Church
Subject
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Ephesus
Rev. 2:8-11
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Smyrna
Rev. 2:12-17
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Pergamos
Rev. 2:12-17
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Thyatira
Rev. 2:18-29
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Sardis
Rev. 3:7-13
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Philadelphia Rev.3:7-13
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Laodicea
Rev. 3:14-22
|
Praise
|
Worked fervently, had patience,
repudiated the corrupt.
|
Bore sorrow and poverty.
|
Did not renounce faith.
|
Good works, love, faith. The
last greater than the first.
|
Did not defile your garments.
|
Although weak, you are true to
Christ.
|
- - -
|
Censure
|
Cooled in love.
|
- - -
|
Allow heretics into your midst.
|
Allow heretics to sow
enticements.
|
You appear alive, but you are
dead.
|
- - -
|
Lukewarm and self-confident.
|
Advice
|
Remember from whence you fell
and repent.
|
Be faithful till death.
|
Repent.
|
Protect what you have.
|
Be alert, for you are close to
death. Repent.
|
Protect your spiritual wealth.
|
Love truth; become zealous and
perceptive.
|
What comes
|
"I shall remove your lamp
stand" (I shall reject).
|
- - -
|
- - -
|
- - -
|
I shall come unexpectedly.
|
- - -
|
- - -
|
Reward
|
You will eat from the tree of
life.
|
You will elude everlasting death.
|
You will partake of hidden manna
and get a new name.
|
You will subjugate pagans.
|
You shall receive a white
garment.
|
You will be steadfast. You will
bear the name of God.
|
You shall reign with Christ.
|
Old-Testament period
|
Life in Eden (Gen. 2:9)
|
Slavery in Egypt (10 plagues; Ex. ch. 7-12 .)
|
Wandering in the Sinai desert.
Balaam seduces Israel (Num. 25:1, 31:16)
|
Enticement of paganism during
the time of Jezebel (3 Kgs.16: 31, 21: 21-26)
|
God's judgement over Israel and Judah (Ex. 1:9; 8th-6th cent. B.C.)
|
Babylonian bondage. Extreme
weakening. Emergence from bondage. Restoration of Jerusalem and Temple (Key of David)
|
Time pre Phariseeism.
Utilitarian approach to religion.
|
New-Testament period
|
Time of Apostles. (1st
cent.)
|
Persecution of Church by Roman
emperors. (2-4 cent.)
|
War with heresies. Ecumenical
Councils. Monasticism. (4-7 cent.).
|
Iconomachism. Christianization
of new peoples (Slavs) "Rule over pagans." (7-12 cent. )
|
Flourishing of Church art.
Formalization of religion. The fall of Byzantium. Russian Revolution. (13- 20 cent.)
|
Pressure from atheism. Church weakness.
The conversion of Jews. (20th cent.)
|
Christianity - means for
happiness. Self confidence of sectarians.
|
Characteristics of the given periods
|
At first, spiritual zeal and
innocence; then- a cooling.
|
Cleansing through mourning and
sorrow.
|
War with heresy, mental
temptations.
|
Attainment of spiritual maturity.
|
Outer ceremonial piety.
Punishment.
|
Loyalty to God under difficult
circumstances.
|
Self-indulgence, blindness, and
pride.
|