Church #1: Ephesus
Jesus’ self-description:
- He who holds the seven stars in His right hand.
- He who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands
Church’s Positive Attributes:
- Jesus knows their works their labors and their patience.
- They do not put up with evil people.
- They have vetted and proved false apostles.
- They have persevered and been patient
- They have labored for Him and not become weary.
Church’s Negative Behavior:
- They have left their first love.
The Remedy:
- Remember from where you fell.
- Repent and then do the first works.
Consequences:
- Jesus will remove their lampstand from His presence.
Kudos: - They hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which Jesus also hates.
Conditional Promises: - To him who overcomes, he will eat from the tree of life in the midst of the paradise of God.
Summary: Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7): The church in Ephesus is commended for its hard work, perseverance (patience), rejection of those who are evil, and vetted those who claimed apostleship and found them liars. Kept on without growing weary. However, they are rebuked for losing their initial love for Christ. The message urges them to remember their first love and repent, or else their lampstand (church presence) will be removed.
Church #2: Smyrna
Jesus’ self-description:
- The first and the last.
- He who was dead and came to life.
Church’s Positive Attributes:
- Jesus knows their works, tribulation and poverty.
- Jesus tells them they are actually rich.
- Jesus knows the blasphemy of those who are fake Jews but are a synagogue of Satan.
Church’s Negative Behavior: The Remedy: Consequences: - The devil will throw some of them into prison for 10 days.
Kudos: Conditional Promises: - Be faithful unto death and you will receive the crown of life.
- He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.
Summary: The church in Smyrna is encouraged despite its persecution and poverty. They are reminded that though they will suffer, they should remain faithful even to the point of death. A crown of life awaits those who conquer.
Church #3: Pergamos
Jesus’ self-description:
- He who has the two edged sword.
Church’s Positive Attributes: - Jesus knows where they live. (Where Satan’s throne is.)
- They hold fast to the name of Jesus.
- They did not deny the faith even during the days of Antipas.
Church’s Negative Behavior: - Some of the members hold the doctrine of Balaam.
- Balaam taught Balak to put stumbling blocks in front of the Israelites.
- Eat things offered to idols and
- Commit sexual immorality.
- Some members also hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans
- Which Jesus hates.
The Remedy: Consequences: - Jesus, Himself will fight against them with the sword of His mouth.
Kudos: Conditional Promises: - To him who overcomes, he will receive some of the hidden manna to eat.
- To him who overcomes, he will receive a white stone and on the stone a new name which only the recipient will know.
Summary: Pergamos (Revelation 2:12-17): The church in Pergamos is praised for holding fast to their faith even in the face of martyrdom. However, they are rebuked for tolerating false teachings and practices. The message calls them to repent, or else they will face judgment.
Church #4: Thyatira
Jesus’ self-description:
- Son of God
- Eyes like a flame of fire
- Feet like fine brass
Church’s Positive Attributes: - Jesus knows their works, love, service, faith and patience
- Their works have increased where the last are more than the first.
Church’s Negative Behavior: - The congregation has allowed that woman Jezebel.
- Calls herself a prophetess
- She is allowed to teach and seduce the Lord’s servants to:
- Commit sexual immorality
- Eat things sacrificed to idols
- Failed to repent.
The Remedy: Consequences: - Jezebel will be cast into a sickbed.
- Those who commit sexual immorality with her will face great tribulation.
- Jesus will kill her children with death.
- Each one will receive according to their works.
Kudos: - Those who have not followed Jezebel there are no other instructions or requirements.
- Hold fast until He comes.
Conditional Promises: - He who overcomes and keeps the Lord’s works until the end:
- Will receive power over the nations.
- Will receive the morning star.
Summary: Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29): The church in Thyatira is commended for their love, faith, service, and patient endurance. However, they are rebuked for tolerating a false prophetess who leads people astray. The message warns of severe judgment unless they repent.
Church #5: Sardis
Jesus’ self-description:
- He possesses the seven spirits of God.
- He possesses the seven stars.
Church’s Positive Attributes: Church’s Negative Behavior: - They claim to be alive but are dead.
- Their works are not perfect before God.
The Remedy: - Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain.
- Remember the things they have received and heard.
- Hold fast and repent.
Consequences: - If you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief.
- You will not know the hour.
Kudos: - There are a few who have not defiled their garments.
- They will shall walk with Jesus in white, for they are worthy.
Conditional Promises: - He who overcomes:
- Shall be clothed in white garments.
- Jesus will not blot out his name from the Book of life.
- Jesus will confess their name before God and the angels.
Summary: Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6): The church in Sardis is admonished for having a reputation of being alive but being spiritually dead. They are called to wake up, strengthen what remains, and repent of their complacency. Those who conquer will be clothed in white garments.
Church #6: Philadelphia
Jesus’ self-description:
- He who is Holy.
- He who is True.
- He who has the key of David.
- He who opens and no one shuts.
- He who shuts and no one opens.
Church’s Positive Attributes: - Jesus knows their works.
- Jesus has set before them an open door.
- They have a little strength but have kept His word.
- They have not denied His name.
Church’s Negative Behavior: The Remedy: Consequences: Kudos: - Those who are a synagogue of Satan, who are false jews, will worship before your feet so they will know Jesus loves them.
Conditional Promises: - Because they have kept the command to persevere they will be kept from the hour of trial,
- which will come upon the whole world,
- to test those who dwell on the earth
- He who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of My God.
- Jesus will write God’s name and the name of God’s city on Him.
- Jesus will also write His new name on Him.
Summary: Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13): The church in Philadelphia is commended for their faithfulness and keeping God's word. They are assured that God has set before them an open door that no one can shut. Those who conquer will be made a pillar in the temple of God.
Church #7: Laodicea
Jesus’ self-description:
- Jesus is the Amen, The Faithful, The True Witness, The Beginning of Creation of God.
Church’s Positive Attributes: Church’s Negative Behavior: - They are neither hot nor cold.
- They say they are rich, wealthy, and need nothing.
- They are actually wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.
The Remedy: - Repent quickly.
- Become either hot or cold.
- Buy from Jesus gold refined in the fire
- So they can be rich and clothed in white garments
- So the shame of their nakedness will not be revealed.
- Anoint your eyes with salve so you can see.
Consequences: - Jesus will vomit them out of His mouth.
Kudos: - As many as Jesus loves He rebukes and chastens.
Conditional Promises: - If you hear Jesus knocking and you open the door He will come in and dine with you and you with Him.
- To him who overcomes they will sit with Jesus on His throne.
Summary: Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22): The church in Laodicea is criticized for being lukewarm, neither hot nor cold. They are urged to repent and seek true riches from Christ rather than trusting in their material wealth. Those who conquer will be granted the right to sit with Christ on His throne.
The Seven Church Ages (Dispensations) The interpretation of the seven churches mentioned in the book of Revelation (Revelation 1:11, 2:1-3:22) as corresponding to seven church dispensations is a specific theological viewpoint within certain Christian traditions. This interpretation is associated with the concept of "church ages" or "church dispensations," which suggest that the history of the Christian Church is divided into distinct periods, each with its own characteristics and challenges. Here is a brief overview of how this view interprets the seven churches of Revelation in relation to the seven church dispensations.
Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7): The Apostolic Age (approximately AD 30-100). This is seen as the period of early Christianity when the Church was founded and led by the apostles of Jesus Christ.
Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11): The Persecuted Church (approximately AD 100-313). This period covers the time of intense persecution of Christians under the Roman Empire.
Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17): The Age of Compromise (approximately AD 313-590). This era represents the time when Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, leading to compromises and blending of Christian practices with pagan customs.
Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29): The Medieval Church (approximately AD 590-1517). This period includes the time of the dominance of the Roman Catholic Church in Europe.
Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6): The Reformation and Post-Reformation Church (approximately AD 1517-1791). This era covers the Protestant Reformation and its aftermath.
Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13): The Missionary Church (approximately AD 1730-1900). This period focuses on the expansion of Christianity through missionary efforts.
Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22): The End Times Church (approximately AD 1900-present or beyond). This age represents the state of the Church leading up to the return of Christ, characterized by lukewarmness and spiritual complacency.
