THE SEVEN CHURCHES COMPARED TO CHURCH HISTORY

REVELATION REVEALED

HISTORICAL PERIODS OF CHRISTIANITY

There is also an historical aspect underlying these seven churches. Each represents a certain stage of the church, and the message relates to the pre-dominate conditions of the church in general at those times. The approximate dates of the seven stages are suggested as follows: “EPHESUS” (AD.32-170):- Became more concerned with organization than organism, striving to establish a Priestly order or Hierarchy, and consequently being duped. “SMYRNA” (AD. 170-312):- “Ten Days” – ten great persecutions, seven of which occurred during this period of Church history under Roman oppression, Marcus Aurelius to Diocletian. “PERGAMOS” (AD312-606):- Constantine showered wealth upon the Church, but also encouraged paganism; introduced Christmas which was a Roman Sun-god festival, as Christ’s Birthday. “THYATIRA” (AD. 606-1520. INQUISITION):- Jezebel (not Ahab’s wife), prophetess of Diana, introduced licentiousness into Church proceedings. A type of the Papal combining of pagan rituals with Christianity – the ‘Mother’ church of Rome. “SARDIS” (AD.1520-1750):- Intolerable “formalism” of Roman church produced “rebels” like Luther who began the Reformation or anti-Papal revolution. The Roman church had turned to stone, spiritually. “PHILADELPHIA” (AD. 1750-1900):- Revival of “dead Sardis” Church by Revivalists such as Whitefield, Wesley, Finney, Moody, Carey etc. Evangelical and Missionary period boom of true brotherly love. Carrying out Christ’s Great Commission! “LAODICEA” (AD. 1900-to Rapture):- Most churches from 1900 to the present time; lukewarm, little or no spirituality, decline, in church-going, churches burdened with wealth, rather than debt. Disinterest beyond social activities, patent unbelief prevalent. Nominal Christianity. Consider your own church! Does it fit any particular one of the seven addressed by Christ? He addressed no others, so yours must be one of these! Which? What are you doing about it? Behold! Christ stands at the door and knocks! Is your church door open? Are you over comers?

MYSTRIES OF THE THRONE ROOM

REVELATION REVEALED

THE THRONE OF GOD (YESHUA): (Rev. 4)

John was taken up to Heaven in the spirit and beheld God’s Throne. He could not clearly discern God, although he knew He was upon His Throne, because of the blinding radiance of God’s Countenance which was like glistening and glittering gems. Remember Moses when be came down from Sinai, and how no one could look upon his face? John states elsewhere in – 1 John 1: 5, “God is Light”, and Ezekiel describes God in the same way in Ez. 1: 26-28. Both John and Ezekiel refer to the difficulty of distinguishing God’s Form because of the Glorious light which emanates from Him, and both refer to the Rainbow which arches round the Throne. God never forgets His Covenants! John then goes on to describe the Personages and surroundings rounding about God’s Throne. The 24 Elders, many commentators believe, are comprised of 12 Apostles of Christ, and 12 Priestly representatives of the tribes of Israel. 24 would seem to be God’s governmental order. * In 1 Chron. 24: 1-19, we find that David distributed the Priestly office of all Israel between 24 elders who represented the whole of the priesthood. These Elders around God’s Throne then, could represent the whole of God’s Priesthood in both Old and New Testaments! Rev. 21: 10-14, we see this combination, where the New Jerusalem has 12 foundation Stones bearing the names of the 12 Apostles of Christ, and 12 Gates named after the 12 tribes of Israel! There is a difference of opinion however, amongst commentators regarding the identity of these 24 elders. While some see them as redeemed men, others believe they are angelic administration. Rev. 5: 8-12 (A. V.) is used to show that they are redeemed men. But the word “us” is not in the original, so there is an open question here. John goes on to describe the four living creatures in and around God’s Throne – one like a lion, another like a calf, the third like a man and the fourth like an eagle. Each has 6 wings and is full of eyes. Ezekiel also saw these “cherubim” in his vision of Ez. 1:5-25, if not the self same four, they were of a similar order. These living Creatures (or ‘zoa’) appear to act in the role of “watchers” around God’s Throne, besides having other mysterious functions to perform at the Father’s bidding. THE SEA OF GLASS Before God’s Throne, at this pre-Tribulation point in time, John saw it empty: but later, (in Rev. 7:8-17) we shall see it filled with Tribulation martyrs praising God. This is a vast auditorium or audience chamber before the Throne of God. Also, in Rev. 15:2-3, we see a similar scene.