One of the most important aspects of Revelation is the series of letters to the seven churches at the beginning of the book. It's kinda funny--I've noticed that some people like to skim over these chapters because they're trying to get to the juicy, end-time-predictive elements later in the book, while others tend to focus only on these first couple of chapters and the last couple of chapters and skip the bizarre middle bit. I find the letters to the seven churches to be some of the most relatable and convicting elements of the book, and no wonder, since it is addressed to the churches, and to those who have ears to hear. I want to strongly urge every reader of Revelation to spend a lot of time at the beginning of the book here. There's a key phrase for this section which is repeated over and over:
"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."
I believe that is the most important phrase in these chapters, and possibly a key of Biblical interpretation for the whole book of Revelation, and even for the entire Bible!
Regardless of what your interpretation of these churches is, I would urge you to resist ANY interpretation that causes you to relegate the messages to these churches to other people without looking at how it applies to you. In other words, if you think these churches represent different periods in the church age, do not ignore the earlier ones because we are in a different time period. Similarly, if you think these are simply the churches who once lived in Asia Minor but are long gone, do not ignore the messages as if it has nothing to do with us today. I believe these seven churches dealt with the exact same kinds of things we still deal with today and that Christians have dealt with throughout all of history, and it would be a huge mistake to ignore the message that Jesus Himself gives to each church.
Since the command is "he that has an hear, let him hear," that means that though these messages were to specific churches in the first century, which they were, it has application to anyone who has an ear to hear. The phrase echoes other places in Scripture (like Deuteronomy 29:4; Isaiah 6:10; Ezekiel 12:2; Matthew 11:14; Matthew 13:9, 43; Mark 4:9, 23, 7:16; Luke 8:8, 14:35) often in reference to people hearing the words but being too rebellious and stubborn to Jesus, and invitations by Jesus to really understand what he is saying in a parable and apply it to their lives. The fact that this phrase comes up so often in Revelation 2-3 tells me that we must search our own hearts and really see how these messages apply to us!
While these were messages to seven specific churches in the days of the Apostle John under the reign of the Emperor Domitian, there is also a symbolic aspect to these churches being chosen. The number 7 is significant in the Bible, as I've mentioned in previous posts, representing completion, fulfillment, etc. The fact that seven churches are chosen seems to be a nod to the fact that these messages are for the entire church. After all, it wasn't as if each message was cut out of these chapters and sent to whatever church it was addressed to separately...all seven of these churches got the entire book of Revelation sent to them, and it is interesting to think about how the whole book would sound to a church that had left its first love, or began compromising with the world, or who were under intense persecution. This is how Revelation is framed intentionally so that we can actually apply the message of Revelation to our lives rather than just feeling like we have a crystal ball and superior knowledge about future events.
When reading the letters to the seven churches, I think each congregation of saints needs to evaluate where they are in light of these messages, and each individual person also needs to evaluate themselves. Though these messages describe characteristics of a group of people, I know that I have needed many of these lessons throughout my life at various times. These letters are actually very comprehensive--don't just assume you're like the church at Philadelphia (the one who doesn't get a rebuke, per se), really search out each one and see which aspects apply to your life today.
There's a reason the Revelation of what is to come begins with instructions for how God's people need to correct themselves today. One of the most powerful things about this part of Revelation is how the churches are described by John. Do you remember? As seven golden candlesticks. They are lights in the darkness, representing God's Spirit and manifesting the seven spirits of God in different locations, though it is the same Spirit, the same oil, flowing through the entire thing. However, Jesus makes it clear that a candlestick could be removed from its place. These warnings, rebukes, corrections, and encouragements are designed to make sure that as God's plan for history unfolds, the seven churches will shine brightly, manifesting the Spirit of God in the darkness of this world.
One more thing to note before we look at a summary list...one of the cool ways each church's message from Jesus is framed is by an aspect of the description of Jesus at the beginning (usually drawn from chapter 1) and the reward if they overcome at the end. These two things relate to whatever the church needs to hear in the middle. Here's a list I compiled when I was studying this at some point:
Ephesus
Don’t forget your first love. Ephesus was working hard, standing strong for doctrine and patiently enduring trials, but in the midst of that had left her first love, and was commanded to remember from where she had fallen, repent and do the first works.
Result: Tree of Life in Paradise.
I believe Ephesus was in a classic Mary and Martha situation--doing so much for Jesus that she forgot to be with Him. Jesus IS the tree of life--He's the source of life. If we forget Him, no matter how much we do for Him, we will end up in the situation of the people Jesus speaks of in Matthew 7, having done many wonderful works, but He says, "I never knew you." This is why there is a threat of their candlestick being removed. If the source of the oil is stopped, there will be no manifested light. He is the vine, we are the branches (which is interestingly what the candlesticks are called in Ephesus). When we are cut off from our source of life, of Jesus the Tree of Life in relationship, we will die, no matter how much we do for Him.
Attribute of Jesus: Holding 7 Stars; Walking in Midst of Candlesticks.
This is a reminder to Ephesus that Jesus Himself has them in His hand, and that He is right there in their midst, though they seem to be ignoring Him. Turn to the One who is in your midst, Ephesus, and remember that if you forget Him, you're forgetting the One who hold the stars, which give direction and mark signs and seasons, in His hand.
Smyrna
Don’t give up during tribulations. Smyrna was in danger of becoming like the seed that had fallen on the stones, poor and going through hard times, persecuted by the Jews. She is commanded to not be afraid of suffering--they would be tested by being cast into prison and some would even die, but they were enjoined to be faithful because it would just be a short time.
Result: Crown of Life; Not Hurt of Second Death.
What a beautiful promise of reward! The church at Smyrna was poor and in a much lower social class, but they are promised crowns if they endure. And not just crowns of death that will fade or be awarded posthumously, but crowns of life! They are told that some of them WILL die...there is no promise that they will not be hurt by death. But there IS a promise that they won't be hurt of the Second Death, which is much worse. Smyrna is encouraged to look beyond their present life to the one that is to come.
Attribute of Jesus: Alive but was Dead.
Again, what encouragement! They're not the first ones who will have to through death believing in something better. The One who is asking this of them has alreay been through death! He was there already, scouting it out, and it's going to be okay! He was dead, but now He's alive! If He can do it, and He's telling you to do it, you will make it through.
Pergamos
Don’t compromise in doctrine and holiness. Pergamos was in the midst of a very hostile environment, a man named Antipas was even martyred holding fast to the name of Jesus and not denying the faith. However, possibly because of the pressure, compromise had slipped in--they were eating things sacrificed to idols and committing fornication; morality was being corrupted form within and they were allowing the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which apparently was a very licentious attitude. They are commanded to repent.
Result: Hidden Manna, White Stone with New Name.
I believe the Doctrine of the Nicolaitanes was associated with eating food to idols and committing fornication. I think an early form of this doctrine was very present in the Corinthian church and this is what 1 Corinthians is all about. The idea was that everything was spiritual so nothing in the physical world really matters and what we eat or how we use our bodies doesn't have any affect on us spiritually. The apostles fought against this doctrine vehemently. But it would be hard in a city like Pergamos, which was the center for many different religious cults, and was known for festivals which were full of all the fleshly pleasures one could imagine to maintain purity. But Jesus promises those who overcome will get something better than meat offered to idols...they will get the hidden manna. They will be satisfied from the secret source of God's heavenly bread. Like the Israelites with the manna in the wilderness, sometimes what God offers to satisfy us with doesn't seem as good as what Egypt offers, and it gets old and boring after awhile. Yet this is angel food, and it will ultimately satisfy us far more than anything in this world. Similarly fornication offers only a temporary, shallow intimacy of knowing another person...but there's a white stone with a new name written in it waiting on us. This represents an intimacy with Jesus that goes far beyond what is available in the cheap sex available at the Pergamos festivals.
Attribute of Jesus: Sharp Sword of Mouth.
What can we use to fight against this false doctrine? How can we resist compromise in our lives? We have an advocate with a powerful weapon on our side. But we have to understand this weapon in order to skillfully handle it. The sword comes from Jesus's mouth--it is His Word. This is the only tool that can pierce to the dividing of soul and spirit and discern our thoughts and the intentions of our hearts. Just like Jesus defeated Satan with the Word of God, we can defeat the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
Thyatira
Don’t allow immorality to run rampant. There were a lot of good things about this church’s works, love, service, faith, patience and works. (And yes, "works" are mentioned twice in these verses.) However, they were allowing a self-proclaimed prophetess named Jezebel to seduce people to commit fornication and eat what was offered to idols. But God was going to take care of this false teacher because He searches the motivations and heart and will reward according to works. No other burden on the rest, though, who hadn’t bought into this doctrine. They were just told to hold fast. The distinction between Thyatira and Pergamos seems to be that in Pergamos, people in the church were holding to this false doctrine, though the leadership wasn't, but here, they are allowing this false teaching to be actively taught.
Result: Power Over Nations with Rod of Iron and the Morning Star.
The reward to those who overcome in this church is almost startling. Jesus is promising participation in titles that were specifically for the Messiah! Psalm 2 has the description of the Christ being the One who would rule the nations with a rod of iron, but Jesus extends that right which He has won through His victory on the cross to overcoming believers! I think there's a little 1 Corinthians 6 flavor coming through here, where Paul asks the Corinthians, "Don't you know you will rule the world? How much more things that pertain to this life!" The angel or star of the church needs to really lead and not allow Jezebel to spread her false teachings through the church. The Morning Star was the brightest star in the sky as night became day, and a signal that the night was passed and the day was now here. Jesus calls Himself the Morning Star later in the book. He will bring them into the daylight, if they will stay true.
Attribute of Jesus: Eyes Like Fire; Feet Like Fine Brass.
Jesus has eyes of fire, and He searches the innermost parts of us. Do not think that immorality or false teaching will escape His gaze, though He may have allowed a season so that repentance could come. Judgment will come and nothing is hidden from Him. Even brass has a connotation of judgment of sin in the Old Testament due to the connotations of the Bronze Altar and Brazen Laver. It's reflective and must be brought through fire and water for cleansing, just as the church of Thyatira needed to reflect on what they were allowing, and cleanse and purify.
