The Seven Churches

Who are the Letters For?

There four dominant options for the letters, which also may overlap one another.

They are 7 Literal Churches during John’s time

They are 7 Future Churches

They Represent Church Ages

They are aspects of all churches

While I am not going to expand on all of these options, that is what commentaries are for, allow me to briefly share how they fit each option and then give you, what I believe, is the best interpretation.

Seven Literal Churches

While looking at the context, what precedes the message to each church are two important verses.

They are literal churches during John’s time.

English Standard Version Chapter 1

Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

English Standard Version Chapter 1

Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. 20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

The NET Bible Chapter 1

Therefore write what you saw, what is, and what will be after these things. 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

This fits the context of what John is hearing Jesus say to him. John would not know of church ages or future churches. These churches all existed during the first couple centuries.

Regarding number 2, there is little to suggest they are future churches. There is nothing in the context that says John should warn future churches, or that the letters were to be copied and preserved. The messages to the churches are written in present tense grammar, suggesting the churches are currently going through what is being said of them.

When we see the vision of the order of churches, it does appear there could be a progression of future churches and/or ages, based on a sequence of things.

Ephesus

The term apostles is used - Not that this is a big clue, but apostles were those who knew Jesus and were witness to His resurrection. Being an apostle means one is given a special mission for the church. Are there apostles today? Yes, but it seems to not be as easily identifiable as in the first century.

They hate the work of Nicolaitans. We do not have any strong evidence for who the Nicolaitans are, but it does appear that they were a literal group of people; possibly followers of Nicolaus, which may or may not be the Nicolas found in Acts (6:5). (Most likely not though).

Smyrna

Thrown into prison for ten days. This is very specific. We do not have any historical evidence for this, but it does seem to suggest this would be because of those who are of Satan.

Pergamum

Antipas is the biggest clue here. It says they did not deny there faith, even when he was killed (2:13). Suggesting this happened recently and they are still in existence, struggling.

They also hold to the teaching of Balak and Balaam, which would suggest a current pagan worship. People do worship these today, but in different forms of worship. Perhaps Wicca or Satanism?

Also, Nicolaitans mentioned again.

Thyatira

Jezebel, again probably not an actual person during this time. She was an evil queen during the time of Ahab. It was more representative of a way they were following.

Eating food sacrificed to idols. This is not something done today, especially by the church.

Interesting to note, verse 26, “until the end.” This is support for a message to all churches.

Sardis

Nothing specific, that might suggest an earlier church.

Philadelphia

Nothing specific. Synagogue of Satan may suggest something earlier, but hard to know.

Laodicea

Nothing specific to suggest an earlier church or later one. The only suggestion might be the term lukewarm, which could suggest any church at any time, even today.

3. Many scholars see these churches as ages of the church, with Laodicea being the final church age. There does seem to be some similarities with how churches have been over the centuries, but there does not seem to be good evidence for this anywhere in Scripture, other than the fact Revelation is about unveiling a future time. Some can make a case as we see the churches progressing without specific claims to something that would signify an earlier time.

4. This may be a strong aspect of the seven churches, that they are for all churches of all times, simply for the fact that at the end of each message to the church it says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (, , , ; , , ). This is a message for believers to consider what the message to each church is about. What can be learned and applied, even today. A good and compelling reason for all churches to hear its message. Consider Revelation 1:3.