The Significance of the Seven Churches of Revelation

We are going to wander into some of the stickier doctrines within the Church of God body of organizations.

One of the most contentious issues in the Church of God concerns the arena of “church eras” or, as some Protestant groups would call, “church ages”.  In the Church of God, the names of “Philadelphia” and “Laodicea” are thrown about rather carelessly.  It is evident that most who believe in this doctrine really haven’t thought everything through.

That is why I have published an article on Associated Content titled “The Significance of the Seven Churches of Revelation”.  Below is an excerpt.

Are You Laodicean, Philadelphian or Something Else?

Summary: Why did God scatter the Worldwide Church of God?  Could it be tied to the doctrine of the seven churches of Asia Minor in Revelation 2 – 3?

Many in the Church of God movement and elsewhere believe that the seven churches of Revelation 2 - 3 represent church "eras" that serially connect down through time to the modern day. Some clamor about that they are "Philadelphian" Christians while other groups are "Laodicean". Some go as far as to say that during the Great Tribulation, those of their particular "Philadelphian" group will go into a place of safety while the "Laodicean" groups will suffer and die. What is the traditional doctrine according to what Mr Armstrong taught? Where does this doctrine come from? Is it found in the Bible? What are the fruits of this doctrine? Is there a reason God split up the Worldwide Church of God (WCG)?

You can read the rest here.

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