Fundamental Eschatological Comparisons

The study of eschatology has long been the subject of many debates. This topic of examination, which permeates most of Revelation, tends to confuse those with loose hermeneutics. However, if read seriously, the mysteries surrounding this ostensible puzzle are revealed. One good way of beginning eschatological study is to examine how themes in other parts of the Bible relate to matters in Revelation. The best example is that of the Seven Letters to the Kingdom Churches. Found in chapters two and three of Revelation, these letters bear a striking resemblance to the seven Kingdom Parables given by Jesus Christ in Matthew chapter thirteen. By aligning these seven letters to the Kingdom Churches with the seven Kingdom Parables, a fitting interpretation of each can be attained.

The first of seven letters chronicled in the book of Revelation is the correspondence to the church of Ephesus, or "the darling ones." Known as the Apostolic Church, its members superficially bore the trademarks of the ideal Christian. Not only were they faithful in participating in the completion of good works for Christ's sake, and therefore living out their faith, they refused to grow weary while doing good, knowing that in due season they would reap rewards. They possessed patience, never failing to labor for anything in Christ's name. They endeavored to win souls in Jesus and displayed perseverance surpassing many of the other Christians. In addition to their apostolic deeds, they held a great deal of discernment within their midst, separating those who were true apostles from those who professed to be apostles but were in fact liars. They eschewed the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which Christ hated, and refrained from succumbing to their false teachings. A casual observer would likely be hasty to point out that the church of Ephesus was nearly perfect.