- Dec 31, 2010
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So I begin this thread with an introduction. This is my view on the seven churches according to what I have read in history and supports no denomination or individual as having the corner on everything.
The Church Ages began on the day of Pentecost in approximately 33 AD with the launch of the Ephesan Church age. As the Lord said in scripture this church age began with Peter, who also preached the first sermon. Over the next twenty years the gospel was written and spread by the apostles including the converted apostle Paul. With the madness of the emperor Nero began the Smyrna Church age around 60 AD. During this time all the apostles except John were martyred for their faith.
“Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter. The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.” Revelation 1:19-20
John, being imprisoned on the island Patmos and inspired by a vision from the Lord, wrote the book of Revelations. The seven stars are the angels to the seven churches and the seven candlesticks are the seven churches. What is significant about these seven churches? Since these churches were not great in deeds, and with these churches today in an Islamic land in ruins, and with the church of the area doing the most good, Antioch, omitted; it is the opinion of this outline that these were actually seven church ages that would unfold in history. Also consider the number seven in that it is a number of completion. The seven church ages completes the church of Christ. Note that the Bible is a book of metaphors, in which there may be many meanings to the value of the metaphor. An example is the word fruit, though this word refers to edible fruit, it also can mean good works, returns on investments, love, joy, peace, faith, hope, and etc. This exposition will shed its light on the metaphor of the seven churches as seven unique ages.
“Unto the angel of the church…” The word angel here is “aggelos” in the Greek and simply means he who brings tidings. This word in context with this outline will imply that the messengers are those who herald in the Gospel, in which the Lord has a unique message for each individual church age. The stars represent these messengers who would light the candlestick of the church age. In each church age there was a “candlestick lighter” and those messengers who would follow…
1. Ephesus - Apostolic - Scripture still before us!.
2. Smyrna - Martyr - 10 days = 10 general Roman persecutions.
3. Pergomos - Orthodox - Still alive in many parts of the world!
4. Thyatira - Catholic - Influence still large.
5. Sardis - Protestant - The influence of the Baptists is still great.
6. Philadelphia - Methodist / Pentecostal - Saved / Sanctified / Filled with the Holy Ghost!
***Is revival unique to the Philadelphian church age???*** Was this the revival of the last days?
7. Laodicea - Materialistic / Charistmatic / Educated - Influencing a lot of churches these days. Even the pope said that his church was being destroyed from within. No external enemies.<br style=""> <br style="">
“… These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars…” –Revelation 3:1 “And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.” –Revelation 4:5 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” –Hebrews 4:16
After the end of the church ages the focus goes immediately to the throne room. The throne room of God is a very impressive sight, for there dwells the Lambs book of life, the four and twenty elders, multitudes of angels, seven Spirits of God aflame and there high and lifted up, God the Father. The book of life is sealed with seven seals representing each church age. To get your name in the Book of Life you must become born again, which begins with the sinners prayer and an acknowledgement of Jesus Christ before men. What power has Christ Jesus received in that he is now omnipresent having received power from the Heavenly Father? A very present help in the time of trouble! Not only are our names as Christians written down in the Lambs Book of Life, but according to Hebrews 4:16 we have access to the throne as well. Christians in these church ages ought to make daily trips there to find help in their time of need.
Why the church ages?
The Church Ages began on the day of Pentecost in approximately 33 AD with the launch of the Ephesan Church age. As the Lord said in scripture this church age began with Peter, who also preached the first sermon. Over the next twenty years the gospel was written and spread by the apostles including the converted apostle Paul. With the madness of the emperor Nero began the Smyrna Church age around 60 AD. During this time all the apostles except John were martyred for their faith.
“Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter. The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.” Revelation 1:19-20
John, being imprisoned on the island Patmos and inspired by a vision from the Lord, wrote the book of Revelations. The seven stars are the angels to the seven churches and the seven candlesticks are the seven churches. What is significant about these seven churches? Since these churches were not great in deeds, and with these churches today in an Islamic land in ruins, and with the church of the area doing the most good, Antioch, omitted; it is the opinion of this outline that these were actually seven church ages that would unfold in history. Also consider the number seven in that it is a number of completion. The seven church ages completes the church of Christ. Note that the Bible is a book of metaphors, in which there may be many meanings to the value of the metaphor. An example is the word fruit, though this word refers to edible fruit, it also can mean good works, returns on investments, love, joy, peace, faith, hope, and etc. This exposition will shed its light on the metaphor of the seven churches as seven unique ages.
“Unto the angel of the church…” The word angel here is “aggelos” in the Greek and simply means he who brings tidings. This word in context with this outline will imply that the messengers are those who herald in the Gospel, in which the Lord has a unique message for each individual church age. The stars represent these messengers who would light the candlestick of the church age. In each church age there was a “candlestick lighter” and those messengers who would follow…
1. Ephesus - Apostolic - Scripture still before us!.
2. Smyrna - Martyr - 10 days = 10 general Roman persecutions.
3. Pergomos - Orthodox - Still alive in many parts of the world!
4. Thyatira - Catholic - Influence still large.
5. Sardis - Protestant - The influence of the Baptists is still great.
6. Philadelphia - Methodist / Pentecostal - Saved / Sanctified / Filled with the Holy Ghost!
***Is revival unique to the Philadelphian church age???*** Was this the revival of the last days?
7. Laodicea - Materialistic / Charistmatic / Educated - Influencing a lot of churches these days. Even the pope said that his church was being destroyed from within. No external enemies.<br style=""> <br style="">
“… These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars…” –Revelation 3:1 “And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.” –Revelation 4:5 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” –Hebrews 4:16
After the end of the church ages the focus goes immediately to the throne room. The throne room of God is a very impressive sight, for there dwells the Lambs book of life, the four and twenty elders, multitudes of angels, seven Spirits of God aflame and there high and lifted up, God the Father. The book of life is sealed with seven seals representing each church age. To get your name in the Book of Life you must become born again, which begins with the sinners prayer and an acknowledgement of Jesus Christ before men. What power has Christ Jesus received in that he is now omnipresent having received power from the Heavenly Father? A very present help in the time of trouble! Not only are our names as Christians written down in the Lambs Book of Life, but according to Hebrews 4:16 we have access to the throne as well. Christians in these church ages ought to make daily trips there to find help in their time of need.
Why the church ages?
