As the days draw on, our world becomes colder, darker, and more divided. As the days continue, we move further and further away from Jesus Christ. This occurs as we are persuaded to accept the ways of the world, and we even comprise our beliefs, often unknowingly.
Yet, this is nothing new.
Nearly 2,000 years ago, Jesus provided us with seven examples that we can relay to in these dark times. These examples concern the 7 churches of Revelation. Interestingly enough, Jesus only approved of two of the seven churches.
Do you know why only two of the seven?
They displayed great faith, evident through their works, moreover, they never failed Christ.
We now begin our study, by walking through each of the 7 churches of Revelation.
The Church of Ephesus
The church of Ephesus did perform some good works for Jesus, (Revelation 2:2-3). However, they also made some mistakes.
Let’s read about it.
Revelation 2:4
Church of Ephesus: Revelation 2:1-7
Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Jesus was upset with the church of Ephesus, as they did not do everything Christ instructed them to do. That is how they “left thy first love,” which is Jesus Christ.
We should take an example from this.
Today’s world is no different. We are often led away from Jesus by compromising our Christian faith for the world’s version of morality. While we may adhere to most of what Jesus said, if we do not adhere to all of it, we too have “left thy first love,” and we have become unprofitable for Christ.
Jesus told the church of Ephesus, they were “fallen” if they did not “repent.” Ephesus had faith, but they did not display all of the proper works. Nevertheless, Jesus would tell this church, “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life.”
Meaning, salvation was always open to members of the church who did things Christ’s way. Remember, Ephesus was home to the Ephesians whom Paul wrote to, there was good spiritual fruit there.
How about the next church?
The Church of Smyrna
Revelation 2:9
Church of Smyrna: Revelation 2:8-11
I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
The church of Smyrna was one of only two churches that displayed faith and the works to back it up. For that, Jesus told them, “be thou faithful unto death.” Meaning, continue to endure “and I will give thee a crown of life.”
Why would Smyrna obtain the Crown of Life?
For their righteous “works” and staying “faithful” to Jesus Christ. Unlike five of the churches that failed Jesus.
In those days, like today, it was extremely difficult to remain faithful. Christians were heavily persecuted, especially in Jerusalem by the Jews of the synagogue. You will notice, there is no genealogy in that as some might contend. We are talking about religious faith here, (Romans 2:28-29, Galatians 3:29).
In fact, after Jesus perished on the cross, the Apostles were continually persecuted by the Jews. So take an example from this, we must reject all faiths except for the Christian faith, the one faith we must remain “faithful” to. In so doing, we too will obtain the “crown of life.”
Let’s see what lesson we can learn from the next church.
The Church of Pergamum
Revelation 2:14
Church of Pergamum: Revelation 2:12-17
But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
The church of Pergamum was one of the bad ones.
However, the prior verse tells us, “thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith.” So they believed in Jesus, they must have even had some good works.
Yet, they allowed “leaven” into the church.
This materialized as they had some people in the church, no doubt in leadership roles who held “the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac.” This is a false doctrine by false prophets.
Unfortunately, to a large degree, the church is no different today. While there are many within the church who ‘hold fast to Christ,’ they allow “leaven” into the church in the form of false doctrines and by conforming to the world. Today, homosexual pastors come to mind.
Jesus instructed the church of Pergamum to “repent” from this abomination. Yet, Jesus closed His address to this church saying, for those who “overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna.”
Your take away?
Salvation is always open to the individual who adheres to God’s Word.
The Church of Thyatira
Revelation 2:20
Church of Thyatira: Revelation 2:18-29
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
The church of Thyatira falls into the same category as the last church. Though Jesus would acknowledge they had some good “works, charity, service, faith, and patience.”
However, what was their downfall?
Spiritual leaven.
The church of Thyatira allowed false doctrine to corrupt all the good doctrine they held. This once again, was a problem where their faith had become corrupted by allowing evil into the church.
We are not told, but I am quite certain. This evil flaunted itself into the church in fine apparel. Just as the whore in Revelation is “arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls,” (Revelation 17:4).
Wickedness always presents itself to us in the form of Godliness. Evil is always portrayed to us as something that is appealing.
Today, evil presents itself as Godly and righteous. It has rooted itself so far into our world we cannot pull it out without destroying ourselves. Yet, we must always stand against it, never giving it place. That was Pergamum and Thyatira’s primary sin.
The Church of Sardis
Revelation 3:2
Church of Sardis: Revelation 3:1-6
Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
Jesus was very disappointed with the church of Sardis. As the prior verse reveals, they had a “name,” they had a reputation for being alive in Jesus, but they were spiritually dead.
This should remind you of those who walked through the marketplace giving their alms before men. Those were the chief priests and scribes of the Pharisees, the Judeans who corrupted God’s Word with their own doctrines.
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Today, we see the same thing by so-called churches and holy men.
As they stand before you, they say sweet words and offer sweet-sounding prayers. Yet, their actions, their doctrines do not align with God’s. These are false teachers, false prophets who have come to sway the flock away from Jesus Christ.
Yet, we should never forget, even in Sardis, there were good men “which have not defiled their garments.” That means, they stayed true to Jesus, and they will walk with Him in paradise.
The Church of Philadelphia
Revelation 3:8
Church of Philadelphia: Revelation 3:7-13
I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
Philadelphia along with Smyrna were the only two churches that Jesus completely accepted.
Why?
Jesus knew their works, they kept His word, and they did not deny His name.
For this, Jesus would ensure the “synagogue of Satan,” the Jews of the synagogue who reigned in Jerusalem as the religious authority would one day bow before them. This was to prove, that Jesus did in fact love the church of Philadelphia, (Revelation 3:9).
Do you know why the Jews of the synagogue would bow before them?
One day, these Jews would come to acknowledge that Christians, this church served God, while they held onto the “tradition of the elders.” That’s why Jesus said to the church of Philadelphia in verse 9, “and to know that I have loved thee.”
One day, “Philadelphia” will be recognized as the true church of believers.
While Jesus only accepted Philadelphia and Smyrna, the other five churches did have members who adhered to what Jesus taught. In the same token, even “Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house,” (Acts 18:8).
This all teaches us, we can never chalk together an entire group into one category.
Revelation 3:10
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Here is yet another righteous aspect from the church of Philadelphia. They remained patient, even obedient to Jesus Christ. We should remember this today, and keep it at the forefront of our minds.
We should note, in the future sense, the hour of temptation is the Tribulation. Jesus was not telling them they would be raptured as some contend. Instead, Jesus would prevent them from being tempted above what they were able to bear.
Just as we have always been told, (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Revelation 3:11
Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
What would Philadelphia’s ultimate reward be if they held fast to the teachings of Jesus?
The Crown of Life, which is Eternal Life in paradise, and the many rewards that come with it.
This example is not only for the church of Philadelphia from 2,000 years ago, but for you and I today as well.
The Church of Laodicea
Revelation 3:15
Church of Laodicea: Revelation 3:14-22
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
The church of Laodicea must have been the worst of the bunch.
Why?
Laodicea was lukewarm.
Essentially, they bounced around in their beliefs for Jesus. Look, you either believe or you don’t. Due to Laodicea being in the gray area, Jesus would “spue thee out of my mouth,” (Revelation 3:16).
This is not a good place to be in.
Jesus also told the church of Laodicea.
Revelation 3:17
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:
How this reminds me of a conversation God had concerning Satan, (Ezekiel 28:15-17).
The church of Laodicea was more concerned about material possessions than they were about their spiritual well-being. That is exactly why Jesus told them they are, “wretched,” “miserable,” “poor,” “blind,” and “naked.” Jesus was speaking of their spiritual works and the spiritual state of their soul.
This is such a good reminder for us today.
The world continually promotes hedonism, the continually “pursuit of pleasure and sensual self-indulgence.”
The world would like us to believe, all we need is a little more material possessions, and that will make us happier. That was the message from the church of Laodicea, a message that is promoted to us even today.
As we learned, this was the most abominable of all doctrines by these 7 churches.
Summary
The Seven Churches of Revelation are not literal churches today. Instead, they provide an outline that helps us ensure our spiritual walk aligns with the expectations of Jesus Christ. In fact, the Seven Churches identify the characteristics we should or should not possess.
While Jesus rejected 5 of the 7 churches, do not lose sight of the fact that all could be saved. They all could obtain the Crown of Life, being Eternal Life, and the rewards it brings us. They simply had to repent, and they could be saved, (Revelation 2:5, 16, 22, 3:3, 19).
Let me prove that to you before we conclude.
This is how Jesus closed each address to each of the Seven Churches in order.
- Ephesus: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God,” (Rev 2:7).
- Smyrna: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death,” (Rev 2:11).
- Pergamum: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I 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 knoweth saving he that receiveth it,” (Rev 2:17).
- Thyatira: “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations,” (Rev 2:26).
- Sardis: “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels,” (Rev 3:5).
- Philadelphia: “Him that overcometh will I 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, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name,” (Rev 3:12).
- Laodicea: “To him that overcometh 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,” (Rev 3:21).
This is such a fantastic reminder for us today. No matter who we are, no matter what we have done. If we repent and overcome the trials of life, we will inherit all of these magnificent promises, (Isaiah 1:18).
As Scriptures declares, salvation is for “whosoever will” accept Jesus Christ, (Mark 8:34-35, Revelation 22:17).