Seven Letters, Seven Churches

The second and third chapters of Revelation have been on my mind a little bit, I’ve wanted to carefully go through them to see what I could find. Many people think that the letters represent the church ages, putting us basically in the Laodicean age, not exactly a high compliment of where we’re at today. This probably has some valid points. Of course we have the literal seven churches that each received a letter, so it would also have been relevant to each of them. But I also see some of the church of America in each of them, just different aspects, or perhaps examples of error particular to one “brand”.

As I go through the letters I want to put my thoughts into words, and this is not designed to be the definitive interpretation of any of them. The first thing I noticed was that only two of the churches did not have any complaint against them, those being Smyrna and Philadelphia. The rest had some pretty strong rebuke mixed in with the good things, and all seven were exhorted to overcome and be strong. Anyway, let us begin.

“1: 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;
2: 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:
3: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4: Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5: 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.
6: But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7: 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.” Revelation 2:1-7 KJV

These people hate sin, they cannot even bear evil people, including the evil of the Nicolaitans, yet it seems to be methodical and lifeless. The first love is missing, the fire has turned to embers. Fighting evil is needed, yet not having life and love wreaks everything. Perhaps it has turned into religion from relationship, we gotta do this, we gotta do that, we shall follow the formula to the letter so help us. Living by the law, but not walking in the Spirit. We see that some, although it probably isn’t a large portion in America. I tend to stray this direction a little because of how much I have come to hate sin.

Consider the terrible threat though. Without a candlestick they cannot spread light anymore, I suppose they would cease to even be a church. It is a threat to salvation itself even, for if the love grows cold you are in a very dangerous place. Overcome, overcome, overcome, we see this over and over. It is a very big deal to Jesus that we overcome.

“8: And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
9: 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.
10: 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.
11: 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.” Revelation 2:8-11 KJV

Smyrna is commended yet given warning that things are going to get rough. People tend to focus on Philadelphia to say we won’t have to go through the tribulation, but this church is clearly told that it would have to. Indeed, Satan would have power over them for ten days (I wonder if that’s an expression that was used back then), but their faithfulness would ensure their life. This matches up with Daniel pretty well:

“I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.” Daniel 7:21-22

And later in Revelation:

“And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear.” Revelation 13:7-9 KJV

This usage of the Lamb’s book of life is important, yet we also have the warning of being blotted out of it if we do not overcome, as told to Sardis. Many will fall away just because of the tribulation, let alone the antichrist. This letter probably represents people who have already been through a lot, yet more is coming. But they have been faithful so far, when the heat gets turned up they can overcome!

“12: And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
13: 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.
14: 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.
15: So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
16: Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17: 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.” Revelation 2:12-17 KJV

Pergamos is hit pretty hard because of the immorality that they allow from a few people. I did a little research on the Nicolaitans and found that as near as we can tell (though it’s hard to know for sure) they held to antinomianism, which is essentially cheap grace because of freedom from the law. So much grace, sin can abound and who really cares? In this I see the teaching of extreme (and shockingly some moderate) eternal security, for if a saved person falls back and becomes exactly like one of the world, they are simply a carnal Christian and still saved. God tells this church (and Ephesus) that He hates this doctrine.

The reference to “Satan’s seat” makes me think that there was a lot of witchcraft in this area, and probably men had managed to creep in to the church with their horrid doctrines (see Jude 4). We tend to love people and accept them, which I agree with, but there comes a point where you cannot keep someone around if they are bringing sin in. Leaven spreads quickly. Truly it is a delicate balance to keep, for you want to be loving and kind, yet you have to protect the sheep as well.

“18: 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;
19: 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.
20: 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.
21: And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
22: Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
23: 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.
24: 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.
25: But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
26: And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
27: 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.
28: And I will give him the morning star.
29: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Revelation 2:18-29 KJV

These people seem a bit opposite of Ephesus. They have their love and it seems to have grown with the evidence of their works, yet they have allowed this Jezebel to hang around. If she wasn’t found out before, she is exposed now to be a false prophet who is bringing in sin in the name of the Lord. Interesting that God gave her time (space) to repent, but she refused, probably enjoying her sinful life too much. Many people race to get words of prophesy over their lives, and not all of it is from God! The good news for those without this doctrine is that they should just keep doing what they’ve been doing and hold fast. .

Verses 26 and 27 are key. Overcoming to the end will give us power over the nations (there’s two that are indicated as having to go through the tribulation), we see it fulfilled in chapter 20:

“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” Revelation 20:4 KJV

Next church:

“1: 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.
2: Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
3: 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.
4: 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.
5: 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.” Revelation 3:1-5 KJV

I think this may represent the church of America just as much as Laodicea, sadly. They are warned to strengthen the little that remains alive, and this is the church that is warned about being blotted out of the Book of Life. Interesting that Jesus would come on them like a thief if they didn’t keep watch. The opposite indicates that it wouldn’t be a surprise if they did watch. And we see a precious few who have not defiled their garments, which indicates that all of the others have done so. Beloved, this is a scary place to be if you’ve defiled your garments and are dying spiritually. Your name can be blotted out, the time to be revived and strengthened is now.

“7: 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;
8: 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.
9: 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.
10: 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.
11: Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
12: 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.” Revelation 3:7-12 KJV

It’s easy to love Philadelphia, but this is people prepared even when they don’t have much strength. Now it is important to understand that you can be kept from temptation without being taken out of the world, read John 17:15. Yet even they are warned to hold fast so that no man could take their crown (the antichrist perhaps?). This is probably the best place to be in Christ, perhaps in combination with Smyrna. I don’t think a particularly large amount of Christians are prepared to face the tribulation, so more of us need to get to this place.

And of course, the letter to the lukewarm:

“14: 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;
15: I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16: So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17: 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:
18: 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.
19: As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20: 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.
21: 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.
22: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Revelation 3:14-22 KJV

There are a couple ways to look at the cold or hot situation. I have heard it said that there were two springs outside the city, one hot and one cold, but by the time the water got to the people, both were lukewarm and generally awful. In this case, cold would be good, in a refreshing sense. Or, if it is to be taken more literally, Jesus is saying something like “If you’re not interested, at least have the decency to be completely cold about it rather than going on with a form of Godliness.”

We have people who think they have everything when they really have nothing that really matters, and they apparently don’t even care. In many ways I think that a lack of caring is the best definition of lukewarm, and it makes God sick. We’re told that those He loves He chastens, yet they are told to respond with repentance, so we have our part in this matter as well. And for the first time in the Bible that I see, Jesus is actually outside the door of a church trying to get in, please open the door. That is one scary place to be.

Colossians talks about Laodicea a few times, there doesn’t appear to be grave concern at that time. I’d guess that over the years they gradually lost their fire.

Again I think that these seven letters can have multiple meanings. They were written to the seven churches, they may represent in part the church ages, but I think that each Christian should take a careful look at their life and see which church is the closest to where they are. Once you match it up you know what things need to change so that you can overcome.