JeremiahD said:
vic C. said:
there were no longer seven Asian churches near the end of the first century.
This book was written in 90AD. So these churches were fading out (some of them).
As any student of eschatology knows the date is highly debated. I lean toward a date in the 60's AD. But that has no bearing on this discussion unless I can find definitive proof that any of these churches were gone before 90AD. Plus I hold to the belief that some prophecy is twofold, so an earlier date doesn't affext my End Times beliefs.
2) If these messages were for the seven churches that existed at the time, why then would Jesus (notice it is red in the authoritative version) have him recorded in the "book" for later use? Some say because it applies on a "personal" level, but I don't by that because of this:
I would need the verse where it says this, for reference. The word "later" isn't in my version of Revelation (KJV)
3) The letter was not to a group of people, but to a specific person or angel.
Revelation 2
1Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
This message was to the "angel" or the "messenger" not the to the church itself....but to the messenger (single person) of the church, which implies that the "messenger" would then give it to the church.
Even if there were multiple "messengers" those messengers where to give the message to yet another messenger of the church itself (like a preacher, or "father", or minister, or whatever) who would then deliver it to the church.
This gives the impression that it was not to "everyone" on a personal level, and it also gives the impression that it was not to the "current" seven churches of the time or else their would be no need to have it added to the book.
Something to think about.
The entire "seven church" passage is bookmarked by these verses:
Rev 1:4
John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
Rev 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and
send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
Rev 3:22 He that hath an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
The letters were written for the messengers, to be delivered to each of the seven churches. The context of the verses above dictate that.
