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Theological Experiment with the 7 Churches

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I would love to see how many of you would engage in a theological experiment with me.

The basics of which are very simple and not time consuming at all.

1. Read Revelation 2+3 with an open mind and no preconceived notions of what the Churches are or represent.
2. Do you find that one Church matches your personality and temperament? Or does the reward of a particular Church speak to you more than the others?
3. Would you post here what Church you best identify with and why?

It shouldn't take too long as it is only 2 chapters.
Please actually do the homework before posting. Read Revelation anew... not relying on your memory of past readings.
Look to these chapters as personal advise from Jesus to your life and instructions on how to overcome.
Thanks, and looking forward to your thoughtful responses.
 
I would love to see how many of you would engage in a theological experiment with me.

The basics of which are very simple and not time consuming at all.

1. Read Revelation 2+3 with an open mind and no preconceived notions of what the Churches are or represent.
2. Do you find that one Church matches your personality and temperament? Or does the reward of a particular Church speak to you more than the others?
3. Would you post here what Church you best identify with and why?

It shouldn't take too long as it is only 2 chapters.
Please actually do the homework before posting. Read Revelation anew... not relying on your memory of past readings.
Look to these chapters as personal advise from Jesus to your life and instructions on how to overcome.
Thanks, and looking forward to your thoughtful responses.
The church at Smyrna I identify with . I have dealt with fear and confinement .
8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
 
The church at Smyrna I identify with . I have dealt with fear and confinement .
8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Thanks for sharing... I pray that you will overcome.
 
So I guess I will answer this question myself.

Philadelphia... and I really disagree with how I have heard this Church described... So I will do my best to correct what I see as misinterpretation of Rev 3:7-13.

7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things said he that is holy, he that is true, he that has the key of David, he that opens, and no man shuts; and shuts, and no man opens;
8 I know your works: behold, I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it: for you have a little strength, and have kept my word, and have not denied my name.


Philadelphia has been described as the Faithful Church... but no...Rev 3:8 shows that this is the Weak Church.
And I know I haven't done much for the Kingdom... but when push came to shove... I did NOT deny Jesus as my Saviour. I have failed to do the right thing so very many times... but I have believed the Bible and not denied Christ.
That is the lowest standard for anything I have done. I wish I would be know for my good works... but no.


9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.

Many would take it that I want to be honoured as many see this verse suggesting. I would see it as I am standing(as a pillar in the temple v.12) and souls worshipping Jesus around and about me. And Jesus saying "that Pillar you are near was my witness to you... how did you respond? You hated that Pillar but I have treasured and loved him."


10 Because you have kept the word of my patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation, which shall come on all the world, to try them that dwell on the earth.

So, David... you believe you will be Raptured before the SHTF. No I do not. I have many health concerns that could kill me even as I type this. Stroke, aorta bisection, heart attack and the list goes on. So, knowing that I am weak and will probably not stay strong in my faith under persecution... I believe that before I give in to the temptation of the Anti-Christ... I will die. I pray that I will last long enough to see my family die first as I am better able to deal with death than the rest of my family. I have had may people die in my life and that is not a faith shaker for me.

11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which you have, that no man take your crown.

I don't have much... but if Jesus says I have a crown... then I will do whatever I can to hold fast. I can't see these things that Jesus says about me... but I trust Him to deliver. Not because I am worthy... but because He is Faithful.


12 Him that overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God: and I will write on him my new name.

This one verse in the ENTIRE Bible shakes me to the core. I have had the chance to live on Church property while my parents were building a house(temporarily housed in the parsonage while construction was happening). Since my very early preteen years I have this memory of basically living in the Lords House. Playing in the vacant Church building and parking lot was very special time. The second half of this verse causes me to cry every time I read it and I didn't cry at my parents funerals.

Let me paraphrase so you can hear what I hear.

"I will write on you.... 'Property of the Lord God Almighty. If lost please return to New Jerusalem. Signed (the New Name of Jesus)'"


13 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit said to the churches.


I am doing my best to listen.
 
I would love to see how many of you would engage in a theological experiment with me.

The basics of which are very simple and not time consuming at all.

1. Read Revelation 2+3 with an open mind and no preconceived notions of what the Churches are or represent.
2. Do you find that one Church matches your personality and temperament? Or does the reward of a particular Church speak to you more than the others?
3. Would you post here what Church you best identify with and why?

It shouldn't take too long as it is only 2 chapters.
Please actually do the homework before posting. Read Revelation anew... not relying on your memory of past readings.
Look to these chapters as personal advise from Jesus to your life and instructions on how to overcome.
Thanks, and looking forward to your thoughtful responses.
Sadly, to be honest, Thyatira, "rule of a goddess". This is the church that has fallen to idolatry, and to it the great tribulation is guaranteed unless those who commit spiritual adultery with her repent (Rev. 2:22). I'm afflicted by porn for more than a decade. I've got rid of the hardcore, but I still find myself drawn to softcore (meaning nudity only, no sex or any explicit sexual activity), sometimes even with a Christian label, and it's especially hard to overcome it when I'm writhing in bed and struggling to sleep.
 
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