This is one question that I can certainly find no answer to.

The book of revelation outlines the seven church ages (to Asia). Copying a book by Clarence Larkin, WMB got the dates of the time periods for each of these church ages. Then, by "divine revelation", WMB told us who the "messenger" was for each "age," placing himself at the throne of the last church age.

Aside from the fact that one of these "messengers" was not alive during his church age (Columba), and another was born in another church age (Martin Luther), there is the problem with Paul that I overlooked when writing my book.

John the Revelator wrote the book of prophecy around the year 95 AD. The book outlined the future church ages.

The Apostle Paul died in 67, almost thirty years before the book of prophecy was written.

Out of a book of prophecy, which foretold the future coming events, why would John the Revelator "prophesy" that the Apostle Paul would rise up in a church age that had already came and gone?

That would be like me prophesying that a great fish will swallow Jonah, and he will be inside that fish for three days! And it will all happen ... a long time ago!!!!

Hi John,

Don't really have any answers on your question about Paul. Just being honest...

However, I think it is commonly accepted that we don't know for sure when Revelation was written. I don't think we can go so far as to say we "know" it was written in or around 95 AD. Although the predominant feeling it was written in that timeframe.

Here is a thought on Paul. It is clear that the Lord himself taught Paul.

Gal 1:12
For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Thus, it could be said that Paul, if he was the first church age messenger, was instructed by the same one who gave John the revelation to write down. Thus the message, to the messenger of that age, could have already been delivered to the messenger and then recorded for all time in Revelation 2. Just a thought....

Another question around Revelation 2-3

I would say from the text of those chapters that "a messenger" to each church is clearly stated. I see no other way to read and understand "To the angel (messenger) of the church of Ephesus write,..."

I am just looking at this from a bible student perspective right now...

What is meant by "angel" or "messenger"? The text reads pretty plainly that each section is addressed to a single messenger.
If there is a messenger to each church, was it an age or an individual church? I honestly can't see how this could be written to a single church in that day.
If it is an actual messenger, then how would he deliver that message to the church or age?
Is it intended that he deliver the message himself, or is it just delivered in the text for all to read? (if it was just intended to be in the text for all to read, then it would be somewhat odd that it says "To the angel of the church..." as one would start a letter to a someone.

These are just interesting questions whether looking at it from a message perspective or not. I have a Thompson Chain study bible that outlines "church ages" as well... so this is not just a WMB view that it could mean ages.

I will admit that in this one, I am probably more of a student than you are -- I am learning everything from the ground up.

John the Revelator, was in Ephesus. Tradition has it that John held the first apostolic office in Ephesus. He founded several churches throughout Asia Minor. He actually is believed to have even been buried in Ephesus.

NOTE: Edited for content, corrected some invalid information. [Seek]

Interesting tidbits to add to the subject. Never heard the bit about John the revelator.

@Berean,

Updated for content and removed the incorrect information.

My train of thought was evidently not working as it should have. I meant to say that the church in Ephesus was not founded by Paul, but by John. But before I say too much more, I want to research a bit further -- the Ephesus bit that includes John the Revelator is quite interesting...

Nevertheless, Revelations was written long after Paul died, and John would not have been "prophesying" about the past.