The Book of Revelation addresses seven letters to seven churches in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) (Revelation 2-3). Each letter, as proclaimed by Jesus and recorded by John the Apostle, declares the triumphs and failings of the recipient churches and warns each congregation to repent.
The advice in these letters is prophetic, forewarning present-day Christian communities of the snares that may lure us away from our faith.
Who Wrote to the Seven Churches in Revelation?
Christian scholars from the second century have attributed Revelation’s physical writing to John the Apostle, son of Zebedee (Mark 3:17), and creator of the Gospel and Epistles of John. Although John literally wrote Revelation, the Book makes it clear that the source of the revelations is Jesus (Revelation 1:1-2).
In the primary century A.D., the Apostle John was exiled to the island of Patmos, a Roman penal colony near Asia Minor. John’s “crime” was practicing Christianity. While in Patmos, John was seized by the Holy Spirit and received prophetic visions from Christ instructing him to:
“Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches:
- Ephesus
- Smyrna
- Pergamum
- Thyatira
- Sardis
- Philadelphia
- Laodicea (Revelations 1:1-2; September 11).
Download our free PDF, A Biblical Guide to Revelations and Faith within the End Times, to check the book of Revelations.
Why Did These Seven Churches Receive the Apocalyptic Message?
Revelation’s seven churches were amongst several early Christian communities in Asia Minor. These particular seven churches could have been chosen to receive Christ’s apocalyptic message because, geographically, the churches were situated along an established, circular trade route that brought together probably the most populous and influential parts of the province. Once the apocalyptic message was given to the churches in these distinguished cities, the message would spread to the Christian communities in the remainder of the province.
Although the seven letters in Revelation are tailored to the named churches, these churches, and their stated deficiencies can symbolize all churches in a single respect or one other. Therefore, the instruction given to Revelation’s congregations is invaluable to Christian congregations today.
The Seven Churches in Revelation & Their Symbolism
1. The Church of Ephesus
The Church that Has Abandoned Its Love for Christ and His Teachings (Revelation 2:1-7)
Summary and Explanation: Ephesus was Asia’s distinguished business and cultural center. Christ’s letter to the church of Ephesus praises the congregation for its “deeds…labor…and perseverance,” and for rejecting false apostles (Revelation 2:2-3).
Despite its labor and doctrinal integrity, Christ faults the community for having “forsaken the love [they] had at first” (Revelation 2:4). This “forsaken love” can mean that the Ephesians had change into less dedicated to Christ or that the work they did was not motivated by love for each other. The letter to the church of Ephesus does offer the community hope in the event that they repent and rekindle their love for Christian living (Revelation 2:5-7).
Significance Today: The lesson within the letter to Ephesus teaches that truth and love must go hand-in-hand. A church that upholds doctrinal purity on the expense of showing love is just as flawed as a church that upholds congregational harmony on the expense of truthful teachings. Instead, Jesus reveals that a church fashioned in His image must teach God’s Truth in love.
2. The Church of Smyrna
The Church that Remains Faithful Amidst Persecution (Revelation 2:8-11)
Summary and Explanation: Smyrna was home to a big Jewish community hostile to Christians. The Bible notes that slanderous accusations by Jews against Christians had led to Christian persecution by Roman authorities (Acts 14:2, 19: Acts 17:13).
Christ’s revelation to the church of Smyrna commends the community for its material poverty but its spiritual wealth, and acknowledges its wrongful persecution (Revelation 2:9). Christ doesn’t reprimand this church but warns of impending imprisonment for a few of its members, urging them to stay faithful “even to the purpose of death” and remember the promise of their “victor’s crown” (Revelation 2:10).
Significance Today: Like the church of Smyrna, Christians are persecuted worldwide in obvious and insidious ways. This letter warns all Christians that although we may suffer greatly, the length of tribulation will probably be short in comparison with the promise of everlasting life.
3. The Church of Pergamum
The Church that Compromises Its Beliefs (Revelation 2:12-17)
Summary and Explanation: The city of Pergamum was renowned for its pagan practices. The letter to the church of Pergamum lauds the congregation for upholding its faith despite town’s pervasive pagan influences (Revelation 2:13). The letter then addresses the church’s sin by denouncing a few of its members for following false teachings that caused religious and moral compromise (Revelation 2:14-15).
The Lord calls on the community to repent or risk the judgment that may emanate from the “sword of [His] mouth” (Revelation 2:16). Those who repent will probably be given the “hidden manna” that’s the grain of Heaven (Psalm 78:24), and a “white stone” or clean slate with a recent identity in Christ (Revelation 2:17).
Significance Today: Like the Christians in Pergamum, it’s easy to normalize the non-Christian behavior of those around us and permit that behavior to dilute our values (1 Corinthians 15:33). But the Bible urges us to “not conform to the pattern of this world” but be transformed by the renewal of our mind in accordance with God’s Word (Romans 12:2).
4. The Church of Thyatira
The Church that Follows False Prophets (Revelation 2:18-29)
Summary and Explanation: Thyatira was a wealthy business city. Jesus’ letter to the church of Thyatira praises it for growing in faith and repair (Revelation 2:19). The church’s downfall was its devotion to a false prophet that led some members to commit idolatry and immorality (Revelation 2:20). Although the false prophet remained unrepentant, Jesus affirms that the congregation can still repent by turning away from the prophet’s ways (Revelation 2:21-22).
The Lord reminds us on this revelation that He will repay each of us based on our deeds (Revelation 2:23). The payment for sin is death. However, those that persevere in faith will receive a share of Christ’s messianic authority over all nations and conquer death (Revelation 2:26-28).
Significance Today: Just as some within the church of Thyatira were led astray by a false prophet, Christians today fall prey to cult leaders, occult practices, and other false teachings. To share in Christ’s victory, we must avoid these “so-called deep secrets” of Satan (Revelation 2:24) and hold firm to Christ’s teachings.
5. The Church of Sardis
The Church that’s Spiritually Dead (Revelation 3:1-6)
Summary and Explanation: Sardis was a city that had endured two surprise attacks despite its fortifications. Our Lord faults the church of Sardis for maintaining an outward appearance of being “alive,” while actually being spiritually dead (Revelation 3:1). Alluding to town’s history of prior surprise attacks, Jesus warns the congregation to “get up,” and repent, lest he “come like a thief” to bestow His judgment (Revelation 3:2-3).
Those within the church of Sardis who heed Christ’s warning will probably be “wearing white,” an emblem of purity and victory, and will probably be acknowledged in Heaven’s Book of Life (Revelation 3:5).
Significance Today: Christians can fall into the trap that ensnared the church in Sardis if we merely undergo the motions of practicing our faith without feeding our spirit. We can avoid becoming “the living dead” by engaging in our faith through Bible study, prayer, and fellowship.
6. The Church of Philadelphia
The Church that Patiently Endured Despite Weaknesses (Revelation 3:7-13)
Summary and Explanation: Philadelphia was home to a synagogue community hostile to Christians. Christ praises the church of Philadelphia for remaining faithful within the face of trials despite their limited strength (Rev. 3:8).
Jesus doesn’t reproach the church of Philadelphia, but he condemns its persecutors. (Revelation 3:9). Christ guarantees that if Philadelphia’s congregants remain faithful to Him, He will protect them from the “hour of trial” and make them pillars in God’s heavenly temple (Revelation 3:10-12).
Significance Today: The message to Philadelphia shows us the blessings that come once we maintain our faith despite life’s tribulations. In fact, those that persevere despite weaknesses will stand strong as pillars in Heaven.
7. The Church of Laodicea
The Church with a Lukewarm Faith (Revelation 3:14-22)
Summary and Explanation: Laodicea was a prosperous industrial and business center. Jesus’ letter to the church of Laodicea wastes no time denouncing the congregation for its lukewarm faith, threatening to “spit” the congregation out of His mouth (Revelation 3:16).
Christ scolds this church for allowing its economic prosperity to cause it spiritual bankruptcy and divulges that, despite its economic wealth, only He can provide spiritual wealth (Revelation 3:17-18). Those in Laodicea’s church who open the door to Christ will share in His Heavenly banquet and have the fitting to sit down with Him on His throne (Revelation 3:20-21).
Significance Today: Like the church of Laodicea, it’s easy to change into complacent in our faith during times of abundance. Christ warns us on this revelation that he’ll “spit out” lukewarm disciples. Instead, Jesus urges us to maintain searching for the Lord’s face even after His hand has bestowed riches in our lives.
Sources
Biblestudytools.com, New International Version.
Biblestudytools.com, “Book of Revelation Summary.”
Biblestudytools.com, “Why These Seven Churches.”
Biblestudy.org, “The Meaning of Numbers: The Number 7.”
Dolores Smyth’s work has appeared in quite a few faith and parenting publications. You can find her on Twitter @LolaWordSmyth.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Jenny Marvin
EDITOR’S NOTE: This previously written article has change into a resource for a lot of searching for to know if the Coronavirus pandemic is an End Times plague. We hope it will probably direct you toward scriptural truths about plagues and a study of the Book of Revelation. In addition, the next articles may offer more encouragement for all to recollect as we face the trials of COVID-19 together:
