The "7 church ages" doctrine...

[Lodic]

I, myself, believe in the rapture. I believe it'll occur before the beast/antichrist comes to full power.

I believe it spread because some Darby-ites took him at his word without checking out the FACTS. Same here in the USA. Larkin got taken in by Darby; Branham got taken in by larkin, & had modern media at his disposal, thus spreading that trash nationwide.

Do you think there is a connection between belief in the Rapture and the "7 Church Ages" view? Would I be correct to say that the "7 Ages" views are closely tied into Dispensationalism? Unfortunately, many Christians refer to our time as the Laodicean age as this is an undisputed fact. What are the best arguments to correct this error?

 

[AustinC]

Do you think there is a connection between belief in the Rapture and the "7 Church Ages" view? Would I be correct to say that the "7 Ages" views are closely tied into Dispensationalism? Unfortunately, many Christians refer to our time as the Laodicean age as this is an undisputed fact. What are the best arguments to correct this error?

From my observation Fundamentalist Dispensationalists have bought the 7 church age hokum hook, line, and sinker.

 

[kyredneck]

Now, what's YOUR view of the 7 church ages?

I quoted PETER'S VIEW:

17 For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God? 1 Pet 4

What's that got to do with the 7 church ages?

Peter's observation is the correct view of the seven letters to the seven churches of Revelation, Christ is judging the house of God.

 

[robycop3]

Peter's observation is the correct view of the seven letters to the seven churches of Revelation, Christ is judging the house of God.

It takes Him no time to judge anything. The members of the congregations were judged instantly at their deaths, same as later ones, including us. And the types of those old churches didn't go thru periods when one was predominant.

 

[robycop3]

Do you think there is a connection between belief in the Rapture and the "7 Church Ages" view? Would I be correct to say that the "7 Ages" views are closely tied into Dispensationalism? Unfortunately, many Christians refer to our time as the Laodicean age as this is an undisputed fact. What are the best arguments to correct this error?

One fact is that there's more Christiansthan ever before, worldwide. And the church age are tied into hyper-dispyism.

 

[Deacon]

The teaching certainly falls outside my hermeneutical comfort zone but characterizations like “hokum”, “error”, “false doctrine”, “garbage”, etc. are not appropriate.

The late Chuck Missler taught the view in his study of Revelation [link]
(I attended a group that went through his video lessons a few years back).

Personally I feel every church during all times benefits from the lessons John recorded.

Rob

 

[AustinC]

The teaching certainly falls outside my hermeneutical comfort zone but characterizations like “hokum”, “error”, “false doctrine”, “garbage”, etc. are not appropriate.

The late Chuck Missler taught the view in his study of Revelation [link]
(I attended a group that went through his video lessons a few years back).

Personally I feel every church during all times benefits from the lessons John recorded.

Rob

I disagree, Deacon. I grew up with this teaching and in studying the churches, the 7 church age theory is hokum. It has zero context with Revelation which is why it never was considered until 1700 years after Revelation was written. There is no support for this theory within the text. For me, it was a big stumbling block for me to see the great encouragement that Revelation brings to the Christian.

 

[Lodic]

One fact is that there's more Christians than ever before, worldwide. And the church age are tied into hyper-dispyism.

I must agree with you on both counts. The only argument I've ever had for those who believe in the "7 Church Ages" is to point out that John wrote to 7 individual churches in Asia Minor. They usually respond with "those churches represent different ages the church is to go through". I wish I had a better argument, as it usually winds up with an agreement to disagree.

 

[37818]

Actually those seven church letters are addressed to primary seven individuals.

Revelation 2:2, ". . . I know thy works, . . ."

Revelation 2:9, ". . . I know thy works, . . ."

Revelation 2:13, ". . . I know thy works, . . ."

Revelation 2:19, ". . . I know thy works, . . ."

Revelation 3:1, ". . . I know thy works, . . ."

Revelation 3:8, ". . . I know thy works: . . ."

Revelation 3:15, ". . . I know thy works, . . ."

 

[AustinC]

I must agree with you on both counts. The only argument I've ever had for those who believe in the "7 Church Ages" is to point out that John wrote to 7 individual churches in Asia Minor. They usually respond with "those churches represent different ages the church is to go through". I wish I had a better argument, as it usually winds up with an agreement to disagree.

There is zero internal evidence for such an assertion. Instead it is asserted from looking back into history and finding times and periods where you can create a connection. It is, in essence, a conspiracy theory that an ignorant person can cling to.

As I have said, it's hokum.

 

[Lodic]

There is zero internal evidence for such an assertion. Instead it is asserted from looking back into history and finding times and periods where you can create a connection. It is, in essence, a conspiracy theory that an ignorant person can cling to.

As I have said, it's hokum.

Especially considering the history of the "7 Church Ages" doctrine, and how its proponents attempt to make historical connections where there are none, how have so many Christians been so easily duped? What is it about this doctrine that attracts people to it? Is it just Biblical and historical ignorance, or does it go deeper? How do we convince those who believe this "hokum" that it's false? When I state my belief that this is just letters to 7 1st Century churches, they object that I just fail to recognize the historical ages. That argument just ends in a stalemate.

 

[robycop3]

With SCRIPTURE as the final authority, we see only one mention in it of Jesus' views & instructions to each of those congregations, & that's in Revelation, & it's to some of the congregations of that time. They all existed simultaneously.

There's absolutely NO mention of "church ages". That's a MAN-MADE notion.

I believe Jesus wanted His letters recorded in Scripture to show all future generations what He expected in congregations and what displeased Him in them. Again, there's NOTHING in Scripture about church ages. That's all man-made & false. That's why I hate to hear preachers, especially Baptist ones, preach that stuff in sermons.