“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
Revelation 3:22
A history written in advance
In Revelation chapters 2 and 3, the risen Christ walks among seven golden candlesticks and sends a letter to seven churches in Asia. Those were real congregations in John’s day. They also describe seven periods of church history, from the day of Pentecost to the coming of the Lord. Each age has its own condition, its own reward, and a messenger God sent to call His people back to the Word.
Brother Branham preached this teaching in Jeffersonville, Indiana, in December 1960. It was later published as An Exposition of the Seven Church Ages, which is available free from our literature page.
The seven ages
- Ephesus (Revelation 2:1–7), AD 53–170. Messenger: Paul.
- Smyrna (Revelation 2:8–11), 170–312. Messenger: Irenaeus.
- Pergamos (Revelation 2:12–17), 312–606. Messenger: Martin of Tours.
- Thyatira (Revelation 2:18–29), 606–1520. Messenger: Columba.
- Sardis (Revelation 3:1–6), 1520–1750. Messenger: Martin Luther.
- Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7–13), 1750–1906. Messenger: John Wesley.
- Laodicea (Revelation 3:14–22), 1906 to the end. Messenger: William Branham.
What happened in the ages
Ephesus began with the apostolic faith but left its first love. Smyrna suffered persecution and held on. In Pergamos the church married the state under Constantine, and pagan practice came into Christian worship. Thyatira was the long Dark Ages, when the Word was taken from the people and only a faithful remnant stood.
Then God began to restore. In Sardis Luther brought back justification by faith. In Philadelphia Wesley brought back sanctification and sent out missionaries across the world. In Laodicea, the last age, the church is rich and increased with goods and does not know it is wretched and blind, with Christ standing outside the door and knocking (Revelation 3:17–20).
The messenger to this last age was promised a ministry that would finish the mystery of God (Revelation 10:7) and restore the faith of the fathers to the children (Malachi 4:6).
Scriptures to study
Revelation chapters 1 to 3; Joel 2:25; Malachi 4:5–6; Acts 20:29–30; 2 Thessalonians 2:3–7.