Results 1 - 3 of 3
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Spiritually, who are the seven churches? | 2 Tim 3:16 | compudex | 101762 | ||
After you have read all seven letters to the seven churches I will ask you this one question. Did you find anything, Anything that applies to you personaly? Do you discern the Holy Spirit talking to you on any of these points? If yes, then they are spiritual words. If no, then you are better that the rest. These admonitions were designed to call the attention of the churches to these things, and, at the same time, they were designed to show that they were not intended for them alone. They are addressed to anyone who “has an ear,” and therefore had some principles of general application to others, and to which all should attend who were disposed to learn the will of the Redeemer. What was addressed to one church, at any time, would be equally applicable to all churches in the same circumstances; what was adapted to rebuke, elevate, or comfort Christians in any one age or land, would be adapted to be useful to Christians of all ages and lands. If these letters were written just to that church alone the Scriptures would not say, "Hear what the Spirit has to say to the churches"; (plural). Who are the churches? We are the churches! The body of Christ, His workmanship. We can do nothing less than read what is written. Consider, John 14.1-2. Was Jesus just talking to His disciples or was He talking to us also? If literalism takes place in the Scriptures then we are all dead. The Scriptures are Life, it is the Word of God. The word of God becomes the Word of God. Rev 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. It is Christ! The Son of God! The Framer of the world! Jesus! He speaks and all thing exist. He speaks and all things are held together. He speaks and we must listen. The mystery of God, Christ Jesus, who has been hidden by the Father until this age. The Holy Spirit has revealed Him to us only by the Word. What can I say? These Scriptures has nothing to do with me? No, the Scriptures to the churches has everything to do with me because they are the Words of God Himself. If they were ment for the those churches only then they would not have been printed in the Holy Book we read. For they would have no purpose. And God doesn't do anything without purpose. The Word of God is life! For growth, for correction and for love! All Scripture has to do with us, even Chronicles, the hereditary books. Our geneology. God provides proof where we came from. All for us. Because He cares. The seven churches, not really seven but one, one body, one people, one Christ, just seven different locations. We all are of only one church - the bride. The Holy Scriptures, a love letter from God. Peace! |
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2 | Spiritually, who are the seven churches? | 2 Tim 3:16 | John Reformed | 101822 | ||
Dear Comp, Your preaching to the choir my friend. I am sol scriptura all the way! I did not mean to infer that the letters were for the 7 churches exclusively. My point is that we should not add to Scripture meanings that are not explicit. In this particular case, saying that the 7 churches are the Bride may be harmless, but it is the propensity to spiritualize without warrent that is the problem I'm concerned with. You failed to address my observation on Rev 1:20 "As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. John says that the lampstands represent the 7 churches but, makes no mention of who the 7 churches represent. As I said it may, in this case be a harmless assumption. But, it is also an unwarrented one. John |
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3 | Spiritually, who are the seven churches? | 2 Tim 3:16 | compudex | 101834 | ||
Greetings John, BTW you have a great name since we are viewing Revelations. Truly, I agree to your points also. Now for those not in the choir I will add this. Also remember that this was a vision. Something not pertaining to a physical realm but to a spiritual realm. As the visions being interpreted in the Old Testament. The use of earthly or heavenly symbols to relate to a higher meaning. Also note how many times the number seven appears. Though, I am no strict numeralist. Numbers used in Scripture also have some merit. Wherein the number seven unanimously relates to completeness. Six days of creation and one for rest - a week. How often do I forgive my neighbor Lord? - seven times? Laboring seven years in the OT as competition of a bond. Seven churches as a completeness of the whole church. And who where the seven angels? Why would God have to write a letter to an angel? The seven angels were the leaders of the seven churches - men. Who would in turn share them with the congregations. Rev 1:12 "I turned and saw" Rev 1:13 "..in the midst of the seven candlesticks.." - was Jesus. Rev. 1:16 "..in his right hand seven stars..." - in the hand, the right hand - a symbol of strength, of Jesus, as we are held. Rev 1:17 "..And he laid his right hand upon me.." - what happened to the stars? It was a vision. It was spiritual. Now Jesus Himself speaks to John. I Am the Alpha. I Am the Omega. I Am the First. I Am the Last. I Am the Completeness. Rev 1:20 "The mystery.." - or the vision you saw. Jesus was in the midst of the churches as He is today. "I Am the same yesterday, today and tomorrow". Yes, there were seven different churches. Yes, there were seven letters. Yes there were seven pastors. But, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches" (decern what the I Am is telling you). Again, this phrase is mentioned seven times. Be complete! It is Christ, the Completion of our salvation. Again, in the original question, 'who where they "spiritually"?' must be the basis for an answer. Peace to you! |
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