Lessons From The Seven Churches Of Revelation

The book of Revelation tells us about seven churches that are examples of what a church should do, and not do, to be healthy, growing, and vibrant with the anointing of God. This message will look at what Jesus said to the churches, the security of the Born-Again Christian, and what repentance and salvation mean.

THE SEVEN CHURCHES (See Rev 1:1-8, 2:1-3:1-22)

God sent a message to each of the churches in Asia Minor. Six of those churches had a clearly defined need for improvement, and Jesus gave a specific promise to those who overcame.

Ephesus

To the church in Ephesus, Jesus commended them for their hard work and moral integrity - but pointed out a visible defect. He told them, "You have forsaken your first love" (Rev 2:4 NIV). Their need was a deeper love relationship with Jesus, and He promised them that, if they overcome, they will eat from the tree of life.

Jesus told the church that if they did not do what every church should be regularly doing - repent and love one another - He would rebuke them, and they would no longer be His representative to the world there.

Smyrna

The church in Smyrna was poor and afflicted, slandered, attacked by the enemy, and suffering unbelievable persecution. Their faith was being severely tested. Yet, despite their outward appearance of poverty and blessings, Jesus said they were rich. He told them that if they remained faithful, they would not be hurt in the second death, and no rebuke was given (See Rev 2:8-11).

Pergamum

The church in Pergamum lived "where satan has his throne." Jesus praised them for their uncompromising strong, and steady witness (See Rev 2:13). A few people in the church held to the heretical teaching of the Nicolaitans and Balaam and continued to follow them. The entire church tolerated it. Jesus rebuked them for being nearsighted and condoning heresy that could lead them into idolatry and immorality. Jesus said they needed sound doctrine and moral purity and promised if they overcame, they would eat the hidden manna found in heaven (See Rev 2:12-17). Jesus said that if they didn't repent, He would do battle with them with the sword of His mouth, which is His written Word.

Thyatira

Jesus commended the church in Thyatira for their faith, love, service, and perseverance, in which they continued to grow (See Rev 2:19). However, they allowed ego-driven and unsubmitted crafty and corrupt leadership to exert unhealthy influence over others and teach unsound doctrine that promoted immorality (See Rev 2:20-23).

The church also tolerated a woman as a teacher and prophet who taught abominable lies against God straight from Hell. Jesus said that if she, and those who supported and followed her, did not repent, He would essentially give them over to satan. They needed personal accountability, and He promised that they would have authority over all the nations if they heeded His rebuke (See Rev 2:18-29).

Sardis

The church in Sardis was commended for having a few members "who have not soiled their garments with evil deeds." The church was full of hypocrisy. They had a reputation for "being alive" but were actually "dead." Their need was to go back to the basics of what they had learned at the beginning of their faith and begin walking in integrity. Jesus promised them if they overcame that, their names would remain in the Book of Life (see Rev 3:1-6).

In the Old Testament, the "Book of Life" is where all the names of living are placed and removed for systematic sin (i.e., unbelief).

In the New Testament dispensation of grace, names are written in the Book of Life only for those who are Born-Again. However, their names were already written in the book "from the creation of the world." Jesus said He "will never blot out the name from the book of life" of those who overcome. He did not say He would blot out the names of those who fall (Rev 3:5).

Philadelphia

The church in Philadelphia was weakened under the pressure of daily persecution, yet they remained faithful to the Word and avoided temptation. Their need was to continue in patient endurance, relying on Jesus as their only source of life no matter how weak they may feel. Jesus promised if they overcame, He would give them a new name (See Rev 3:7-13).

Laodicea

The church in Laodicea was located among the rich and famous. It was known worldwide for its medical expertise. It was a wealthy church comfortably content with what they had and indifferent to the things of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said He wished that they were either hot or cold. But they were "like lukewarm water"… "wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked."

This church was full of the nauseating contentment of self-delusion and the inaction of cold and blind proud hearts. Jesus, using figurative language, said He was about to spit (GK: emeó) them out of His mouth (Rev 3:16 ESV). The word "spit" means to vomit something repulsive and disgusting to the taste. Jesus rebuked their self-righteousness and demanded that they turn from the outward appearance of spirituality and turn inwards to the heart: