7. The Seven Churches which are in Asia.

[Notes of Addresses on Prophetic Subjects by P. Ben, Delivered before the Assembly, Gathered at YMCA, Secunderabad, Jan. 2015.]
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The thought respecting the churches in the book of Revelation should not be viewed as the body of Christ, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all (Eph 1. The body of Christ entails participative privileges of its members unlike the seven lamps (candlesticks) which feature the responsible apparatus of public testimony in this world.

The church in Revelation 2 and 3 is that of a responsible and visible body set up on earth to witness Christ in heaven. The seven lamps (candlesticks) refer to this witnessing property of the seven churches. The angels of the seven churches are mystical representative forms of the seven churches. The angel is the mystical figure of that thing which is presently absent- refer to the response of Peter’s knocking at the door (Acts 12:15). The mystery of the seven stars (Rev 1:20) proscribes the view of restricting the confines of the churches to mere historical settings in Asia~. Seven entails the idea of completion. The seven churches refer to the entire history of Christian testimony on the face of the earth.

~Mystery posits a larger picture characteristic of deeper insights. In this case it extends to seven successive periods of church history.

The seven churches are seen to be combating evil- both concurrently and successively.

In Ephesus, the problem of apostolic succession (lying apostles) and antinomianism (Nicolaitanes) in its embryonic proportions had begun. In Smyrna, the synagogue of Satan is conspicuous. In Pergamos, intimate association with Satan’s throne, the doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitanes surface. Jezebel and her children unfold the depths of Satan in Thyatira. Sardis passes on. Philadelphia encounters the resurgent pseudo-synagogue. Laodicea succumbs to self. Observe the dovetail effect of diverse strategies-

The deeds of the Nicolaitanes in Ephesus leapfrogged into a doctrine in Pergamos. Nicolaitanes meant ‘conquering the people’ in Greek while Balaam in Hebrew meant ‘destroyer of the people’. Either conquering or destroying- the result is the eventual subjugation of the laity. Both Balaam and Jezebel had to do with idolatry and fornication- to be taken in the spiritual sense. The synagogue of Satan is the only contagion erupting twice in its original undiluted form- in Smyrna and later in Philadelphia.

Evil reaches its climax in Thyatira- the depths of Satan. Jezebel is the consummated effect of evil in its entirety.

Lying apostles and works of antinomianism* are repelled in the primal Ephesus, but the encounter with the pseudo-synagogue digresses the church to compromise in the times of Pergamos.

*Antinomianism had consolidated itself in Pergamos subsequent to the heretical synagogue in Smyrna. At Colosse, subjection to ordinances- touch not, taste not, handle not (Ch 2) is followed by corruption (Ch 3:5), violence (Ch 3:8) and falsehood (Ch 3:9). Similarly the apostle is seen to challenge the pharisaic pride (Phil 3:4-17) and then to weep at those whose god is their belly (Phil 3:18-19). Ritualism precedes libertinism.

The church is ecclesia- ‘the assembly of those called out’. The church had to confront with a synagogue- ‘a gathering together’. The pseudo-synagogue of Smyrna sought to relegate the ‘called out’ status of the church to a ‘mere gathering together’.

Constantine’s entry precipitated the collusion of the church with Satan’s throne. Balaam (destroyer of the people) and the Nicolaitanes (conquering the people) had reduced the mass of Christendom to the position of laity. The antinomianism of the Nicolaitanes blended with the ‘stumbling block’ stratagem of Balaam at Pergamos.

Balaam is the agent while Jezebel is the result. Both are related to idols and fornication. The difference is in the capacities- Balaam teaches Balac (Chp 2:14) while Jezebel does it herself (Chp 2:20). Balaam represents the rise of Clergy and their influence exerted on the Christianized Roman Empire. Jezebel is Papacy of the middle ages- she has the power in her hands to kill innocent Naboth under the charge of blaspheming God and the king (1 kings 21). Compare this with the woman drunken with the blood of the saints in Rev 17:6.

The addresses, promises and the weaknesses of the seven churches shall be looked into subsequently.

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