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The Messages to the 7 Ecclesias - page 2 APPLICATION 2: AD 96 to the return of Christ NOTE – dates given are as accurate as possible - and the author acknowledges that this application was first set out with the same basic plan by H.P. Mansfield in 'The Apocalypse Epitomised' pages 25 & 26. Ephesus: AD96-303 ch.2v1-7 This period covered the decline from the Truth, which was set out in detail on page 1. It resulted in the total separation of the true believers from all false representations of so-called "Christianity", but which had become so in name only, and was simply paganism concealed within - Matthew 7v15. The true ecclesia "tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars". Those who were dissenters "fled into the wilderness" from the new 'church-state', i.e. 'Pagan-Christian' Rome, which now proceeded to persecute all who would not bow to her unscriptural demands - link to 'departure' & see Revelation 12v6,14-17. The ecclesia's "first love" needed to be regained - see page 1. Smyrna: AD303-604 ch.2v8-11 There were now the ecclesia, various dissenters, & "the synagogue of the satan" - re 'the satan' link to 'satan'...the period began with 10 day-years of persecution from AD303-313, when "the devil" (pure paganism) used its last imperial efforts to persecute the "Christian" body - Revelation 12v7-13. Once false "Christianity" was installed in power, the new 'church-state' began to persecute all dissenters, including the true believers And then the bishop of Rome, in what is popularly known as a 'power-grab', eventually managed to gain the ascendancy over fellow apostate bishops. This unsavory and totally unscriptural practice reached its climax in the years AD604-610, when the Emperor Phocas passed decrees establishing the bishop of Rome as supreme "church" head. The exhortation of Peter to forego "filthy lucre" had by now been long forgotten, 1st Peter 5v1-4 - link to 'foundation' p.2. Pergamos: AD604-1215 ch.2v8-17 This period began with the Roman bishop gaining the ascendancy by the decrees of Phocas, & this evil order of men spent the next 1260 years trying to consolidate their power. The "doctrine(s)" of Balaam" & "the Nicolaitanes" (see page 1), were embraced with fervour, and any resemblance to the principles of 1st century purity of the Faith was impossible to find. During this period, the formal "inquisitions" began, which continued for centuries whilst the Roman bishop had the power to perpetrate such evil and cruel procedures. The "Holy Roman Empire" began, as prophesied, with emperor and bishop in an unholy alliance. This suited both for the sake of present advantage, although they often disagreed, intellectually and also militarily. This evil alliance of expediency will be copied when Russia & Rome make their bid for world dominion very soon - link to 'the Lord's day' - & also follow current world events in 'prophecy'. Thyatira: AD1215-1572 ch.2v18-29 The "man of sin" probably attained to his highest point under the evil reign of the mis-named Innocent III, who cemented the bondage of Catholics by the Fourth 'Lateran Council' decree of confession to a priest instead of God. He also invented the blasphemous doctrine of 'transubstantiation'. As one writer recorded - "For most of the time he encompassed Christendom with terror. He crowned and deposed sovereigns, put nations under interdict, virtually created the (Catholic) states across central Italy from the Mediterranean to the Adriatic" - Peter de Rosa- 'Vicars of Christ'. It was indeed a far cry from the humble fisherman from whom Rome has falsely claimed her authority - this blasphemy is exposed in 'foundation'. During these terrible years, the full extent of Rome's harlotry became evident. The complaint of Christ against Thyatira was "thou sufferest that woman Jezebel…I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not"- ch. 2v20,21..link to 'departure' for details of this unfaithfulness. The number '4' represents Divine authority & organization - rebels suffer judgment- link to 'the Lord's day'-4th Vision. Sardis: AD1572-1789 ch.3v1-6 This sad period saw the cessation of the testimony of the "two witnesses" of Revelation 11v3, which was prophesied to last for 1260 day-years, i.e. AD312-1572. In AD1572 the terrible massacre of St. Bartholomew took place. There was a period of figurative "death" from AD1572-1789*; the last 105 years from AD1685 being the worst when some protection by the Edict of Nantes was withdrawn. *ending by edict in AD1790 The so-called "reformation" simply rebelled against several excesses of the Roman apostacy without challenging its pagan foundations. The "protestants" had drunk too deeply of the harlot's "wine of her fornication" to do anything but continue her pagan heresies. All of the parties involved (except the true believers) were thus addressed by Christ - "thou hast a name that thou livest, and (but) thou art dead"- ch.3v1. Philadelphia: AD1789-1898 ch.3v7-13 It is a relief to turn to the next message to Philadelphia. The Lord tells them He has "set before (them) an open door, and no man can shut it" - link to 'foundation' for the principles involved. This was the epoch of the re-discovery of the Truth* from the rubbish of history, where it had lain unseen and unwanted, except for the few, during the dark ages of Rome's supremacy. That pall of superstition and evil has been broken by the French Revolution and Italian nationalism. We see the total removal of the temporal (political) power of the bishop of Rome, who is now simply "the false prophet". As the rise of this apostate system was established during a period of 75 years, i.e. AD529-535 to AD604-610...so its fall likewise occupied 75 years, i.e. AD1789-1795 to AD1864-1870. The 42 months (1260 day-years) persecution (Rev.11v2,3) was ended. *as shown by the re-appearance of "the four living creatures" (Rev.15v7 RV) which prophesies of this epoch; and other Scriptures endorse this - details on request. During this time, an Englishman named John Thomas was en-route to America when the ship in which he was travelling was in grave danger of being wrecked. Being deeply moved by the fact that he had little familiarity with the word of God, & its teaching concerning life & death, he made a vow that if he was spared, he would not rest until he had found the Truth. By the providence of God, this was finally achieved. He accepted the Truth and was baptized in AD1847, living to see the end of the temporal (political) power of Rome in AD1870, for which he had been earnestly waiting. During the American civil war, in order to identify a small body of believers who objected to taking up arms, he coined the name 'Christadelphian' - which means 'brother or sister of Christ'... cp Matt.12v50; Heb.2v11 - link also to 'appeal'. Another who accepted the Truth was Robert Roberts, & he began, at the suggestion of John Thomas (who himself had edited several periodicals setting forth the Truth) a magazine which was to be known as 'The Christadelphian'. For many years, under his editorship, this magazine faithfully set forth and also stood for the Truth in its purity. It is sad to record that this is no longer the case. Today, there is no magazine which represents the whole Truth. However, newsletters, emails & skype provide links amongst those who desire to follow in the footsteps of the Pioneer brethren, as we term them, and even more importantly, the steps of Jesus Christ and the Apostles. This web-site is the latest in our efforts to set the Truth before the inhabitants of the world, to appeal to Christadelphians separated from us, and to upbuild each other in our most holy Faith. This period ended at the death of Robert Roberts in AD1898. Laodicea: AD1898 to Christ's return ch.3v14-22 This period closely mirrors 'the time of the end' - which appears to have begun in AD1897 co-incident with the 1st Zionist Congress in Basle, Switzerland. Robert Roberts lived to witness this long-anticipated movement for the return of Israel, as prophesied in the Bible and written of by John Thomas in 'Elpis Israel'- link to 'Bible'- page 2. The evils of this age are many, & well-known to anyone with a modicum of decency. The disastrous teaching of "evolution" suits those who wish to evade any type pf responsibility to God, Whom they now deny even exists. And because God has no place in their affections, immorality and evil abound on every hand. Marriage is generally considered out-of-date, and open fornication is the norm. The murder of unborn children is sanctioned without any self-recrimination. This has in effect become a substitute for contraception. Paul wrote of "the last days" in these terms - "For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away" cp "even their mind and conscience is defiled". 2nd Timothy 3v1-5 cp Titus 1v15. No better words could have been chosen to describe this evil age. They apply equally to "the last days" of Jewish & Gentile times. Paul further testifies: "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God" - 1st Corinthians 6v9,10. Coincidental with these worldly evils of the flesh has come a renewed effort by errorists to have their false doctrines adopted by all in their fellowship. And in this we see a "re-run" of events which we have documented elsewhere - link to 'departure'. The "open door" of Philadelphia has now been shut, but Christ invites those who "hear (His) voice" to "open the door", and then fellowship will be restored-see page 3 for more details. Those who uphold the Truth in its purity maintain a separate identity, so that the precious elements of saving doctrine might be preserved in the earth - link to 'appeal' for more details. Page 3 will outline APPLICATION 3 of the 'Messages'. This deals exclusively with the re-discovery of the Truth. These are vital matters which must be understood. We welcome constructive correspondence directed to: webmaster @pioneerchristadelphians.org |