Most students are eager to get into the action of Revelation as soon as possible. Therefore they tend to skip over chapters two and three in the Book of Revelation without realizing their importance. But the churches give us an almost inexhaustible storehouse of wisdom and knowledge. The seven churches are representative of the church as a whole; the number seven symbolizing completion or perfection.
The primary role of these letters concerns what was actually happening in each of the seven local churches that existed during the time of John’s writing. Secondly, their representative character reflect the conditions of the congregation, as well as the individuals within each assembly, found throughout its history. The third emphasis explains their prophetical nature. Many scholars see in the churches seven periods or ages existing from Pentecost until the Rapture.
Ephesus, meaning "desirable," was the backslidden church. The key phrase in this letter is thou art fallen. Although they were commended for their zeal and devotion, their many good works, and the testing of the spirits of those who claimed to to apostles, there was still something lacking in their spiritual perfection. It’s easy for us to forget what’s truly important in the Christian life, until like the Ephesian assembly, we’ve fallen from our first love.
As victors we are promised access to the tree of life symbolizing the eternal and abundant reality found in Jesus Christ. Ephesus represents the apostolic church of the first century.
Smyrna, suggesting "bitter," is associated with the word myrrh and pictures the persecuted church of the second and third centuries under the pagan empire of Rome. According to church history, as many as five million Christians may have been martyred for their faith during this period. Rather than place a pinch incense on the altar and claim allegiance to Rome, they were willing to face losing their earthly possessions as well as their lives.
If we are faithful unto death, we are assured a crown of life. We can be confident as overcomers that the second death will not have any power over us.
Pergamos, denoting "elevated," or "thoroughly married," prefigures the worldly church that began with Constantine and extended to the seventh century. Many view Satan’s seat or throne (Rev. 2:13) as a reference to Pergamos being the center of Caesar worship. Yet there were many in this assembly who remained faithful to the Lord and hadn’t denied the faith.
The doctrine of Balaam has to do with the danger of compromise. Some in this church were tolerating sin in their very midst! Whenever the believer is involved with the world, he is in danger of spiritual adultery.
As triumphant believers, we are promised a threefold encouragement: (1) we will be given to eat of the hidden manna; (2) we will be furnished a white stone; and, (3) we will be granted a new name written in that stone.
Thyatira, signifying "continual sacrifice," foreshadows the Papal Church of the Middle Ages. In the letter to Pergamos we note the rise of the papacy, while in the Thyatiran assembly we recognize the height of popedom.
There was a serious condition in this congregation involving a woman called Jezebel who was teaching her disciples to commit fornication and to eat food that had been sacrificed to idols. She was a modern counterpart of the Jezebel of the Old Testament who was teaching the servants of God to compromise.
There was also a remnant in this assembly who had not yielded to the immorality and idolatry described as the depths of Satan.
Our promise as conquerors relates to the millennial kingdom, where we will reign and rule with Christ. The "morning star" is none other than Jesus Himself. I might add that according to one well-known Christian author, sexual sin is one of the greatest problems in the church today, involving both leaders as well as laypersons!
Sardis, symbolizing "to escape," depicts the church that existed after the Reformation. Although the movement started as a great work of the Spirit through men such as Luther, Wycliffe, and others, it soon turned into a cold, formalistic, and lifeless movement
The Lord saw them as having a name they were trying to live; yet they were, in fact, spiritually dead. Sometimes it’s easier for us to lean on our past glories and reputations of yesteryear! Twice the city of Sardis had fallen due to carelessness and their failure to watch! As a chiild of God a state of vigilance is necessary in every area of life.
In every assembly there is what we preachers call the "faithful few." If you’re part of this group the Lord has given you a threefold pledge: (1) you will be clothed in white raiment; (2) your name will not be blotted out of the book of life; and, (3) the Lord will confess your name before the Father and His angels.
Philadelphia, denoting "brotherly love," portarys the greatest age of missionary and evangelistic efforts since the church of Ephesus. This church was characterized by the open door. There were great revivals, beginning with George Whitefield, followed by John and Charles Wesley, and many others. When William Carey sailed for India in A.D. 1793, the great missionary movements began.
The congregation was described as having a little strength. This wasn’t because of large membership, but was due to their spirituality. They had also stayed faithful to God’s Word and hadn’t denied His name.
As victorious believers we are to be made a pillar in the temple of God, which speaks of that which is permanent. We are guaranteed the name of God; the name of the city of God, which is new Jerusalem; and a new name which belongs to Christ.
Laodicea, implying "the rights of the people," describes the apostate church of the last days. The Laodiceans were lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, and their indifference was absolutely nauseating to the Lord. In their estimation they were self-sufficient, but Jesus tells them they are poor, blind, naked, and were to buy gold tried in the fire, and white raiment, that they might be clothed. They were also counseled to anoint their eyes with eye-salve that they might see.
The problem was that the Laodiceans were unable to see their true spiritual condition. Rather than boasting of earthly riches, they needed the true spiritual riches that could only be found in Christ. Rather than possessing rich ebony garments notable to that area, they needed a robe of righteousness that only Jesus could provide.
Christ stands outside this church knocking to gain entrance. For those individuals willing to open the door of their hearts, He promises to fellowship with them and grant them the priviledge of sharing His throne.
