you wrote:
“Darn strange God used real cities to be symbolic...”
He usually does use real things as symbols - or have you never read the Bible before?
“...but then maybe my geography is not what it used to be.”
Could be.
“What do the Churches symbolize?”
Are you kidding me? Don’t you own a Bible? Do you have a study Bible of any worth at all?
Since you apparently know nothing at all about the Bible, perhaps you should start with baby steps. Here is the Wikipedia breakdown:
1.Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7) - the church that had forsaken its first love (2:4).
2.Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) - the church that would suffer persecution (2:10).
3.Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17) - the church that needed to repent (2:16).
4.Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) - the church that had a false prophetess (2:20).
5.Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6) - the church that had fallen asleep (3:2).
6.Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) - the church that had endured patiently (3:10).
7.Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) - the church that was lukewarm and insipid (to God) (3:16).
“What do the lamp stands symbolize?”
Again, do you not have a Bible???? Have you never read it?
“Are the complaints of Christ and the compliments of Christ also symbolic?”
Again, do YOU NOT HAVE A BIBLE????
“How do you know what the answer to these questions is...?”
Simple. I read. Crack open your Bible and you might learn something. Have you honestly never read the Bible?
“How does that work?”
Simply, because it is God’s work.
“Without a single person, how is that a “gathering”?”
I never said anything about “Without a single person,” so maybe you should address what I actually wrote rather than ask questions of me about something I never wrote.
“If you strip out all the people who make up the Church and the Bride of Christ, what is left?”
1) Why and how would you strip the Church of her members?
2) Why would you assume there would be something left?
“A gathering without people?”
I never said anything about a “gathering” without people. You’re making things up out of thin air.
“A wedding gown with no one in it?”
Again, I never said anything about a wedding gown so again you are just making things up out of thin air.
“How do you know the Church doesn’t include people?”
How do you know I ever claimed she doesn’t? I said the EXACT opposite in fact. I often am amazed at how Protestant anti-Catholics start making things up when they debate with a Catholic. I’m seeing it here now.
“Without people, what is the Church?”
Who suggested that? Who?????
“All well and good, but not inspired Scripture.”
You’re not inspired either - but, unlike you, the Catechism makes sense and it doesn’t babble nonsensically about things people never actually said.
When you can show me where I EVER claimed what you claimed I did, get back to me. I suggest you seriously consider how wrong it is to post utter falsehoods as you have and ask God for His forgiveness.
Oh Vlad, so, so touchy when I ask a simple question. Instead of answers, insults. When you cracked open your Bible, did you read this... and is it symbolic, or did Christ mean what He commanded? I ain't seeing it in your reply.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”Jesus Christ, John 13:34-35
I asked you those questions because you stated the churches in Revelation is symbolic. I asked you to defend with facts your claims. You did not. Christ addressed 7 real churches, all clustered together. He had a message for each. Instead of Wikipedia, maybe crack the real Bible. Instead of just attacking a brother in Christ, have a real conversation. You stated the Church was pure, but the people were not. I asked if you take away the people, what is left that is pure. You did not answer. I wish better for you and for all the Church.