7 Church Ages

John is commissioned by the Lord Jesus Christ to write in a book (Revelation) what the Lord shows him and send it to the seven Churches which are in Asia. These seven churches contained characteristics representing seven church ages about to unfold over 2,000 years. Each church age (candlesticks) receives a messenger (seven stars). The Lord Jesus Christ is the Capstone Angel Messenger to each of the church age messengers. He is the Bright and Morning Star amongst the seven star messengers.

This chart captures the Revelation message to each church age providing the meaning of the church age name, the revelation of Jesus, His assessment of the age (good and compromised works), His warning and promise. The church age timelines, meanings, and messengers are those listed by William Marrion Branham in his book “An Exposition of the Seven Church Ages”.

Neal Frisby |SW017 Church Ages Part 1 Neal Frisby |SW018 Church Ages Part 2

Click each Church Age

1st Church Age: Ephesus

53-170 AD, (117 years)

Messenger: Paul

Meaning of Ephesus:

“Aimed at” and “relaxed”

They were aiming at the high call of God but gave way to a less watchful attitude.

Characteristics & Notes

1. Paul was “spirit-led” rather than “unorganized”; Jerusalem’s council never sent Paul out, nor did it have any power or jurisdiction over him. God, and God alone did the sending and the leading.

Galatians 1:1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

2. Paul’s ministry was in the power of the Holy Spirit, demonstrating the spoken and written Word.

1 Col 2:4-5 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

3. Paul had the evident fruit of his God-given ministry.

Revelation 2:1-7

1 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; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Revelation of Seven Seals: William Branham, First Seal

295 Remember, in the church ages, when we opened the first church age back there, we found out that the Holy Spirit was against a certain thing they got started in that church age, and that was called “the deeds of the Nicolaitanes.” Nikao means “to conquer.” Laity means “the church,” the laity. Nico-laitane, “to conquer the laity.” “Take the Holy Spirit out of the church and give It all to one “holy” man. Let him be the boss of all of it.” Notice, Nicolaitane was “a saying,” in one church. It becomes “a doctrine,” in the next church age. And in the third church age, it was “a forcement,” and they had the Nicaea Council. And it was then made a_a doctrine in a church. And what was the first thing happened? An organization from it! Now, is that right? [“Amen.”]

301 When Nicolaitane, see, antichrist, is finally he is incarnate in a man, then he is crowned. When he starts off, as a Nicolaitane spirit in the church, he is a spirit. You can’t crown a spirit. But three hundred years later, he becomes a pope, and then they crowned him. He had no crown, to start with. But he got a crown, later, see, when that spirit becomes incarnate.

2nd Church Age: Smyrna

170-312 AD, (142 years)

Messenger: Irenaeus

THE SMYRNAEAN CHURCH AGE, Chapter 4 pg 110

Meaning of Smyrna:

“Bitter” derived from myrrh which was used for embalming the dead. Thus it was a bitter age filled with death and persecution.

Characteristics & Notes:

Key to the Smyrna age is intensified tribulation.

Diocletian, the cruelest of all emperors, launched a terror campaign against the saints of God, that except for the mercy of God would have wiped out all believers. It was the bloodiest in history and lasted ten years (the ten days of Revelation 2:10) from 302 to 312.

Revelation 2:8-11

8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

3rd Church Age: Pergamos

312-606 AD, (294 Years)

Messenger: Martin

Meaning of Pergamos:

“Thoroughly married” church and state united, babylonian religion joined the First Church - 325AD Nicene Council formed the Catholic Church under Constantine.

Characteristics & Notes

"Now Jesus knew that there was going to be a terrible drift away from the Word in the Pergamean Age which was as yet two hundred years off from the Patmos vision. He knew that drift would cause them to go into the Dark Ages. He knew that the way man originally got away from God was by first leaving the Word. If you leave that Word, you have left God. Thus He is presenting Himself to the church at Pergamos, and indeed to all churches of all ages, “I am the Word. If you want Deity in your midst, then welcome and receive the Word. Don’t ever let anyone or anything get between you and that Word. This which I am giving you (the Word) is a revelation of Myself. I AM THE WORD. Remember that!”

William Marrion Branham, “An Exposition of the Seven Church Ages”, pg 169

Revelation 2:12-17

12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

4th Church Age: Thyatira

606-1520 AD, (914 Years)

Messenger: Columba

Meaning of Thyatira:

Dominating Female: Dark ages were dominated by the Roman Catholic Church, Jezebel false religion (1 Kings 16:31), babylonian doctrine

Characteristics & Notes

68 million killed in the name of religion under Roman Babylon church.

"All through the Dark Ages she [Church of Rome] has dominated. For over nine hundred years she plundered and destroyed. She killed the arts, destroyed the sciences, produced nothing but death until the light of the Truth was almost entirely gone and only the barest sliver of light remained. The oil and the wine had almost ceased to flow; but though she dominated the world kingdoms and demanded that all men find their citizenship in her, there was a little group who belonged to God and their citizenship was in heaven, and them she could not destroy. God kept His little flock; they could not be destroyed. This Church of Rome was as heathen and wicked as Queen Athalia who tried to destroy all the royal seed and almost succeeded, but GOD PRESERVED ONE, and of him there came more of the faithful. So God preserved a little flock in that long dark night and of their truth there finally arose a Luther."

William Marrion Branham, “An Exposition of the Seven Church Ages”, pg 216

Revelation 2:18-29

18 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; 19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. 25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. 26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

5th Church Age: Sardis

1520-1750 AD, (230 Years)

Messenger: Martin Luther

Meaning of Sardis:

“The escaped ones”

Martin Luther exposes the Roman Catholic doctrine as false

Characteristics & Notes

Usually called the Age of the Reformation.

1611 King James Authorized English Translation of the Bible published, brings God’s light, ending the dark ages.

Revelation 3:1-6

1 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. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

6th Church Age: Philadelphia

1750-1906 AD, (156 Years)

Messenger: John Wesley

Meaning of Philadelphia:

Brotherly Love; Missionary age

Characteristics & Notes

America Est. 1776.

Revelation 3:7-13

7 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; 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

7th Church Age: Laodicea

1906 - 2025?, (~119 Years)

Messenger: William M. Branham

and the Capstone Angel's 8th Messenger: Neal V. Frisby

Meaning of Laodicea:

“People’s rights” or “Justice of the people”

Communism - all are equal.

Characteristics & Notes

Church age began with the April 09, 1906 AZUSA Street revival led by

William Seymour (5/2/1870-9/28/1922)

Two Messengers are sent to this final Gentile church age: 7th Church Age Messenger, William Branham and the Rainbow Angel's Messenger, Neal Frisby.

Revelation 3:14-22

14 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; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 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: 18 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. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 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. 21 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. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Neal Frisby, Miracle Life Ministry scroll 49

THE GREAT FORERUNNER — A PROPHET of 1947-1965

— He pointed to the angel of the Thunders — The messenger then started the “former rain”. He was the 7th. Church Age Messenger but he was not the 7th. angel apostle of the Thunders! (The other prophet came in the spirit of Elijah bringing the mysteries of God but he did not finish them.) The 7th. angel in a prophet with the “Pillar of Fire” of the Thunders does Now! this latter rain prophet has the rainbow Heavenly message of (Rev. 10) — The rainbow denotes the “end” of the “rain” to the Gentile Bride (time no more) We know that when it thunders we have rain, well that is what this last messenger and “little rolls” is all about! Enoch was the 7th. from Adam and was translated away. We have a 7th. seal “Capstone Apostle” at the end preparing the elect for translation! The former rain prophet did not reveal the 7th Seal because it is revealed by the latter rain messenger. “Behold the old passeth away (revival) yea the hour of the new wine cometh forth! Yea a new people shall be born and come out of the old! The sword (word) of the Lord hath spoken it! — When the lion of the Thunders roars the sheep run together in spirit! (Amos 3:8)

Updated:02/22/2022