The Seven Churches Ages: Difference between revisions

The book of Revelation holds the mystery through prophecy of the Christian Church since the time of Christ.  In the book of Revelation, an Angel spoke to John about seven churches, listing their positive and negative attributes.  An Angel also spoke to William Branham and revealed that each of these churches represents a different period in the history of Christianity, each with a special messenger to the church of that day.   

Walking in the midst of the golden candlesticks, Jesus is demonstrating that he will be God to each of the pure Christian churches, and will not change (Hebrews 13:8).  He identifies himself by different attributes in each of these ages, but he is still the same God, the Alpha and Omega, and everything in between.  

The works of the ages is the same work that began on the day of Pentecost: declaring the Gospel of Jesus Christ, with supernatural signs following.  That Jesus specifically comments on works signifies its importance, not for salvation, but for 'His name's sake' - the testimony of Jesus Christ. Every age except Sardis and Laodicea received a positive report on their works: Sardis for a corrupt testimony, and Laodica for inaction.

While Christianity in the first century was dominated by Jewish converts, Christianity in the second and later centuries has been dominated by Gentile converts.  As Christianity was Hellenized, Greek philosophy and Roman religion slowly began to influence doctrine and lifestyles.  Pagan religion (a belief in more than one God) offically merged with Biblical Christianity (a belief in One God) in 325 AD at the council of Nicea, when select bishops confirmed the doctrine of the Trinity with Emperor Constantine, joining Church and State.  Just as Eve had been beguiled by the serpent, Christianity exchanged its innocence for power.