[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Cassidy

Ohio> What I disagree with is Nee's, and subsequently Lee's, interpretation of Revelation that the 7 churches only portray 7 successive time periods in church history, and focus only on 7 particular "denominations."

Neither Nee nor Lee taught "that the 7 churches only portray 7 successive time periods in church history". They taught that there were also actual situations in those churches so that the content of the letters would have been understood by the members of those churches.... and they also taught that the names of the churches were meaningful.

Ohio> ....and focus only on 7 particular "denominations."

Neither do they do that..... there are only really four, the last four, that represent categories of churches.. .. they, nor I, do not consider Catholicism as a denomination for instance.

Of course Roman Catholicism is a denomination. Of course the Recovery is a denomination.

Of course Nee and Lee "interpretation of Revelation that the 7 churches only portray 7 successive time periods in church history." In fact the dates have been assigned to each of these 7 distinct eras. Perhaps, Cassidy, you should go back and brush up on your LC church history. IIRC, here they are roughly...

1. Ephesus -- Apostolic church -- 30-100 AD (Death of John)
2. Smyrna -- Suffering church -- 100-325 AD (Constantine)
3. Pergamos -- Worldly church -- 325-450 AD (Rise of Roman Pope)
4. Thyatira -- Apostate church -- 450-1517AD
5. Sardis -- Protestant Church -- 1517AD-> (95 Theses)
6. Philadelphia -- Recovered Church -- 1825AD -> (Dublin Meeting)
7. Laodicea -- Degraded Church -- 1849AD -> (Brethren Division)