SEVEN CHURCHES

 

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Christ blesses all who read the book of Revelation and keep everything written in it.

Its contents are given for the benefit of all Christians until the end of time.

 

7 - The number of the fullness of God (seven churches, seals, trumpets, angels, plagues, lamps).

 

The seven churches represent true Christians from the day of Christ until the end (Rev 1.3-7).

 

Names of churches :

- EPHESUS (desired) - Christians of the 1st century (31-100); their Lord reproaches them for leaving their first love and advises them to repent (Rev 2.1-7).

- SMYRNA (fragrance) - Christians of the time of persecution (100-313); they were "poor, but yet rich", they did not accept the false Jews, who are the synagogue of Satan, and suffered persecution "for ten days", i.e. 10 years (303-313) (vv.8-11).

- PERGAM (exaltation) - Christianity becomes the state religion (313-538). They lived where Satan's throne was, but they resisted the pope and suffered torture, however, some of them adhered to the teachings of Balaam, i.e. paganism (vv.12-17).

- THIATIR (remnant of the sacrifice) - the dark Middle Ages and the persecution of "heretics", i.e. true Christians (538-1517). The Lord rebukes them for allowing Jezebel (Catholic priests) to teach among her. He also praises them for their "love, service, and patience" (vv.18-29).

- SARDIS (joyful singing) - the appearance of Luther and the beginning of the time of Protestantism (1517-1798). The Lord accuses the Protestants, who became the state church, of bearing the name "as if He were alive, but was dead" (Rev 3.1-6).

- PHILADELPHIA (brotherly love) - a new round of non-traditional Protestantism, the Bible is translated into almost all languages ​​and distributed throughout the world by Bible societies (1798-1844). They are told: "Hold what you have" until the Lord comes (vv.7-13).

- LAODICEA (judgment of the people) - the period from the beginning of the judgment until the Second Coming (1844-?). Laodicea is rebuked by the Lord for being “lukewarm” (not cold or hot) and lacking true spiritual life. Here Christ said, “These things saith the Amen”, which points to the near end of the world (vv.14-22).

 

Every church is advised to accept what the Spirit speaks through the Word to all Christians in every age.