There are theologians that teach prophecy from the Scriptures
who believe the seven churches addressed in the second and third
chapters of Revelation (the final book in the Bible) represent seven
ages of the church of Jesus Christ on the earth. This is taught as a
progressive tour of the Church throughout history beginning with
the Church at Ephesus, then Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis,
Philadelphia, and finally Laodicea. Each congregation is complimen-
ted on it's degree of faithfulness, then given critical analysis of any
failure. Where error is found, the offer to repent is always available
with the Lord. The final church addressed, Laodicea, is the subject
of our discussion here. Each of the cities addressed in this passage
are in Asia or Asia minor, are significant, and their whereabouts can
still be established. The link below is a map showing these cities;
http://www.paradisepbc.org/Articles/Maps%20&%20Diagrams/MapSevenChurchesRevelation.htm
Revelation 3: 14-22, kjv
14. And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write;
These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness,
the beginning of the creation of God;
15. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would
thou wert cold or hot.
16. So then, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,
I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods and
have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched,
and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18. I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou
mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do
not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou
mayest see.
19. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore,
and repent.
20. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my
voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup
with him, and he with me.
21.To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne,
even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his
throne.
22. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the
Churches.
As you see, above, this church was rebuked by the Lord God.
When you read the complete chapters of two and three Revelation,
you will find all of the churches, with the exception of Smyrna and
Philadelphia were found to be in some degree of error. The church
of the Laodiceans seemed to be the most egregious offender. It is
to be noted, that each of the offenders were offered counsel from
the Lord to repent and return fully to him as in verses 20 and 21 of
chapter three.
Since we believe the Laodicean church represents the final church
age, there is evidence we are presently living in that era. There is
reason to believe; in each church age of the seven, there are cha-
racteristics of every age, in individuals within those local congrega-
tions.
So, what are the characteristics for which we must look, if we
are to determine if this is accurate? Is this typical in churches of
today or is this just a poor theory? No one person or group of
people should be regarded as being completely knowledgeable on
this score, but we can look at trends or tendencies from each age
and see them within the church and in ourselves.
In vs. 15-16, there is a lack of passion found in the congregation,
maybe even the leadership, at Laodicea. "I will spue thee out of
my mouth," indicates the disgust with which our Lord holds this
people. In vs. 17 there is failure of this people to recognize their
poverty in the Spirit, and thus we find pride and conceit to be pre-
valent. In vs.18 the Lord offers all that is needed for restoration
through discipline or chastening. In vs. 20 He gives the vehicle of
that restorationtion;
"Behold I stand at the door and knock, if any man hear my voice,
and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him,
and he with me." See also 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, who
are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and
seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear
from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
"...and His mercy endureth forever." See Psalm 136... (See the
link below for what's next...)
http://biblicalclarity-don.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-great-tribulation-in-scripture.html
I heard the late Dr. Adrian Rogers today on radio. He was teaching
from the Revelation about last days. He is finishing the message
tomorrow, May 1st.....
I have received an email questioning whether Jesus Christ will really
come back to earth. Whether they refer to the "Catching Away" of
believers, or the "Second Coming," when Christ will actually set his
feet on this earth, it will split, and He will set up his Kingdom on
the earth. He will, according to my belief, rule over all of mankind
from that time until a later time when things change again. There is
a statement in the New Testament saying, men in the last days will
question whether Jesus Christ will actually return, and that question
is being asked now. When our Lord returns for his Bride, or church,
He will not set his foot on the earth, but will catch "us" up in the air.
Thanks for the question. I hope this gives you a satisfactory
answer. There is much controversy, some disagreement on
this topic. Dogmatism, however; is unacceptable...
Thanks for looking; donporter,sr 2.28.15 Edited 12.25.15, 5.7.16
who believe the seven churches addressed in the second and third
chapters of Revelation (the final book in the Bible) represent seven
ages of the church of Jesus Christ on the earth. This is taught as a
progressive tour of the Church throughout history beginning with
the Church at Ephesus, then Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis,
Philadelphia, and finally Laodicea. Each congregation is complimen-
ted on it's degree of faithfulness, then given critical analysis of any
failure. Where error is found, the offer to repent is always available
with the Lord. The final church addressed, Laodicea, is the subject
of our discussion here. Each of the cities addressed in this passage
are in Asia or Asia minor, are significant, and their whereabouts can
still be established. The link below is a map showing these cities;
http://www.paradisepbc.org/Articles/Maps%20&%20Diagrams/MapSevenChurchesRevelation.htm
Revelation 3: 14-22, kjv
14. And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write;
These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness,
the beginning of the creation of God;
15. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would
thou wert cold or hot.
16. So then, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,
I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods and
have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched,
and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18. I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou
mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do
not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou
mayest see.
19. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore,
and repent.
20. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my
voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup
with him, and he with me.
21.To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne,
even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his
throne.
22. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the
Churches.
As you see, above, this church was rebuked by the Lord God.
When you read the complete chapters of two and three Revelation,
you will find all of the churches, with the exception of Smyrna and
Philadelphia were found to be in some degree of error. The church
of the Laodiceans seemed to be the most egregious offender. It is
to be noted, that each of the offenders were offered counsel from
the Lord to repent and return fully to him as in verses 20 and 21 of
chapter three.
Since we believe the Laodicean church represents the final church
age, there is evidence we are presently living in that era. There is
reason to believe; in each church age of the seven, there are cha-
racteristics of every age, in individuals within those local congrega-
tions.
So, what are the characteristics for which we must look, if we
are to determine if this is accurate? Is this typical in churches of
today or is this just a poor theory? No one person or group of
people should be regarded as being completely knowledgeable on
this score, but we can look at trends or tendencies from each age
and see them within the church and in ourselves.
In vs. 15-16, there is a lack of passion found in the congregation,
maybe even the leadership, at Laodicea. "I will spue thee out of
my mouth," indicates the disgust with which our Lord holds this
people. In vs. 17 there is failure of this people to recognize their
poverty in the Spirit, and thus we find pride and conceit to be pre-
valent. In vs.18 the Lord offers all that is needed for restoration
through discipline or chastening. In vs. 20 He gives the vehicle of
that restorationtion;
"Behold I stand at the door and knock, if any man hear my voice,
and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him,
and he with me." See also 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, who
are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and
seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear
from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
"...and His mercy endureth forever." See Psalm 136... (See the
link below for what's next...)
http://biblicalclarity-don.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-great-tribulation-in-scripture.html
I heard the late Dr. Adrian Rogers today on radio. He was teaching
from the Revelation about last days. He is finishing the message
tomorrow, May 1st.....
I have received an email questioning whether Jesus Christ will really
come back to earth. Whether they refer to the "Catching Away" of
believers, or the "Second Coming," when Christ will actually set his
feet on this earth, it will split, and He will set up his Kingdom on
the earth. He will, according to my belief, rule over all of mankind
from that time until a later time when things change again. There is
a statement in the New Testament saying, men in the last days will
question whether Jesus Christ will actually return, and that question
is being asked now. When our Lord returns for his Bride, or church,
He will not set his foot on the earth, but will catch "us" up in the air.
Thanks for the question. I hope this gives you a satisfactory
answer. There is much controversy, some disagreement on
this topic. Dogmatism, however; is unacceptable...
Thanks for looking; donporter,sr 2.28.15 Edited 12.25.15, 5.7.16
