THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH AGE

While the description of the seven churches of Asia are addressed to specific churches, they are also typical of the periods throughout the Church Age.  This is how I understand God's Word.

 

Ephesus:  The Apostolic Church (Pentecost - A.D. 100) - Rev. 2:1, 4-5

"Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write . . . I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."

Smyrna:  The Persecuted Church (A.D. 100 - 316) - Rev. 2:8, 10 

"And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write . . . Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."

Pergamos:  The Governmental Church (A.D. 316 - 1054) - Rev. 2:12, 14-16

"And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write . . . I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam . . . So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.  Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth."

Thyatira:  The Medieval Church (A.D. 1054 - 1517) - Rev. 2:18, 20, 22

"And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write . . . I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce My servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols . . . I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds."

Sardis:  The States' Church (A.D. 1517 - 1750) - Rev. 3:1-3

"And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write . . . I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead . . . strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die . . . hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee."

Philadelphia:  The Missionary Church (A.D. 1750 - Today) - Rev. 3:7-8, 10

"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write . . . I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My Word, and hast not denied My name.  Because thou hast kept the Word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world . . . (The Rapture BEFORE THE TRIBULATION)."

Laodicea:  The Apostate Church (A.D. 1750 - Today) - Revelation 3:14-16, 19

"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write . . . I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth . . . As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."  (Those who accept Jesus will not go into the Tribulation - those who do not, will suffer the same fate as the rest of the lost!).