LOGOS TRADING POST - THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF REVELATION

Revelation Bible Study: The Seven Churches of Revelation and the Church of Today

The Book of Revelation fills a unique role in the context of the Bible. Its original name, Apocalipsis, would indicate it is in the ancient genre of apocalyptic literature, and it delivers on that quite well. Throughout the scriptures, there are other instances of apocalyptic writing - take the latter chapters of the Book of Daniel, for example. However, it is nonetheless very interesting that in the divinely inspired development of the Biblical canon, Revelation was chosen to end the narrative of scripture. As such, it has important things to tell believers, especially regarding the Church and how they should interact with the world around them. The encouragements and admonishments for the Revelation Church are as important for the Church of today as it was for them in the time that the book was first written. For that reason, we here at Logos Trading post have a variety of bookmarks and challenge coins for sale which commemorate the seven churches of Revelation.

Though, you may be wondering, what are the seven churches of Revelation? Well, you’re in the right place! We’ve written this article specifically to address who exactly are the seven churches of Revelation (also known as “the seven churches of Asia” or “the seven churches of the apocalypse” depending which bible translation or theologian you consult) so that you can more deeply appreciate the Biblical meaning of each one and hopefully make a more informed purchase of one of our products commemorating them.

The seven churches of Revelation appear in the following order: the church in Ephesus, the church in Smyrna, the church in Pergamum, the church in Thyatira, the church in Sardis, the Church in Philadelphia, and the Church in Laodicea. All of these places were very familiar to the author of the Revelation, having visited them himself. They were located in a place once referred to as Asia-Minor, and their locations now correspond to what is currently Turkey in the present day.

The Letters to the Seven Churches of Revelation

Now, in the context of Revelation and the Revelation Church, efforts had been made spread all throughout the Mediterranean and even further - albeit to a lesser extent. Therefore, the Church had amassed a relatively wide following as far as the known Western world was concerned. Nonetheless, the author of Revelation discusses letters to be written to “the angels of the seven churches,” but the churches mentioned are in the same general part of the world. The most probable explanation for this is also one of the pieces of evidence that allow scholars to attribute divinely inspired authorship of Revelation to the apostle John, who traditionally served exile on the island of Patmos. Patmos was very near all seven churches of revelation, which were also churches that John would have known much about. As such, he, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and what was surely deep meditation and prayer, was able to share an authoritative message from Christ for each of the churches - messages called “letters” in the text of Revelation.

The Letter to the Church in Ephesus

Revelation 2:2-5 says, “I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first.” The church in Ephesus had a great many good works to show for themselves, but they had forgotten the first love that once motivated them. We must be diligent to keep doing good for God, but we mustn’t forget the love that ought compel us to do the good that we do.

The Letter to the Church in Smyrna

Revelation 2:9-10 says, “I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” These words for the believers in Smyrna can be an incredible encouragement if we keep them close to our hearts. They were to endure brutal persecution unto death for their faithfulness, but they knew that Christ suffered with them and had paid the price so that they could share in His victory over death.

The Letter to the Church in Pergamum

Revelation 2:13-16 says, “I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.” The church in Pergamum has steadfast faith to be admired for sure, but they have allowed teaching contrary to what God teaches to invade their minds, even if it was subtly at first. Daily, we must remember our responsibility to test and prayerfully consider what we know to be the truth of scripture.

The Letter to the Church in Thyatira

Revelation 2:19-21 says, “I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.” The church in Thyatira wasn’t at fault for its flaws and imperfections, but it was at fault for tolerating brazen sinfulness. As such, we must remember that, though we may struggle with sinfulness even as people of faith, we must maintain our desire to be free from it and repent, because to be free from sin is to be like Christ.

The Letter to the Church in Sardis

Revelation 3:1-4 says, “I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.” These words to the church of Sardis are encouraging in two ways. The first is that God will always give an opportunity to repent and choose life when death has often been chosen, and the second is that He recognizes those who choose righteousness even when the whole world around them doesn’t.

The Letter to the Church in Philadelphia

Revelation 3:8-9 says, “I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.” Indeed, as was the case for the church in Philadelphia, we can be confident that for our patient endurance in keeping God’s word and faith in His name, we have been declared victorious over the schemes of Satan.

The Letter to the Church in Laodicea

Finally, Revelation 3:15-19 famously says, “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” These words meant for the church of Laodicea have a lot to say about how a believer ought to live here and now. They were at fault because they were not fully committed to their faith and service to God, one way or the other. We ought to accept God’s discipline, and press on for His kingdom, fully ignited by His power and love. God is ready to be with us; we just have to let Him in and let Him make a difference in our hearts.

Remembering Each Revelation Church

All of that said, a small article such as this could not even begin to cover a subject as vast as the book of Revelation or even the full meaning of the seven churches of Revelation. Even still, we hope this has at least been informative and enriching to your faith, and perhaps we have even inspired your own personal Revelation Bible study. Whatever the case, we really appreciate you taking the time to visit our website and read our article. If you found the story of these churches to be compelling, please consider purchasing any of our bookmarks or challenge coins for sale. Perhaps, you found the story and characteristics of one of the particular churches to be particularly close to home; worry not, we offer individual bookmarks and challenge coins for each Revelation church. Whatever you decide, we at Logos Trading Post are happy to have served you.