The Seven Churches in Revelation 2 and 3

                          The Seven Churches in Revelation 2 and 3

Paul, taught personally by the Lord Jesus, wrote to the Thessalonians (1 Thess.1:3, 9-10), remembering -

v3 Your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope		vv9-10   You turned to God from idols   to serve the living, and true God   to wait for His Son from heaven
Christ set Forth		His Knowledge of Their Works

EPHESUS (the orthodox church, 2:1-7 - steadfast, hating evil)

He that hold the seven stars [mess-engers] (1:16) in His right hand, and walks in the midst of the golden lampstands (1:13) - His Body, the Church.  Ephesus loved - Christ gave Himself for.

I know your works (of faith), labor (of love), patience (hope), how you can not bear those who are evil: have tried those who say they are apostles and are not - found them liars. Have borne, have patience, have labored for My names's sake, and not fainted. This you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

SMYRNA (poor, rich church, 2:8-11, steadfast, spiritual endurance)

The First and Last, who was dead and is alive (1:18) - the Resurrected Christ.

I know your works, and tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are of the synagogue of Satan.

PERGAMUM (the church in bad surroundings, 2:12-17 - steadfastness among an evil environment)

He who has the sharp sword with the two edges (1:16) - the Word of God (Jn.1:1,14; Eph.6:17; Heb.4:12).

I know your works, where you dwell, even where Satan's throne is; and you hold fast My Name, have not denied My faith - even in those days in which Antiaps My faithful martyr was slain among you - where Satan dwells.

THYATIRA (the church of the evil prophetess, 2:18-29 - tolerance of corrupt prophetess)

Who has His eyes like a flame of fire (1:14b), feet like fine bronze (1:15a) - Christ the Judge (Jn.5:30).

Your works (faith) - and love (labor) - and service, and faith, your patience (of hope). Your works - the last to be more than the first.

SARDIS (the dying church, 3:1-6 - Spiritual death imminent)

He that has the seven spirits of God (1:4b), and the seven stars (1:16a) - the Holy Spirit and the Church (Ac. 1:8).

I know your works, that you have a name that you live, and are dead.

PHILADELPHIA (weak but loyal church, 3:7-13 - True Church [Body of Christ] in professing Church [Christendom])

He that is holy. He that is true. He that has the key of David. He that opens and no man shuts. He that shuts and no man opens (Is.22:22). Prince of kings of earth (1:5). Glory and dominion forever and ever (1:6) - The King of kings and Lord of lords.

I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door. No man can shut it. You have a little strength - kept My Word - not denied My Name.

LAODICIA (the rich, poor church, 3:14-22 - lukewarm, spiritual conceit, blindness)

The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, Beginning of the creation of God (1:8) - King Ruling.

Your works that you are neither cold nor hot. I would that you were cold or hot.

                   The Seven Churches in Revelation 2 and 3

Promises to Overcomers                   (Romans 8:37-39)		Historical Era Represented

EPHESUS

I will give to eat of the Tree of Life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God (2: 7b)

The Apostolic Church

SMYRNA

Shall not be hurt of the second death (2: 11b).

Early Centuries of Persecution

PERGAMUM

I will give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written which no man knows except he that receives it (2:17).

Age of Constantine

THYATIRA

I will give power over the nations, and I will give unto him the Morning Star (2:26, 28).

Age of Papal Apostasy

SARDIS

The same shall be clothed in white raiment, and I will not blot his name out of the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels (3:5).

The Reformation

PHILADELPHIA

I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem which comes down out of heaven from God, and I will write upon him My new name (3:12).

The Missionary Age

LAODICIA

Will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.

The Hypocritical Church

                 The Seven Churches in Revelation 2 and 3

His Words of Reproof

His Words of Counsel

EPHESUS - left their first love

I have somewhat against you because you have left your first love (2:4).

Remember therefore from where you are fallen and repent, and do the first works - or else I will come quickly, and will remove your lampstand out of its place, except you repent (2:5).

SMYRNA - the suffering church

No words of reproof.

Fear none of those thing which you shall suffer. Behold, the Devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried, and you shall have tribulation 10 days. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of Life (2:10).

PERGAMUM - the tolerant church - corrupt doctrine, heretics

I have a few things against you because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication. You have also those that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate (2:14-15).

Repent, or else I will come unto you quickly, and will fight against you with the sword of My mouth (2:16).

THYATIRA - another tolerant church - lax discipline - tolerance of corrupt prophetess

I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman, Jezebel, who called herself a prophetess to seduce My servants, to commit fornication, eat things sacrificed to idols (2:20).  Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and those that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds (2:22). And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give unto every-one of you according to your works (2:23).

But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and who have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you no other burden. But that which you have - hold fast till I come (2:24-25).

SARDIS - the formal church - only a few members commended for purity (3:4)

I have not found your works perfect before God (3:2b).

Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die (3:2a). Remember therefore how you have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore you shall not watch, I will come on you as a thief, and you shall know not what hour I will come upon you (3:3b).

PHILADELPHIA - the unreproved church

No words of reproof are recorded.

Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept the word of My patience, I will also keep you from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which you have, that no man take your crown (3:9-12).

LAODICIA - the lukewarm, spiritually conceited, no-need church

Because you are lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth (3:16). Because you say, I am rich, and increased in goods, and have need of nothing, and know not that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and +naked (3:17).

I counsel you to buy of me gold tried in fire - that you may be rich. White raiment - that you may be clothed - that the shame of your nakedness does not appear; and anoint your eyes with salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 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 (3:18-20).