The 7 churches of Revelation

[B-A-C]

The study of the 7 churches of Revelation have been done here before, but it's been a while.

Some people view these churches as strictly churches of the past. Some people view them as churches of the future. Many people view them as allegories of all the churches today. For example, you yourself may be attending a church much like one of these with the same commendations, and the same problems.

In Rev 1:12-20; John sees someone 'like the son of man' (which is the name Jesus most often referred to himself as). standing in the middle of seven lampstands. Also he is holding seven stars in His right hand. In verse 20 ( Rev 1:20; ) the lampstands and stars are explained. Some believe this to be purely metaphorical,
others believe these lampstands actually exist in heaven.

One thing I find interesting here is that each church has it's own angel. Does your church have an angel?

Ephesus:
In Rev 2:1-7; we see a message to 'the angel' of the church of Ephesus. This is likely the same church that the letter (book) of Ephesians was written to from Paul. Ephesus was a city in the Ionian region of present day Turkey. Historians say this was the 3rd largest city in Asia minor at the time of the apostles. The city was known for the temple of Artemis (one of the seven wonders of the ancient world). Some scholars believe the Gospel of John may have been written here. Much of Acts 19 is about Paul at Ephesus. The temple of Artemis is mentioned in Acts 19:23-29;

The church is commended for it's deeds, toil, and perseverance, also that it cannot tolerate evil men.
It is also complimented for testing 'those who call themselves apostles'. The first thing mentioned against the church was that it "left it's first love".

Rev 2:5; Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.

The church is told to repent and do the things they did at first.

The church is also commended for hating "the deeds of the Nicolaitans". There are many theories about who these Nicolaitans were, but I see none that explains it to my personal satisfaction.

Rev 2:7; He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’

This is the first church told to 'overcome'.

Smyrna:
This church only gets 4 short verses. Rev 2:8-12; Again we see the message is to 'the angel' of the church of Smyrna. This is one of two churches that had nothing held against it. This church is commended for testing those who say they are Jews, but are not. They are told they will be tested for a time, some of them will even be thrown into prison by the devil for a time. but that they should 'overcome'. Like Ephesus, Smyrna was also on the coast of present day Turkey. Unlike Ephesus, there have been no letters from Paul found written to Smyrna, in fact the only place they are mentioned in the Bible is in Rev 2.

we have five more churches to go.

 

[B-A-C]

Pergamum:
Rev 2:12-17 is written to the 'the angel' of the church of Pergamum. This was also in present day Turkey very near a modern day city called Bergama. One of the things this city was known for is the Serapis temple, an Egyptian god. (Some historians believe several Egyptians gods were worshipped here) The ruins of this temple are still visible today near Bergama. This church is told they dwell where Satans throne is. Yet they continue to be steadfast and not deny the faith. One of things held against this church is that some of them held to the teachings of Balaam, that they ate things sacrificed to idols and committed acts of immorality. Unlike Ephesus, some held to the teachings of the Nicolaitans, this is also held against them. Ephesus was commended for hating the teachings of the Nicolaitans.

I notice that even though the church has 'remained steadfast in the faith'. They have allowed some to bring in other teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. I think there are churches today who "remain steadfast in the faith' but are starting to allow other teachings in the church. Again this church is told to repent ( Rev 2:16; ) and like the first two churches, they are told to overcome.

Thyatira:
Rev 2:18-29 is written to the angel of the church in Thyatira.
Historians believe this to be the modern day city of Akhisar (also in modern day Turkey). This city was famous for dye/indigo. In Acts 16:14-15; a lady named Lydia from Thyatira is mentioned.

Much like Ephesus, they are commended for their deeds, love, faith, and perseverance. I find it interesting that perseverance is commended so often. Also they are complimented that their recent deeds are even better than the deeds of their past. It seems the main thing held against this church is that they 'tolerate' a woman named Jezebel who calls herself a prophetess.

Rev 2:20; But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
Rev 2:21; I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality.
Rev 2:22; Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds.
Rev 2:23; And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.

She leads church members astray and they commit immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. In spite of this God gives her time to repent. Her followers are told to repent. This church is also told to overcome.

three more churches to go.

 

[B-A-C]

Sardis:
Rev 3:1-6 are written to the angel of the church of Sardis. Sardis is yet another city in modern day Turkey, historians believe this to be the modern day city of Sart. Several ruins that are believed to be Jewish syngogues have been found here.

Like many of the previous churches, it starts off saying "I know your deeds". You have a name which is alive. I wonder how many of us go to churches with great reputations from the past. It continues on with saying "but you are dead". I certainly know several churches where I live that this could apply to.

Rev 3:2; Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God.

I have found your deeds (some Bibles say "works") not completed yet. I personally believe that God gives us all individually deeds to do ( Matt 5:16; Acts 13:2; 1 Cor 3:9; 1 Cor 3:13; Eph 2:10; etc..) But is it possible he also gives the church a mission to do as a whole?

This church is also told to repent ( Rev 3:3; ) This church is warned that He will come like a thief, and they won't know when he is coming. This is similar to Matt 24:43; Luke 12:39; and 1 Thes 5:2-4;

this church is also told to overcome.

 

[B-A-C]

Philadelphia:
Rev 3:7-13; is written to the angel of the church of Philadelphia. Like the previous 5 churches, this is also a city in modern day Turkey. It is known as Alasehir in modern times. It is known for mineral springs and Sultana raisins.

The name Philadelphia means "city of brotherly love". (Philos = love) The modern day city of Philadelphia Pennsylvania in the US is named after this city.

This is the second of two churches (out of the seven) that had nothing held against it (Smyrna being the other).
They are praised for keeping His word, and have not denied His name. They are similarly complimented like Smyrna for testing those who say they are Jews but are not. Also similar to Smyrna they are told they will be tested and to overcome.

one more church to go.

 

[B-A-C]

I find it interesting, that out of the 4 churches that had something held against them, two of them were false teachings.

Pergamum had the Nicolaitans and Balaam. Thyatira had the "prophetess" Jezebel. Ephesus simply "left their first love".
There has been some debate on who the first love was. Most just believe it is God/Jesus. The church of Sardis was simply told they are dead and that they need to wake up.

I think this is common in the world today. Do you know of churches that have left their first love?
Do you know of churches that are dead? Do you know of churches that have allowed false teaching to creep in? Gal 2:4; 2 Cor 11:26; Acts 20:29; Matt 7:15; 2 Tim 3:5;

 

[B-A-C]

Laodicea:
Yet another city in modern day Turkey on the river Lycus, near the modern town of Eskihisar. It was in Phrygia, which is mentioned in Acts 2:10; Acts 18:23; and Acts 16:6;

Rev 3:14; “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this:

Rev 3:15; ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot.
Rev 3:16; So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.
Rev 3:17; Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,
Rev 3:18; I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.
Rev 3:19; Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.
Rev 3:20; Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.
Rev 3:21 He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
Rev 3:22; He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

In some ways, this is the most difficult of the churches to decypher. Yet, I personally believe this may be the most common church in the world today.

There is much held against this church. They aren't really commended for anything at all.
Like the others, they are first judged by the deeds, they are told they are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold.

I wonder how many churches in the world today consider themselves rich? In the city I live in, we have several mega-churches with over 10,000 members in them. The buildings are new and expensive, the parking lots are full of Mercedes-Benz, BMW's, Audi's and Porsche's. Now there is nothing wrong with being financially secure and having a nice car. But I wonder how many churches today find their security and identity in money rather than Jesus?

I wonder how many churches are blind and really cannot see?
There is some debate about what the refined gold and eye salve mentioned here truly are?

Verse 19 is controversial to some. Some churches do not believe that God disciplines churches or members. Prov 15:5; Prov 3:11-12; Prov 12:1; 1 Cor 11:32; 2 Thes 3:11; Heb 12:5-11; Job 5:17-18;

To me personally, verse 20 sums up this church. Christ is standing outside knocking on the door, just waiting for someone to open the door. Like all the previous churches, this church also is told to overcome.

 

[james1523]

Because it is in the Bible as a prophetic message, the message to the churches must apply to all Christians on the whole Earth, throughout all time. Then we are mistaken to think it is only for these 7 churches in asia (there were many more churches on earth at the time, e.g. where is the message to the church in Jerusalem?). Also we are mistaken to think that these are messages only to particular denominations. Jesus is not giving a message to the Catholics, and the protestants, and the eastern orthodox churches.. no, His message is to all believers within the one city. Denominations don't have a lamp stand each, only each city has one lampstand each. We can easily see that it is not written to all of the denominations in a city, but to the one church per city. It is not talking about all the problems that denominations have, because Christ is not interested in denominations, but His people as a collective whole. Each church mentioned is a different church age in time over the past 2000 years and the city names are symbolic for each church age. We start with the age of persecuted church, then the age of religious church (Roman Catholicism), then there is age of lukewarm /worldly church, etc..and after the 7 church ages, the anti-christ comes.

Why only 7 churches? The number 7 is symbolic for perfection. It signifies that after 7 ages of the church, the church will be perfected and transformed into the bride of Christ, the New Jerusalem.

 

[NoHype]

Good presentation BAC.

To all...

The 'church ages' idea is from man, and suggests that each one of those Rev.2 & 3 Churches represent a specific age of the Christian Church, from Apostle Paul's days down to the end of this world. Scofield had that idea, no doubt from John Darby's ideas of Dispensationalism from the 1830's. Those on man's doctrines of Historicism also use it.

But that 'church ages' idea leaves the subject of Christ's admonishing in those 7 Messages to each Church there. For example, since Christ's first Message was to the Church at Ephesus, then that should have represented the first 'church age' period, a period of history that is already over. Thus that Message should not apply anymore for today. Likewise with the next Messages until the very last one with the idea that today we are in the Laodiciean church age. Does that kind of thinking really work per the Scripture? No, and here's why...

Rev 2:5-7
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
(KJV)

Obviously, access of that Tree of Life in the Paradise of God is not yet even today, for that's about the future time after Christ's second coming. So was our Lord Jesus only saying that to believers back then in Apostle John's days?


Rev 2:11
11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
(KJV)

The "second death" is a matter involving Christ's future "thousand years" reign of the future, and the "lake of fire" event at the end of that future thousand years (Rev.20). That's clearly a Message for all those 7 Churches as shown there.


Rev 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
(KJV)

Our Lord Jesus said that to the Church at Pergamos, His third Message. When does our Lord Jesus come to fight with that sword of His mouth? On the last day of this world, the Day of The LORD when He comes to do battle with His enemies here on earth per Rev.19. So if the Pergamos Church Age is already history, then what's He doing saying that to them about the very end that's still future to us today???


Rev 2:24-25
24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
(KJV)

That was our Lord's Message to the Church at Thyratira, which should no longer apply if the idea of 'church ages' is an accurate interpretation. So tell me, why did Jesus tell those not guilty of those things in that time to "hold fast till I come"??? Our Lord Jesus was pointing to the time of His SECOND coming with that, which is still future to us today.


Rev 3:3
3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
(KJV)

Jesus said that to the Church at Sardis, His 5th Message. If that Message is no more in effect today because of the 'church ages' idea of men, then why did He specifically warn those that if they don't 'watch' His coming would be upon them "as a thief", and they wouldn't know in what hour His coming would be? Our Lord Jesus' second coming did not occur back in history, it's still future to us today. This Scripture example is one of the biggest proofs that the 'church ages' idea from men is not the proper interpretation of our Lord's 7 Messages to the 7 Churches.


The very last verse of Rev.1:20 solves the riddle of who all these 7 Messages to the 7 Churches apply to...

Rev 1:20
20 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.
(KJV)

Our Lord Jesus showed Apostle John that vision of the 7 candlesticks and 7 stars, and it was a Heavenly type vision of Christ in Glory. Even with the first church of Ephesus, Jesus warns that if they don't repent He will remove their 'candlestick' from it's place. That "place" is in the Heavenly with Jesus. Thus each Church is represented by one of those 7 candlesticks in the Heavenly in Jesus' hand (He is The Head of The Church).

What this means is that all those 7 Churches are symbolic of the Churches on earth during the whole period from the time of the first Church at Antioch all the way down to the time of His second coming.

It means ALL those 7 Messages apply to today's Churches. In other words, each Church on earth today will FIT the type of one or more of those 7 Messages.

And here is the key:
Only TWO of those 7 Churches Jesus had no rebuke for at all, making those 2 Churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia symbolic of His True Church on earth throughout all the way to the end of this world. Those two represent His elect that He knows will overcome.

What this means is that WE can use those 7 Messages our Lord Jesus gave as a guide to discover whether we are in one of His True Churches today, or not. But if we listen to men's doctrines of the 'church ages' idea, it would mean to pay no attention especially to those 2 Messages He gave to His elect of the Churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia, the only two Churches He had no rebuke for. So in a way, to imply those 2 Churches just represented a time back in history with the 'church ages' idea and no longer applies today is similar to saying His chosen elect that He already knows will overcome the tribulation no longer exist.


Rev 11:3-4
3 And I will give power unto My two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
(KJV)

How many have missed that about those "two candlesticks"?

Remember, back at Rev.1:20 our Lord Jesus told John the seven candlesticks are... the seven Churches.

What that is revealing is that God's two witnesses He will send during the coming tribulation, which will be two men, also includes the "two candlesticks" along with them in that 1260 days witness. And what timing is that for per Rev.9 through 11?

It is the timing of the 6th Trumpet - 2nd Woe period which began at Rev.9:12, which is when the Antichrist will come to rule in Jerusalem and place the "abomination of desolation". In other words, it is the timing of the "great tribulation" our Lord Jesus warned us about (Matt.24). Do you recall in Matt.24 and Mark 13 where Jesus told His servants that some would be delivered up to give a Testimony against them by The Holy Spirit? There it is, along with those two witnesses in Jerusalem which the beast that ascends from the bottomless pit will kill with leaving their dead bodies lay in the street in Jerusalem. Thus the "two candlesticks" represent those of Christ's True Church that will give a Witness for Christ also throughout the whole world wherever they may be, while those two men do the same specifically in Jerusalem during the coming tribulation.

 

[james1523]

Good presentation BAC.

To all...

The 'church ages' idea is from man, and suggests that each one of those Rev.2 & 3 Churches represent a specific age of the Christian Church, from Apostle Paul's days down to the end of this world. Scofield had that idea, no doubt from John Darby's ideas of Dispensationalism from the 1830's. Those on man's doctrines of Historicism also use it.

But that 'church ages' idea leaves the subject of Christ's admonishing in those 7 Messages to each Church there. For example, since Christ's first Message was to the Church at Ephesus, then that should have represented the first 'church age' period, a period of history that is already over. Thus that Message should not apply anymore for today. Likewise with the next Messages until the very last one with the idea that today we are in the Laodiciean church age. Does that kind of thinking really work per the Scripture? No, and here's why...

Rev 2:5-7
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
(KJV)

Obviously, access of that Tree of Life in the Paradise of God is not yet even today, for that's about the future time after Christ's second coming. So was our Lord Jesus only saying that to believers back then in Apostle John's days?


Rev 2:11
11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
(KJV)

The "second death" is a matter involving Christ's future "thousand years" reign of the future, and the "lake of fire" event at the end of that future thousand years (Rev.20). That's clearly a Message for all those 7 Churches as shown there.


Rev 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
(KJV)

Our Lord Jesus said that to the Church at Pergamos, His third Message. When does our Lord Jesus come to fight with that sword of His mouth? On the last day of this world, the Day of The LORD when He comes to do battle with His enemies here on earth per Rev.19. So if the Pergamos Church Age is already history, then what's He doing saying that to them about the very end that's still future to us today???


Rev 2:24-25
24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
(KJV)

That was our Lord's Message to the Church at Thyratira, which should no longer apply if the idea of 'church ages' is an accurate interpretation. So tell me, why did Jesus tell those not guilty of those things in that time to "hold fast till I come"??? Our Lord Jesus was pointing to the time of His SECOND coming with that, which is still future to us today.


Rev 3:3
3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
(KJV)

Jesus said that to the Church at Sardis, His 5th Message. If that Message is no more in effect today because of the 'church ages' idea of men, then why did He specifically warn those that if they don't 'watch' His coming would be upon them "as a thief", and they wouldn't know in what hour His coming would be? Our Lord Jesus' second coming did not occur back in history, it's still future to us today. This Scripture example is one of the biggest proofs that the 'church ages' idea from men is not the proper interpretation of our Lord's 7 Messages to the 7 Churches.


The very last verse of Rev.1:20 solves the riddle of who all these 7 Messages to the 7 Churches apply to...

Rev 1:20
20 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.
(KJV)

Our Lord Jesus showed Apostle John that vision of the 7 candlesticks and 7 stars, and it was a Heavenly type vision of Christ in Glory. Even with the first church of Ephesus, Jesus warns that if they don't repent He will remove their 'candlestick' from it's place. That "place" is in the Heavenly with Jesus. Thus each Church is represented by one of those 7 candlesticks in the Heavenly in Jesus' hand (He is The Head of The Church).

What this means is that all those 7 Churches are symbolic of the Churches on earth during the whole period from the time of the first Church at Antioch all the way down to the time of His second coming.

It means ALL those 7 Messages apply to today's Churches. In other words, each Church on earth today will FIT the type of one or more of those 7 Messages.

And here is the key:
Only TWO of those 7 Churches Jesus had no rebuke for at all, making those 2 Churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia symbolic of His True Church on earth throughout all the way to the end of this world. Those two represent His elect that He knows will overcome.

What this means is that WE can use those 7 Messages our Lord Jesus gave as a guide to discover whether we are in one of His True Churches today, or not. But if we listen to men's doctrines of the 'church ages' idea, it would mean to pay no attention especially to those 2 Messages He gave to His elect of the Churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia, the only two Churches He had no rebuke for. So in a way, to imply those 2 Churches just represented a time back in history with the 'church ages' idea and no longer applies today is similar to saying His chosen elect that He already knows will overcome the tribulation no longer exist.


Rev 11:3-4
3 And I will give power unto My two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
(KJV)

How many have missed that about those "two candlesticks"?

Remember, back at Rev.1:20 our Lord Jesus told John the seven candlesticks are... the seven Churches.

What that is revealing is that God's two witnesses He will send during the coming tribulation, which will be two men, also includes the "two candlesticks" along with them in that 1260 days witness. And what timing is that for per Rev.9 through 11?

It is the timing of the 6th Trumpet - 2nd Woe period which began at Rev.9:12, which is when the Antichrist will come to rule in Jerusalem and place the "abomination of desolation". In other words, it is the timing of the "great tribulation" our Lord Jesus warned us about (Matt.24). Do you recall in Matt.24 and Mark 13 where Jesus told His servants that some would be delivered up to give a Testimony against them by The Holy Spirit? There it is, along with those two witnesses in Jerusalem which the beast that ascends from the bottomless pit will kill with leaving their dead bodies lay in the street in Jerusalem. Thus the "two candlesticks" represent those of Christ's True Church that will give a Witness for Christ also throughout the whole world wherever they may be, while those two men do the same specifically in Jerusalem during the coming tribulation.

re: "But that 'church ages' idea leaves the subject of Christ's admonishing in those 7 Messages to each Church there. ".

That's not really what the church age theory teaches. You are right that it doesn't make sense if one church age finishes and another one starts. However the church age theory says that the Pergamos Church Age is not history, but continuing. Scofield believed that the church ages overlap and therefore more than one church age can apply to us at any given time. And, it doesn't mean that the problems of a past church age do not exist in the next church ages, and that we can think that the problems of a past church age do not apply today. For example, the age of Catholicism is thought to end in the 1500's with the reformation, but of course we know that Catholicism is continuing. Also, the idea of church ages is not exclusive to the idea that each church is local in nature, and that each type of church is present on the earth today.

 

[NoHype]

re: "But that 'church ages' idea leaves the subject of Christ's admonishing in those 7 Messages to each Church there. ".

That's not really what the church age theory teaches. You are right that it doesn't make sense if one church age finishes and another one starts. However the church age theory says that the Pergamos Church Age is not history, but continuing. Scofield believed that the church ages overlap and therefore more than one church age can apply to us at any given time. And, it doesn't mean that the problems of a past church age do not exist in the next church ages, and that we can think that the problems of a past church age do not apply today. For example, the age of Catholicism is thought to end in the 1500's with the reformation, but of course we know that Catholicism is continuing. Also, the idea of church ages is not exclusive to the idea that each church is local in nature, and that each type of church is present on the earth today.

Then by that you are saying that man's Church Ages doctrine does not have ending periods per those Messages, which is actually to imply no such Church Ages idea really exists. None of those 7 Messages by Christ have ended today. They are all still applicable to all Christian Churches today, which is why John was shown Christ holding the seven "candlesticks" in His hand. Those 7 Messages will especially be applicable during the coming great tribulation period, which is a period of deception to false worship at a level and power this world has never experienced before.

 

[james1523]

Then by that you are saying that man's Church Ages doctrine does not have ending periods per those Messages, which is actually to imply no such Church Ages idea really exists. None of those 7 Messages by Christ have ended today. They are all still applicable to all Christian Churches today, which is why John was shown Christ holding the seven "candlesticks" in His hand. Those 7 Messages will especially be applicable during the coming great tribulation period, which is a period of deception to false worship at a level and power this world has never experienced before.

It says there are ages, some of those ages have ended, some have not, some ages overlap. The ages may have ended, but the 7 messages have not. It's like saying that the age of Catholicism (when Catholicism effectively ruled Christianity) has ended, but Catholicism itself has not. Church age doctrine is a way to predict God's general move on the Earth, in time, given that God tends to work in stages of time, and only one key move at a time.

 

[NoHype]

It says there are ages, some of those ages have ended, some have not, some ages overlap. The ages may have ended, but the 7 messages have not. It's like saying that the age of Catholicism (when Catholicism effectively ruled Christianity) has ended, but Catholicism itself has not. Church age doctrine is a way to predict God's general move on the Earth, in time, given that God tends to work in stages of time, and only one key move at a time.

The Church Ages idea is simply a doctrine of men, nothing more, nothing less.

Per Branham on his An Exposition of the Seven Church Ages - "That is exactly what happened in the Ephesian Age before it ran out in about 170 A.D."

Note how he associated an end period with the idea of "the Ephesian Age".

So like I said, again, the Church Ages doctrine is just another one of man's doctrines. If the events that happened within the Church at Ephesus is still applicable to all Churches today, then it shows no 'age' idea, for an age has a beginning and an ending, and certainly not with the historical end of the physical Church at Ephesus if Christ's Message there is to continue for all Churches up to His second coming.

 

[B-A-C]

Curious question here.

Rev 3:18; I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.

What do you think the "gold refined by fire" here is? Apparently you can't buy "white garments" without this gold.
What do you think the "eye salve" here is? It seems refined gold is needed for this.

 

[NoHype]

Curious question here.

Rev 3:18; I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.

What do you think the "gold refined by fire" here is? Apparently you can't buy "white garments" without this gold.
What do you think the "eye salve" here is? It seems refined gold is needed for this.

Those are all spiritual references our Lord Jesus was using in contrast to the previous verse:

Rev 3:17-18
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
(KJV)

See 1 Pet.1:7 about the gold comparison. Also 1 Cor.10:3 forward. The gold being tried by fire is from the idea of purifying gold. To purify gold it is melted down by fire; the impurities in it rise to the top of the liquid to be removed. Thus the gold tried by fire our Lord uses as a symbol represents our purification in Him away from the worldly elements that those at the Church of Laodecia had instead latched onto.

About the "white garments", see Rev.19:8, as it represents the righteousness of the saints. See also Rev.7:13-14 about those who came out of tribulation washed their robes in the Blood of The Lamb and made them white. That is pointing to righteous works for Christ also. Per Rev.14:13 our righteous works for Christ follow us to Heaven. By opposite spiritual comparison, our Lord Jesus uses the idea of losing one's garments to appear ashamed and naked when He comes (Rev.16:15; Rev.3:4).

The "eye salve" is a symbolic reference to the anointing by The Holy Spirit. By The Holy Spirit is how we are able to spiritually see and discern spiritual things.