Antipas is a figure in the Bible whose name might not be as familiar as some of the more prominent biblical characters. However, his story is one of unwavering faith and steadfastness, making him a noteworthy and inspiring character in the Christian narrative. In this blog post, we will explore the role of Antipas in the Bible and the lessons his story offers to believers.
Churchgist will give you all you ask on Antipas in the Bible: A Faithful Witness in Challenging Times, Who is “Antipas” in Revelation 2:13, Who Was Antipas and so much more.
Who Was Antipas?:
Antipas is mentioned in the Book of Revelation in the New Testament. He is described as a faithful witness and a martyr for his faith. The passage that references him is found in Revelation 2:13 (NIV):
“I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.”
Antipas was a member of the early Christian community in the city of Pergamum, an important center of worship in the Roman Empire. Pergamum was known for its grand temples and altars dedicated to various deities, including the Emperor. It was in this spiritually challenging environment that Antipas remained steadfast in his faith.
Antipas as a Faithful Witness:
Antipas is commended as a “faithful witness” by Jesus in the Book of Revelation. Despite living in a city characterized as a place where “Satan has his throne,” Antipas did not renounce his faith in Christ. His unwavering commitment to Christ, even in the face of persecution and the threat of death, showcases the kind of devotion and dedication that many believers aspire to.
Lessons from Antipas:
- Faithfulness in Adversity: Antipas demonstrates the importance of remaining faithful to one’s beliefs, even in challenging circumstances. His story reminds us that faith is often tested, but it can stand strong when anchored in Christ.
- Courage in the Face of Persecution: Antipas’s willingness to endure persecution and martyrdom rather than renounce his faith serves as a powerful example of Christian courage and conviction.
- The Uncompromising Witness: Antipas’s life challenges us to be unwavering witnesses for Christ, even when surrounded by opposing beliefs and practices.
- Christ’s Acknowledgment: Antipas received recognition and commendation from Christ Himself for his faithfulness. This reminds us that our devotion to Christ does not go unnoticed, and there is an eternal reward for those who stand firm.
Relevance Today:
Antipas’s story is relevant in today’s world, where many Christians face various forms of adversity, whether it’s cultural opposition, persecution, or the temptation to compromise their faith. His example encourages believers to remain faithful witnesses and unwavering in their commitment to Christ.
Who is “Antipas” in Revelation 2:13?
The Christian church has passed through 7 stages in its 2000 years of history. Jesus said a seed must fall into the ground and die before germinating into life with leaves and pollen and then finally producing seeds that are identical to the first seed that was planted.
The New Testament and the first church age that was established by the apostles was the seed that God planted. The church age of Ephesus, which means “relaxed or aimed at”. Nicolaitans were the enemy. Nico to conquer. Laity, the congregation. Human leadership took control of the early church. God hated that. Paul appointed a group of elders to run the church at Ephesus. Not a single man. “Pastor” is only mentioned once in the New Testament and has no Bible authority to be the head of the church.
But people were relaxed and let this unscriptural one-man-is-in-charge-of -the-church doctrine pass. It was an efficient way to grow a church, like growing a business. Numbers multiplied but truth began to disappear. Today there are 45000 different kinds of denominations and churches and over 100 different editions of the English Bible. So thanks to human leaders, who all have their own opinions and agendas, truth is basically getting lost in a river of error. A real spiritual swamp that is heading for the fire of the Tribulation.
There never was a Christian Balaam in church history. Nor was there ever a Christian Jezebel in church history. These names do not refer to two Christians but reveal two trends that the church went through as time went on. Jezebel was a dominating and evil woman. A woman symbolizes a church. So the fourth church of Thyatira (which means a dominating woman) represents the Catholic church in the Dark or Middle age. Middle Ages. This fourth church is in the middle of the seven church ages. (Roughly AD 606 when the Pope called himself Universal Bishop to 1520 when Luther’s Reformation allowed Protestants to escape). The fifth church age is thus called Sardis (escaped ones). Luther restored justification. The just will live by faith in Jesus alone. That means they escaped from a church system that believed you had to obey the Pope and the Catholic church if you wanted to go to Heaven.
Some historians can find no evidence of a church in Thyatira before the year AD 100 when John the Revelator died. The church only came into existence later. So John was not writing just about churches in his day. He was referring to Old Testament names like Balaam and Jezebel as well as church that would come into existence later (Thyatira) in order to show that these churches had within them the characteristics of future church ages. There is no record of a Christian called Antipas. Please do not quote legends like a she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus. Antipas represents a trend in the third church age that started in AD 312 when Constantine stopped the pagan Romans from killing Christians.
The third church age of Pergamos (not Pergamum as it should be called) leaves us with the puzzle of why it is the only church that has a Greek ending -os.
Bible teachers cannot explain this and ignore it. Thus they justify their ignorance of the details of church history. Making up fake news about some so-called bishop Antipas of whom there is no historical record.
Antipas is a name which is derived from Anti-pappas. Anti the Pope.
The second church age of Smyrna (meaning bitterness and death) was scattered by pagan Roman persecutions. This limited one-man-is-boss-of-the-church activities.
The church grew despite the persecutions that ended with a vicious ten year killing spree (“ and ye shall have tribulation ten days:”) and Bible-burning rampage started in AD 302 by pagan emperor Diocletian and ended in AD 312 by new emperor Constantine. All the mass killing of Christians by outside pagans did, was to spread the Gospel. The underground church in China and Iran thrives today while persecuted by the communists and Muslims. Outside terror looks dangerous but only leads to spiritual growth. At risk of losing their lives, the Christians did not focus on material success or worldly ambitions that make people selfish and arrogant. They did not worry about women, money, and fame which kill Christianity from within. They died to themselves in order to be prepared for their future martyrdom.
So we get to Pergamos. The third church age where the evil genius, the Roman emperor Constantine called himself a Christian and took over the leadership of the church.
Satan entered the church. Was he not in Judas, the apostle and church leader?
Pergamos means thoroughly married.
Constantine, the politician, elevated the Bishop of Rome by giving him the beautiful Lateran palace as a new headquarters, and lots of money, as well as political support to silence his critics. The church became married to paganism, politics, and big money. Christmas (unscriptural word) on 25 December (unscriptural date) was introduced by Pope Julius 1 just before he died in AD 352. In AD 382 a document by new emperor Theodosius called his uncle Pope Damasus, Pontiff or Pontifex Maximus. This means High Priest of the Babylonian Mysteries. So the errors and evil mysteries of Nimrod and Babylon now entered the Roman church to make her Mystery Babylon. The mother of harlots. The Protestant churches would come out of her, also believing in unscriptural Christmas on 25 December, Easter eggs, Easter bunnies, Christmas trees, Lent, Zodiac, etc. The Babylonian Mysteries are the Seat of Satan. The Bible never asked us to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Every time you believe in something that is not written in the Bible you are worshiping at the Seat of Satan.
Antipas. Anti-pappas. Anti the Pope. What was the main killer of this age that millions were going to die for as they opposed the Pope?
In AD 325 emperor Constantine forced the Trinity doctrine on the church at the Council of Nicaea.
It was a mystery belief. Three People are each God. But there is only one God. That has been argued about for centuries and respected church leaders still say, “I do not understand it”. Nobody can understand a mystery word like “Trinity” that is unscriptural.
But you cannot have a Trinity doctrine without Greek philosophy.
So clever Greek scholars put this doctrine together and succeeded in convincing almost everyone right up to this date.
Trinity is the biggest stranglehold that paganism has on the church. Babylonians, Hindus, and Egyptians all had trinities.
Antipas in the Bible: A Faithful Witness in Challenging Times
The Egyptian trinity had three people who were each god, but in words they claimed them to be one god. Father, wife, and Son. Osiris, Isis, and Horus.
The throne was the godhead. Three persons in the godhead, meant there was actually only one god. That was obviously a mystery.
The Hindus had a slight variation.
Three men. Three persons, each of whom is god, making up one god.
Greek philosophy polished up these ideas in order to “Christianize” this pagan godhead.
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost appear. Each Person is God, but there is only one God. The typical mystery of Mystery Babylon.
Now the problem of a name.
Nowhere in the Bible does the Holy Spirit have a name.
So the best we can do is find two names for three People.
Not very convincing.
But what is the single name of God?
Trinity has no answer. You cannot find one name for three People.
So they revert to saying, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”.
But they cannot tell us what that name is.
Three titles is not a name.
So we come to the elephant in the room.
The simple fact that gets you thrown out of churches and causes good Christians to want to have nothing to do with you.
THE TRIUNE GOD HAS NO NAME.
Now look what Greek philosophy has done. It has come up with a whole lot of unscriptural statements to protect the Trinity.
Father and Son are OF THE SAME ESSENCE (whatever that means).
THREE_IN_ONE. Three Persons in one God. (nowhere in the Bible).
ONE_IN_THREE. One God in three Persons (nowhere in the Bible).
God the Son. (unscriptural)
Eternal Sonship. (unscriptural)
God the Holy Ghost. (unscriptural)
First Person of the Godhead, Second Person of the Godhead, Third Person of the Godhead. (Nowhere in the Bible).
Jesus is in the Godhead.
Wrong. Colossians 2:9 says that the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in Jesus.
Trinitarians say “God the Father” which is Scriptural but this is only written in the New Testament. They cannot explain why “God the Father” never appears in the Old Testament.
The Protestants swallowed the Trinity of the mother Catholic church.
Oppose the Trinity today and see what harsh personal insults come forth. Antipas is a play on words. There never was such a person. But in opposing the Pope he would oppose Trinity, Christmas, Eve eating an apple, one man is head of the church etc.
Read your history and see how many died after AD 325 when they refused to accept the Trinity of the Roman church and thus defied the Pope. Millions died as martyrs.
Fortunately church-goers do not kill dissenters today if you disagree with the popular Trinity (I hope) but they certainly character assassinate with their personal insults.
Conclusion:
Antipas in the Bible may have a brief mention, but his story carries profound significance. His faithfulness and courage in the face of adversity make him a shining example of unwavering devotion to Christ. As we navigate our own spiritual journeys, the example of Antipas serves as an inspiration to stand firm in our faith, no matter the challenges we may encounter.