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Revelation 1:10
Our English word "church" is derived from the Greek word kuriakon, which means "belonging to a lord." But of itself, kuriakon has absolutely no religious connotation. It simply meant "the lord or master of a property." It is never used in the Bible in reference to the body of Jesus Christ (the church). Kuriakon is used where it says "on the Lord's [kuriakon] day." It does not mean Sunday. It does not mean the Sabbath. It means the Day of the Lord, which is at the end-time. So it is a day belonging to the Lord. How did this get into the English language? It was the English-speaking Israelites who transformed kuriakon into a religious term. It emerged first in the word kirk, and finally evolved through the centuries into the word "church." Its first usage in English was as a building in which religious meetings were held, but eventually became used for the people in the building too. Kuriakon is not used in Acts 7:38. Ecclesia is, which means "assembly, group" and it is even used in the Bible for a mob.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Where Is the Beast? (Part Four)
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