One church you say..hmmmm
Why is the word church used in the plural in Revelation....Unto the 7 CHURCHES which are Asia...?
In heaven there is ONE CHURCH...on the earth there are churches.....and the Corinthian quote (while applicable unto all churches) is particularly applied to the church that was at Corinth.....
Just saying.........
*Jesus came into this world to establish His one and only church through which to save lost and dying humanity.* Jesus is only "the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him" (Hebrews 5:9)
There were different churches but he came to establish his.
The Seven Churches of Asia(referring to the Roman province of Asia, not the entire continent), are seven major churches of Early Christianity,
1.Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7) - the church known for having laboured hard and not fainted, and separating themselves from the wicked; admonished for having forsaken its first love (2:4)
2.Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) - the church admired for its tribulation and poverty; forecast to suffer persecution (2:10)
3.Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17) - the church located at 'Satan's seat'; needed to repent of allowing false teachers (2:16)
4.Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) - the church known for its charity, whose "latter works are greater than the former"; held the teachings of a false prophetess (2:20)
5.Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6) - the church that has a good name; cautioned to fortify itself and return to God through repentance (3:2-3)
6.Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) - the church steadfast in faith, that had kept God's word and endured patiently (3:10)
7.Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) - the church that was lukewarm and insipid (to God) (3:16)
The messages of Revelation two and three clearly show the severity of correction that will be needed to awaken many of God's people to their extremely dangerous situation. It is clear from these reprimands and warnings to the seven churches that Jesus will take whatever measures are necessary in order to stir God's people into action, so they will not lose their salvation