Subject: Seven Church "ages"? Is it scriptural? |
Bible Note: 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 |