The Seven Churches

Please read Revelation 1-3.

1:1-2 Jesus Christ Himself revealed these things through an angel to John while he was exiled on the island of Patmos. John was being punished there for witnessing and testifying in Jesus’ name.

1:3 This is the only book in the Bible that promises a blessing to any who “hear” (or read for themselves) and keep the words of this book.

1:4 These are the seven churches in Asia Minor, at that time. Since churches did exist in other places, Christ’s selection of “seven” specific churches symbolizes completeness. This implies that He is addressing the whole Church (anyone who is saved) through these seven.

“From Him Who is and Who was and Who is to come” is God the Father.

“The seven spirits” is the Holy Spirit. Again, seven represents God the Holy Spirit’s ability to be present in all seven churches at one time.

“Jesus Christ” is the Son of God.

1:12 The seven lampstands are the seven churches. Interesting that they are the stands that hold the light (Jesus, the Light of the world) up for all to see.

1:13 Jesus in the middle of these lampstands shows His ability through the Holy Spirit to be present with the churches.

1:14 The description of white wool for hair refers to His infinite, divine wisdom. Eyes like flames refers to His ability to see through any façade.

1:15 Feet like bronze refer to how He can and will crush any opponents.

1:16 The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches. The sharp two-edged sword is the Bible.

Jesus then addresses each church. Each address gives a description of Christ, what the church is doing right, what they are doing wrong, the solution to the problem, the pending punishment if the problem is not rectified, and the promises to the overcomers. While Jesus did specifically address situations in each church, this entire passage applies to the entire Church, and much can be gleaned from it.

Much of the information above and the following chart is from my ESV Study Bible from Crossway:

Church	Verses	Description of Christ	Doing Right	Doing Wrong	Solution	Pending Punish-ment	Promise for Conquerors
Ephesus	Rev 2:1-7	holds the 7 stars in His right hand; walks among the 7 golden lamp stands	doctrinal vigilance and endurance	loss of first love	remember, repent, and do the works done at first	removal of their lamp stand	will be given the tree of life in Paradise to eat
Smyrna	Rev 2:8-11	the First and the Last, Who died and came to life	spiritually rich, enduring persecution		be faithful unto death		will be given the crown of life and will not be hurt by the second death
Pergamum	Rev 2:12-17	has the sharp two-edged sword	holding fast Christ’s name, not denying their faith	false teaching	repent	war against them with the sword of Christ’s mouth	will be given hidden manna and a white stone with a new name on it
Thyatira	Rev 2:18-29	eyes like fire, feet like bronze	growing love, evidence in deeds	lack of discernment; toleration of heresy	hold fast and keep Christ’s works till the end	each given as their works deserve	morning star, authority over nations
Sardis	Rev 3:1-6	has the 7 spirits of God and the 7 stars	a few remain pure and loyal	dead works	keep the Word and repent	Christ will come like a thief	white garments, name never blotted out of Book of Life
Philadelphia	Rev 3: 7-13	the Holy One, the True One, who has the keys of David	patiently enduring, keeping God’s Word and not denying His name		hold fast what you have		will be made a pillar in the temple of God, inscribed with the names of God
Laodicea	Rev 3:14-22	the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s Creation		spiritually blind, bankrupt, naked, lukewarm	buy gold, white garments, and salve from Christ; be zealous and repent	will be spit out of Christ’s mouth	will dine with Christ; will be granted to sit with Christ on His throne