I saw this term "Church Age Theory" and I am not sure I know what it is. Explain it to me please?
I heard this my entire time growing up in a free-will Mennonite church. It is particular to the US, I believe.
The postulation is that the seven churches in Revelation correspond with an era on the timeline of the church. Ephesus was the first era of the church, followed in succession by other eras that correspond to the other churches good and bad qualities. The last era before the rapture of the church is therefore Laodicea, which preachers say is the present time period. In this theory, we are going to be raptured and kept from the tribulation period at any time. So...while preachers bemoan the "lukewarm" era of the church, they also look to Jesus taking them away before they have to suffer.
What is ignored is the fact that churches around the world can resemble any of the seven letters in Revelation. Also ignored is the fact that the church is growing in great numbers under persecution right now. No one can say those churches are lukewarm.
Finally, the theory only finds favor with those in the US who are dispensationalist, pre-tribulation Christians.
