Bible Questions Answered:
In revelation why did John pick these seven churches, there were other churches too.
Carl/ Seattle, Washington
Bible Answer:
That is correct. First of all, the seven churches of Asia (western Turkey), were not chosen by the Apostle, but by the Lord Jesus, and the reason He choose them, is that they are representative of all other churches, be they in John's day or ours, or anywhere in between.
CHURCH
DISTINGUISHING CHARAERISTIC
CHURCH AGE
Revelation 2:1-7 Church of Ephesus.
They Had Lost Their 1st Love.
30-100 A.D Apostolic Church Age.
Revelation 2:8-11Church of Smyrna.
Faithful Christian Church, That Suffered Persecution.
100-313 A.D. Persecuted Church Age.
Revelation 2:12-17 Church of Pergamos.
Christian Church Filled With False Teachers.
313-590 A.D. State Church Age.
Revelation 2:18-29 Church of Thyatria.
Church Filled With Works, And Controlled By A False Teacher
590-1517 A.D. Papal Church Age.
Revelation 3:1-6 Church of Sardis.
Church Filled With Works, But Spiritually Dead.
1517-1790 A.D. Reformation Church Age.
Revelation 3:7-12 Church of Philadelphia.
Faithful Christian Church, Known For It's Evangelism.
1730-1900 A.D. Missionary Church Age
Revelation 3:13-22 Church of Laodiceans.
Church That Was Spiritually Dead, Called Luke Warm.
1900-Present A.D. Apostate Church Age.
If the book of Judges has taught us anything, it has taught us that judgment must fall, before repentance, then and only then may blessing take place.
I Peter 4:7,17 KJV
7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
The lesson of spiritual coldness and death, must not be forgotten.
Loss of love for Jesus Christ the Saviour, acceptance of false, “non-Biblical teachings”, religious “works,” substituting for spiritual fervency, lack of witnessing, adherence to teachers, who are “not,” measured by biblical standards, lead to a spiritually dead church.
And so what is the end of the matter? Of the seven Asian churches of John's day, only two, remain, and those are Smyrna, and Philadelphia, of which no fault was mentioned.
II Corinthians 6:14-18 KJV
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
