Coming of our King and study of Revelations-Lesson 2

Coming of our King and study of Revelations-Lesson 2

This next lesson will talk about the church ages, as I think it is important to know a little bit about this before I carry you on into what happens to the earth as we know it.

There are 7 churches in the province of Asia mentioned in Revelations which represent 7 periods of time that give us a view of church history running from Pentecost to what we call the Rapture.

The 1st Church is Ephesus. This period, by most scholars standards, is between 30 AD and 100 AD. Jesus warned them to stop Backsliding in Revelations 2: 4&5
(Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent, and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.)

The 2nd Church is Smyrna. This period is around 100 AD to 312 AD. Jesus reminds this church HE is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. This church was persecuted just like Jesus was and tells them that if they overcome they will not be hurt by the second death.

The 3rd Church is Pergamum. This period is around 312 Ad to 590 AD. This church suffered from Compromise because they merged the church with state and allied itself with the world. The city this church was in was basically run by people who worshipped idols and Jesus warns this church if they do not change their evil ways HE will fight them with a spiritual sword but if they overcome he will give them some of the hidden manna.

The 4th Church is Thyatira. This period is around 590 AD to about 1517 AD. It begins by telling us that Jesus eyes are like blazing fire and feet like burnished bronze. His blazing eyes depict his penetrating gaze into this era and HIS very strong displeasure or anger with the "adulterous" church. He also knew of the many who faithfully served with deeds, love, faith, service and perseverance and doing more now than they did at first. Nevertheless, HE is still angry because they tolerate the woman "Jezebel" who misleads many with sexual immorality (enticing GODs people to depart from the faith).

The 5th Church is Sardis. This period is around 1517 AD to about 1750 AD. Jesus tells them they have a reputation for being alive but also says they are dead!!! Tells them to WAKE UP!! and to Strengthen what remains. HE has not found their deeds complete in HIS sight. And warns them HE will come like a thief and they will not know it. This church goes thru the motions but there is no real faith, no one is being saved, or repenting. How sad!!

The 6th Church is Philadelphia. This period is around 1750 AD to about early 1900's though some scholars believe this church period ends as the Rapture or Tribulation begin. This church is what a church should be as it is a working, evangelistic, GOD fearing church, who followed GOD faithfully.

The 7th Church is Laodicia. This period is around the mid 1900's to the Tribulation period. The final church period. We live in this period now. Jesus warns this church they are neither warm or cold but lukewarm and Jesus despises those who and will spit them out of HIS mouth. He also tells them to be earnest and repent for HE stands at the door knocking.

If we are in the last church age, then this should tell us we are getting closer to the Tribulation and the coming of our KING.

Have you noticed the birthing pains are becoming stronger and with more frequency? Much like a woman in labor over the centuries there were "birth pains", but they were slow and infrequent and as we approach the "End Times", have you noticed that these "birthing pains" have intensified not only in frequency but in how "strong" they are and "how long" they last.

We will see many more of these birthing pains as the world turns and I believe that they will keep getting "Stronger", "Harder", and "More Intensifed" bringing about the Tribulation.My next lesson will go over some of these birthing pains with links for you to view some on our world history!