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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Seven Church "ages"? Is it scriptural? | Revelation | John Reformed | 95782 | ||
What is the biblical foundation for the idea of the 7 churches being also "ages"? John Reformed |
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2 | Seven Church "ages"? Is it scriptural? | Revelation | EdB | 95893 | ||
John There seems to be some correlation between the seven churches and seven periods of time in the church history. This view is Historicist view and can be described as an alternate to the Preterist, Spiritualistic and Futuristic views. These are some brief excerpt from course notes of mine, which discuss the subject. Church of Ephesus It was a church in the middle of wanton materialism, paganism and heathenism. Church from 30 AD - 100 AD Church of Smyrna Smyrna is the martyr church, the church that suffered martyrdom for Christ. Smyrna means "Myrrh" which carries the meaning of suffering. Similar to the church during the period 100 AD to 314 AD From the death of John to the edict of toleration by Constantine which ended the persecution of Christians. Church of Pergamos Pergamos means tower. Representative of the church from 300 AD to 590 AD Paganism unlimited. World move into the church without conversion, church committed fornication or Balaamism. The Church of Thyatira Representative of the church from 590 AD to 1500 AD this period was known as the dark ages. Rise of Papal church with Icons that people bowed down to idol Worship. Inquisition and Crusades can be seen as forms of Jezebelistic persecution. The Church of Sardis The church between 1500 and 1789. The reformation church where Martin Luther nailed his Ninety five theses to the door of the church. Church given over to formalism and ritual. A form of Godliness but without power. Reformation was a political struggle more than a religious struggle. Church of Philadelphia The revived church 1789 - 1900 AD. Revivals of Whitefield, John Wesley, Charles Finney and D. L. Moody. Evangelistic and missionary minded. Church that turned back to the word of God. Church of Laodicea Modern church rich and self sufficient. Neither hot nor cold going through the motions but not really fighting the good fight. EdB |
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3 | Seven Church "ages"? Is it scriptural? | Revelation | John Reformed | 96085 | ||
Thanks EdB, An interesting (if somewhat forced) hypothesis. "Church of Ephesus It was a church in the middle of wanton materialism, paganism and heathenism. Church from 30 AD - 100 AD"...What age has not been charecterized by these condititions? "Smyrna means "Myrrh" which carries the meaning of suffering. Similar to the church during the period 100 AD to 314 AD From the death of John to the edict of toleration by Constantine which ended the persecution of Christians."...There are many places in the world today that christians are sufferring martyrdom, and in numbers that rival those of the early church. The same is true as for the explanation of the remaining four church "ages". If one were to visit Ethiopia; Sudan; China; etc., how do you believe the christians in those countries would react to the news that the church was living in an age of riches, self sufficency and complacence. This definition may find some credulity in the western democracys, but would probably be laughed to scorn in most of Third World christendom. It seems to me that the ones who have formulated this interpretation had the USA as the primary focus, especially regarding the "Philidelphian age". Why should anyone believe that this hyothesis is at all credible? I do appreciate your effort...but I was looking for an answer founded on teaching from the Bible itself. Thanks again, John Reformed |
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4 | Seven Church "ages"? Is it scriptural? | Revelation | EdB | 96104 | ||
John While I agree with you to a great extent I thinkk there remains some merit when viewed as effecting the whole church. In 30-100AD the WHOLE church was exposed to this. Today there are areas that such conditions don't face the church although I will say they are very few and very far between. Also the time period of 100AD to 314AD effected the whole church not just in certain areas like today. We certainly can't say we face persecution although some Christians who would like to think it is religious persecution not their obnoxious personalies that get them into trouble. Once again as far as today's church it almost universally enjoys a life with little care. Again there is no denying there are situations where the church struggles but life in general is a struggle in most of those places also. So what is taking place to the church not an exception casued by their belief but rather the rule caused by political and economic existing situations. As for the Phildelphia era your right the USA was very much involved, but so was a good part of Europe, South America, Australia, and even some areas of Asia. While your right this teaching has no real Biblical basis the idea has the same basis as the Preterist, Futurist, or Spiritualist views of Revelation. These four ideas are compared in an excellent work tittled "Revelation Four Views" Edited by Steve Gregg and published by Nelson EdB |
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