Seven Churches or Seven Ages?

In the introductory paragraph to “Revelation” which entitles the book that is by its own admission “the revelation of Jesus Christ . . .” (Revelation 1:1a, ESV), is clear about its recipients: “John to the seven churches that are in Asia . . .” (Revelation 1:4a, ESV).  It is noteworthy that in my experience, when you mention words like apocalypse or acpolyptic literature, many people equate that word with the end, or the final days of the earth.  The word simply means “revelation”.[1]  So as we enter this book we anticipate that this is not particularly a book about the Endtimes, but a book that reveals, makes plain, or discloses; and it reveals a particular subject: Jesus Christ. It is the revealing of Jesus.

It is written by John to recipients that are called: “the seven churches that are in Asia”; or specifically to modern readers, “. . . seven historical churches located in the Roman province of Asia, in modern Turkey.”[2]  The question is, “What do these churches represent within the context of the Revelation, and in particular to us? It is a truism to say, “The Bible is not written TO us; it is written FOR us.”  So what are these churches ‘for’?

Some Bible interpreters and teachers promote a notion called the “Seven Ages Theory”.   This would look like this:

1. The Church in Ephesus: Apostolic Church (A.D. 33–100)
2. The Church in Smyrna: Era of Persecution Under the Ten Caesars (A.D. 100–312)
3. The Church in Pergamum: Era of Church-State Union (A.D. 312–590)
4. The Church in Thyatira: Era Spanning the Middle Ages (A.D. 590–1517)
5. The Church in Sardis: Protestant Reformation (A.D. 1517–1750)
6. The Church in Philadelphia: Era of Revival and Great Awakening (A.D. 1750–1925)
7. The Church in Laodicea: Era of “Higher Criticism” (A.D. 1900–Tribulation)

This translates into a mindset that sees the contemporary Church as the Laodicean church. A couple issues come to my mind, including, “This might be significant to us; who the letter is “for” - but has absolutely no relevance to whom the letter is written “to”.  Secondly, such a posture competes with the very clear exegetical evidence.  I suggest that these seven churches represent the universal church existing from the advent of the church (Pentecost) through to the second return of Christ.  The internal evidence in the Revelation strongly asserts that.  Here are 2 reasons that I am convinced of this:

1.  In every instance where Christ communicates his message to a church, he says, for example: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches . . .” (Revelation 2:7a, ESV) (see also 2:11, 17, 29; 3: 6, 13).  Notice the end of Revelation: ““I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches . . .” (Revelation 22:16a, ESV) [My emphasis].
2. It is unanimous among scholars and proponents of all millennial views that the number seven (7) represents a perfect wholeness. To see the seven churches in fragments, not only ignores this important figure but fails to properly represent what John saw in his vision: “Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest . . . “As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.” (Revelation 1:12-13, 20, ESV).

Dr. Beale writes, “Although each letter is addressed to the particular situation of a particular church, it is relevant for the needs of all “seven” of the churches, and consequently for the universal church . . .”^[3] Likewise Dr. MacArthur agrees, “Although these 7 churches were actual, historical churches in Asia Minor, they represent the types of churches that perennially exist throughout the church age.”^[4]  Again the editors of the KJV Commentary support this: “There are seven churches chosen, because in Scripture seven is the number of completion. In these seven letters the Spirit gives a complete picture of the moral and spiritual history of the church, along with other truths.”^[5]

The implication of this interpretation is that any exhortation, commendation or promise given to any of these churches may be applicable to any true church today.   

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[1] ἀποκάλυψις [apokalupsis /ap·ok·al·oop·sis/] …  1 a laying bear, making naked. 2 a disclosure of truth, instruction. 2a concerning things before unknown. 2b used of events by which things or states or persons hitherto withdrawn from view are made visible to all. 3 manifestation, appearance.” - Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.

[2] Zondervan. NIV Zondervan Study Bible, Hardcover: Built on the Truth of Scripture and Centered on the Gospel Message (Kindle Locations 292320-292321). Zondervan. Kindle Edition..  

^[3] Beale, G. K. (1999). The book of Revelation: a commentary on the Greek text (p. 226). Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, Cumbria: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press.

^[4] MacArthur, J., Jr. (Ed.). (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed., p. 1993). Nashville, TN: Word Pub.

^[5] Hindson, E. E., & Kroll, W. M. (Eds.). (1994). KJV Bible Commentary (p. 2658). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Catholics and Protestants Both Believe in Grace. Or do they?

“While Rome teaches that Christ’s satisfaction makes our merits possible, Calvin insists that it totally excludes them.

The Reformers disagreed with Rome not merely about the sufficiency of grace (sola gratia), but also over the nature of grace itself. In Roman Catholic theology, grace is viewed as a substance infused into the soul to heal it. By cooperating with this transforming grace, one can attain final salvation. The sacraments function much like an intravenous tube injecting this grace into a somewhat weakened soul. The more that one cooperates with this grace, the more grace one receives.

The Reformers saw a completely different definition of grace in Scripture. On a covenantal map, grace is not an impersonal substance but a gift that is given by one party to another.

First and foremost, the gift is Christ himself, in whom all of the Father’s treasures are hidden. Grace is the favor and gift of the Father, in the Son, communicated by the Spirit through the gospel.

First of all God’s favor toward those who deserve his wrath, it is also God’s gift of justification and the indwelling Spirit who brings renewal and guarantees our resurrection unto immortal life.

In Calvin’s understanding, grace is given not as an aid to our spiritual ascent, so that we may attain to union with God; it is God’s free gift of union with Christ by his Spirit.”[1]

[emphasis mine]

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[1] Michael Horton. Calvin on the Christian Life (Kindle Locations 1457-1458). Crossway.

Eternal Security and Gospel Partnership

If a genuine brother or sister in Christ expresses a viewpoint that a Christian can lose their salvation, I see no reason not to embrace them in fellowship and anticipate spending eternity with them.  However, if a brother or sister embraces such a view (commonly known as Arminianism) and wishes to link arms in collaborative Gospel ministry, at that point I have to politely refrain.

I was asked recently, "Why would you not form a Gospel ministry partnership with a Believer that thought a genuine Christian could lose their salvation?"   My answer is this:

A person who believes you can lose their salvation, does not understand:

a. The character of true repentance;
b. The nature and quality of the New Birth;
c. The comprehensive nature of salvation both past, present and future; and
d. The power and glory of God.

So I simply ask, Would you share a Gospel ministry partnership with someone who did not understand repentance, conversion, salvation, or the glory of God?   I can't.

End-Times Confusion

Turn on any Christian TV program; read any popular Christian book or magazine on the End Times at there is a view expressed that is so widespread and so ingrained in Church culture that to express a contrary opinion is treated with shear shock and dismay.  To even question the modern notion of a refurbished Israeli state, a secret rapture of the Church, a seven-year Tribulation to purify the Jewish nation, a literal 1000 year reign of Christ on the earth culminating in a war to end all wars, prior to the Second Return of Christ is treated with derision.

Unfortunately that view, although sprinkled through some early church fathers was never popularized until the 1900s with the rise of the Plymouth Brethren movement and established by the modern academy of Dallas Seminary.  This view, although varied to some degree, is known as Pre-Millennial Dispensationalism. It is without doubt the default view of many evangelical congregations.   In my short, on-line bio, I offer an alternative viewpoint.  In somewhat of a cumbersome description I call it an inaugurated eschatological viewpoint with a partially realized millennial view, and a New Covenant lens. I use this cumbersome rhetoric because I don’t like the shorthand. In short I am a partial preterist embracing amillennialism.

This view enjoys the favour of Biblical theology and historical support, contrary to this contemporary attraction. It is devoid of the complicated schemes of Pre-Millennial Dispensationalism that have to be forced upon the text of Scripture.  I am committed to this view for at least 5 reasons:

#1. The big picture (meta-narrative) of the Bible (biblical theology) demands that the New Testament provide the interpretative grid for the Old Testament.  This reveals in the clearest of ways that Jesus Christ the Messiah has fulfilled each and every promise, type and shadow foretold in the Old Covenant.  This includes the Seed of Abraham, the Levitical sacrifices, the Sabbath, the Davidic dynasty, the Law, the Land and the Temple.  Christ is the fulfillment of the Nation of Israel.  To re-invent what has been superseded by the greatest fulfillment is inexplicable to me.

#2. There is only one plan of redemption for God’s people and there is only one group that can claim to be God’s people.  There is no plan for the state of Israel and a plan for the Church.  This flies in the face of the clear exposition of the New Testament epistles.  There is one "man" in Christ.  True Israel, the true people of God, form the Church, both Jew and Greek.  When Gentiles were added to the Church, this fulfilled the re-building of David’s house prophesied in Amos.

#3. Every New Testament reference to the Second Coming of Christ is accompanied by the follow-up of a general resurrection of all and coming judgment.  There is not one single exegetical support for a prior coming in secret for only a select few. The Kingdom parables allow no room for a second-chance purging for Israel. 

#4. The Great Tribulation that disturbs so many people has clearly been completed at A.D. 70.  At that time the kingdom of Israel was finally and completely dismantled and rejected by God. The destruction of the Temple ended the Old Testament economy.

#5. The so-called Millennial reign is real and any careful student of Revelation 20 will see without doubt that the 1000 year reign is presently ongoing, and its ongoing in Heaven with Christ and the saints. There is no earthly millennium taught in the New Testament and any illusion in the Old Testament is precisely speaking of the eternal state.  The Book of Revelation was written for us but not to us.  It was written to Christians in Asia Minor speaking, in the most part, of ongoing events, both earthly and celestial, to encourage them in the sovereign reign of our risen Savior.

Such parameters in the study of God’s Word cause it to be unifying, cohesive and lucid.  Such an interpretation gains the support of inspired Scripture and the validation of Church history.  I find it curious that so many Christians have rushed, unwittedly into the confusion of pre-millennialism.  But to those who do, I call them my brothers and sisters and pray for their enlightenment.  My humility comes when I remember that I too championed their viewpoint and taught it with great confidence.

“He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20, ESV)

Maundy Thursday Message

To look around most homes, it doesn't take long to see if the right tool is being used for the right job.   When I had a sharpening business I could tell pretty quickly how a knife was being used.  Those familiar dents in the blade can tell that a knife was being used as a screwdriver; or sometimes a can opener – I think you know what I mean.   Those recognizable rounded edges to some of the bolts in your vehicle tell me that you have been using pliers or vice-grips to take that nut off instead of a wrench!

Don't lose heart!  You are not the only person that using the wrong tool to do the job!   God constantly is doing that?  Sometimes it make little sense.   But there are many times when you'd like to say to God, "Why did you use that to do this?"  For example:

   & Why would you use family rivalry, attempted murder, slavery, false accusations, imprisonment, famine – to save a family and thereby save a nation – so that that nation could be the means to bring into the world a Savior?  Why? 

   & Why would you use the most treacherous and barbarous of nations to chastise your people – to eventually become a world empire so that at just the right time Your Son could be born in the right place and under the right circumstances?

   & Why would you use the shame and reproach of a pregnant unmarried teenager to be the human mother of the Messiah?

   & Why would you use the betrayal of one of Your disciples, the injustice of the Jews and the torturous devices of the Roman Empire to bring salvation to all who will believe?  Why?

About 2000 years ago, it was a night that would never end.  It was a night of the unusual.  It was a night of God bringing beauty out of ashes.  Just think about it:

       ·         From the backdrop of a brutal, fraudulent plot to murder Jesus, we find Him quietly enjoying a meal with His disciples.

       ·         From the self-centered squabble about which disciple would be the greatest in the Kingdom, Jesus arose, God's Son, the Christ – and washed their feet as a common slave would.

       ·         From the horror of slavery and a meal eaten in a great hurry, Jesus showed His disciples of the eternal and glorious plan of God saving sinners like us.

       ·         From the scary announcement of His departure that brought great fear He told His disciples to that their need for Him would somehow be met in their love for one another.

Here enters Peter!

"Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered, “Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later.” . . . Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You right now? I will lay down my life for You.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for Me? Truly, truly, I say to you, a rooster will not crow until you deny Me three times." "“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” But he said to Him, “Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!” And He said, “I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.”"  (John 13:36-38, Luke 22:31-34, NASB95)

The dialogue is not unusual.  When someone says that they are going somewhere, it's not unusual to ask,, "Where are you going?"  Jesus doesn't answer him directly but simply says, "Where I am going you cannot follow -- now?"  Why did our Lord skirt the question? Why does He always do that?  Jesus always had a unique ability to answer the real question below the stated question.  By his very words Peter asked, "Why can't I follow you?  I will die for you."    "Will you Peter?"  "Die for Me?  No deny me is what you will do, Peter."  Now out of this fleshly bravado; this carnal optimism; this presumptuous foolishness comes a flower.   Note the response of Jesus:

1.       They are clothed in the beauty of intimacy:  Simon, Simon.  This is a term of endearment – of deep love and affection.

2.       He told them all of a threat.  The threat includes all the disciples: "The word “you” is plural. Satan had asked permission to trouble all the disciples.  The NASB says that Satan has demanded[1].  I think that is an unfortunate translation. It is better understood as "begging by asking."[2]  Notice that Satan has no power to act outside the area God allows him."^[3]

3.       What did Satan ask for?  Answer: "as a farmer does when he separates wheat from the husks."^[4] "In other words, “Satan is seeking to shake you all violently, as one does wheat, to cause you to fall.”  What is the metaphor of our Lord communicating?  It is like Job.  Satan wants to prove to Jesus that His disciples are all chaff and no reality.  It is like he is saying, "Give me a shot and them and I will prove that they are all like Judas."

4.       Now Christ returns to Peter.  The wording of our Saviour goes like this: "“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. ³² But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon."^[5] What did Christ pray?  "That Peter's faith would not fail."  For every true child of God we are all like a head of wheat.  A part of each of us is chaff.  But a part of each of us is true genuine faith.  That faith is bolstered, not so much by self-effort and a resolve to live right.  That faith is ultimately bolstered by Christ's intercessory prayer ministry.

5.     Would Christ's prayer be answered?  Note: "And you, when once you have turned again . . .." When Peter has "turned back."  When he has ἐπιστρέφω [epistrepho /ep·ee·stref·o/], turned back to the love and obedience of God.  It is a sure thing.  What is Peter to do?  "Strengthen his brothers."

Here our Lord shows us again that He is in the business of bringing beauty out of ashes – flowers out of the desert.   He will take the violent and disturbing shaking of Peter to bring out a man that will turn the world upside down (Acts 17:6).  Peter who was so shaken that he denied the Lord Jesus, stood one day before thousands, filled with the Spirit, preaching Christ. 

The story of Easter is:

•         Life from death
•         Salvation from sin
•         Hope from failure
•         Mercy from rebellion

God is in the business of using the wrong tools to do the right thing.  You might be reading this and feel that you're the wrong tool.  God can't use you.  You have failed too miserably.  You have let Him and others down.  God knows better.  Or you might be facing the biggest spiritual battle in your life.  You have already said to God, "Why are you letting this happen to me?"   This is what He says, "I am praying that your faith will not fail.  When you turn around (not if) …. Strengthen the Church."

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[1] ἐξαιτέω [exaiteomai /ex·ahee·teh·om·ahee/] v. Middle voice from 1537 and 154; TDNT 1:194; GK 1977; AV translates as “desire” once. 1 to ask from, demand of. 1a to ask or beg for one’s self, to ask that one be given up to one from the power of another. 1b in a good sense,. 1b1 to beg one from another. 1b2 ask for the pardon. 1b3 the safety of some one. 1c in a bad sense. 1c1 for torture. 1c2 for punishment.

[2] First aorist indirect middle indicative of exaitew, an old verb to beg something of one and (middle) for oneself. Only here in the N.T. The verb is used either in the good or the bad sense, but it does not mean here "obtained by asking" as margin in Revised Version has it.

^[3]New Geneva study Bible. 1997, c1995 (electronic ed.) (Lk 22:31). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

^[4]None. (.). Contemporary English Versionʼ (electronic ed.) (Lk 22:31). :: ,.

^[5]Tyndale House Publishers. (2004). Holy Bible : New Living Translation. "Text edition"--Spine. (2nd ed.) (Lk 22:31-32). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.

Invitation to Come to Jesus Christ

"But, whoever will confess himself a sinner, has the warrant this morning to come to Jesus Christ. Sinnership is the only title to salvation. If you acknowledge yourselves to be sinners, Christ died for you. And if you put your trust in him, and believed that he died for you, you may rely upon him, and say, “Lord, I will be saved by thy grace.” Your merits are good for nothing; you can get no benefit by them. Your own work is useless; you err like the man in the prison working the treadmill-you never get anything by it- grinding oyster shells without any benefit to yourself. Come to Jesus Christ." [1]



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1. Spurgeon, Charles. The Complete Works of Charles Spurgeon: Volume 1, Sermons 1-53 (Kindle Locations 9823-9827). www.DelmarvaPublications.com. Kindle Edition.

Bill 10 Anti-Christian Encroachment

Concerned Christians have been working diligently to withstand the growing movement of gay-straight alliances in the schools.  A very helpful website is: http://www.bill10courtchallenge.org/.  There is massive amounts of information available on that website.

A recent addition to this helpful link is a document that identifies what is called A Court Challenge.  Click HERE to see it.  The author and plaintiff, Carman Bradley, writes elsewhere: “Christians more than ever need to grasp the aggregate “negative” impact of Inclusive Education Policy, Bill 10, and Bill 24 on the up-bringing of our children.”  By clicking on the Court Challenge (HERE) you will see that substantial data and evidence has been researched, analysed and refined with positive recommendations to changes/improvements to the policy and legislations.  A few of the 18 topics addressed include:

      ·         Sexual Minority Political Activist Clubs Are Not the Same as Chess or Sport Clubs

      ·         School Boards Lose Discretionary Powers and Responsiveness to Parents on Matters of GSAs and Inclusive Education Policy

      ·         GSA Law, Inclusive Education Policy and Gender Ideology Put More Children at Risk

      ·         To Move From Tolerance to Celebration of LGBTQ Lifestyles Christians, Muslims and Jews Must Deny Their Faith

      ·         GSA Law and Inclusive Education Policy Breach Time-honoured Child-Rearing Rights and Contravene Legal Processes Established in Alberta Family Law

Launching a court challenge to our politicians would be costly and lengthy.  It is virtually impossible.  However there will likely be an election call in May 2019.  Christians have a year to pray and raise their voices to our legislators. 

Pray for wisdom and discernment within the Church in responding to this continuing anti-Christian encroachment in all Alberta schools and the on-going erosion of parental rights. Pray that a better balance of rights and freedoms is found for all Alberta students and their parents.