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Exhortation | Promises |
| at Ephesus 'Darling' 33-170 Anno Domini |
Apostolic (great grand parents of this generation had seen Jesus with their own eyes) | Faithful in Service and belief. Hate deeds of Nicolaitans (shepherding through power of clergy) | backslide. | Left first love. | Re 2:5 |
PS [post scripted] Re 2:5-7 |
| at Smyrna 'Myrrh' 54-313 AD |
Persecuted, harassed, martyred. | Faithful under persecution. Poor but rich. | Physical and spiritual persecution of those who followed Jesus faithfully. |
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Re 2:10 |
PS Re 2: 10-11 |
| at Pergamos 'Mixed Marriage' 312-606 AD | Transition toward the Dark Age. Married to the world. | Faithful in belief in spite of Satan's influence & evil power. | Compromise with worldly power. Church yoked together with Roman Kingdom under Constantin. | Promote doctrine of Balaam and Nicolaitans. | Re 2:16 |
PS Re 2:16-17 |
| at Thyatira
'Semiramis' 606-? AD Dark Ages |
Medieval Church; Idols worship. | Good works, some faith. | Power shift from worldly secular power into Roman papal church hierarchy. | Letting wicked woman Jezebel
reigned, seduced to commit
spiritual adultery and fornication. |
Re 2:25 |
In the body of the letter Re 2:26-29 |
| at Sardis 'Remnant' 1520- ? AD |
Renaissance leads to Reformation- Denominational Churches | A good name and a faithful few. | Back to Bible era which brought
out 'People
of the Book' culture; which in turn opened up . . . |
Works not perfect. A form of godliness but denying the power thereof. | Re 3:3-6 |
In the body of the letter Re 3:5-6 |
| at Philadelphia 'Brotherly Love' 1750-? AD |
Churches for Mission. Evangelistic campaign. Winning souls for eternal life. | An open door, a little strength, a good testimony. | Missionary movement world wide, spreading the Gospel. (Matt 28:18-19) |
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Re 3:10 |
In the body of the letter Re3:11-13 |
| at Laodicia 'Rule of the People' 1900- ? AD |
Apostate Church, much emphasize
on Ecumenical, Social Gospel. Some open to Inter Faith Dialogue, promote extra biblical revelation. Winning people for church membership. |
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Cling to tradition and doctrine of men. Prefer the wisdom of man rather than the foolishness of God. | Lukewarm. Rich but poor, blind and naked. | Re 3:18-20 |
In the body of the letter Re 3:21-22 |