Dear Doves,
The Seven Churches of Revelation as Prophecy
A couple of years ago, I read an incredibly fascinating article on the Seven Churches of Revelation 2 & 3 as it relates to Prophecy. This article was written by Jack Kelley, with the link provided as follows (this is followed by parts 2 & 3):
This article is quite a long read, but is WELL worth the time to do so. Nonetheless, for those with time constraints, the following represents the “Coles Notes” abbreviated version of this excellent teaching:
Four Levels of Application
- Level 1 - Historical: These seven churches really existed and each was experiencing the particular problem to which the Lord referred as He dictated the letters to John
- Level 2 – Admonitory: Since all the churches were to read each of the letters, they were also admonitory to all
- Level 3 – Individuals AND Congregations: The letters contained challenges and promises to BOTH individuals AND congregations
- Level 4 – Prophetic: Read in the order in which the letters appear, these letters ALSO outlines church history as it has unfolded. As such, these letters are also prophetic
The Seven Churches as Prophecy
- Church 1 – The 1st Century Church: Ephesus represents the 1st century church. Ephesus means “darling, maiden of choice”. This church was vigilant in their efforts to keep the Gospel intact and unpolluted. However, this church and its members would often get too “busy” and needed to remind themselves on occasion that it is thru grace we are saved, not by works.
- Church 2 – The 2nd & 3rd Century Church: Smyrna represents the 2nd & 3rd century church. Smyrna means “crushed”. This church suffered intense persecution. This letter prophesies that this church will suffer persecution for ten days. This is EXACTLY what happened. The “Ten Days” was symbolic of the crushing oppression this church would receive during the reigns of the ten subsequent separate Roman Caesars, covering a total period of 250 years. This letter contained no promise of deliverance from persecution, just the subsequent reward that would await them in heaven.
- Church 3 – The 4th Century Church: Pergamum represents the 4th century church. Pergamum means “mixed marriage”. This church represents the merger of pagan and Christian practices after Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire. This letter outlines what happens to a church when the world enters the church and begins polluting it from the inside.
The above three churches have now all disappeared, both symbolically and in reality. However, the marriage of pagan and Christian beliefs in Church 3, the 4th Century Church, produced four offspring that all survive to this day. These four offspring are represented by the four remaining churches, outlined as follows:
- Church 4 – Roman Catholic Church: Thyatira represents the Roman Catholic Church. Thyatira means “continual sacrifice”. In the Catholic Church, Christ is still on the cross. It was the first letter with a future view, seemingly confirming that the first three churches were now historical. It is also the first letter that divides the church into two categories of members: saved and unsaved. Saved = Those who are truly saved, but continue to attend this pagan church simply to “keep the family peace”. Unsaved = Those who are not saved, but instead worship the pagan aspect of this church (Mary, saints, acts, traditions, etc.) and do not TRULY have a relationship with the One Truth, Jesus. It makes clear that people in this church should pray to Jesus and NOT to Mary or the saints. This letter predicted that the Catholic Church would be called the “plus religion”: Jesus PLUS Mary & the Saints; Grace PLUS Works, etc., and this is exactly the case today!! My personal addition to Jack’s observations: The Lord speaks about a group in the Catholic Church knowing about “Satan’s so-called deep secrets” and that those that do so and follow in this path, will be doomed. This appears to confirm that the Pope and the Cardinals may indeed all be a direct part of the Illuminati organization, as so many of us now suspect. It is quite apparent, in the deep symbolism contained in the Roman Catholic Church, that the dark forces are well-imbedded.
- Church 5 – Main Line Protestant Church: Sardis represents the Main Line Protestant Church. Sardis means “remnant”. As with Thyatira, members are again divided into saved and unsaved. The church in Sardis represents the Protestant Reformation, when Luther and others led the way out of Catholicism. They did this in their search of truth. The Catholics had distorted God’s word into something it was never intended to be, adding to the Scriptures and imposing heavy spiritual burdens on their followers. The Protestant Church attempts to reverse this. However, in their quest for the truth, the Protestants often neglected the things of the Spirit. As such, for several hundred years, members almost never heard the rustlings of the Ruach Elohim (Spirit of God) in their midst. Finally, when the Great Awakening of the late 1800′s and early 1900′s brought the Gifts of the Spirit into the open again, many Main Line Protestants denied their use. This denial caused many in this church to leave their number, giving birth to Church 6 - the Evangelical Church, via first the Pentecostal and then the Charismatic movements. As is the case in Thyatira, there remains but a remnant that is saved in this church. The rest, having worked so hard to make God small enough to fit in their minds, now find Him too small to meet their needs. They will be among the most surprised to find themselves left behind when the Rapture occurs (tellingly, the Lord doesn’t promise to come for them, but to them).
- Church 6 – Evangelical Church: Philadelphia represents the Evangelicals, including the Pentecostals and the Charismatics. Philadelphia means “brotherly love”. Philadelphia represents the Evangelical Church, born in the 1800′s during the 2nd Great Awakening (the first awakening took place about 100 years earlier, primarily in the Northern colonies). For centuries, scholars had taught an allegorical interpretation of scripture, especially prophecy. However, in the mid 1800’s, the rank and file was energized by a return to the literal interpretation. The pre-tribulation rapture and 1000 year reign of the Lord on Earth, views that were prevalent during the 1st century, but abandoned with the allegorical interpretation, were once again popular. The church was born again!! The Church in Philadelphia, receiving no criticism from Jesus, is granted full admission into the Rapture. This is symbolic of the fact that, for those saved by grace through faith, it’s as if no sin was ever committed. This letter outlines that the advocates of Replacement Theology (those believing the church has replaced Israel), and other groups claiming Israel’s inheritance as the favored of God, will be required to bow down before the true church and admit the error of their ways. Furthermore, a great promise is contained here for us: “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.” This confirms the promise of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. The Greek word translated “from” in this passage literally means “out of altogether” and excludes us from the time, place, and cause of the end-times judgments. Only one “hour of trial” is prophesied to be world-wide, and only one is designed for the Earth dwellers. It’s the Great Tribulation. Throughout the balance of Revelation, the Church is referred to as those who dwell in Heaven. A later verse in this letter describes how we watchers live today: “I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.” Here’s one of those places that distinguishes the free gift of salvation from the crowns we’ll earn as prizes for the things we do in the Lord’s name out of gratitude for His gift. One of those crowns is reserved for those who long for His appearing (2 Tim. 4:8). Personal Note: This letter BEAUTIFULLY and perfectly describes the attitude of the Church in Philadelphia, which includes us on Five Doves that are His watching Bride!!
- Church 7 – Apostate Church: Laodicea represents the Apostate Church. Laodicea means “the people rule”. The Laodicean Church represents the Apostate Church at the end of the age. Many in the New Age and Emergent Church movements are part of this church. Here, Jesus lets them know that they don’t rule the church, He does. Laodicea receives no commendation, only the criticism of being the ones spewed out into the Tribulation. This letter is rich in symbolic sarcasm. Laodicea received its water from nearby Heiropolis, a hot spring resort that still flourishes today, now called Pamukkale. The water came across the valley in an open aqueduct. Having begun its journey fresh from the hot springs, it was lukewarm by the time it arrived. Too cool to be used for cleaning or bathing and too warm to be refreshing, it was unfit for use until it could be either heated up or cooled down. In a similar manner, the fire of the Spirit has gone from the Church in Laodicea, leaving its members engaged in “form without substance” ritual. Not that they mind. They are happy as clams with their no commitment, no responsibility religion. They look like a church and do some things that a church does, but you won’t detect the power of the Holy Spirit there. The gospel of our salvation is only obvious by its absence. Even though their congregations are often large and well financed, their spiritual condition is one of poverty. This church is rich in the worldly sense, but poor in the things of the Spirit. They think themselves well dressed in their shiny black wool, but lacking the white robes of righteousness and are actually naked. This church is able to see all the opportunities for worldly gain, but in need of a healthy dose of the Lord’s eye salve to restore their eternal perspective. Here, the Lord is standing outside! He’s knocking on the door trying to get in, hoping (praying?) that someone, anyone, will hear His voice and invite Him in. If they do, He’ll say, “Better change your mind about your need for a savior. Time’s about up.” Right up until the time of the Rapture, anyone in the Church of Laodicea can recognize his or her need for a savior and look to the Lord for salvation. And even if it makes them the very last member of the Body of Christ, they’ll receive full rights and privileges.
Let’s Get Personal
As you sit in your seat each Sunday, regardless of the sign on the church door, you’ll joined by folks from Thyatira. They’re the ones who add to the Gospel: “Jesus plus someone or something else, grace plus works, scripture plus tradition”. There are also some from Sardis. They subtract from the Gospel: “You don’t need to be born again, just join the church, give some time and money, you’ll be fine.” And then there’s the group from Laodicea: “Jesus was a great man and teacher, and lived a life of such gentleness and grace that it’s ALMOST as if he was God. Just love everybody like he did. The good life you live is an obvious sign of your favor with God, and everyone knows there’s no real heaven, I mean come on.”
But if you know you’re a sinner and have given your heart to Jesus because He gave His life for you, then you’re from Philadelphia!! There may be some others there with you, but you’ll never really know for sure how many until we all vanish together some day soon. And don’t be surprised when we are joined by some who are Catholic, some who are Protestant, some conservatives, some liberals, and even some who didn’t appear to attend any church at all. After all it’s not what you say you are, but what you believe in your heart that matters.
Keep looking up, my brothers and sisters in Christ. Our redemption SURELY draws near!! What exciting times to be living in!!
YbiC, MathMan