TEXT:
Revelation 2:19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
Ephesus - Apostolic church - Ended 100 AD
Smyrna - Martyr church - 100-300 AD - Rome hurled 10 bloody persecutions against the church
Pergamos - State church - 300 AD to 500 AD. Constantine great legalized Christianity making it state religion of Roman Empire - Invasion of paganism into church
Thyatira - Papal church AD 500 - Present. Rome assumed power over church - Pope
Sardis - AD 1500 - Luther - Justification of faith
Philadelphia - Missionary church - AD 1800 to AD 1900s
Laodicea - Present day apostate to rapture
The seven churches were chosen by the Holy Spirit! And portray the entirety of the church age.
Ephesus
Smyrna
Pergamos
Thyatira
Sardis
Philadelphia
Laodicea
Some in this church as wrong as it was continued to love the Lord
The Lord knew who they were - AND their works
"Works mentioned twice, with the last being in a negative sense, meaning they were depending on this instead of Christ and the Cross
Six things to commend Thyatira: 1. Works, 2. Charity, 3. Service, 4. Faith, 5. Patience, 6. Increased works
Catholicism proclaims faith by WORKS
Bible Christianity is FAITH IN CHRISTS and what he did for us at the Cross
Law and grace cannot co-exist
Catholicism is a religion of works as it most "religion"
Christianity is relationships and FAITH in what Christ did at the Cross alone
Salvation by works depends on man's capacity to produce them
Salvation by faith depends upon God's ability to perform them
Under works, God stands still and sees what man can and cannot do
Under grace man stands still and RESTS in what God has done!
Galatians outlines this in the story of Hagar and Sarah
Hagar represents works; Sarah represents grace
Abraham's impatience and works brought forth Ishmael
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