The Seven Churches Of Revelation Series

tom lowe

1/30/2022

The Seven Churches of Revelation

The seven churches mentioned in the Revelation were physical churches with definite locations. So the letters that John writes to these churches were delivered to the cities/churches, he mentioned. These letters may have less to do with seven different church ages (as some scholars believe) but rather fundamental churches that existed when John wrote to them. If there are similarities between the churches in the last 2,000 years, it may be a message to them, but these tendencies still exist today in churches worldwide. That does not mean they are all lost, but that each Church has its struggles, but this we do know; the churches John writes to have particular strengths and weaknesses, and these same strengths and weaknesses exist in churches today. Can you see the similarities in the churches of today? Do not miss the fact that each church and church age has had its struggles that are unique to them, just as it is with individual Christians.

Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea - The cities of the seven churches mentioned in Revelation are modern-day Turkey. The Seven Churches of Revelation, also known as the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse and the ... island Patmos, and the cities' locations housing the seven churches. The seven churches in the Book of Revelation exist today because some things never change in one form or another.

The Church at Ephesus

The first Church the Apostle John, mentions is the Church at Ephesus. By the time that John writes this, there are already false teachers and so-called "apostles," so Jesus says, "I know your works, your toil, and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false" (Rev 2:2)…so far, so good because churches must be diligent and discerning in keeping out those who label themselves, "apostles" and bring in false teachers, but now Jesus says this Church has "abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first" (Rev 2:4-5a), otherwise "I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place unless you repent" (Rev 2:5b). Having their lampstand taken away may mean that Jesus will allow the Church to die out, especially if Jesus is not the Head of it.

Located in modern Turkey, Ephesus was one of the largest and wealthiest cities in the eastern Mediterranean area. It had a population of about 250,000 people. The temple of the Greek goddess Artemis was located there.

• Ephesus ranked fourth among the most influential cities in the Roman Empire. (The others were Rome, Alexandria, and Syrian Antioch.)

• Along with Smyrna and Pergamum, it was one of the three great cities in Asia.

• Scholars estimate that more than 225,000 people lived there. Although some scholars think the number was misread, this is based on records referring to 40,000 male citizens. It really should read 1,040 male citizens, which would calculate into a population of 6-7,000 people – male citizens, women, enslaved people, children.

• Ephesus was a harbor town and the center of three separate trade routes.

• Because of its location, it was thriving economically and culturally.

• It was also home to the temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. (The temple of Artemis was built in 550 BCE, measuring over 100,000 square feet. It had been destroyed and rebuilt several times but was utterly destroyed in 400 CE.) it was the largest building in the ancient world -- 4 times the size of the Parthenon in Athens and comprised entirely of marble – 425 feet long, 220 feet wide, with 127 pillars that were 60 feet tall.

• It supposedly contained a statue of the goddess Artemis, which fell to earth as a meteorite.

• Ephesus was also a significant financial center since many people came to worship there (and donate money).

• Ephesus also had several other temples built in honor of various emperors.

• Scholars believe a significant Jewish presence in the city was noteworthy, but no synagogues have been excavated yet.

• It is believed that Paul wrote 1 Corinthians from Ephesus, where he claims to have fought with beasts.

• Paul's first visit to the city was relatively brief, but the second time he remained there between 18-22 months (teaching in a hall after being thrown out of the synagogue).

• According to Acts 19, he was responsible for a great riot when the Ephesians chanted, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians."

• Paul met with the Ephesian elders to Jerusalem and gave them his famous farewell address (Acts 20:29-30).