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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