The seven churches of Revelation Chapters 2 and 3 are real churches that were on earth at the time of John's exile. A fascinating study is to examine whether they are a chronological overview of the church age from Pentecost to the harpazo, or 'rapture.' An examination of each church corresponds to seven distinctives of church history we can look back on. It is really compelling data, but what seals the whole deal and say's 'this IS a chronological overview of church history given before it happened?'
Firstly, the seven churches correspond to real eras in the near 2000 years of church history. Some have outlined how freakishly accurate the journey of the church has been whilst tracking the seven churches in their order of appearance in Revelation 2 and 3. It isn't so surprising though, seeing as the book of Daniel outlined the great empires of the gentile world history, including our times of fragmented unions and incompatible politics. If Daniel is the heralding of the first coming of Jesus it stands to reason that God would unveil the events around the second coming of Jesus.
Secondly, in Daniel chapter 4, The Babylonian king has a dream interpreted where it appears to tell the story of a tree that gets cut down, leaves stripped and fruit scattered. This seems to be a 'remez,' or a hint of something else that is being said. The tree is locked down for seven seasons and after is restored. In a few places the journey of Israel is outlined and emerges through something that is not associated at first glance. The Jews are scattered through out the world only to be restored eventually. The King represents that state of unbelievers in a time when grace has been extended. After 7 years he turns to God-an instruction for all who are in rebellion against Him. What is important here is the use of seven seasons or 'times.' Let's not forget that this is contextually a gentile history, very significant!
Thirdly, Jesus outlines what we are supposed to do with the text. In Chapter 1 verse 19 John is told to write what he has seen. So John writes about the risen and glorified Jesus in Chapter 1. The he is told to write 'what is.' What is, at the time of writing was the church age. With this in view he writes to the seven churches. At the beginning of chapter 4 he writes 'what must come after these things.' If the only intent was to deliver the writing to the seven churches that existed then logically the things from chapter 4 onwards should have occurred on delivery of the letters. They obviously didn't, so we must ask what the 'after these things' actually means. Revelation goes on to describe the seven lamp stands (churches) being in heaven, having previously been on earth. So 'after these things' the churches are in heaven... snatched away as the Bible teaches.
Lastly, we have to examine the way the seven churches are written. The last 4 churches have a slight adjustment in how they sign off. It is easy to dismiss this, but if we assume the seven churches are times of church history, we find something interesting. Thyatira seems to be the journey of the Roman Catholic church, Sardis the protestant reformation churches, Philadelphia - the non affiliated faithful church and Laodicea the prosperity gospel church. All 4 of these have some reference to the Lord's return meaning they are all on the earth at His return. This is what we see on earth today!
There is another amazing structure in the way the last four churches were written. In Thyatira and Sardis Jesus instructs them to wait for his coming, indicating it isn't for a while. In Philadelphia the Lord is 'coming soon!' When we see Laodicea we have to deal with a word 'idou' in greek. This word has a few renderings because it is hard to articulate in English. It carries the idea of, 'something needs to get your attention because it is special.' So we see 'behold!' We also have, 'see!' or 'listen!' In Revelation 3:20 we find idou and the Hebrew Bible have paired it with the Hebrew word 'hineni' which means 'here I am!' The NIV also does this with 'idou.'
If we are rendering the seven churches as a historical overview of the church age, the last four churches exist on earth before the Lord's appearing. So if we detach 'idou' from the next statement we find the Lord saying of the last 4 churches:
'1) hold on... 2) hold on... 3) Im coming soon... 4) HERE I AM!
As we can all see, there is a church on Earth that is Laodicean. It teaches that God wants to bless people with worldly things despite Jesus saying He does not give as the world gives. Wealth and material things are valued as evidence for God's authentication of a person, church or movement. The letter to Laodicea exposes this as error and calls for repentance. This church we can see is the one where Jesus says, 'Here I Am!' Even if we place 'idou' with 'I stand at the door and knock' and dismiss it as in indicator of His return, we are still at the last stage of this chronology so we can rejoice.
How amazing is it that we are at the very end of 'the things that are' and could very well be involved in the snatching away of the church from the earth. Come Lord Jesus!
Gary Ward
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