Faith of the Ages-grace with a capital G

FAITH OF THE AGES-The Symbolism of The Seven Churches 1. INTRODUCTION Why does the book of revelation begin with a salutation, to the seven churches? There must be something significant about them. Is there a message to you and me that goes beyond the historical seven churches that were all contemporaries in the early history of the church? We will try to answer the following questions during this divine moment of worship and reflection on Gods Holy Word a.) Who were the seven churches and what place did they hold in history? b.) What is the symbolism of the seven churches? c.) What is the message of the symbolism to us in this day and age? 2. WHO WERE THE SEVEN CHURCHES? John is exiled on the island of Patmos It is on the Lords day ,the seventh day ,that he hears a loud voice, like a trumpet Rev 1:11 it said “I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, what thou seest write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia unto Eph’-e-sus Smyr’-na Per’-ga-mos Thy-a-ti-ra Sar-dis Phil-a-del-phi-a La-od-i-cea These are the seven major churches of early Christianity. All the churches are located in the modern day country of Turkey. These churches derived their names from the cities in which they were located. “Church”,it must be understood is in the context of a community of Christians living in a particular city. Therefore the church in Ephesus is the community of Christians who live in Ephesus. However in modern day Turkey the city of Ephesus whose ruins lie 3km south west of the town of Selcuk, in the Selcuk district of Izmir province in Turkey there no longer are significant Christian populations. These churches therefore existed as thriving christian centres due to their economic and geographical strategic locations within the Roman empire. For instance Ephesus was a key mission point for Paul in AD52-54.Paul lived there and worked there. Ephesus-was the commercial, political and religious centre for western Asia Smyrna-was the central and strategic point on the Aegean coast and was a ancient port city. Up to this day this city is an important port for ships in Turkey. Pergamos-was located 26km from the Aegean Sea (the sea is located between modern Greece and Turkey. Thyatira-was famous for its fabric dyeing and indigo trade.It was 80km from the Mediterranean sea Sardis- had great wealth derived from its gold mines, had fruit orchards and a strong military. Philadelphia- was established in 189 BC by King Eumenes II of Pergamon (197-160 BC). Eumenes II named the city for the love of his brother, who would be his successor, Attalus II (159-138 BC), whose loyalty earned him the nickname, "Philadelphos", literally meaning "one who loves his brother". Laodicea-was a metropolitan city and wealthy, in AD60 they had an earthquake and they refused imperial funding and rebuilt the entire city from their own funds. We can therefore conclude that the seven churches were real Christian communities that were in existence when John was on the Island of Patmos about AD96. 3. THE SYMBOLISM OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES John sees Jesus and what a majestic image he paints of him. The bearer of the voice that spoke to spoke to John like a great trumpet. Kings in ancient times were in some cultures announced by great trumpets. Even today presidents are announced by wailing sirens as they travel among their people. Jesus not the head of state, but the head of the church, the King of Kings moves among his people. Let’s restrain ourselves and remain focused on the seven churches. Rev 1:12, 13 When John turns he sees Jesus and not one not two not three but specifically seven golden candle sticks. Jesus is not to the left, nor the right, nor in front of or behind but is in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks. Where else do we have such a similar imagery in the bible, the sanctuary that Moses was told to build, Exodus 37:17,18,23. So that God could dwell among his people. A priest and seven candle sticks. What does the new testament say about this same or similar imagery Hebrews 4:14,15,16.Indeed a high priest, Let us approach the throne of grace boldly, with confidence to obtain grace and mercy to help in time of need. What is very interesting about the salutation to the seven churches is that there is Grace ”John to the seven churches Grace(with a capital G) Who else can be this Grace? Grace personified! What does grace personified say about us, Matthew 5:14,15,16…You are the light of the world. Ye are the light of the world. Let your light so shine, so shine brighter. Why? Because, Psalm 119:105.Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Up to this point in our study we can draw up a conclusion and we must put our conclusion to the test by the word of God. The candle sticks have definitely something to do with light, Jesus call us the light of the world, therefore, who or what are the candle sticks? Jesus does not leave us in doubt, he gives us the key to unlock the symbolism o the seven churches. Lets review a few passages in Chapter 1 of Revelation Verse 13 Jesus is in the middle of the seven candle sticks. Verse 16 He has in his not left but ,right hand of favour seven stars Verse 16 out of his mouth comes out a two edged sword .What is a two edged sword. Where else do we see a two edged sword imagery Hebrews 4:12 The word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any not one but exactly two edged sword,.. Jesus unlocks the symbolism ,Revelation 1:19,20 The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches. Angels are message bearers The seven candle sticks are the seven churches, take note does he say the seven churches of Asia. No. It’s the seven churches. Let us use yet another key to unlock the symbolism, phrases used to describe Jesus in Revelation chapter 1. The Alpha and Omega capita A and O, this is personification. In Chapter one alone Alpha and Omega are used twice verse 8 and 11 Alpha and Omega, beginning and the end verse 8 Alpha and omega ,the first and the last verse 11 Which is , which was and is to come. This has to do with time, so if Jesus is in the midst of the candles it therefore goes that seven candles, or as established now the seven churches span across a time line. Acts of the Apostles Chapter 11 , page 578 clearly marks where we can start measuring in this tie line, we have to start with the church at Ephesus In the days of the apostles the Christian believers were filled with earnestness and enthusiasm. So untiringly did they labor for their Master that in a comparatively short time, notwithstanding fierce opposition, the gospel of the kingdom was sounded to all the inhabited parts of the earth. The zeal manifested at this time by the followers of Jesus has been recorded by the pen of inspiration for the encouragement of believers in every age. Of the church at Ephesus, which the Lord Jesus used as a symbol of the entire Christian church in the apostolic age, We therefore can safely conclude that the symbol of the seven churches is a story of the experiences of Christianity across the ages of this world’s history. 4. WHAT IS THE MESSAGE OF THE SYMBOLYISM TO US IN THIS DAY AND AGE Acts Apostles Page 598 Workers were raised up who ably defended the faith once delivered to the saints. History bears record to the fortitude and heroism of these men. Like the apostles, many of them fell at their post, but the building of the temple went steadily forward. The workmen were slain, but the work advanced. The Waldenses, John Wycliffe, Huss and Jerome, Martin Luther and Zwingli, Cranmer, Latimer, and Knox, the Huguenots, John and Charles Wesley, and a host of others brought to the foundation material that will endure throughout eternity. And in later years those who have so nobly endeavored to promote the circulation of God's word, and those who by their service in heathen lands have prepared the way for the proclamation of the last great message-- these also have helped to rear the structure. Through the ages that have passed since the days of the apostles, the building of God's temple has never ceased. We who are living in this age have a work to do, a part to act. The enterprise of the church is introducing men , women, adults, children, the rich, the poor, educated ,uneducated, to Grace with a capital G. 5. CONCLUSION AND FURTHER STUDY We have established that the seven churches were real and had a place in history. We have also established that the seven churches are a complete history of the Christian church through out history starting off with the apostolic age. We have firmly established that you and I are the light of this day and age in 2009, the year the first ever African American became President of the USA. Further study requires us to research more into each message to a specific church from Revelation chapter 2 and 3,mirror that against Revelation Chapter 6 of the five horsemen of the first four seals. This will help us establish the trend of Christianity from the apostles up to current times. Rev1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, grace with a capital G. Robert Luzane (rluzane@yahoo.co.uk) Sinner Saved by Grace Publication 1 under research project 2009-2016 “The Structure of current events and the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Presentation Mwami Main SDA Church, Zambia 18 July 2009