7 Churches

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Christ walking among the churches

The Church Age   Revelation chapters 2,3

 

Historical sketch of the 7 cities mentioned:

  1. Ephesus- The commercial, political and religious center of western Asia[1].   Ephesus contained one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Temple of Diana (goddess of fertility). She was known to the Greeks as Artemis. The roof of the temple was supported by 127 Ionic columns each was six feet in diameter and sixty feet tall. Some of the streets in Ephesus were paved with marble! One such paved street led from the theater[2] to the sea ½ mile away. This street was bordered by pillars and behind these, shops and other great buildings were erected. Paul preached here for three years (Acts 20:31) and this church eventually became the strongest church in the first century. Cf. Acts 18:24 – 19:41. Timothy pastored here, also John, and it is thought that Mary, the mother of Jesus died here.

 

  1. Smyrna- A seaport town some forty miles due north of Ephesus. Smyna was also a wealthy city. The Christians were severely persecuted here and no doubt robbed of their possessions[3], accounting for their deep poverty. According to Unger’s Bible Dictionary, Smyrna is still a thriving city of 200,000.

 

  1. Pergamos- This city was located in the Provence of Mysia, about sixty miles northeast of Smyrna and twenty miles inland from the Aegean Sea. Pergamos was quite a notable city of learning, with a University containing over 200,000 scrolls. These are the famous scrolls that were sent to Cleopatra by Anthony. Parchment originated here. Pergamos was the religious center of four pagan cults viz., Zeus, Athena, Dionysus and Aesclepius. According to Bishop Alford, the Mystery cults of Babylon moved here after the death of Belshazzar, later transferred to Rome. The shrine to Aesclepius had a medical college attached where the priests studied. This cult originated on the Isle of Cos at the mineral springs where Hippocrates began to apply healing principles in the 5th Century, BC.   These followers worshipped Aesclepius the god of healing who was represented by a serpent. The priests carried a winged staff of Mercury with a serpent coiled about it (Caduceus). This symbol is still used by the medical profession today with but one small change, it is now portrayed with 2 serpents entwined about the staff.

 

This, no doubt, was picked up by the Greeks when they heard about the brazen serpent that Moses fastened to a pole in order that the people could look and live from the bite of the poisonous snakes. Numbers Chap.21. However in the case of the Israelites, remember that Christ was the healer!

 

Seven hundred years later, the Israelites were doing the same as the heathen… They had turned from God and were worshipping the brazen serpent! Hezekiah had it destroyed (about 100 years before Hippocrates). 2Kings 18:4

  1. Thyatira- Thyatira was the smallest of the seven cities, but was well known for its woolen industry and dye manufacturing, especially purple. Trade Guilds were strong here and each had its own pagan god which was worshipped at the job site. This worship involved sacrifices, drunkenness, immorality, etc. This placed the Christians in a difficult position, since they had little opportunity for a livelihood outside these guilds. Lydia, the first Christian convert in Europe, was a native of Thyatira and no doubt a sales person for a Thyatiran business establishment, cf. Acts 16: 14, 15. It is thought that she carried the Gospel message back to Thyatira, establishing the church.

 

  1. Sardis- This city was located some 30 miles south of Thyatira and 50 miles east of Smyrna. Sardis, like Thyatira was noted for its textile manufacturing and dye industry. The city was very wealthy, but morally degenerate. Its most famous king became a byword, “as rich as Croesus.” Centuries of decadence and immorality provided a difficult environment for the church here.

 

  1. Philadelphia- Located in Lydia 28 miles southeast of Sardis on the edge of a great fertile plane. It was famous for the grapes which grew from this volcanic soil.. Because of this industry, Dionysus (Bacchus) was the pagan god of Philadelphia. He was worshipped with drunken orgies, yet the church did well here!

 

  1. Laodicea- Located some 50 miles southeast of Philadelphia on the road to Colosse and about 90 miles due east of Ephesus. Laodicea was the judicial center for that region and was also an important banking center. Laodicea shared with Thiatira and Sardis in the wealth of a booming textile industry. Laodicea was especially noted for its glossy black woolen products. This city was also a medical center with a shrine to the worship of Aesclepius. Laodicea also had a medical college for its priests. Among other medical aids was a medication for weak eyes, ‘Phrygian Powder.’ This powder was the ‘in thing’ for all eye problems of that day. Paul had written a letter to the church here, which we don’t have today.     Read Col. 2:1 4:13-16.

 

The Active Church                                                           After reading the account of Christ’s messages to the 7 Churches, two questions come immediately to mind:

1). Why did He give such a detailed review to just 7 churches? After all, there must have been a hundred or more churches from Jerusalem to Rome and beyond by now.

2). Why these particular 7? Of all the churches in the Empire, Why these particular 7?

 

The first question is perhaps the easier to explain, since in the light of the Bible as a whole, the number ‘7’ is used many times signifying completeness or completion.

Example: God’s creation of the world in six days, resting on the seventh. Also note 7 Seals, 7 Trumpets, 7 Vials, etc.

The seven churches then, are going to represent the entire church community at that time, in fact they will represent all churches of all time and that includes our church here in Paradise! The messages by our Lord are just as important and meaningful today as they were in 96 AD. One more thought on the matter, since we are the church, the messages are also personal and relevant to each individual member!

 

Second question, Why these particular seven?

The answer to this question is more complex, for as we read, we note that no two messages were the same, this is unique in that these churches were formed at about the same time (54-58 AD), by the same person (Paul ), with the same racial background and all within a radius of a hundred miles! I believe that the characteristics found in these seven churches were characteristics that were prevalent in all churches of that day, in fact, all churches to the present time!

 

These churches had been in existence now for about 40 years. Note: Philadelphia and Laodicea. These two churches with the same Lord and Savior, the same ultimate goals and only 40 miles apart, but because of a different set of priorities… What a difference in spiritual attainment! One warmly commended, the other disgustingly rejected!

I believe that these particular churches had the spiritual qualities, or lack of them, found within the church in general during John’s day.

 

The final thought by some of the early Church Fathers was that chap. 2, 3 represented a chronological projection of church history, i.e.., Ephesus being the general condition of the church in the beginning with Laodicea the final condition of the church in general at the conclusion of the church age.

 

Christ’s View of The Seven Churches

 

What is A Church, Where is the Church?

 

Church- Gr. Ekklesia; ek out of and kaleo to call or summon. The church in general is comprised of people called or summoned out of the world and sin into the way of Christ. These believers formed a common bond through love, and met together to worship God. The church in particular is any individual group of an area meeting in a designated building or home.

 

  • A church meeting, 1Cor. 11: 18 14: 4, 19, 28, 35   3Jn. 6
  • The total of all Christians living at one place. Acts 5: 11; 8: 3; ICor. 4: 17; Phil. 4: 15     Acts 15:22.
    • The Church at Jerusalem- Acts 8:1; 11: 22
      • The Church at Cenchreae Rom. 16: 1
      • The Church at Corinth; 1Cor. 1: 2   2Cor. 1: 1
      • The Church at Thessalonica; I Thess, 1: 2   2Thess. 1: 1
      • The Church at Antioch; Acts 13:1
      • House Churches; Rom. 16:5 ICor. 16: 19; Col. 4: 15   Philemon vs. 2
      • The Church universal; Acts 9: 31; I Cor. 6: 4; 12: 28; Eph. 1: 22; 3: 10, 21
        • The Church of God; ICor. 1: 2; 10: 32; 11:16, 22; 15: 9 2Cor. 1: 1; Gal. 1: 13;                    1Thess.2: 14;   2Thess. 1:4; 1Tim 3: 5, 15; Acts 20: 28
          • The Church of Christ; Rom. 16: 16
        • In God and Christ; 1Thess. 1: 1
        • Churches of the Saints 1Cor. 14:33   Churches of the Gentiles Rom. 16: 4

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Christ’s message to The Church at Ephesus.   Rv.2:1-7

The Church at Ephesus with its many commendable traits, had one fatal flaw, They had not held fast to their first love! Jesus also reminded them that he was walking in their midst and He was keenly aware of all their activities both good and bad; in the natural and in the spiritual.

  1. What was the Ephesian Church commended for?____________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

  1. Did they routinely accept “Spiritual Leaders?” _____________________________

 

  1. What was their sin? _________________________________
  2. If they did not repent, what would Christ do? ______________________________
  3. Was Jesus pleased with the Nicolaitanes?[4] ______________________________

 

To each church Jesus had an exhortation, viz. Of all your spiritual senses, be certain to exercise your hearing! Listen to the voice of the Spirit, hear what He has to say to the church!

  1. Commendation- Works, labor, patience, steadfastness, sound doctrine, not tolerating evil people and rejecting the deeds of the Nicolaitanes. They were also commended for accepting true Apostles and rejecting the fraudulent.
  2. Indictment- They had left their first love. (Note Eph.1:15, 16;   30 yrs. Prior).
  3. Admonition- Remember your previous spiritual condition before your fall!
  4. Commandment- Repent! And do the first works.
  5. Judgment- I will come to you suddenly and remove your candlestick.

Note: candlestick represents the church here.

  1. Exhortation- Listen to the voice of the Spirit!
  2. Promise- The Overcomer shall eat of the Tree of Life in the middle of God’s                     Paradise.

 

  1. Christ’s message to the Church at Smyrna Rv. 2: 8- 11

Smyrna means ‘bitterness’ or ‘suffering’ and comes from the word ‘myrrh’. This spice was used in embalming. This was the persecuted Church!

  1. Commendation-Works, Jesus empathizes with them in their suffering & poverty.
  2. Indictment- None!
  3. Admonition-Gentle Admonition With a promise ’Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a Crown of life.’
  4. Commandment- None!
  5. Judgment- None!
  6. Exhortation- Listen to the voice of the Spirit!
  7. Promise- The Overcomer shall not be hurt of the second death.

 

 

How did Jesus identify Himself to the Church at Smyrna? _____________________

 

These Christians were living under extreme persecution and poverty. Jesus stated that in reality they were _________. Vs.9

Who was actually responsible for putting them into prison? ___________________.

Additional reading: Heb.11: 32-38.

 

  1. Christ’s Message to The Church at Pergamos   Rv.2: 12-17

The church that drifted into false doctrine and immorality.

  1. Commendation- Works, holding fast the name of Jesus and keeping the faith.
  2. Indictment- This church tolerated those with the doctrine of Balaam and embraced           those who held to the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes.
  3. Admonition- Christ went directly to them about these unholy practices.[5]              D. Commandment- REPENT!
  4. Judgment- If you do not repent, “I will come to you quickly and fight against them             with the word of my mouth.”
  5. Exhortation- Listen to the voice of the Spirit!
  6. Promise- The Overcomer will be given hidden manna to eat and a white stone                    engraved with his new name. These rewards are personally delivered by Jesus.

Pergamos was in a particularly precarious position because of _________ seat… “Where _______ dwelleth.”

Who became a martyr for Christ there? _____________

 

  1. Christ’s Message to the church at Thyatira   Rv.2: 18-29

The Church with the false prophetess.

  1. Commendation- Works, love, service, faith, patience, with the recent works even greater than greater than the original.
  2. Indictment- They were permitting a false prophetess to reside in their midst who was seducing saints into demonic activity. This church was caught up in immorality, impure lusts and sensual deviations, These members were participating in banquets where the food was blest by heathen priests and dedicated to images of pagan deities. This prophetess had led many of the people of God into the depths of Satan!
  3. Admonition- “You that have not this doctrine… Hold fast that which you have until I come.”
  4. Commandment- REPENT! (The first call to repentance was ignored, so now comes the second and final call, REPENT!
  5. Judgment- Christ is going to send great tribulation to those who have been partakers in these sins. The proselytes of the prophetess will die! They are to be judged by their works.

F, Exhortation- Listen to the voice of the Spirit!

  1. Promise- The Overcomer will rule the nations, and receive the gift of the morning star.

 

How did Jesus identify Himself to the Church in Thyatira? __________________________________________________________________

How much can be hidden from Christ? Vs. 23 ______________

Is it possible to keep Him from knowing what we do? _______ or say _________.

 

  1. Christ’s message to the Church in Sardis Rv.3:1-6

A church that is in general — Dead– In other particular areas still alive, but dying.

 

  1. Commendation- Works, but these works were not perfect before God, so this commendation turns into an ‘F’ on their eternal report card.
  2. Indictment- “You have a name that you are alive, but you are dead!”
  3. Admonition- Remember how you received and heard. Wake up and strengthen that which is barely alive.
  4. Commandment- REPENT!
  5. Judgment- If there is no change, Christ will come to them as a thief (It is not specifically stated what Christ will do, but with this figure of speech, we understand that it won’t be a time of rejoicing!) The thief is not a welcome guest, he appears unexpectedly and his invasion is frightening to say the least. The thief takes from us our most valuable possessions and leaves us destitute.
  6. Exhortation- Listen to the voice of the Spirit!
  7. Promise- The Overcomer will be clothed in white, his name shall remain in the Book of Life and Jesus shall confess his name before the Father and His Angels.

 

How did Jesus identify Himself to the Church here? _______________________

_______________________________.

“You have a name of being alive, but in reality are dead.” What does this mean?

_________________________________________________________________

This poor church, its profession was so lofty, yet its possession no higher than its shoe tops. “They can talk the talk, but don’t walk the walk.”

Was their any hope for Sardis? _______________.

No matter how dead the church, it is possible for some individual members to remain true to Christ. True ______ False _____.

 

  1. Christ’s Message to the Church in Philadelphia Rv.3:7-13

The Church of Brotherly Love

  1. Commendation- Works, strength (little), kept Christ’s Word and held fast His name. They kept the word of His patience
  2. Indictment- None.
  3. Admonition- Hang on to what you have, don’t let anyone take your crown.
  4. Commandment- None.
  5. Judgment- None.
  6. Exhortation- Listen to the voice of the Spirit!
  7. Promise- I have set before you an open door that no man can shut. The Jews shall know that I love YOU. I will keep you from the hour of temptation that is coming upon all the world , the Overcomer shall be established in the Temple of God, I will write upon him the name of My God, the name of the New Jerusalem, and My new name.

 

The Name Philadelphia means: philos- love and adelphos- brother. Brotherly love.

Philadelphia was a center for the wine industry, so each summer, festivals were held for Bacchus, the god of wine and merriment. Yet with all this carousing and immoral conduct, the church remained true to Christ. How do you account for this? _______

___________________________________________________________________.

 

  1. Christ’s Message To The Church in Laodicea Rv.3:14-22

The Lukewarm Church.

  1. Commendation- Their works are only spoken of in the negative sense., so no commendation was given.
  2. Indictment- The church was neither cold nor hot (spiritually), they were lukewarm. In reality they were wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.
  3. Admonition- “I counsel you to buy of Me, gold, tried in the fire, in order that you may be rich and white raiment, that you may be clothed … and anoint your eyes with eye salve in order that you may see.”
  4. Commandment- Be zealous and REPENT!
  5. Judgment- I will spue (vomit) you out of My mouth!
  6. Exhortation- Listen to the voice of the Spirit.
  7. Promise- The Overcomer will be permitted to sit with Me in My throne. “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.”

 

Since some of the early Church Fathers saw these churches as a projection of church history; do you think that this last church fits the general description of the church today? ____________________________________________________________

 

 

 

As the Church Age concludes with the Laodicean Church, Rv.3: 22.   John states in Rv: 4:1 “After this…”   the Greek text makes it pl.., “After these things…” That is at the conclusion of church period, a door is opened in heaven and a voice like a trumpet shouts, “Come up hither.”   Evangelical Bible Scholars and believers down through the centuries acknowledge that this is the point in the Book of Revelation when the Rapture takes place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • [1] This is not the continent of Asia, nor even Asia Minor, it is Proconsular Asia consisting of the provinces of Mysia, Lydia, Caria, and part of Phrygia. These Provinces were located on the west coast of Asia Minor (Now Turkey).
  • [2] A magnificent theater, seating at least 24,000 people. Demetrius and his business associates led a riot in this theater against Paul and his co-workers. The riot occurred because the image manufacturing business had dropped into a recession as Christianity spread and the demand for idols had sharply dropped. Cf. Acts 19
  • [3] Those out of favor with the governing class could be robbed with impunity.
  • [4] Nicolaitanes: a) The followers of one Nicolas who infiltrated the church with an orthodox profession, but he induced certain ones in the church to practice some of the grossest forms of immorality. This can never be condoned in the church; God hates it!
  •                      b) Some think that this is the beginning of the priestly order. Greek, nicao- domineering and laity- the people, hence the domineering of the laity. The setting up of a hierarchical system that took complete dominance over the believers.
  • [5] Doctrine of Balaam- He taught Balack to provide the Israelites with the opportunity to easily step into sin and immorality;   (The idea being; God will do the job for you by destroying them Himself) . Rv. 2:14 Num..25: 1- 5   Num. 31:15-16   Num. 31: 7- 8
  • Way of Balaam- A lifestyle of blessing friends and cursing enemies for money. 2 Peter 2:15
  • Error of Balaam- Attempting to circumvent God, His will, His blessing and His judgment for gain. Jude vs. 11