Revelations Seven Churches
A tour of Revelations' Seven Churches
Apart from the touristy spots in Istanbul and Ephesus, a pilgrimage to the Seven Early Christian Churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation was the cornerstone of our trip, and what a marvellous blessing it turned out to be.
Book of Revelations
Let me set the stage for you: Jesus' favourite disciple was doing stellar missionary work in Jerusalem, and later in Ephesus.
However, in 81 AD, Emperor Domitian (r. 81-96 AD) exiled John to the penal Island of Patmos. Here on the desolate island, he was given the grace to witness the key events in history since the dawn of time, through the age of mankind until the end of time.
I now understand why the Gospel of St John, unlike the other three synoptic Gospels of Mark, Matthew and Luke starts with this profound testimony: "In the beginning, the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it." [John 1:1-5]
He also wrote the Book of Revelation on the Greek Island of Patmos in 96 AD. The first three chapters were addressed to the Seven Early Christian Churches in Asia Minor
Revelation's Seven Churches
Revelation’s seven ‘churches’ selected by St John were all sizable albeit early Christian communities at that time, not stone and mortar structures since under Roman law Christianity was considered seditious to the Empire.
Around that time, the Roman Senate used a practice called 'apotheosis' to posthumously deify Roman Emperors, a practice that dated back to Caesar Augustus (r. 27 BC - 14 AD), however, Emperor Domitian(r. 81-96 AD) bucked that trend and declared himself God while still alive, making it a law that he be addressed as 'Dominus et Deus' (Lord and God).
The early Christian converts had to practice their faith in the one true all-loving, omnipotent and omniscient God, denouncing pagan worship and rituals; forced to by meet surreptitiously in someone’s home with the clear and present danger of being put to death if they were found out!
As if that were not bad enough, the citizenry at that time practised a licentious lifestyle where idol worship, debauchery, gluttony, carousing and other sinful ways were all part of the social fabric.
One must remember that these early Christian communities all had prosperous commercial Greco-Roman economies based on International trade of the Silk Road with the intermingling of foreign traders from all corners of the world with disparate religious beliefs and cultural traditions carrying exotic goods; not to mention drunken sailors looking for a pleasurable time.
Life in all these cities was centred around a public open marketplace or Agora where scribes would read and write letters, that were carried from town to town over the efficient Roman roads.
Also present in these cities was an oversized marble Acropolis or temple containing statues of Greek/Roman Gods and busts of Roman Emperors. Due to syncretism (the blending or merging of different religious beliefs) of Greco-Roman faiths, the Romans had no difficulty retaining and in many cases lavishly enhancing existing Greek Temples, as a show of power and prestige - it was nigh impossible to avoid pagan culture.
Therefore each of these seven churches may have been chosen to receive every specific apocalyptic message from Christ himself - not only for the Church at that time but for all the faithful through the ages because God's words are eternal.
Therefore each of these seven churches may have been chosen to receive every specific apocalyptic message from Christ himself - not only for the Church at that time but for all the faithful through the ages because God's words are eternal.
Most biblical scholars agree these seven congregations received copies of the Book of Revelation during that time itself. Undoubtedly the congregation would have heard and discussed the details.
Once the apocalyptic message was delivered to the seven communities in these prominent cities, the message would spread throughout the Roman Empire to other Christian communities in the rest of the province because they were all well connected on the Roman and Silk Road trade routes.
The Messages to Revelations' Seven Churches and Their Symbolism
Why seven? Seven is the number of perfection or completion in the Bible.
1. The Church of Ephesus - warning to a Church that had abandoned its zeal for Christ and his teachings (Revelation 2:1-7)
The original statute of Goddess Artemis from Ephesus
St John the Apostle and Mother Mary had made their home in Ephesus and started a thriving community of converts. Christ’s letter to the church of Ephesus praises the congregation for its “deeds...hard work...and perseverance,” and for rejecting false apostles (Revelation 2:2-3).
However, their initial zeal had dimmed because of the many temptations and challenges. The faithful were going through the daily rituals of faith as a matter of routine, so Christ faults the community for having “forsaken the love [they] had at first” (Revelation 2:4).
This “forsaken love” can mean that the Ephesians had become less devoted to Christ or that the work they did was no longer motivated by love for one another. The letter to the church of Ephesus does offer the community hope if they repent and rekindle their love for Christian living (Revelation 2:5-7).
The lesson in the warning to Ephesus teaches us today that faith and love must go hand-in-hand. A church that upholds doctrinal purity at the expense of showing love is just as flawed as a church that upholds congregational harmony at the expense of truthful teachings. Instead, Jesus reveals that a church fashioned in His image must practise God’s Truth in love for one another.
2. The Church of Smyrna - encouragement to a Church that remains faithful amidst persecution (Revelation 2:8-11)
The Church of Smyrna received words of comfort. They were mocked and persecuted for their faith, and it was going to get worse before it got better. It was not a wealthy church, with opportunities to flee and take refuge elsewhere.
Theologians believe many of the labourers of this church were expelled from their labour guilds - and unable to legally work in their craft - because of their conversion.
Christ’s revelation to the church of Smyrna commends the community for its material poverty but its spiritual wealth and acknowledges its wrongful persecution (Revelation 2:9).
The Lord warns them of the troubles ahead saying, “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” (Revelation 2:10). Though they would suffer in this life, God had a reward for them.
Like the church of Smyrna, Christians in many parts of the world today are persecuted. The message to the Church in Smyrna warns all Christians that although we may suffer greatly in this life, the length of tribulation will be short compared to the promise of eternal life.
Christ’s revelation to the church of Smyrna commends the community for its material poverty but its spiritual wealth and acknowledges its wrongful persecution (Revelation 2:9).
The Lord warns them of the troubles ahead saying, “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” (Revelation 2:10). Though they would suffer in this life, God had a reward for them.
Like the church of Smyrna, Christians in many parts of the world today are persecuted. The message to the Church in Smyrna warns all Christians that although we may suffer greatly in this life, the length of tribulation will be short compared to the promise of eternal life.
3. The Church of Pergamum - warning to a Church that compromises its beliefs with pagan rituals (Revelation 2:12-17)
The letter to the church of Pergamum lauds the congregation for upholding its faith despite the city’s pervasive pagan influences (Revelation 2:13).
The Church of Pergamum was surrounded by wickedness in their city, but they held fast to their beliefs. Their location was so full of wickedness that the Bible calls it, “where Satan’s throne is...the place where Satan dwells” (Revelation 2:13). However, there were members of the church who still held onto their former traditions, not willing to let go of their idols. Others indulged in false doctrine (Revelation 2:14-15).
The Church of Pergamum was surrounded by wickedness in their city, but they held fast to their beliefs. Their location was so full of wickedness that the Bible calls it, “where Satan’s throne is...the place where Satan dwells” (Revelation 2:13). However, there were members of the church who still held onto their former traditions, not willing to let go of their idols. Others indulged in false doctrine (Revelation 2:14-15).
The Lord calls on the community to repent or risk the judgment that will emanate from the “sword of [His] mouth” (Revelation 2:16). Those who repent will be given the “hidden manna” that is the grain of Heaven (Psalm 78:24), and a “white stone” or clean slate with a new identity in Christ (Revelation 2:17).
Like the Christians in Pergamum, it’s easy to adopt the non-Christian behaviour of those around us and allow that behaviour to dilute our values (1 Corinthians 15:33). But the Bible urges us to “not conform to the pattern of this world” but be transformed by the renewal of our mind following God’s Word (Romans 12:2).
4. The Church of Thyatira - a warning to a Church that follows False Prophets (Revelation 2:18-29)
Context: Thyatira was famous for its guilds of artisans and craftsmen, including workers in bronze, leather, wool, and dyed cloth. The city was particularly noted for its production of purple dye, which was highly valuable in the ancient world. Jesus’ letter to the church of Thyatira praises it for growing in faith and service (Revelation 2:19).
The church’s downfall was its devotion to a false prophet that led some members to commit idolatry and immorality (Revelation 2:20). There was a woman in the church who claimed to be a prophetess, who committed sins of sexual immorality, and whose behaviour was reminiscent of Jezebel, Ahab’s wicked wife, whose story is told in 1 Kings.
Despite the church’s love, patience, and endurance, they tolerate this wicked woman taking an inappropriate role of leadership, giving false prophecies, and being flagrantly sinful. God has given this woman, and the church, time to turn from this sin; “I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality” (Revelation 2:21). The message ends with encouragement for those who did not follow this prophetess (Revelation 2:22).
The Lord reminds us in this revelation that He will repay each of us according to our deeds (Revelation 2:23). The payment for sin is death. However, those who persevere in faith will receive a share of Christ’s messianic authority over all nations and triumph over death (Revelation 2:26-28).
Just as some in the church of Thyatira were led astray by a false prophet, Christians today fall prey to cult leaders, occult practices, and other false teachings. To share in Christ’s victory, we must avoid these “so-called deep secrets” of Satan (Revelation 2:24) and hold firm to Christ’s message of "Love your God above all things, and love your neighbour as yourself".
5. The Church of Sardis - warning to a Church that is Spiritually Dead (Revelation 3:1-6)
Sardis was a city that had endured two surprise attacks despite its fortifications. Our Lord faults the church of Sardis for maintaining an outward appearance of being “alive,” while actually being spiritually dead (Revelation 3:1).
Alluding to the city’s history of prior surprise attacks, Jesus warns the congregation to “wake up,” and repent, lest he “come like a thief” to bestow His judgment (Revelation 3:2-3).
Those in the church of Sardis who heed Christ’s warning will be “dressed in white,” a symbol of purity and victory, and will be acknowledged in Heaven’s Book of Life (Revelation 3:5).
Christians can fall into the trap that ensnared the church in Sardis if we merely go through the motions of practising our faith without feeding our spirit. We can avoid becoming “the living dead” by engaging in our faith through Bible study, prayer, and fellowship with the outcasts, widows and prisoners.
6. The Church of Philadelphia - encouragement to a Church that patiently endured despite weaknesses (Revelation 3:7-13)
Reconstruction of an Early Church in Philadelphia
Context: Philadelphia, a prosperous city of brotherly love, was home to a synagogue community that was ironically very hostile to Christians. Christ praises the church of Philadelphia for remaining faithful in the face of trials despite their limited strength. “I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one can shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name” (Revelation 3:8).
Jesus wanted this body of believers to continue as they were, and they would spend eternity in Heaven with Him, but he condemned its persecutors. (Revelation 3:9). Christ promises that if Philadelphia’s congregants remain faithful to Him, He will protect them from the “hour of trial” and make them pillars in God’s heavenly temple (Revelation 3:10-12).
The message to Philadelphia shows us the blessings that come when we maintain our faith despite life’s tribulations. In fact, those who persevere despite weaknesses will stand strong as pillars in Heaven.
7. The Church of Laodicea -warning to a Church with a Lukewarm Faith (Revelation 3:14-22)
Jesus’ letter to the church of Laodicea wastes no time denouncing the congregation for its lukewarm faith, threatening to “spit” the congregation out of His mouth (Revelation 3:16).
Christ scolds this church for allowing its economic prosperity to cause it spiritual bankruptcy and reveals that, despite its economic wealth, only He can provide spiritual wealth (Revelation 3:17-18).
Here, Jesus asks for them to be vigilant and let Him in when he comes calling. “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” (Revelation 3:20).
Despite their lack of spirituality, Christ waits expectantly for them to open their hearts to Him. Those in Laodicea’s church who open the door to Christ will share in His Heavenly banquet and have the right to sit with Him on His throne (Revelation 3:20-21).
Like the church of Laodicea, it’s easy to become complacent in our faith during times of abundance. Christ warns us in this revelation that he will “spit out” lukewarm disciples. Instead, Jesus urges us to keep seeking the Lord’s face in the least of our brethren even after His hand has bestowed riches in our lives.
A tour of the sites gave us a fresh appreciation for the reasons why these seven communities were chosen by Christ to send messages of encouragement and warning, that ring true to this day.
References
- Verrett, B. (2021, May 5). What is the significance of the Seven Churches in Revelation? Bible Study Tools. Retrieved November 30, 2024, from https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/what-is-the-significance-of-the-seven-churches-in-revelation.html
- Smyth, D. (2024, July 11). What do the 7 Churches in Revelation represent? Retrieved November 30, 2024, from https://www.christianity.com/wiki/end-times/what-do-the-7-churches-in-revelation-represent-summaries-and-explanations.html
It is a mammoth article and enriching to know about the early church and its evolving history.
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