Why those seven churches? The Book of Revelation
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irenaeuslyons
Guest
Because they were all along the same Roman road that started opposite of Patmos from which John wrote Revelation.
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Hodos
Guest
John had been bishop of the Church in Asia Minor. These Churches existed in the metropolitans that had been under his care.
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stuartbrianhenlis
Guest
Hi Guest1!
You’ll find your answer in the first chapter of Revelation.
You’ll find your answer in the first chapter of Revelation.
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TryingtoGainFaith
Guest
Besides, 7 is a magic number in Christianity
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ahs
Guest
Um, no. 7 is not a magic number in Christianity.
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TryingtoGainFaith
Guest
Why not? Immediately I can think of Jericho siege, the latter seven commandments (not directly directed to God), menorah and finally 7 sacraments.
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ahs
Guest
What’s that got to do with magic?
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Bithynian
Guest
It’s a figure of speech. It’s not literally to do with magic; the Oxford American College Dictionary (which provides Google’s definition function) defines “magic number” as “a figure regarded as significant in a particular context.”
I asume @TryingtoGainFaith was suggesting that the number 7 is of symbolic significance in Christian theology.
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EndTimes
Guest
He wanted to… It’s interesting and Instructive what He says to each “Church”
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Lenny
Guest
To demonstrate the various schisms that had formed, and as a prefigurement of the heresy’s that will form in the future Church, to help us avoid such errors.
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BT3241
Guest
Instead of thinking of them as churches think of them as individuals - which one are you?
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ahs
Guest
Well, it’s got meaning in ancient (pre-Christian) culture as well, true. Perhaps TryingtoGainFaith should have clarified if that’s the intended meaning. “Magic”, per se, is understood differently in Christianity than the description you provide , and it’s important enough a distinction that it warrants clarification or correction.
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Hodos
Guest
Eusebius speaks of John being the bishop of the Churches in Asia Minor and actually gives some interesting stories about John in his History of the Church.
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EndTimes
Guest
To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make those who are of the Synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make those who are of the Synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
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Richard_White
Guest
The New American Bible notes this: “Seven churches in Asia: Asia refers to the Roman province of that name in western Asia Minor (modern Turkey); these representative churches are mentioned by name, and each is the recipient of a message. Seven is the biblical number suggesting fullness and completeness; thus the seer is writing for the whole church.”
In addition, I would like to add that scholars believe that John of Patmos was an itinerant preacher who travelled throughout the region of Asia Minor, preaching to the churches there. Several of the cities he is addressing were centers of paganism, specifically the cult of the Roman emperor. Thus, he is calling on Christians in those regions not to give in to the temptations of the Roman culture, economy, religion, etc., or even compromise with it. He wants Christians to live a life radically different from the prevailing Roman machine.
May God bless you all!
In addition, I would like to add that scholars believe that John of Patmos was an itinerant preacher who travelled throughout the region of Asia Minor, preaching to the churches there. Several of the cities he is addressing were centers of paganism, specifically the cult of the Roman emperor. Thus, he is calling on Christians in those regions not to give in to the temptations of the Roman culture, economy, religion, etc., or even compromise with it. He wants Christians to live a life radically different from the prevailing Roman machine.
May God bless you all!
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