1. Ephesus:
The Ephesian church is commended for its works—the preaching, perseverance and serving by the early disciples (Revelation 2:1–3). Even they had to discern between false teachers and teachers of the Truth. However, the church was told that "you have left your first love" (Revelation 2:4). God warned that unless they repented, He would stop using them for His purpose (Revelation 2:5).
The church at Ephesus had lost its love—for God, for the Truth, for doing the work and for the brethren. In place of these people had started listening to deceptive doctrines (see Revelation 2:6). For some, holding on to a position was more important than holding on to the Truth. Even today, some are more concerned with holding a position than with doing the work of God. The lesson from the church at Ephesus is clear: Get back on track—do the Work. Preach the Gospel with zeal, love the Truth, and love each other.
2. Smyrna;
Christians there faced considerable persecution. While the Smyrna church is commended for its works and being rich in faith (Revelation 2:9), it is urged to be "faithful until death" in order to receive a reward (Revelation 2:10). The church at Smyrna illustrates the importance of perseverance—of holding on to your beliefs during difficult times. Jesus said that "he who endures to the end shall be saved" (Matthew 24:13). Elders are admonished that they must be found "holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught" (Titus 1:9). If your foundation is solid (Matthew 7:24–29), and you take time to "prove" what the Truth is (1 Thessalonians 5:21), you will be prepared to persevere when times get rough.
3. Pergamos:
The church at Pergamos is admonished for permitting false teachers to put "stumbling blocks" in the way of believers (Revelation 2:14). While people may not initially believe false teachings, tolerating the spread of deceptive ideas will eventually lead many to stumble spiritually and compromise the doctrines of true Christianity. The Bible reveals that not only can false teachers cause people to stumble; but so can trials, tribulations, persecutions (Matthew 13:21) and poor examples (1 Corinthians 8:9). Some will even stumble over the Word of God and the teachings of Jesus Christ (Malachi 2:8; 1 Corinthians 1:23).
The lesson of Pergamos is: Do not tolerate false teachings or those who promote them—compromise causes people to stumble; Christians must stand for the Truth.
4. Thyatira:
To participate in the local economy would have required membership in trade groups that sponsored idolatrous annual festivals—thus putting pressure on Christians to compromise to fit in.
A lesson from Thyatira is: Do not pretend to go along with false teachings for appearance's sake—do not compromise the Truth, do not go back into ways you have been called out of or you will suffer tribulation. Scripture contains very graphic warnings about this (see Deuteronomy 12:29–31; Jeremiah 10:2; 2 Corinthians 6:14–18; 2 Peter 2:18–22). Paul's message is as clear to us today as it was to the church at Thyatira, "stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught" (2 Thessalonians 2:15). Spiritual compromise leads to spiritual corruption. It happened before and it's happening today.
5. Sardis:
Only a few comments are made about Sardis. The main description of the church at Sardis is that it was a dead church (Revelation 3:1). Although it had a recognizable name and pieces of the Truth, it never did much with that information. The Sardis church was also urged to be watchful.
The lesson of Sardis is: Do not let the Truth die—hold on to the Truth you have been given; bear fruit or be blotted out of the Book of Life. Sadly, Scripture indicates that despite these strong warnings, many "believers" at the end of the age will "turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables" (2 Timothy 4:4).
6. Philadelphia:
God commends this small church for its persistence in fulfilling its mission, and for holding on, without compromise, to His Truth (Revelation 3:7–8). For faithfully doing a work and holding onto the Truth, not just attending a church of their choice, the Philadelphian Christians are promised protection from the coming Tribulation (Revelation 3:10). The lesson of Philadelphia is simple: Remain faithful to Truth—do the work of preaching the Gospel, love the brethren and let no one take your crown.
7. Laodicea:
The charge against the Laodiceans is their lukewarm attitude (Revelation 3:16). Their wealth and prosperity fostered an attitude of worldliness. They are lukewarm about the Truth, obedience to the commandments and their mission to preach the Gospel. They are very independent, and have "need of nothing" (Revelation 3:17).
The picture of Laodicea is of a sophisticated and self-sufficient church that trusts in its own wealth, numbers and wisdom. It appears strong, stable and unified, but it is internally divided. Its independent-minded people unknowingly reject the leadership of Jesus Christ while they do their own thing. This lukewarm attitude is prophesied to become dominant in the Church at the end of the age. The lesson of Laodicea is: Wake up before it is too late, and ask God to open your eyes to see your own spiritual condition—repent of complacency, compromise, materialism and stubborn independence; respond to the leadership of Jesus Christ.
