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Exhortation | Promises |
| at Ephesus
'Darling' 33-170 Anno Domini |
Apostolic (great grand parents of this generation had seen Jesus with their own eyes) | Faithful in Service and belief. Hate deeds of Nicolaitans (shepherding through power of clergy) | backslide. | Left first love. | Re 2:5 Remember ..and repent, and do the first works; | PS
[post scripted] |
| at Smyrna
'Myrrh' 54-313 AD |
Persecuted, harassed, martyred. | Faithful under persecution. Poor but rich. | Physical and spiritual persecution of those who followed Jesus faithfully. |
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Re 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death,.. | PS |
| at Pergamos
'Mixed Marriage' 312-606 AD |
Transition toward the Dark Age. Married to the world. | Faithful in belief in spite of Satan's influence & evil power. | Compromise with worldly power. Church yoked together with Roman Kingdom under Constantin. | Promote doctrine of Balaam and Nicolaitans. | Re 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. | PS |
| at Thyatira
'Semiramis' 606-? AD Dark Ages |
Medieval Church; Idols worship. | Good works, some faith. | Power shift from worldly secular power into Roman papal church hierarchy. | Letting wicked woman Jezebel reigned, seduce to commit
spiritual adultery
and fornication. |
Re 2:25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: | In the body of the letter |
| at Sardis
'Remnant' 1520- ? AD |
Renaissance leads to Reformation- Denominational Churches | A good name and a faithful few. | Back to Bible era which brought out 'People of the Book' culture; which in turn opened up ....... | Works not perfect. A form of godliness but denying the power thereof. | Re 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and 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. | In the body of the letter |
| at Philadelphia
'Brotherly Love' 1750-? AD |
Churches for Mission. Evangelistic campaign. Winning souls for eternal life. | An open door, a little strength, a good testimony. | Missionary movement world wide,
spreading the Gospel. (Matt 26:18-19) |
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Re 3:10 Because thou hast .., I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, .. | In the body of the letter |
| at Laodicia
'Rule of the People' 1900- ? AD |
Apostate Church, much emphasize on Ecumenical,Charismatic experiences,
Social Gospel. Some open to Inter Faith Dialogue, promote extra biblical revelation. Winning people for church membership. |
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Cling to tradition
and doctrine of men. Prefer the wisdom of man rather than the foolishness of God. |
Lukewarm. Rich but poor, blind and naked. | Re 3:18 I to buy of me gold tried in the
fire, that .. ; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
.. : be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. |
In the body of the letter |