1LoverofGod
Well-known
This is what Got Questions says about the seven Churches of Revelation......
The seven churches described in Revelation 2-3 are seven literal churches at the time that John the apostle was writing Revelation. Though they were literal churches in Asia Minor at that time, there is also spiritual significance for churches and believers today.
A possible third purpose is to use the seven churches to foreshadow seven different periods in the history of the Church. The problem with this view is that each church displays characteristics that could fit the Church at any time of its history. So, although there may be some truth to the seven churches representing seven eras, there is far too much speculation in this regard. Our focus should be on what message God is giving us through the letters to the seven churches.
The seven churches are as follows:
(1) Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7) - the church that had forsaken its first love (2:4).
(2) Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) - the church that would suffer persecution (2:10).
(3) Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17) - the church that needed to repent (2:16).
(4) Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) - the church that had a false prophetess (2:20).
(5) Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6) - the church that had fallen asleep (3:2).
(6) Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) - the church that had endured patiently (3:10).
(7) Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) - the church with the lukewarm faith (3:16).
I have heard several commentaries on these seven Churches as representing both literal Churches that existed during the time of the early Church, and that they also represent the Church throughout the Church Age to the present.
I was thinking about something a while ago.
In reading how Jesus addresses these Churches with both reprimands and Compliments, and if in fact these Churches are to represent the entire Church age, a thought came to me.
Now this is just a wild thought because I haven't heard anything on this before. Maybe it has been commented on but I haven't heard of this. It's just something that hit me.
Examining the way Jesus is addressing these Churches, could it be possible that this might just be a glimpse of the
Bema Seat Judgement?
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad"
2 Corinthians 5:10
Being that the Church is Raptured prior to The Tribulation but isn't mentioned as being in Heaven until Chapter five with the 21 Elders representing the Church, but The Revelation of Jesus to John begins with the Church so is it possible that at this point The Church has been Raptured and with Jesus addressing the Church, and it's because this could be the Bema Seat Judgement?
I would like some thoughts on this perspective.
I'm always thinking
The seven churches described in Revelation 2-3 are seven literal churches at the time that John the apostle was writing Revelation. Though they were literal churches in Asia Minor at that time, there is also spiritual significance for churches and believers today.
A possible third purpose is to use the seven churches to foreshadow seven different periods in the history of the Church. The problem with this view is that each church displays characteristics that could fit the Church at any time of its history. So, although there may be some truth to the seven churches representing seven eras, there is far too much speculation in this regard. Our focus should be on what message God is giving us through the letters to the seven churches.
The seven churches are as follows:
(1) Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7) - the church that had forsaken its first love (2:4).
(2) Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) - the church that would suffer persecution (2:10).
(3) Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17) - the church that needed to repent (2:16).
(4) Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) - the church that had a false prophetess (2:20).
(5) Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6) - the church that had fallen asleep (3:2).
(6) Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) - the church that had endured patiently (3:10).
(7) Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) - the church with the lukewarm faith (3:16).
What do the seven churches in Revelation stand for? | GotQuestions.org
What do the seven churches in Revelation stand for? Do the seven churches in Revelation predict seven eras of church history?
www.gotquestions.org
I have heard several commentaries on these seven Churches as representing both literal Churches that existed during the time of the early Church, and that they also represent the Church throughout the Church Age to the present.
I was thinking about something a while ago.
In reading how Jesus addresses these Churches with both reprimands and Compliments, and if in fact these Churches are to represent the entire Church age, a thought came to me.
Now this is just a wild thought because I haven't heard anything on this before. Maybe it has been commented on but I haven't heard of this. It's just something that hit me.
Examining the way Jesus is addressing these Churches, could it be possible that this might just be a glimpse of the
Bema Seat Judgement?
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad"
2 Corinthians 5:10
Being that the Church is Raptured prior to The Tribulation but isn't mentioned as being in Heaven until Chapter five with the 21 Elders representing the Church, but The Revelation of Jesus to John begins with the Church so is it possible that at this point The Church has been Raptured and with Jesus addressing the Church, and it's because this could be the Bema Seat Judgement?
I would like some thoughts on this perspective.
I'm always thinking
