SEVEN CHURCHES (Revelation 2-3) Asia Minor (present day Turkey) on circular trade route
- Church in EPHESUS – (eh-fuh-suhs) Loveless Church
Prominent cultural and commercial center of Asia, 60 years after Christ’s resurrection- Big church, founder Paul- work Paul began on this occasion was carried forward by Apollos and Aquila and Priscilla. Timothy was the pastor. Jesus said to repent and return to your first Love.
Lesson- Truth and love must go hand-in-hand. Must uphold the doctrinal purity, but not at the expense of brotherly love.
To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
- Church in SMYRNA- smer-nuh) The Suffering Church
Large community of Jews hostile to Christians. The church remained faithful through persecution. Christ warns of impending imprisonment even to death. Jesus says “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.” Refined by fire through tribulations. This little church in the town of myrrh was being crushed because of her love for Christ.
Lesson- no admonishment – Be faithful even to the point of death and He will give you the crown of life. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by second death.
- Church of Pergamum- (per-ga-mum) The Compromising Church
Pergamum had a unique status, because it was the political center where rulings affected all of Asia Minor. Pergamum was also a well-known center for the arts. The people of Pergamum worshipped a myriad of Greek and Roman gods, but when Christianity arrived with the belief in just one god, the city’s pagan priests went on the attack and their most famous victim was a man named Antipas.
City of pagan practices called Satan’s throne. The church was compromising its beliefs. Church conforming to the world and allowing people in the church to practice Balaam false teachings and sexual immorality. Jesus says that they had allowed themselves to be influenced by paganism, idolatry, and false teachings. Jesus said REPENT therefore!
Lesson-Repent or risk judgement. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.
- Church of Thyatira –(thai-uh-tai-ruh) The Adulterous Church
Thyatira was a prosperous trading town that was an important location on the Roman road from Pergamos to Laodicea. The city hosted a major cult of the pagan god Apollo (son of Zeus). The city was known for its dyeing and indigo trade.
The church was engaging in sexual immorality and dabbling in idolatry (tolerating the woman of Jezebel). Jesus says He has given her time to repent, but unwilling. So there will be consequences of bed of suffering and strike her children. Severe punishment to the false prophets and following of false prophets.
Lesson- Part of church was holding to the truth, other part was being misled to Jezebel false teachings. To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations. I will also give him the morning star.
- Church of Sardis- (sar-dis)- The dead church
Prosperous river city with gold. Sardis was the first in its area to be converted by the preaching of the apostle John. Church spiritually dead, outward alive inward dead. Many began to claim that they were Christians and followers of God, yet according to their works, they denied God. Jesus said “wake up! Remember what you have received and heard: obey it and Repent! “Strengthen what remains before you die.
Lesson- Repent, but to the ones who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.
- Church of Philadelphia- The faithful Church
Wealthy trade city- Philadelphia was home to a synagogue community hostile to Christians. Philadelphia was founded later than many of the other cities of Asia Minor. Philadelphia means brotherly love. The church had little strength, but was doing well in their deeds, kept HIS word, and had not denied Jesus. The church of Philadelphia was weak in some respects, yet they had remained faithful in the face of trial. Because of this, the Lord promises them an “open door” of blessing.
Lesson- No admonishment – continue faith through tribulations.
“Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on 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 My God. And I will write on him My new name.
- Church in Laodicea –lay-o-dih-see-uh- The Lukewarm Church
The city was a prosperous commercial and industrial center- Economic prosperity caused spiritual bankruptcy. The church was complacent in their faith in time of abundance.
Jesus says “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”
Lesson- Repent!
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.
Sited works:
Bible
https://www.biblestudy.org/biblepic/churches-of-revelation-ephesus.html
https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-greece/ephesus
https://davidjeremiah.blog/seven-churches-of-revelation-bible-study/
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