Book of Revelation of John
Compiled by WD Kemner January 2024
CHAPTER 2-3 The Seven Churches
The Seven churches talked about in Revelation Chapters 2-3 have been the subject of many sermons. They were literal churches at the time that John was on the Island of Patmos.
Apostle John had lived in Ephesus and was probably close to the people that were part of that church. Though these are literal locations, the messages of the conditions at each, model the conditions of the church today and that of many through the centuries. These churches have also been used to illustrate the history of the church throughout time as well.
CHAPTER 2
Ephesus
Apostle Paul also wrote an entire epistle/letter specifically to the Ephesians.
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Revelation 2:1-7 |
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Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
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The one that holds the seven stars (from Chapter 1) is telling John to say this to the church at Ephesus. Therefore it is the word from God and not from John.
They have worked hard, shown patience and even rooted out teachers of false doctrine. However, they had already lost that zeal and fire they had at the beginning. The church is acknowledged for having taken a stand against the Nicolaitians, which the Lord states that he hates.
The “tree of life” once standing in the Garden of Eden, now stands in the middle of “Paradise”
Smyrna
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Revelation 2:8-11 |
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And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
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Their “works” had caught the eyes of heaven and they are commended for it. So, works in themselves are not bad, but it is in the “why” we are doing those works. They were dealing with tribulation and poverty. There were apparently some who were “pretending” to be Jews.
What their purpose in doing so, is not made known, but the Lord signals them out, and puts them into the same category with Satan! Smyrna is told that they would suffer to the point of being cast into prison for their beliefs. They would be tried for those beliefs and even suffer death for the faith.
Those that overcome shall not see death the second time meaning that when judgment comes to the evil, the evil will be cast into hell suffering eternal death.
Pergamos
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Revelation 2:12-17 |
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And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
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This church is apparently right in the middle of a hotspot for the forces of Satan. They are recognized for this. And for the fact that they are holding strong. A martyr named Antipas is mentioned. There were those in this church who were falling for the teachings of false doctrines.
Specifically mentioned were the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitians. The rewards for overcoming was the promise of receiving: Hidden manna and new names. The Israelites were provided manna for 40 years. God would provide what they needed.
Thyatira
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Revelation 2:18-29 |
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And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
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They were quick to put others first, before themselves, through works of charity and service. They were however guilty of allowing a false teacher among them. He that overcomes will have power over the nations.
CHAPTER 3
Continuing the dialog to the seven churches from previous chapter
Sardis
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Revelation 3:1-6 |
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And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
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This church has nothing to even be acknowledge for! They are alive but may as well be dead. What a sad state to be in. To be in a condition that God cannot state any Good regarding you!
They are being advised to take what little they do have and strengthen it before it is to late and they also lose that. There are a few people who have continued with the Lord. Those that overcome shall be clothed in white and have their name confessed before the throne.
Philadelphia
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Revelation 3:7-13 |
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And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience,
I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
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This church had a little strength and had kept the Word of God and not denied his name. Those that were claiming to be Jews, would come to find out who the real Jews were. Because they have kept His word they would be protected from what was to come in the End.
He gives this church a “preview” of what will be revealed in Revelation chapter 21 New Jerusalem will come down out of Heaven.
Laodicea
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Revelation 3:14-22 |
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And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
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This passage contains one of the most quoted verses in scripture. It is also the most often referred to when this passage is preached on. This church is neither cold or hot.
They are not known for their works or their faith. They are also not known for their evil ways. They are straddling the fence and not accomplishing anything. This church is given the “recipe” for God’s Plan for redemption.
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An excellent resource site to aid in the study can be found at:
The Christian Resource Center of New Hampshire has an excellent document on the Seven churches. https://www.crcnh.org/index.html
61 The Seven Churches of Revelation.pdf
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