These Seven Ages simply refer to that space of time wherein God gives the Gentiles (apart from the Jews) an opportunity to hear the Gospel - the Good News of Salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. This "space of time" is divided into "Seven" phases or Ages which is simply called "Church" Ages - each with it's own Messenger and Message from the Word of God, showing what our Lord Jesus is doing in Grace and/or Judgement in a particular Age. In every Age, the predestinated Sons and Daughters of God always recognized their day, their Messenger and the Message.

The Bible also refers to these Seven Ages as "The Fullness of the Gentiles" - it is one and the same. Running parallel with the Seven Ages (or the Fulness of the Gentiles) is a period referred to in Scripture as ""The Times of the Gentiles" This is briefly explained below.

What were 'seeds' planted back there in those first early Gentile Churches eventually sprouted, matured through the ages and comes to a climax in the last church age. The 'key' to understanding what God has been doing through the church ages and through the entire Bible is the revelation that God never changes, and that His ways are as unchangeable as He is.

"I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before Him. That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past."   Eccl. 3:14-15

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever". Heb. 13:8

Because He is Lord and He changes not, then the 'pattern' which God started with He must keep on using that same pattern until His plan is finished. We're serving the same God which Israel and the prophets served. By no means did God have to 'improve' on His ways and methods of dealing with man. God always has and always will deal with man "through" the instumentality of another man (John 13:20). This is God's unchanging pattern. For Bible proof go to the link entitled "Following A Man". It's proven beyond any doubt that (since the fall in the garden) God has always spoken to man through man.

The Gospel first came to the Jews - the natural seed of Abraham, but they rejected it. Therefore, according to His promised Word, the Lord (temporarily) turns from Israel as a nation, and the Gospel goes to the Gentiles. He does this for two reasons: 1. To call out of the Gentiles His Elected seed whom He foreknew of every kindred, tribe and nation. 2. To provoke Israel to jealousy, so that in the end when He had finished with the Gentiles, Abraham's spiritual seed (and only the Spiritual Seed) in Israel would turn to the Lord and receive Jesus Christ as their Messiah.

We find these words in Romans 11:7-12:

7. What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
8. (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
9. And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
10. Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
11. I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but [rather] through their fall salvation [is come] unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
12. Now if the fall of them [be] the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

Therefore, when the last elected, predestinated Gentile seed is brought in to the Kingdom the Lord turns again to Israel, restores them as a nation in His Presence, and through the two Messengers of Revelation 11:3-12 calls out from among the natural seed a "remnant" of Jews who identify with the "faith" of Abraham (Romans 10:1-4, 19-21; Romans 11:1-5-28 (note verse 25-26).

Recognizing the "signs of the times" in which we live we realize that God is "finishing up" with the Gentiles and soon ready to take the Gospel back to the Jews. The two important "signs" which confirm what God has done and is doing are: 1. The ministry of the Malachi 4:5-6 and Revelation 10:7 - the Prophet-Messenger to the Gentiles. 2. The restoration (political) of the Nation of Israel. The "Fullness" and "Times" of the Gentiles is about over.

"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this Mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits: That blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in."   Romans 11:25

As stated above, the "Fullness of the Gentiles" and the Seven Church Ages is one and the same. Both represent what God has and is doing in the "Spiritual realm" among the Gentiles. I repeat - "the Seven Church Ages / Fulnnes of the Gentiles" applies to the Spiritual walk of the Church through the ages. The Message to each Age identifies the weaknesses and strengths of the church; and reveals God's satisfaction or displeasure with it.

This period of time began with the coming of the Holy Ghost on the Day of Pentecost - the birth of the Church (Acts 2). It was confirmed by the ministry of the Word [by Peter] and the coming of the Holy Ghost to the Gentiles in the house of Cornelius (Acts 10:34-47). It was during Paul's ministry in Rome (around A.D. 62-68) that God signified His turning from the Jews to the Gentiles (Acts 28:25-28). In the Amplified Bible the last part of Romans 11:25 reads thus: ".....I do not want you to miss the hidden Truth and mystery, brethren: A hardening (insensibility) has [temporarily] befallen a part of Israel [to last] until the full number of the ingathering of the Gentiles has come in." Here, Paul is explaining why God had turned from the Jews to the Gentiles.

Through Seven Ages God works out the "Fullness" of the Gentiles - gathering out of every Gentile nation a people for His Holy Name. The FULL number will be gathered in, but ONLY those whom He foreknew before the foundation of the world (1st. Peter 1:2). A few Jews will also come in during this period, but not very many. During this time called "the fullness" God is dealing mainly with Gentiles. In Revelation Chapters 2 and 3 all seven Churches addressed are Gentile Churches - not one Jewish Church is mentioned - not even the Church in Jerusalem.

The "Times" Of The Gentiles

"And they (the Jews) shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations, and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the 'Times of the Gentiles be fulfilled"  Luke 21:24

The "Times of the Gentiles" is totally opposite of the "fullness". Whereas the "fullness" is "Spiritual", the "Times of the Gentiles" are "political" in it's application; and runs parallel with the "Fullness of the Gentiles". Both end around the same time - when God turns again to Israel with the Gospel. The "Times" of the Gentiles" represent Gentile domination of the land God gave to Abraham and His seed. This period of time began when the Jews (the Southern Kingdom of Judah) were led away captive into Babylon. Thus began (with Nebuchadnezzar) the Gentile dominion of Jerusalem and the land of Israel. The Lord reminds us in the above verse that "Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the 'Times of the Gentiles be fulfilled"

Today the Gentiles no longer dominate Jerusalem or the land of Israel. The present day happenings in the Middle East are a 'sign' that the "Times and Fullness of the Gentiles - the Gentile world dominion and the Gentile Church Ages" are about over. The dispersed of the natural seed of Abraham have been re-gathered into the Land of Israel (Isaiah 43:5-7). Israel has taken it's place (politically and militarily) among the nations.

In Israel is a small remnant of the seed of Abraham (with the faith of Abraham), waitng for the Revelation of the Messiah to them. The Gentile Bride will soon be raptured into glory - taken out of the way, to await the revealing of the Messiah to the Jews and the Millennial reign. Praise the Lord - HE does all things well! NOT ONE of His children - Jew or Gentile - will be lost. ARE YOU one of His? Remember the Words of Jesus: "Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up." Matthew 15:13. Every plant of the Heavenly Father's planting thrives and feeds on the Word of God.

Each Age has had it's God-sent, God ordained "Angel-Messenger" with a specific Message from the Word. The five-fold ministry (Ephesians 4:11-15) for that Age took that Message to the world. What God did in the first church age is what He wants to do in all other ages - reveal Himself, through His Word (for the Age), through His Messenger (for the Age), giving to the predestinated seed, faith for Salvation, healing and (in the last age) faith to believe for the Second Coming, the Resurrection and the Rapture.

Therefore, it's absolutely important that we "recognize our age, it's messenger and it's message"; because our Lord Jesus Christ will be revealing Himself through that Messenger and his Message - "For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase (message) is, there will the eagles be gathered together" (feeding on the Word) (Matthew 24:27-28).

With the exception of one Age (the last) each has received praise, rebuke, correction, instruction in righteousness, warnings and a promise to the overcomer. The last age received no praise, only rebuke, correction, instruction in righteousness, warnings and a promise to the overcomer. This last Age witnesses (for the Gentiles) the closing of the door of Grace and the end of the "Times of the Gentiles" and the "Fullness of the Gentiles". "And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still" (Revelation 22:10-11).

If we recognize the church to be passing through it's seventh and last phase - the seventh and last church age, then we must needs recognize the Messenger whom God has sent with His Message of rebuke and correction to the church and follow God's instructions. The Bible says, "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready" (Revelation 19:7). May the Lord help us to recognize the "Message" of this Age and "make ourselves ready" to meet our Bridegroom.

According to Scripture the last Messenger to the last Church Age will be a prophet; and like the prophets before him, he will not compromise on the Word of the Lord. His Message from God will call both the church collective and the individual to repentance. Rest assured - he will be rejected by the vast majority of professing Christians. Even our Lord Jesus [2000 years ago] was violently rejected by the religious leaders and people. In every Age, every Messenger and his Message was opposed by the established organized Church and religious people. Therefore, let's make our calling and election sure - NOT by a church BUT by the Word.

"Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."  2nd Peter 1:10-11

Here we will briefly list the names of each age along with a few explanatory notes. Through the images below we will access a more in-depth study of each individual Age. Here in this section we will also review some thoughts expressed by God's servant and prophet, William Branham, concerning the series he preach on "An Exposition Of The Seven Church Ages".

"Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. "   Revelation 1:19-20

The Messages to the Seven Churches have a fourfold application: 1. Local, to the churches actually addressed. 2. Admonition, to all churches in all time to discern their true spiritual state in the sight of God, in light of what God said to these individual churches - that we be not guilty of the same mistakes and errors. 3. Personal, in that the exhortatins are to "him", "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches." And the promises are "To him that overcometh". 4. Prophetic, in that the Seven Messages reveal Seven phases of the "spiritual" history of the church from about A.D. 96 to the end. These messages by their very terms go beyond the local assemblies mentioned. Most conclusively of all, these Messages present an exact forview of the "spiritual" history of the church, and in the precise order in which they are given.

Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;  Revelation 2:1

The Church in Ephesus represented the FIRST Age of the Gentile Christian Church. In the eyes of our Lord Jesus the conditions which existed in that church were prophetic of what would transpire throughout that first Age. The Message to Ephesus gives the general state of the church in that Age, indicating it's strengths and it's weaknesses. Without doubt, Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles was also the Messenger to the entire Ephesian Church Age.

It was through Paul that the complete revelation from God came to the Gentiles. His revelation was actually more abundant than that received by Peter and the other apostles relative to the Gentiles (Galatians 2:6b-8). Paul was also the Pastor to the Church at Ephesus for he both founded it and cared for it. This Age did not last too long for the power of God had abated through unbelief even in the early years. This Age was commanded to "repent". Judging by the actual wane of power this age was not longer than about 170 A.D. Bear in mind that the Ages "over-lap" each other - phasing in and phasing out.

Smyrna: The SECOND Age

"And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;" Revelation 2:8

This Age lasted from 200 to 300 A.D. The Message found the Church in this Age going through a period of great persecution. The Messenger was Iraneus, for no man defended the Truth more ably or believed God more firmly and thus manifested the Spirit of God more abundantly than this man of God. He was well qualified to be the Messenger to that Age.

Pergamos: The THIRD Age

"And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;"   Revelation 2:12

In the Age of Pergamos, though a few hold on to "The faith" the Church in general begins to "settle down" and relax in the world. The anti-Christ spirit of error found in the first Age is found to be more powerful in this next Age - Pergamos. The Message to this Age clearly speaks of the "seat" of the anit-Christ - "where Satan's seat is".

In this Age Satan's own religion (ancient Babylonian religion) came out to the forefront. This religion that goes against the Word of God from the time of Cain, now, after the Nicean council (A.D. 325), invades the nominal church and introduces pagan ritual and holidays, etc. This Age lasts from 312 to 606. The invasion of the Christian Church by this Bablonian spirit usuhers in a "Dark Ages" for the Church. This Age like the first Age is also commanded to "repent". The Messenger to this Age was Martin - a man with the power of God on his life and in his ministry.

Thyatira: The FOURTH Age

"And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet [are] like fine brass; "   Revelation 2:18

Here is the Age that knew the depth of Satan (vs 24). The darkest of all the Ages to this date - little Word - little power. Man had usurped the position and authority of God. The greed of Rome had dammed countless souls and in the Name of God they blasphemed the very Name and Word of God. The Babylonish spirit which invaded the church in the previous Age has now produced "the Papacy", Balaamism (forfeiting Holy Spirit holiness for worldliness), and Nicolaitanism (priestly assumption) - the laity is conquered and man-made leadership is substituted for Holy Spirit leadership. As Jezebel brought idolatry into Israel so Romanism weds Christian doctrine to pagan ceremonies.

This age lasted from about the turn of the sixth century to the middle of the sixteenth. Again, in this Age the Lord calls for those in error to "repent". The Messenger was pronounced to be Columba , for he showed forth in his life that which most closely resembled the power and glory of God in the first century Believers - That is always the Standard.

Sardis: The FIFTH Age

"And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead."   Revelation 3:1

The Age of Sardis is the Protestant Reformation, whose works were not "fulfilled". This age is also counseled to "repent". The key herein is found in verse two. "Be watchful, strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die." Still a little "Light" springs forth to challenge the darkness of the "Dark Ages". There was no strength in the Dark Ages. Except for a tiny flock, and that widely scattered, there was no strong evidence of True Christianity.

But now in this Fifth Age (Sardis), Martin Luther appears and successfully nurtures the doctrine of Justification and the Light begins to glow again, pushing back the darkness. The first show of strength in hundreds of years appears, showing definitely that this is the Age of the Reformation of which Luther was the fearless Messenger without a doubt. It was said of him in Sauer's history, "Dr. Martin Luther was a prophet, evangelist, speaker in tongues, interpreter, in one person. endowed with all the gifts of the Spirit." This Age is well known to have existed from about 1550 to around 1750.

Philadelphia: The SIXTH Age

"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;"   Revelation 3:7

In the face of cold formal religion, abundant in this Philadelphian Age, the true Sons and Daughters of God bear clear testimony to the Word and Name of the Lord. Along with Luther's Message of "The Just shall live by Faith", John Wesley brought the church forward on it's journey with the doctrine of "Sanctification, by Faith in Jesus Christ".

The Messenger to this golden age of brotherly love was no doubt John Wesley. This was the Age of the open door, missions, great teachers, tremenduous revivals. the Holy Spirit was even more manifested herein than in the Fifth Age. God was truly giving Light, Life and Blessing. This Age lasted from about 1750 to the turn of the twentieth century.

Laodicea: The SEVENTH Age

"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; "   Revelation 3:14

This finally brings us to the Age that we have reserved for the last because it is, indeed, the last. This is the age of "self-satisifed, form of godliness, religious profession", denying the Power of the Word to change lives. This Age also brings us a Messenger, as set forth in the Scripture. That we are now in the Laodicean Age is indisputable. The "spiritual" conditions of the church as outlined in the Message to the Laodiceans perfectly fit this Age. Among other things the Message to Laodicea reveals "Christ outside the Church", knocking on the door, looking for His children. The command here is for "zealous repentance".

This Age witnesses the spiritual decline and fall of the "organized" Christian Church, the gathering of the Bride for the Rapture, and the restoration of Israel as a Nation - no longer trodden down of the Gentiles. This is the Laodicean Age and according to the Word of God, this Age has received a vindicated Messenger and Message, forerunning the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ - Praise the Lord!

No doubt every generation of Christian Believers from the time of the apostles has attempted to apply to itself the words of Jesus in Matthew 24:32, "This generation shall not pass away until all these things be fulfilled." This blessed hope of the Second Coming of Christ has been in the heart of every generation; but the actual physical Second Coming of Jesus could come only to the last, or end-time generation. The majority of Christians believe that this end-time generation is now living. Considering the conditions of the Age and prophecy fulfilled in this age, we can honestly say that there is actually no major prophectic event that is now in progress or that must yet come, to hearld His return.

No major event in the plan of God has been without a witness to that impending event. In the days of the flood, the Ark was a testimony to the eye while Noah, preached the Word. In the time of the Exodus God sent Moses with signs and wonders and the Word. In the days of the First Coming of Jesus, there appeared John The Baptist, a mighty prophet with the Word. In these last days we are promised (in Scripture) a forerunner to the event of the Second Coming of Christ. Through this Home Page we want to acquaint you with the Messenger-Prophet to the "last Church Age" who fore-runs the return of the Lord Jesus for His Gentile Bride.

According to Scripture (Luke 18:8) ONLY A FEW people will be aware of the witness God has already given to us and established as proof of His Coming. But it is hoped that every reader of this article will think awhile on the contents and ask God for guidance in this critical time. In this Laodicean Age have you heard the Lord Jesus, knocking on the door of the Church, trying to get your attention - wanting to sup with you and fellowship with you around His Word?