THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF REVELATION 2-3, PART 2
When studying Revelation, it must be remembered this is prophecy. John pointed out in Revelation 1:3 (KJV), “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Jesus told John, the Apostle, to write these things (Rev. 1:11, 19). The seven churches were historical churches that existed in the first century, and primarily, the message in Revelation 2-3 was to be sent to them. This was an evaluation of their ministry and shortcomings and represents an assessment of the church as it grew historically. There is a definite declension of their doctrinal integrity except for the churches at Smyrna (Rev. 2:8-11) and at Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7-13). The church at Smyrna had been through much tribulation and persecution and faced more. The church at Philadelphia had been plagued by people who claimed to be Jews and were not, but Jesus identified them as of the “synagogue of Satan” (vs. 9). This paper is to identify the problems in each of the five other churches as well as how they demonstrate the process of activity of the church (corporately) throughout history. Thus it is claimed these two chapters of Revelation represent an assessment and a prophecy.
- The Church at Ephesus, Revelation 2:1-7, from 33 to 200 ad. 196 words.
Commendations: They were a good church and spiritual and preached the truth of the word of God as stated in Revelation 2:2-3. God was aware of their works, labour, and patience (vs. 2). Also, they knew the scripture well enough they knew that some claimed to be “apostles” and the church had found them “liars” (vs. 2). They also had “patience” and “laboured” in the name of the Lord (vs. 3). They also they hated the “deeds of the Nicolaitans” which God hates” (vs. 6). [Emphasis added.]
Criticisms: They had “left their first love” (vs. 4). They had fallen (evidently a reference to leaving “their first love.)” If they did not “repent” Jesus would come and “remove” their “candlestick” (vs. 5) unless they repent.
- The Church at Smyrna, Revelation 2:8-11, from 200 to 325 ad. 132 words.
Commendations: Jesus knows their “works, tribulation, and poverty. . . and the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.” (vs. 9). They were going to be harassed by Satan and “shall cast some of you into prison. . .and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (vs. 10). There are no condemnations for this church. They are in the midst of the “tribulation ten days” (vs. 10).
- The Church at Pergamos Revelation 2:12-17, 325 to 500 ad. 200 words.
Commendations: Jesus commends them for several things in vs. 13. Their church was where “Satan’s seat is” and “where Satan dwelleth” (vs. 13). They “hold fast my [Jesus’] name. . .hast not denied my faith” (vs. 13).
Criticisms: Jesus told them “I have a few things against thee. . .” (vs. 14). There are members who held the doctrine of Balaam, also, they had there those who hold “the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which I hate” (vs. 14). Do you note the progression of how false doctrine infiltrates a church? The church at Ephesus had the “Nicolaitans” in their city (Rev. 2:6), while the church at Pergamos had allowed them to be a part of the congregation. It is worth noting that Jesus sees false doctrine as being “where Satan’s seat is” (vs. 13). Evidently, Satan had a church/synagogue (Rev. 2:9; 3:9). The “synagogue of Satan” was evidently of Jewish origin. This is one of the ways false doctrine is promoted. The first century of the church was made up of both Jews and Gentiles. It would be easy for the Jews to say they are one with the church; they could say they “believe the same thing.” Yet, they would be like the “Judaizers” who had accepted Christ but believed and taught the importance of being circumcised and keeping the Law of Moses (Acts 15:1, 24; Gal. 5:2). The Epistle of Galatians gives a statement of Paul’s problems with the Judaizers, which included Peter. In fact Paul tells of confronting Peter in Galatians 2:1-21. The Mormons and Jehovah’s false] Witnesses use the ploy, “we are just like you, we believe in Jesus, etc., yet the problem is how they believe in Jesus. Both of these two groups are NOT Christian organizations. They work hard to get that identity.
- The Church at Thyatira, Revelation 2:18-29, 500 to 1000 ad. 303 words.
Commendations: One verse describes the good things about this church. It says in Revelation 2:19 (KJV), “I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.”
Criticisms: The “few things” (vs. 20) Jesus had against them was the activity of a woman in the congregation named “Jezebel.” She claimed to be a “prophetess” (vs. 20), and she taught by seduction “My servants” who committed “sexual immorality” and “ate things sacrificed to idols” (vs. 20). This was built around idol worship. This woman was a church member, yet her name brings to mind the Jezebel of 1 Kings 16 who was the wife of Ahab the king of Israel (the northern kingdom). Jesus said He “gave her time to repent” (vs. 21) and she refused. The next three verses give some strong warnings and judgments and said there was a danger of being cast into the “great tribulation” for committing adultery with this Jezebel (vs. 22). Note in vs. 24 that Jesus connects this Jezebel with Satan. Yet, the ones following Jezebel were not the entire congregation. Note the statement “the rest” in Revelation 2:24 (KJV), “But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.” There will always be an opportunity to set things right of behavior that has caused you to engage in activity displeasing to God. Note how severe things can get with a congregation when they drift into false teaching and follow someone who leads them to commit spiritual adultery in Revelation 2.
- The Church at Sardis, Revelation 3:1-6, 1000 to 1500 ad. 187 words.
Commendation: Note this element comes after the “criticism” in Revelation 3:4-6. There were believers there who “had not defiled their garments” and He would not “blot their names out of the book of life” (vs. 5). He would “confess” their name before “My Father and before His angels” (vs. 5).
Criticism: Note the condition of this church described in Revelation 3:1 (KJV), “And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” Jesus told them “I have not found your works perfect before God” (vs. 2). He tells them to “remember,” to “repent,” and if they “will not watch” He would come upon them “as a thief” (vs. 3). Here is an admonition to the believers today (2025) that we should be watching as well.
- The Church at Philadelphia, Revelation 3:7-13, 1500 to 1900 ad. 253 words.
Commendation: The first verse of this section, vs. 7, identifies who is making the comments. It is a description of the Lord Jesus Christ who is giving these letters to John to send to the churches (Rev. 1:11). The content of the letters were coming directly from the Lord Jesus Christ. The church in Philadelphia and Smyrna had nothing to criticize by the Lord Jesus Christ.
Some things to note: (1) The open door, vs. 8; (2) has kept my word (vs.8); (3) hast not denied my name (vs. 8); (4) keep thee from the hour of temptation (vs. 10). Then in Revelation 3:12 Jesus makes a fascinating promise which concludes with “I will write upon him my new name.” This church is representative of the period considered the greatest awakening ever. Beginning with William Carey (1783) to 1900 there were 15,000 missionaries on foreign fields from the United States and England. It has been suggested that over 42,000 missionaries have gone to the field since 1900. There were few, if any, nations closed to Christian missionaries in this period of church history. Something happened to the motivation to serve God as missionaries after 1952 when the Revised Standard Version (RSV) was published. There had two other translations made with the desire to replace the King James Bible, the English Revised Version (ERV) published in 1885 and the American Standard Version of 1901, which was a revision of the ERV. The RSV was published by the National Council of Churches in Christ U.S.A. This was an ecumenical the committee who did the translation and very liberal theologically. This period of church history was characterized by the church of Philadelphia.
- The Church at Laodicea, Revelation 3:14-22, 1900 to present. 240 words.
Commendations: There are no commendations given to the church of Laodicea.
Criticisms: The city and region were known for hosting three successful enterprises: Banking, medicine that helped some vision problems prominent there, and the garment industry. The commentators indicate that Laodicea was known for garments made of black wool produced by a certain type of sheep that is no longer in existence. The garments made from this wool were considered a status symbol of society. Revelation 3:15 (KJV) has this to say, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.” Then they are told they are “lukewarm” (vs. 16). The next item Jesus points out to them is in Revelation 3:17 (KJV), “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” This coincides with the three major industries present in Laodicea. Note how the verse begins: “Because thou sayest, I am rich. . .” This church was evidently made up of wealthy members who took pride in their status monetarily, socially, and spiritually. Do not overlook the claim of Jesus in Revelation 3:20 (KJV), “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” The door must be opened by those inside. It was not an open door church. It has morphed into an exclusive club.
Some Applications: These seven churches can represent three things.
- A period of history with these characteristics. We have seen in prior studies how these churches represent a prophetic overview of what would characterize periods of church history.
- A church with these characteristics. There are churches with these characteristics throughout history. Even today some churches can be identified with these characteristics of the Seven Churches. I few visited every church in Orlando we would probably be able to identify them according to these seven churches. They could be a church that had lost their first love, the Bible. They could be a rich church, etc.
- A person with these characteristics. There are believers today, who could be identified as a believer just like one of these churches.