The Seven Churches of Revelation

When referring to the Book of Revelation, one of the most commonly asked question is...  "What do the seven churches in Revelation stand for?"  The actual answer has three (3) theoretical conclusions: literal, spiritual and epochal.

• Literal ... are the seven churches, which are described in Revelation 2-3; were the seven literal churches during the historic era when John [of Patmos] was writing the Book of Revelation.
• Spiritual ... for believers today, the first purpose of John's letters to the ancient churches were to communicate with those churches and meet their needs at that time. The second purpose revealed that seven different type of churches throughout history would be instructed in the Creator's truth.
• Epochal ... for some scholars this refers to seven different periods (representing seven different eras) in the history of the Church. Other theologians find this view speculative as the issues described [within the seven churches] could fit the Church during any time in its history.   

The Seven Churches of Revelation:                      

                     

• Ephesus - Rev. 2:1-7 - "the church that had forsaken its first love" 

Ruins of the Church of Ephesus

The ancient Greek city of Ephesus (once located on the coast of Ionia, near modern-day Selcuk in Izmir Province, Turkey) was an important center for Christianity during the 1st century AD and has been reputed to be where the Apostle Paul and Mary (mother of Jesus) once resided. The Ephesian church was a hard-working congregation of believers who were full of fortitude; they were gate-keepers of God's truth, did not associate with evil-doers and were patient, as well as enduring, under  the hardships they faced. However, Jesus [Christ] pointed out their shortcomings: 1) their passion for Christ [who was this church's first love] had drastically waned, and, 2)  their work was no longer motivated by love. A warning was issued decreeing the church would be destroyed if the congregation did not repent.

"Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first." Rev. 2:5

They failed to heed the words of Jesus, who in turn, sealed his promise by disbanding the Church of Ephesus. The once credited heartland of Paul's ministry to Asia Minor, is 99% Muslim and completely devoid of Christianity today.

• Smyrna - Rev. 2:8-11 - "the church that would suffer persecution"

Ruins of the Church of Smyrna

The ancient Greek city of Smyrna (once located on the Aegean coast of modern-day Anatolia, Turkey) was reputed to be hostile towards Christianity and is the locale of the martyrdom of Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna - and regarded as a saint in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican and Lutheran churches. The message to this church was simple: prepare for persecution.

"I know your afflictions and your poverty--yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan." Rev. 2:9

Jesus acknowledged the trials and tribulations of Smyrna, yet He assured the congregation they were "rich" with spiritual wealth no one could take away. As for the identity of the "synagogue of Satan", one scholarly view states an assumption that Christians, even Gentile Christians, by the end of the 1st century AD were regarding themselves as the "true Jews" or the chosen people of God. Yet this group of "Jews" did not follow the tenants of Judaism, instead they worshiped  the Roman emperor and spoke out against the Christians in Smyrna.

• Pergamum - Rev. 2:12-17 - "the church that needed to repent"               

 Ruins of the Church of Pergamum 

The ancient Greek city of Pergamum (once located near modern-day Bergama, Turkey) was once regarded, by some scholars, as the historical colony of Arcadia. 

According to Revelation 2:13, Antipas (Bishop of Pergamum) was put to death for being a "faithful witness" of Christianity and rebuking the demons from the Arcadians who were pagan idol worshipers. Jesus affirmed the church's positive actions, yet also took note of their sin of holding to the teachings of Balaam.

“Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.” (Rev. 2:14-15)

The "teaching of Balaam" is described in Numbers 25:1-3 and Numbers 31:15-16. It is explained in context as Christians eating food that had been sacrificed to idols (religious compromise) and committing lewd sexual acts (moral compromise). The Nicolaitans, who were likely a group of people who also believed the teachings of Balaam, are mentioned only in this letter to Pergamum and the letter to the Ephesian church.

• Thyatira - Rev. 2:18-29 - "the church that had a false prophetess"          

Ruins of the Church of Thyatira 

The ancient Greek city of Thyatira (located in the modern city of Akhisar, Turkey) was another place the Church was engaging is sexual misconduct and dabbling in idolatry. 

The main character in this story revolves around a woman named Jezebel, a false prophetess who was leading believers into immoral compromise. While Jesus praised the church's positive actions of love, faith, service, endurance and greater works, He also reprimanded them for their transgression of associating with Jezebel. 

"Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immortality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols." Rev. 2:20 

There is a possibility that "Jezebel" [of Revelation] was her real name, but many scholars and theologians agree it is more likely to be a metaphorical reference to the "Jezebel" of the Old Testament, who was an idolatrous woman who opposed the ways of the Great Creator. Heedlessly, Jesus pronounced judgment on "Jezebel" and called Thyatira to repent of their sins; to the faithful believers who did not fall into Jezebel's trap, they would be rewarded with authority over the nations, victory over all enemies and the morning star.

• Sardis - Rev. 3:1-6 - "the church that had fallen asleep"                                               

Ruins of the Church of Sardis

The ancient Persian city of Sardis (located in modern-day Turkey's Manisa Province) was once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia, one of the important cities during the Persian Empire reign. About 1200 years before the birth of Christ, Sardis was the home to the wealthy Lydian king, Croesus (who worshiped Greek Gods). As in the days of Croesus, this city was wealthy in its own right, but sinfully worthless. Jesus was quick to pronounce condemnation on the church for their lifeless place in Christianity and told them, "I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead." (Rev. 3:2) Jesus swiftly promised a judgment upon Sardis if they did not repent in their slacking ways. 

“If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you” Rev. 3:3

To the remnant of believers in Sardis who had remained true and faithful, Jesus made an eternal promise... "they will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy." (Rev. 3:4) and, Jesus further granted them a blessing... "He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels." (Rev. 3:5) While the church was reprimanded and told to repent, only a select few were rewarded with the promise and blessing.

• Philadelphia - Rev. 3:7-13 - "the church that had endured patiently"

Ruins of the Church of Philadelphia

The ancient Roman city of Philadelphia (located in modern-day Manisa Province in the Aegean region of Turkey) was first called Alaşehir, which stood elevated over the fertile plain of the Hermus River (today's Gediz River). King Eumenes II of Pergamon is credited with bestowing the name "Philadelphia" on the town in 189 B.C. in honor of his brother, Attalus II, whose loyalty earned him the nickname of "Philadelphus" (meaning "one who loves his brother").  Like the church of Smyrna, Philadelphia was found in good standing with the Creator. 

"I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name” Rev. 3:8

While this particular church was weak in some respects, they had remained faithful in the face of many tribulations and afflictions, which had earned them the blessing of the "open door". Jesus was fast to condemn the enemies of the Philadelphian believers and told the church, "I will make them [synagogue of Satan] come and fall at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you." (Rev. 3:9) The church of Philadelphia would always be victorious over its enemies and promised to be kept from the hour of trial that will one day come upon the whole world. Jesus also encouraged these believers to retain their faithful endurance because it would one day lead to rewards in the afterlife.

• Laodicea - Rev. 3:14-22 - "the church with the lukewarm faith"

Ruins of the Church of Laodicea

The ancient Roman city of Laodicea (located in Anatolia near the modern-day village of Eskihisar in Denizli Province, Turkey) was the Hellenistic metropolis of Phrygia Pacatiana and built by the River Lycus. There are three biblical characters associated with this ancient city: Nymphas (Colossians 4:15); Archippus (Colossians 4:17); Diotrephes (III John 1:9). In stark contrast to the other six churches of Revelation, the Laodicean church had nothing to commend it. This was a result of their fluctuation towards spiritual things.  Jesus began His message to them with condemnation.

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” (Rev. 3:15-17)

Jesus was quick to emphasize the church's "lukewarm" nature and pointed out their apathy, which had caused a spiritual blindness within them. Jesus called the Laodiceans to repent of their sins, reminding them that their material wealth had no eternal benefits in the Kingdom of Heaven. To the faithful believers, Jesus promised entry to His future kingdom.

In Conclusion...

While there are seven different characteristics and seven different messages aimed at the seven ancient churches, there were seven angels who played a major and important role in the scenario. (The number (7) is very prominent in Revelation 2-3)

Origen, the 3rd century A.D. theologian, explained the "angels" were guardian angels from God's realm, while Epiphanius, 4th century A.D. bishop of Salamis, Cyprus, explicitly rejected such a view. Of course, Epiphanius wrote Panarion, a book of antidotes for those bitten by the serpent of heresy, and could have based his thoughts on such reasoning. Regardless of these men's views, these "angels" were installed as overseers to the seven churches, which indicated that Jesus was not only serious, but adamant about his messages to those churches. 

It is also interesting to note that there are seven (7) sections in the seven (7) letters to the seven (7) churches:

1. Greetings to the church
2. Descriptive title for Jesus (who is addressing the church)
3. Insights into the life of the churches
4. Criticisms for individual churches (2 churches were exonerated)
5. Warnings and instructions
6. Final exhortations
7. Promises and assurances    

From the mysterious number seven (7) associated with the seven Churches of Revelation to the monumental messages delivered by Jesus to these churches, the ancient letters John of Patmos penned [so long ago] continues to hold a enigmatic message that mankind has tried to unravel for hundreds of centuries...