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Monday, April 28, 2014

ARGUMENTS SUPPORTING PROPHETIC SIGNIFICANCE

Arguments Supporting the Idea That These Churches do Have Prophetic Significance

The Designation of Each Church fits a Period in the History of the Church as we See it Today

Ephesus means desirable, a church with enthusiasm and ardor for the Lord. Apostolic Church.

Smyrna means myrrh, must be crushed for its fragrance to be recognized. Period of martyrdom.

Pergamos means married, the time of union of church and state. With the infiltration of the world, the church lost her holi­ness. Period of union of church and state.

Thyatira means continuous sacrifice. Descent into ritualism, paganism, ceremonialism, and sacramentalism. Period of Catholicism at its height.

Sardis means remnant, when some with a little life are rescued from the mass, but who hold the doctrine without purity of life. Reformation period.

Philadelphia means brotherly love, a period in which purity of
life and enthusiasm grows. Period of evangelization.

Laodicea means judgment of the people, a period in which the people determine the movement and order of things. Period of apostacy.

The Diagnosis of each Church fits a Certain Period in Church History
It is amazing how accurately each letter gives a description of a period in church history. This does not mean that every detail accounts for everything. For certainly other church types are also present in each period. Though it does seem that there is one church type that is dominant.

The Destination of These Letters Suggest the Prophetic Inter­pretation also
Seven historic churches are set forth as the immediate destina­tion (1:4, 11). But other churches are certainly in the mind of the Lord Jesus (22:16). And from the very outset of the book it seems evident that this Revelation was meant ultimately to reach every saint (1:1; 22:16).

The Application of These Letters Further Strengthens the Point That These Churches Must be Far-Reaching in Their Significance
Every letter, although directed to one church, is applied to every church (2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22).
In every letter the application and encouragement is to the individual (2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21).

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