Truth7t7.....Revelation was not hidden from the churches of Asia...John wrote it FOR the churches of Asia. Polycarp was most likely in possession of the original (no copies at that time) which he most likely shared with the other churches. The church in Ephesus was considered the rock of sound doctrine as John also pastored there before and after Patmos.
It would make sense to believe that John would send his epistle to the people it was addressed to. What else would John do with it? It also would make sense that Polycarp would share that epistle with the other churches mentioned in it...they were in the same general area....Asia minor. (check a map or google the area, the same names exist today)
This was John's warning to them so they would understand the things that were about to happen. People of the churches, living at that time, would understand completely John's symbolism, which he used so the Romans would not.......if it fell in the hands of the Romans it would mean greater persecution for the church.....as parts of Revelation make it clear the who and what was referred to.
REVELATION 1:1
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John,
2 who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.
3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.
4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,
How can you just dismiss the plain wording there?
I trust the evidence I have in being Amillenial. it is spot- on to the symbolism of Revelation and Daniel on the who , where and when.
I don't believe there are any symbols that I have not squared with my eschatology. I don't care about your "preterist" (partial OR full), ideas because I am Amillenist. I don't think you know the difference.
I'm willing and ready to tackle and put down your theory on antichrist too.
And yes, I am annoyed with you. ........so I must stop posting and go cool my heels.
It would make sense to believe that John would send his epistle to the people it was addressed to. What else would John do with it? It also would make sense that Polycarp would share that epistle with the other churches mentioned in it...they were in the same general area....Asia minor. (check a map or google the area, the same names exist today)
This was John's warning to them so they would understand the things that were about to happen. People of the churches, living at that time, would understand completely John's symbolism, which he used so the Romans would not.......if it fell in the hands of the Romans it would mean greater persecution for the church.....as parts of Revelation make it clear the who and what was referred to.
REVELATION 1:1
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John,
2 who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.
3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.
4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,
How can you just dismiss the plain wording there?
I trust the evidence I have in being Amillenial. it is spot- on to the symbolism of Revelation and Daniel on the who , where and when.
I don't believe there are any symbols that I have not squared with my eschatology. I don't care about your "preterist" (partial OR full), ideas because I am Amillenist. I don't think you know the difference.
I'm willing and ready to tackle and put down your theory on antichrist too.
And yes, I am annoyed with you. ........so I must stop posting and go cool my heels.