The seven churches as seven ages?

bob2010 · Post by **bob2010** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 3:42 pm

One of those things is that preterism is blasphemy, because it is inherently anti-semetic.

ok.... perhaps you should explain yourself.

PHIL121 · Post by **PHIL121** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 7:45 pm

bob2010 wrote:
One of those things is that preterism is blasphemy, because it is inherently anti-semetic.
ok.... perhaps you should explain yourself.

If you want me to, YOU can start a topic on preterism.

This topic is about the Seven Letter in Revleation 2 and 3

PHIL121 · Post by **PHIL121** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 7:46 pm

Revelation 3
The Dead Church

1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.[a] 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. 4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. 6 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”'

By the late Middle Ages, the Church had pretty much ceased to be a Spiritual entity and had become instead a Political entity (verse 1). It had used indulgences as means a collecting wealth and granting salvation (verse 2). After ruling Europe for nearly a thousand years, King Henry and Martin Luther brought about the Reformation "like a thief in the night" (verse 3) and the 30 Years War soon began in Europe. Religion became a tool of government oppresion yet a few faithful remained (verse 4)

puritan lad · Post by **puritan lad** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 5:18 am

PHIL121 wrote:I'm simply stating what the Holy Spirit has reveled to me.
One of those things is that preterism is blasphemy, because it is inherently anti-semetic.

Phil,

Please don't degrade the Holy Spirit that way...

PHIL121 · Post by **PHIL121** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 10:08 pm

The Faithful Church
7“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, 'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:[c] 8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it;[d] for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie-indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold,[e] I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. 13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”'

As I studied this letter more in depth, I've come to believe it not only refers to the Church of the Reformation, but also to America. After all, it America declared its independence in Philadelphia, and began the revolution that put an end to the reign of monarchs, something which God never intended in the first place. It doing so, America 'opened the door that no one could shut', (verse 7 and

much as Martin Luther and King Henry by authorized translations of the Bible in the language of the 'common folk'. Verse 9 can also be interpreted in this dual manner. Much as the Catholic Church had become corrupt, so too had the English crown, and as God allowed Protestant Churchs to spread, so to did America grow and prosper. And now, as the hour of the Great Tribulation draws near, America is the world's last superpower, blessed with the wealth of nations (verse 10 and 11). Verse 12 also suggests America, whose motto is "In God We Trust", and being founded on the principle of religious freedom, was much like a New Jerusalem to those wishing to escape religious persecution in Europe.

Of course, the next letter explains how all that has changed....