The Seven Churches

1 Peter 4:17 “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?”

It is important to note that the history of the church (Chapters 2-3) stands between the vision of the glorified Christ (Chapter 1) and the vision of the glorified saints (Chapter 4). Whatever sins and shortcomings may be rebuked in the churches, the true church and all its many members shall be at last made like her Savior. —James Knox, The Book of Revelation

Church Ages

Last time we looked at the meaning of each name

Reminder: These churches were literal, physical churches that were around during the time of John’s writings.

Remember, these churches represent two things:

A) Local Church’s Life Stages

Every age, every denomination, and nearly every congregation contains specimens of what we find in each of these letters. As all the elements of the ocean are to be found, in more or less distinctness, in every drop from the ocean, so every community of professing Christians has some of the varied classes which make up Christendom at large. One may abound most in Ephesians, another in Smyrnans, etc., but we shall hardly be at a loss to find all types in all assemblies. —James Knox, The Book of Revelation, p. 28

If we learn nothing else from these seven epistles, let us learn these great truths:

1. Church membership and church attendance has never guaranteed salvation or a right relationship to Jesus Christ. All the characters in Revelation 2 and 3 were in the local church.

2. One cannot condemn the church, nor refuse to participate in the activities of the local church, because there is someone or something present which is not as it should be. EVERY church - since the days of the apostles - has had its admixture of truth and error.

—James Knox, The Book of Revelation, p. 28

B) Period of Church History

Now let us look at the estimated time frame in history these churches covered:

- Ephesus- (Fully Purposed) Apostles till 200 A.D

- Smyrna- (Myrrh) 200 A.D. till 325 A.D

- Pergamos- (Much Marriage) 325 A.D. till 500 A.D.

- Thyatira- (Odor of Affliction) 500 A.D. till 1000 A.D.

- Sardis- (Red Ones) 1000 A.D. till 1500 A.D.

- Philadelphia- (Brotherly Love) 1500 A.D. till 1900 A.D

- Laodicea- (Right’s of the People) 1900 A.D. till Rapture

Key Aspects

Name of church [describes theme of the age]

Positive word [all except: Laodicea]

Negative word [all except: Smyrna & Philadelphia]

Title of Christ [demonstrates need in that age]

Key Phrases

These Things Saith he [The Author of each Address]

I will come [Smyrna only church not stated toward: I will give v. 10]

Notice each time we see this it in response to the negative attached to the church:

v. 5, 16, 24-25; 3:3, 11, 20

He that hath an ear let him hear [All seven churches:]

There is a message of warning to each individual christian that we should pay special attention.

To him that overcometh [All seven churches]

Romans 3:4 “God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.”

Revelation 21:6-8 “And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

This overcoming is defined in

1 John 5:4-5 “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”

Those in Christ have “overcome” because He has “overcome”

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”