7 Churches in Revelation

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Was the Universal (Catholic) Church present in the 7 Churches of Minor Asia? Any historical information with a Catholic perspective will be appreciated.
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The book is attributed to the period 81-96 A.D. The term “Catholic”, I have read, was first being used around 100 A.D.

If we stick with an earlier post which interprets the meaning of the book to be a prophetic revealing of the marriage b/w Jesus and the Church, we can see that Jesus’ plan was definitely in the “works” at the time of the writing.

One thing to keep in mind is that we consider Mary to be the first member of the Church.
 
The Catholic church was the only church in existence at that time. I read an interesting tidbit from one of the modern Catholic apologists (Staples, I think). He said that all the ancient Churches that have been excavated have one thing in common with each other and modern Catholic Church (unsurprisingly, it is not common in protestant churches). The common element is an alter. That is because from the beginning of God’s holy Church, they were consecrating the bread and the wine and receiving the Eucharist.

The word “Catholic Church” was used by St. Ignatius in 107ad. in his letter to the Church in Smyrna. He said something like “where Jesus Christ is, so to is the Catholic Church”.

I would suggest reading Four Witnesses by Rod Bennet, if you are interested in the early Church. It is compiled writings of four of the early Church Fathers. When you read it, you will see that the worship back then was the same as it is now in the Catholic church. It is very powerful stuff.

Oh, and by the way, the Catholic perspective is that Jesus established the Church upon Peter in Mt 16:18. Eusebius wrote a history back in the 300’s I think which traced the line of popes back to Peter. The Council of Jerusalem which took place in about 49ad is an example of Catholic hierarchy in decision making. Read Acts 15 for more information on that.
 
The Catholic church was the only church in existence at that time. I read an interesting tidbit from one of the modern Catholic apologists (Staples, I think). He said that all the ancient Churches that have been excavated have one thing in common with each other and modern Catholic Church (unsurprisingly, it is not common in protestant churches). The common element is an alter. That is because from the beginning of God’s holy Church, they were consecrating the bread and the wine and receiving the Eucharist.

The word “Catholic Church” was used by St. Ignatius in 107ad. in his letter to the Church in Smyrna. He said something like “where Jesus Christ is, so to is the Catholic Church”.

I would suggest reading Four Witnesses by Rod Bennet, if you are interested in the early Church. It is compiled writings of four of the early Church Fathers. When you read it, you will see that the worship back then was the same as it is now in the Catholic church. It is very powerful stuff.

Oh, and by the way, the Catholic perspective is that Jesus established the Church upon Peter in Mt 16:18. Eusebius wrote a history back in the 300’s I think which traced the line of popes back to Peter. The Council of Jerusalem which took place in about 49ad is an example of Catholic hierarchy in decision making. Read Acts 15 for more information on that.
St. Ignaitus? Do you mean the founder of the Jesuit Order? He lived during the 1500’s.

The altar comment is interesting. An altar is representative of a sacrifice. The body and blood of Christ was and is a sacrifice. This is another way of saying that the same thing that happened on the Cross is the same thing that happens on the altar when the bread and wine are consecrated.
 
St. Ignaitus? Do you mean the founder of the Jesuit Order? He lived during the 1500’s.

The altar comment is interesting. An altar is representative of a sacrifice. The body and blood of Christ was and is a sacrifice. This is another way of saying that the same thing that happened on the Cross is the same thing that happens on the altar when the bread and wine are consecrated.
No, I meant St. Ignatius of Antioch. He was martyred in 108. He was a disciple of John the Apostle.
 
Seven means all of Creation (made in seven days), and seven is associated with the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Seven churches = all the Church, all inspired by the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
 
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