Evidence for Eras

Chapter VIII

The Evidence is in

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said. . .
Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Acts 2:37

          Seven exhibits have been presented. The evidence that they contain overwhelmingly demonstrates that the seven letters in the book of Revelation are written to seven eras of God’s Church existing down through the corridor of time. In proving this truth, the following points have clearly been made:
          First, these seven letters are an intrinsic part of a prophetic book that is filled with symbolic imagery. Therefore, the letters are also symbolic and prophetic.
          Second, the number seven represents completion. Therefore these seven churches symbolize the complete Church around the world and throughout time.
          Third, the epistles were received and read in the exact successive order in which Christ addressed them in the book. This occurred even though four other congregations, not mentioned by Jesus, existed on this same mail route. Thus, this progression foreshadowed that the letters were to be read and understood by the Church in this same successive order through history.
          Fourth, the book of Revelation contains seven distinct categories of prophecy, each containing seven separate events. In six of these categories the events clearly play out in chronological order. This makes it obvious that the seven letters follow this same pattern. They too are prophetic, representing eras that begin with the establishment of the Church and conclude with the state of the God’s people at the end of the age.
          Fifth, as the last two letters are read, the emphasis becomes Christ’s return. In fact, the letters to Philadelphia and Laodecia contain admonishment regarding the great tribulation at the end of the age. Since those congregations in Asia Minor no longer exist, and yet the last three letters speak of future events, these congregations must represent end-time Church eras
          Sixth, when the messages contained in each letter are compared to the historical record, there is a match. Each letter reflects the environment and experiences of the Church during progressive eras of time; leading up to the return of our Savior.
          Finally, God commissioned ancient Israel to produce a lamp stand with seven lamps that portrayed seven eras in which God worked with His people. That first covenant was a physical type, an example to spiritual Israel—the Church that would enter a New Covenant (I Cor. 10:11). Therefore, these first eras foreshadowed the events that would be experienced by the New Testament Church.

The Seven Sets of Evidence for Eras

Are We Convicted?
          It is clear that the seven letters ARE written to seven eras, and we can now be certain that we are living in the last one—Laodicea. But what does this mean for us? Is it only to validate a long held doctrinal belief, or is there something of much greater value to be gained?
          Having viewed all the evidence, we are in possession of a unique opportunity. This realization can be of supreme importance. If these letters are written to eras, there must be one written to us! Therefore, we can both listen to and accept God’s admonition to us in our era! We can change our lives. We can stop slopping over doctrine for the sake of unity and start preaching God’s plain truth! We can behave in a godly manner regarding the decisions we make in life. We can resist being influenced by our perverse environment. We can beware of self righteous attitudes that are invading the Church.
          We can, and we must, stop accepting the behaviors, values, standards, and entertainment of the world. We can stop being content with our spiritual state. We can begin to be more forgiving towards others and put greater effort into living the way that God wants us to.
          This should wake us up! The evidence should convict us! The last era of God’s Church is like the Pharisees of old. We should be convinced of this important truth, and it should prompt us to take action!
          There are steps that need to be taken—but what are they? To answer this question, Jesus Christ said something of enormous importance to all of God’s people:

For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:20).

          With this statement, Jesus gave us the criteria for inclusion into the Family and Kingdom of God. Our righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees, or we will not make it. But, how does that square with the Laodiceans? They make it into the kingdom, don’t they? The answer to this question is exactly why this issue is of such enormous importance.
          Today, it has almost become fashionable to think that being Laodicean is not all that bad. While many might accept the fact that these letters were written to eras, and that we are now living in the last one, there is a tendency to believe that, although the Laodiceans may have to suffer the tribulation, they will still attain the Kingdom
          In light of this belief, there is a vital truth that needs to be understood. The Laodiceans absolutely will NOT make it into the kingdom unless they change! Notice Christ’s admonition to this last era:

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked (Revelation 3:13-17).

          In this scathing letter of rebuke, God accuses His people of being lukewarm. They are self satisfied and spiritually blind. Would God allow individuals with such attitudes to rule others in His Kingdom? Would Jesus Christ leaven the Kingdom with a half-hearted approach? Absolutely not! Laodiceans will NOT make it into the Kingdom the way they are. They must change!
          For this reason Jesus tells them that they must suffer the consequences of their actions. In order to change their attitude, they must experience the great tribulation and be painfully tried by the fiery trials of a war scorched planet. They will be subject to the effects of loss, pain, sickness, starvation, persecution and death. Out of love for His people, Christ admonishes this era to “be zealous and repent,” saying:

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne (Revelation 3:18-21).

          We who live at the end of the age must heed Christ’s warning. At this time we still have a small window of opportunity to avoid His painful and tragic rebuke. We must work to resist the negative traits now infecting the Church while we still have a chance. If we do not, Christ will eventually bring about our repentance, but He will do it at a later time using any and all means necessary. The horrors of the holocaust are likely to pale in comparison to what will soon come upon this earth, and those who do not heed to Christ’s warning, will be a part of the most devastating time in man’s history (Mat. 24:21).
          God tells us plainly that He will spew the Laodecians out of His mouth! He powerfully warns that if we do not change, we will be forced to buy gold, godly character (I Cor. 3:12) in the fire, trial or tribulation (I Pet. 4:12). In order to enter His Kingdom, we must change! So why not make those changes now!?
          Consider the consequences if we do not make the necessary effort to change now. In one striking example, the Scriptures show Christ fulfilling His promise to Laodicea. During the tribulation, Satan is empowered to pursue the remnant that has been left behind. This powerful being is literally filled with hatred toward God and His people and he is allowed to make war on the saints (Rev. 12:13-17).
          This will be a terrifying future for the Laodiceans. The very thought of Jesus rejecting us is horrifying. To lose His favor and our intimate relationship with Him is unthinkable. Then, consider what it might be like to face Satan as he uses demonic forces to unleash his hatred on the remnant of the Church who have the commandments of God, but do not keep them as Christ intended. We need to consider, what it would be like to have Satan make war on us? He is vicious and has no mercy. To those who will face him, his wrath will be devastating.
          With such powerful forces afflicting these people, it is important for us to consider that if we are lukewarm now, how will we react when put under such enormous pressure? If we cannot be firm and have resolve at this time, will we have the ability to stand firm then? If we do not have the spiritual strength now, how will we suddenly develop it when such perilous times come? God’s people must reject this attitude now—before it is too late!

Identifying Laodecia
          It is obvious that we must resist the traits and values of Laodicea, but what exactly are those traits? Among the churches of God today, there are differing views regarding the identifying signs of Laodicea. Some believe that Laodiceans can be identified by a lukewarm attitude toward preaching of the gospel to the world by use of the media. Others teach that being a Laodicean is not believing or practicing every detail that Herbert Armstrong taught. Some teach that being Laodicean is not having a specific form of Church government. Still others claim that someone who does not call God and Jesus by the names YHWH and Yeshua are Laodecian. There are even those who state that Laodiceans are those who do not keep the holy days according to their particular calendar.
          However, none of these man-made ideas truly identify the Church of Laodicea. Instead, people have created these definitions to justify themselves. By setting their own criteria for what constitutes a Laodicean, they have attempted to portray themselves as Philadelphian. It is for this very reason that the knowledge of Church eras is of such enormous value.
          We now have the Biblical and historical evidence for eras. We do not have to guess. The last era of the Old Covenant foreshadowed the last era of the New Testament. Therefore, we can be sure that God’s view of what constitutes being a Laodicean is having the characteristics of the Pharisees. Because of this truth, we must understand what these ancient people were like and how we reflect them today. Only then can we reject these wrong attitudes, repent, and ensure that we do not suffer the prophesied fate of the last era.

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