Revelation to Seven Churches

Part 2 Following Christ – 17. Revelation to Seven Churches

The book of Revelation can be hard to understand. But the angel of Jesus talking to the seven churches in chapter two and three is somewhat straight forward.

John has a vision and sees the angel of Jesus. He is instructed to write everything down.

This is what the angel of Jesus says to each of the seven churches in the province of Asia.

1. To the church in Ephesus:

(Scriptures 1: Revelation 2:2-5 To the Church in Ephesus)

He recognizes their good deeds. However, they had lost the love they had in the beginning. They are advised to repent and to love again like their first love.

2. To the church in Smyrna:

(Scriptures 2: Revelation 2:9-10 To the Church in Smyrna).

Jesus said he knows their afflictions and poverty. But they are rich! He tells them not to be afraid. Some will go to prison and be persecuted. But remain faithful even to death.

3. To the church in Pergamum:

(Scriptures 3: Revelation 2:13-16 To the Church in Pergamum).

Jesus starts by saying he knows that they live in an area where Satan has his throne. Yet they remain true to his name and did not renounce their faith even when faced with death.

But there are those among them that hold to the teaching of foreign gods, who taught Balak and Nicolaitans to the Israelites. This enticed some Israelites to eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. Those Israelites are told to repent.

4. To the church in Thyatira:

(Scriptures 4: Revelation 2:19-25 To the Church in Thyatira).

They do good deeds, with love and faith. They serve and persevere. And they now do more than they did at first.

However, some of them tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads them into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.

Jesus explained those that tolerate Jezebel will suffer according to their deeds. But those who do not tolerate her will not be held accountable. They need to hold on to what they have until he comes again.

5. To the church in Sardis:

(Scriptures 5: Revelation 3:1-3 To the Church in Sardis).

Jesus tells them they have a reputation of being alive, but they are dead. Their deeds are unfinished in the sight of God. He tells them to wake up and strengthen what remains.

If they do not wake up, he will come like a thief. They will not know at what time he will come to them.

6. To the church in Philadelphia:

(Scriptures 6: Revelation 3:8-9 To the Church in Philadelphia).

He knows their deeds. They have little strength, but have kept his word and have not denied his name. He will make those of the synagogue of Satan fall down at their feet and acknowledge that he (Jesus) has loved them.

7. To the church in Laodicea:

(Scriptures 7: Revelation 3:15-20 To the Church in Laodicea).

Jesus tells them they are neither cold nor hot. He wishes they were either one or the other! So, because they are lukewarm, he is about to spit them out of his mouth.

They think they have acquired wealth and do not need a thing. But they do not realize that they are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. He tells them real wealth only comes from him. Jesus rebukes and disciplines those that he loves. They need to repent!

Jesus says to Laodicea, ”Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

Conclusion:

It almost sounds like he is talking to our churches today. We still have the same issues. It’s not unreasonable to say we have sexual immoralities, lukewarm relationships, acting alive but are dead, and false teachings in some of our churches. Sure, there are good churches that follow and don’t deny Jesus. Is your church one of them?

To explore this concept more, see Part 2 H) To the Seven Churches Bible Study Worksheet. And also compare your personal relationship with Jesus with the seven churches’.

PDF: Revelation to Seven Churches

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