Originally posted by DeafPosttrib:
itutitti,
Excuse me,
Hello Deaf.
Please can you prove to us, how can you be sure what year of the seven churches as it is so called, 'Church Age'.
No quite sure your meaning here Deaf. The “church Age” started in the “wilderness” in the mount Sinai, where the Law was given. John speaks of the past, the present, and the future.
How can you prove to us that the seventh church is the last one?
I believe this position is by scripture. I believe most adhere to the progressive Word of God, ever moving forward. The events of men perhaps remain the same, but not God. We are enlightened as we progress in His Word.
A systematic approach is used, of course, and dispensations should be acknowledged. We should endeavor to understand Israelology, and realize that the progression does not stop there. With this we must use hermeneutics for correct interpreting, however I believe here we must have help from the Holy Spirit.
So from Bibliopoly through the “ologies” we arrive to where we are now, speaking of Eschatology. With this in mind I moved through scripture, Law and Prophecy, the “wilderness” church through Jesus’ earthly ministry (No. 1 –Ephesus) then to the Pentecostal church (No. 2), (then the Christian church which was dropped down as it were, and then taken up at about the time of appearance of the Laodicean church), progressing to the forming of the Papal (No. 3), then emerging as the Roman Catholic church (No. 4), then to the break that was complete of the Papal and the Greek churches in 1054 A.D. (No. 5). As time marches on we see the different denominations begin their splintering from the Papal beginning in the 1300’s. So this carries us through six of the churches.
Here we should stop, for there are other small churches, and gatherings, and those that are not churchgoers, but they are Christians, they that have believed in their heart that by believing on the name of the Lord Jesus they will be saved. So Christians in the Body of Christ in the six (6) churches, and those Christians not in those six (6) churches, dead or alive are caught up to be with Christ in the air, for we are to be with him in heaven.
Ephesians 1:3-5, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will”. Just think of it, Jesus Christ has taken me a heathen He discarded in other dispensations, but Now He is taking me, and any that believe Him to Himself, and we will be forever wherever He is – I Thessalonians 5:10.
This should put every one of us on our knees, knowing there is not one thing we can do, or did do to merit this, for it is by the Grace of our Savior God, through our Lord Jesus Christ that we are saved.
So since Revelation was written until now, here we stand pondering about this last church, as well as the others, just as millions in the past have done. Until He shows me something more beyond what He has allowed me to see, I will believe what has been put into my heart.
That teaching is come from C.I. Scofield. I disagree with his teaching. Even, Late Dr. John R. Rice disagreed with Scofield's teaching of 'Seven Church Age'.
Well, if this is what C. I. Scofield believed, then I have company. I believe Dr. John R. Rice has his right to what he believed beyond his salvation, but was he right? Do you have proof that He was right in his thinking?
When you read Revelation chapter 2 to chapter 3. You will easy find them mentioned, that Churches did face trials, tribulations, and persecutions. There is none verse with the promise that the seven churches will be escape from the coming tribulation.
The believers in the sixth (6) Philadelphian church will be saved somewhere within the tribulation from the “hour of temptation”, which seems to occur at about the halfway point.
All of the seven churches were existed during John's time. Christ already know their characters, works, spiritual. These are speak of the local churches. But these are apply to us of all churches throughout all ages till the end of the age at Christ's coming.
In Christ
Rev. 22:20 -Amen!
