Monday, 17th October- The Seven Churches of Revelation
This Monday, Francis will be leading a discussion on....
The Seven Churches of Revelation
In the first chapter of the book of Revelation, John has a vision of Jesus. In the second and third chapters he describes how Jesus gives a message from heaven to 7 churches.
Nearly all commentators believe these verses describe actual churches from the 1st century. However, many Christians believe this passage has a a second, larger meaning, because each of the 7 churches is described as having certain characteristics, some good, some bad.
One interpretation sees these seven historic churches as also representing the seven ages of the church (overall), from its beginning up until the end times when Jesus returns. Some of these ages were glorious, some were shameful*.
The other, more popular interpretation says that as well as referring to historical churches, the 7 churches of Revelation represent 7 types of church, tendencies or characteristics. All churches anywhere are said to fall into one of these categories.
So, on Monday we will start by very briefly:
- Asking which church, in Revelation 2-3 has which characteristic? (Checking that we've read it accurately)
- Evaluating (briefly) the idea that these churches represent different stages in Church history.
- And then we will follow the second interpretation- that these seven churches represent types of church - and ask ourselves:
- Do the 7 types cover all churches that we know of, or are there some churches that don’t fit into these categories?
- Do any of these 7 churches remind you of any churches that you know, (Unitarian or otherwise)?
- What message might we, as Unitarians take from the message to the 7 churches?
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