church
1600s:
John Robinson
-Puritans(Pilgrims)
-pastor of the Pilgrims
-sent Pilgrims to America for safe refuge
-He did not go to America. Stayed behind to preach to those who didnt cross the shore
-Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock in America in 1620
-advocated that the truth is progressive and they did not have all the light that God was to
give

William Bradford
-2nd governor of Plymouth Colony(where the Pilgrims lived)
-advocated that the truth is progressive and they did not have all the light that God was to
give

1700s:
John and Charles Wesley
-Fathers of the Methodist Church
-used to witness to Church of England that became very formal
-Preachers of Righteousness by Faith
-Came to America to Preach
-Sister White and her family were Methodists when she was a young girl

***Through these faithful men that came out of the Reformation, the message was spread all over Europe:
England, Germany, Rome, Netherlands, Scandinavia, Bohemia, France Switzerland, and more
And there were several other men in between these dates that the Lord raised up to spread the Reformation

HISTORY OF THE
CHRISTIAN CHURCH
(Part 3)
THE CHURCHES THAT CAME OUT OF THE REFORMATION ARE THE:
Lutheran Church
Calvinist Church
Baptist Church
Presbyterian Church
Puritans (Pilgrims)(these were a collection of all the above churches but included purity of other things)
Methodist Church
The Lord raised up those denominations out of the Dark Ages. These were the churches that were responsible in the
Reformation movement. Their purpose was to point us back to the messages(symbolized by the furniture) found in the
courtyard and The Holy place of the earthly sanctuary that the Roman Catholic church symbolically removed(the
messages) out of sight from the people and had completely changed.
They eventually fled for freedom by coming to The New World that would later become known as the United States of
America. In their(Pilgrims) voyage to America, they brought with them the King James Bible. To learn the major
difference of all the other versions, please watch the following links.

NEW AGE BIBLE VERSIONS by: Gail Riplinger

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GijmNGyBJE0
NEW KING JAMES BIBLE Exposed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpnTQ6EXJrI

READ: Psalms 77:13 Gods way is in the Sanctuary

READ: John 14:6 Jesus is the Way. No man goes to the Father(in the West of the Courtyard) but through Him
***In order to know Gods way and all about Jesus, we need to study the Sanctuary. It was Satans purpose to remove
these truths from the people during the Dark Ages(see Psalms 119:105).When you take the word(light)away, you have
darkness

IN THE COURTYARD OF THE SANCTUARY WE HAVE:

Altar of sacrifice(Exodus 27:1-8; 38:1-7)

represents Christs sacrifice/blood shed for us
The Catholic Church says, Jesus wont save you, We must go through Mary
The Reformation was pointing back to Christ as the only true Savior(Acts 4:12)
The Brasen Laver(Exodus 30:17-21)
represents Baptism
they couldnt get immersed at the time due to their location.
but the priests completely washed their feet and hands
The Catholic church says you dont need to be immersed
The Baptists brought back the truths surrounding true baptism(Mark 1:6-10)
Infants and small children were not to be baptized(Matthew 28:19-20)
Hebrews 9:1-2
Exodus 25:8-9
Exodus 26:33

IN THE HOLY PLACE OF THE SANCTUARY WE HAVE:

Tables of Shewbread = The Word God(Exodus 25:23-30; Leviticus 24:5-9)

The Catholic Church says they are above the the Word of God(Bible)
Luther and other Reformers declared that the Bible was the infallible Word of God and was above the
Church.
Their goal was to point people back to the sacred scriptures(the Bible)
The Golden Candlestick with the Oil = The churches/The Holy Spirit(Exodus 25:31-40; 37:17-24; Lev 24:1-4)
The Holy Spirit = Gods representative on earth
READ John 14:26; John 16:7-8, 13
The Catholic Church says that the Pope is Gods representative on earth
The Altar of Incense = The prayers of the saints(Exodus 30:1-6; 37:25-29)
Revelation 8:4
The Catholic church tells us to confess to a priest and pray to Mary
The Reformation churches were pointing people back to true prayer;
pray to the Father in the sons name
READ: Matthew 6:9 (Jesus says to pray to the Father)
READ: John 14:6 (we must pray in Jesus name)

So now you have these Protestant churches that were mentioned before, they were persecuted in Europe. They fled to
America for freedom and to worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience.
AFTER THE PROTESTANT CHURCHES FLED TO AMERICA FOR FREEDOM OF RELIGION, WHAT CHURCH, AFTER 1798(1260
year reign of the Papacy from 538-1798) WAS LIFTED UP TO POINT PEOPLE TO THE PIECE OF FURNITURE IN THE MOST
HOLY PLACE, POINTING THEM BACK TO THE WORSHIP OF ALL 10 COMMANDMENTS, INCLUDING THE SABBATH?
IN THE MOST HOLY PLACE OF THE SANCTUARY WE HAVE:
The Ark of the Covenant = The Ten Commandments(Exodus 25:10-22; 37:1-9; Exodus 20:3-17)
The Catholic Church have removed the 2nd commandment that says not to have any idols or graven images
and not to bow down to them (see Exodus 20:3-6)
The Catholic Church, in order to make up for the 2nd commandment they ripped out, have split the
10th commandment in two.
The Catholic Church has also attempted to change the 4th commandment by stating that we must
keep Sunday, which they acknowledge as an institution of their own doing(see Daniel 7:23-25)

READ Revelation 12:15-17

READ Revelation 19:10

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_05071998_dies-domini_en.html
The history of the Reformation teaches us that the church of Christ is never to come to a standstill and cease

reforming.(this is why there were several denominations that came out of the Reformatory movement)
After 1798, in America, God raised up a church(the SDA church) that would point people back to all 10
commandments, including the Sabbath AND they would be teaching the prophecies of the Bible.They are a
prophetic church, meaning, they can explain to you the prophecies of Daniel & Revelation. Something no other
protestant church can do.
Those who have seen the truth and felt its importance, and have had an experience in the things of God, are to
teach sound doctrine to their children. They should make them acquainted with the great pillars of our faith, the
reasons why we are Seventh-day Adventists--why we are called, as were the children of Israel, to be a peculiar
people, a holy nation, separate and distinct from all other people on the face of the earth{CG 495.1}
After the passing of the time [1844], God entrusted to His faithful followers the precious principles of present
truth. . . . Those who passed through these experiences are to be as firm as a rock to the principles that have
made us Seventh-day Adventists.(2SM 389.4)

We are Seventh-day Adventists. Are we ashamed of our name? We answer, "No, no! We are not. It is the
name the Lord has given us. It points out the truth that is to be the test of the churches."--Letter 110, 1902.
{2SM 384.1}
We are Seventh-day Adventists, and of this name we are never to be ashamed. As a people we must take a
firm stand for truth and righteousness. Thus we shall glorify God. We are to be delivered from dangers, not
ensnared and corrupted by them. That this may be, we must look ever to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our
faith.-- Letter 106, 1903. {2SM 384.2}
Seventh-day Adventists have been chosen by God as a peculiar people, separate from the world. By the great
cleaver of truth He has cut them out from the quarry of the world, and brought them into connection with
Himself. He has made them His representatives, and has called them to be ambassadors for Him in the last
work of salvation. The greatest wealth of truth ever entrusted to mortals, the most solemn and fearful
warnings ever sent by God to man, have been committed to them to be given to the world{7T 138.2}

NEXT STUDY: Part 4: The 1260 Years

HISTORY OF THE
CHRISTIAN CHURCH
(Part 4)
Revelation 12:14-15
Woman = church (Jeremiah 6:2; Isaiah 51:16; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 6:23)
Wings as Eagles = a people who wait and trust on God (Exodus 19:4)
= Being protected and led by God; not having any false god during this time (Deut 32:11-12)
= a people who do not become weary or faint (Isaiah 40:31)
Wilderness = Country places out of the cities; non-inhabited places; desolate places of the earth
Time, times, and half a time = 1260 prophetic days or literal years
Time = 1 year or 360 days
Times = 2 years or 720 days
a Time = 360 divided in half which = 180 days
360 + 720 + 180 = 1,260 prophetic days or literal years(see Numbers 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:6)
Other terminology for this time period is found in:
Revelation 11:2 = forty two months
Revelation 11:3 = a thousand, two hundred
threescore days(score = 20)
Revelation 12:6 = a thousand, two hundred and
threescore days
Revelation 13:5 = forty and two months
Daniel 7:25 = a time, and times, and the dividing
of time
Daniel 12:7 = a time, times, and a half
Water = Multitudes of people (Revelation 17:15)
Flood = The enemy (Isaiah 59:19)
= Destroying storm(Isaiah 28:2); A flood of mighty waters overflowing
***Satan is here sending in enemies to destroy Gods people/church, but God will protect
Revelation 12:16
Earth = New World/Land(which later becomes the land of the U.S.)(See Revelation 13:10-11)
Dragon = Satan/Roman Empire(see verses 3-4) (Revelation 12:9; Matthew 2:12-16)
Revelation 12:17
Commandments of God = The Ten Commandments(Read Eccles 12:13-14; John 14:15;
Matthew 19:17-19; 1 Corinthians 7:19; 1 John 2:3-4; Matthew 7:21-23; Psalms 40:8;
1 John 5:3; Revelation 22:14;)
Testimony of Jesus = The Spirit of Prophecy(Revelation 19:10)

So, Gods last day church

Would be a church that came up after 1798 when the Pope was taken prisoner by General Berthier. It would be
Would be a church to raise up in America. This church
would point people back to the Law of God(10 Commandments) found in the Most Holy Place inside the Ark of
the Covenant; the law that the Catholic Church was trying to get people to turn away from. This church would
be
pointing people back to Gods Holy Day, the 7th Day Sabbath(See Genesis 2:2-3 and Exodus 20:8-11; Isaiah 58:1214). This church
would not only keep the 7th Day Sabbath, but it would have the gift of prophecy within its church. It is a church
that is able to explain the prophecies of Daniel & Revelation.
*THERE IS ONLY ONE CHURCH THAT FITS THIS DESCRIPTION AND THAT IS THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
*Ask the person that shared this study with you to tell you of an SDA Church in your area that is teaching these things