I have been given these names as Laodician messengers, St Paul, St John, Arius, Waldo, Wycliffe and finally Charles Russell. Can anyone enlighten me on this question.
2007-03-02 05:56:06 · 4 answers · asked by claret 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The messenger to the Laodicean church is more commonly refered to as "the angel of the church in Laodicea" in the Bible book of Revelation (chapter 3 vs 14). Revelation is a letter written by the apostle John to seven historic churches in the province of Asia (around 96 A.D.) Laodicea is the 7th one. Christians think these 7 "angels" mean (1) heavenly messengers, or (2) earthly messengers/ministers or (3) personifications of the prevailing spirit of each church. Some take the 7 letters as a preview of church history in its downward course towards Laodicean lukewarmness. Others interpret them as characteristic of various kinds of Christian congregations that have existed from John's day until now.
The JWs originally went for the earthly ministers idea, identifying various Christian personalities with various eras of church history. So, "St. Paul" was the first, then "St. John", then Arius, Waldo, Wycliffe, Luther, and finally, Russell (as in "Pastor Russell", the JWs 1st President). As JWs in the early 1900s thought Armageddon was about to start, they felt they were in the last era, represented by the Laodicean church. "Certainly he [Russell] was the Seventh Star of Rev. 1:20; 3:14". I have taken this information from the JW publication, "The Finished Mystery" 1918, page 64. However, it's important to note that this is in the Karatol Edition of that book.
JWs today do not have such a high opinion of Russell. They might not go so far as to say he was a wandering star, or a falling star, (though if he was alive today and stuck to his beliefs of back then he would be disfellowshipped!) but they would never dream of saying he was the angel / messenger of the Laodicean era. Hindsight is a great thing.
2007-03-02 06:49:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
This so-called "question" seems to refer to "the angel (literally, "messenger") of the congregation in Laodicea.
(Revelation 3:14-15) And to the angel of the congregation in La·dicea write: These are the things that the Amen says, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation by God, 15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or else hot.
While much or most of the bible book of Revelation deals with events during "the Lord's day", Jesus' counsel to the seven specific congregations were intended for both that particular congregation, as well as the entire Christian congregation from the first century (CE) into our day and our future.
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the "messenger" is any body of elders who work to impart godly counsel to the Christian congregation. Some of the names listed in this so-called "question" may have been used by Christ Jesus for this "messenger work".
2007-03-02 09:06:06 · answer #2 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
sorry.. but i'm kind of confused on your question..
Paul wrote the book of Revelation.. but the message to the Laodician church is God's warning to His remnant church in these final days of world's history.
the message is telling the church and His people to stop being "LUKEWARM".. don't have one foot in the world and one foot in the church.. you must choose whether you want to be "HOT" or "COLD".. because if you're not hot nor cold.. God will spew you out of His mouth.
He wants 100% surrender to His will..
Matthew 6:24
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
i hope my answer was helpful
2007-03-02 06:25:51 · answer #3 · answered by Daniel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This website will tell you all you need to know
2007-03-02 06:42:44 · answer #4 · answered by Ms. fly gurl 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋