The Seven Churches

“What you see, write in a book and send it to the

seven churches which are in Asia... ” - Jesus

Rev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to Apokalupsis — ‘the laying bare’,
show His servants-- things which must shortly take place. And He or the ‘revealing’ or ‘disclosure’
sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John. of Jesus Christ.

Rev 1:3 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words
of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it;
for the time is near.

Rev 1:4-5 4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: The Father — is, was, to come
Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who Holy Spirit — ‘seven Spirits’
is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, Jesus Christ —
5 and from Jesus Christ, A the faithful witness, the B firstborn from

the dead, and the C ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who A Faithful witness
loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood. B Firstborn from the dead
C Ruler of the kings of earth
Rev 1:10-11 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard
10

behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, “I am the

Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you
see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in
Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis,
to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

Rev 1:12-16 12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. A vision of our Jesus Christ
And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the ministering as High Priest in
midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed the heavenly sanctuary.
with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a
golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as
snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine
brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of
many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His
mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was
like the sun shining in its strength.

Rev 1:17-18 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.
But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be
afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 “I am He who lives, and was
dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the
keys of Hades and of Death.”

Rev 1:20 20 “The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My Jesus explains that the seven
right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are lampstands are the seven
the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which churches.
you saw are the seven churches.”
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Act 2:1-3 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were Jesus did not begin ministering
all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a among the seven lampstands
sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the until His inauguration on the
whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to day of Pentecost in 31 AD.
them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.

Act 2:32-33 32 “This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all
witnesses. 33 “Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God,
and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy
Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.”

Act 2:34-36 34 “For David did not ascend into the heavens,
but he says himself: ‘The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at My
right hand, 35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”’
36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God

has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

Act 2:38 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one
of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission
of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Rev 1:12-13 12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me.
And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the
midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man

Mat 18:20 20 “For where two or three are gathered together in My

name, I am there in the midst of them.”

Joh 16:6-7 6 “But because I have said these things to you, sorrow
has filled your heart. 7 “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to
your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper
will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.”

Joh 14:15-16 15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. (Act 5:32 NKJ) 32 “And we are
16 “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another His witnesses to these things,
Helper, that He may abide with you forever--” and so also is the Holy Spirit
whom God has given to those
Joh 15:26-27 26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send who obey Him.”
to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the
Father, He will testify of Me. 27 “And you also will bear witness,
because you have been with Me from the beginning.”

Joh 14:23 23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, (Joh 14:20 NKJ) 20 “At that day
he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will you will know that I am in My
come to him and make Our home with him.” Father, and you in Me, and I in
you.”
Act 1:8 8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has
come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem,
and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

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The seven churches represent God’s church through history. The Seven Churches
of Asia Minor
1. The sanctuary imagery of Jesus among the candlesticks.

2. The churches are located in order along the Roman roads.

3. The nearness of Christ’s coming and His promises to each,

draw closer and closer as you progress through the churches.
Ephesus — ‘I will come to you quickly…’
Symrna — ‘I will give you the crown of life.’
Pergamos — ‘I will come to you quickly…’
Thyatira — ‘Hold fast what you have till I come.’
Sardis — ‘I will come upon you as a thief…’
Philadelphia — ‘Behold, I am coming quickly!’
Laodicea — ‘Behold, I stand at the door…’
To the first three churches, the promises appear after the
statement ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
says to the churches’, indicating the promises are further off,
but to the last four churches, the promises are stated before
this statement, showing their nearness.

4. The churches show a progression of apostasy from the The verses below show that
beginning to end consistent with the New Testament witness. both Christ and Paul foretold a
coming apostasy before the
Ephesus — ‘You have tested those who say they are apostles second coming of Christ.
and are not, and have found them liars.’
‘You hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans.’ Mt 24:24-25
Acts 20:28-32
Smyrna — ‘I know the blasphemy of those who say they
1 Tim 4:1-7
are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of
2 Tim 3:1-7
Satan.’
2 Tim 4:3-4
Pergamos — ‘You have there those who hold the doctrine of 2 Th 2:3-4
Balaam… You also have those who hold the
doctrine of the Nicolaitans.’ (1Ti 4:1 NKJ) Now the Spirit
expressly says that in latter times
Thyatira — ‘You allow that woman Jezebel, who calls
some will depart from the faith.
herself a prophetess to teach and seduce My
servants... As many of you as do not have this
(Act 20:29 NKJ) 29 “For I know
doctrine, who have not known the depths of
this, that after my departure
Satan… I will put on you no other burdern.’
savage wolves will come in
Sardis — ‘You have a few names even in Sardis who among you, not sparing the
have not defiled their garments.’ flock.”
Philadelphia — ‘Because you have kept My command to
persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of
trial which shall come upon the whole world.
Laodicea — ‘You say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy’ —
and do not know that you are wretched,
miserable, poor, blind, and naked.’
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Ephesus — The Apostolic Church (31AD—100AD) Nicolaitan —
To conquer or destroy the people
The only church in which ‘apostles’ are mentioned, connecting it
with the church of the 1st century. They labored faithfully for
From the Greek words:
Christ with patience, but lost their first love. Yet they hated ‘the
nike — conquer, victory
deeds of the Nicolaitans’ and could not bear ‘those who are evil.’
laos — people, laity
Smyrna — The Persecuted Church (100AD—313AD)
Means ‘myrrh’ and is about to undergo a serious persecution. The persecution of Diocletian
They are poor but spiritually rich. Jesus tells them do not fear, began in 303 AD and lasted
be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life. until 313 AD.

Pergamos — The Compromising Church (313AD—538AD) Balaam —

To swallow or destroy the people
Meaning ‘height or elevation’, the church is enticed by friendship with
the world and backslides from fidelity to Christ. She trusts to an
From the Hebrew words:
adulterous connection with civil powers. Compromise results and
bala — destroy, consume
impurity and idolatry rapidly enters the church. She is soon
am — nation, people
corrupted with the false doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitans.

Thyatira — The Dead Church (538AD—1798AD) Means ‘odour of affliction’

The church of the middle ages allowed the harlotries of Jezebel to
teach and seduce God’s people to continue in their spiritual
adultery and to commit idolatry against God. God gave her time
to repent, but she did not, so He ‘cast her into a sickbed’ (1798)
and warns ‘the kings of the earth’ (Rev 17:1-2) that they will be
cast into great tribulation unless they also repent. Her children
(the churches who follow her example) will also be killed.

Sardis — The ‘Reformed’ Churches (1798—1844AD) Means ‘red ones’

The churches of the reformation separated from the ‘Mother
church’, yet did not fully come out of her darkness and apostasy.
Many retained corrupt teachings and only went as far as the
reformers who established them, thus these churches held to a
name, but were dead. Yet Jesus finds a few who are worthy.

Philadelphia — Church of the Awakening (1844AD—1888AD)

Means ‘brotherly love’. They are known for keeping God’s word.
Jesus sets an open door before them. They have little strength yet
have persevered and will be kept from the trial that comes upon
the whole world (time of trouble).

Laodicea — The Lukewarm Church (1888AD—Present)

Means ‘judging of the people’. They say ‘I am rich, have become
wealthy, and have need of nothing’, and do not know their own
spiritual poverty or nakedness before God. But Jesus is outside
seeking entrance — to enrich them with faith, to clothe them with
His rightouesness and to anoint their eyes that they might see.

The Sanctuary in Revelation 01 — The Seven Churches Page 4/4

 Attribute of Christ Commendation Rebuke Prescription Promise
He who holds the seven Works, labor, patience, you cannot You have left your first love. Remember from where you have He who overcomes, I will
stars in His right hand, bear those who are evil. You have fallen, repent and do the first works, give to eat from the tree of
Ephesus

Who walks in the midst tested those who say they are or else “I will come to you quickly and life, which is in the midst of
of the seven golden Apostles yet lie. You have patiently remove your lampstand.” You hate the the Paradise of God.
lampstands. labored for My name’s sake tirelessly. deeds of Nicolaitans.

The First and the Last, Works, tribulation, poverty (yet you Do not fear what you will suffer. The He who overcomes will not
Smyrna

He Who was dead and are rich). I know the blasphemy of Devil will imprison some and test you be hurt by the second death
came to life. those who say they are Jews and are for 10 days. Be faithful to death,
not, but are a synagogue of Satan. “I will give you a crown of life.”

He who has the sharp Works, that you dwell where Satan’s You have there those who hold Repent, or else “I will come to you quickly To Him who overcomes I
Pergamos

two-edged sword. throne is. You hold fast to My name the doctrine of Balaam and the and will fight against them with the sword of will give some of the
and did not deny My faith, even in Nicolaitans. Idolatry, sexual My mouth.” hidden manna, a white
the face of martyrdom. immorality and wickedness. stone and a new name.

The Son of God, who Works, love, service, faith and You allow Jezebel who says she is a To you who don’t hold this teaching I will give power over the
has eyes like a flame of patience. As for your works, the prophetess, to teach immorality and and haven’t known the depths of nation, to rule them with a
fire… last are more than the first. idolatry. I gave her time to repent, Satan, I put on you no other burden. rod of iron. They will be
Thyatira

but she did not. I will cast her into “Hold fast what you have till I come.” dashed to pieces like the
and His feet like fine a sickbed and kill her children. potter’s vessels. I will give
brass. Then all will know I am He who him the morning star.
searches minds and hearts.

He who has the seven I know you have a name that you Be watchful, strengthen what remains. He who overcomes will be
Spirits of God and the are alive, but you are dead. Remember how you have received and clothed in white garments
seven stars. heard. Hold fast and repent. “If you and I will not blot out his
Sardis

will not watch, I will come upon you as a name from the Book of
thief, and you will not know when I will come Life, but will confess his
upon you.” You have a few names name before My Father and
worthy to walk in white in Sardis. before His angels.

He who is holy and true, I know your works. I have set before “Behold, I am coming quickly!” Hold fast He who overcomes I will
Philadelphia

He who has the key of you an open door. You have kept what you have, that no one may take make him a pillar in the
David, Who opens and My word. Those who say they are your crown. temple of God and write
no one shuts and shuts Jews and are not will know I have the name of God, His city,
and no one opens. loved you. I will keep you from trial. and My new name on him.

The Amen, the Faithful You aren’t cold nor hot, so I will Buy from Me gold refined in the fire, He who overcomes will sit
Laodicea

and True Witness, the vomit you out of My mouth. You white garments to clothe your with Me on My throne, just
Beginning of the say ‘I am rich’, but don’t know you nakedness and eye salve. Those I love as I sat down with My
creation of God. are poor, blind and naked. I rebuke. “Behold I stand at the door…” Father on His throne.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Greeting Attribute of Christ Commendation Rebuke Prescription (Imperitives) Authentication Promise
(Rev 2:1 (Rev 2:1 NKJ) (Rev 2:2-3 NKJ) 2 "I know your (Rev 2:4 NKJ) (Rev 2:5-6 NKJ) 5 "Remember (Rev 2:7 NKJ) (Rev 2:7 NKJ) To
NKJ) "To `These things says works, your labor, your patience, 4 "Nevertheless I have this therefore from where you have 7 "He who has him who overcomes
the angel of He who holds the and that you cannot bear those against you, that you have left fallen; repent and do the first an ear, let him I will give to eat from
the church of seven stars in His who are evil. And you have your first love. works, or else I will come to you hear what the the tree of life, which
Ephesus right hand, who tested those who say they are quickly and remove your Spirit says to the is in the midst of the
write, walks in the midst apostles and are not, and have lampstand from its place-- unless churches. Paradise of God."'
of the seven golden found them liars; 3 "and you you repent. 6 "But this you have,
lampstands: have persevered and have that you hate the deeds of the
patience, and have labored for Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
My name's sake and have not
become weary.

(Rev 2:8 (Rev 2:8 NKJ) (Rev 2:9 NKJ) 9 "I know your (Rev 2:10 NKJ) 10 "Do not fear (Rev 2:11 NKJ) (Rev 2:11 NKJ) He
NKJ) 8 "And `These things says works, tribulation, and poverty any of those things which you 11 "He who has who overcomes shall
to the angel the First and the (but you are rich); and I know the are about to suffer. Indeed, the an ear, let him not be hurt by the
of the church Last, who was dead, blasphemy of those who say they devil is about to throw some of hear what the second death."'
in Smyrna and came to life: are Jews and are not, but are a you into prison, that you may be Spirit says to the
write, synagogue of Satan. tested, and you will have churches.
tribulation ten days. Be faithful
until death, and I will give you
the crown of life.

(Rev 2:12 (Rev 2:12 NKJ) (Rev 2:13 NKJ) 13 "I know your (Rev 2:14-15 NKJ) 14 "But I (Rev 2:16 NKJ) 16 `Repent, or (Rev 2:17 NKJ) (Rev 2:17 NKJ) To
NKJ) `These things says works, and where you dwell, have a few things against you, else I will come to you quickly 17 "He who has him who overcomes
12 "And to He who has the where Satan's throne is. And you because you have there those and will fight against them with an ear, let him I will give some of
the angel of sharp two-edged hold fast to My name, and did who hold the doctrine of the sword of My mouth. hear what the the hidden manna to
the church in sword: not deny My faith even in the Balaam, who taught Balak to Spirit says to the eat. And I will give
Pergamos days in which Antipas was My put a stumbling block before churches. him a white stone,
write, faithful martyr, who was killed the children of Israel, to eat and on the stone a
among you, where Satan dwells. things sacrificed to idols, and new name written
to commit sexual immorality. which no one knows
15 "Thus you also have those except him who
who hold the doctrine of the receives it."'
Nicolaitans, which thing I
hate.

1
Greeting Attribute of Christ Commendation Rebuke Prescription Promise Authentication
(Rev 2:18 (Rev 2:18 NKJ) (Rev 2:19 NKJ) 19 "I know (Rev 2:20 NKJ) (Rev 2:24-25 NKJ) 24 "Now to (Rev 2:26-28 (Rev 2:29 NKJ)
NKJ) `These things says your works, love, service, 20 "Nevertheless I have a few you I say, and to the rest in NKJ) 26 "And 29 "He who has an
18 "And to the Son of God, faith, and your patience; things against you, because you Thyatira, as many as do not have he who ear, let him hear what
the angel of who has eyes like a and as for your works, the allow that woman Jezebel, who this doctrine, who have not overcomes, and the Spirit says to the
the church in flame of fire, last are more than the first. calls herself a prophetess, to teach known the depths of Satan, as keeps My works churches."'
Thyatira and seduce My servants to they say, I will put on you no until the end, to
write, and His feet like commit sexual immorality and eat other burden. 25 "But hold fast him I will give
fine brass: things sacrificed to idols. what you have till I come. power over the
nations-- 27 `He
(Rev 2:21-23 NKJ) 21 "And I shall rule them
gave her time to repent of her with a rod of
sexual immorality, and she did not iron; They shall
repent. 22 "Indeed I will cast her be dashed to
into a sickbed, and those who pieces like the
commit adultery with her into potter's vessels '-
great tribulation, unless they - as I also have
repent of their deeds. received from
My Father;
23"I will kill her children with
death, and all the churches shall 28"and I will
know that I am He who searches give him the
the minds and hearts. And I will morning star.
give to each one of you according
to your works.

(Rev 3:1 (Rev 3:1 NKJ) (Rev 3:1 NKJ) "I know (Rev 3:1 NKJ) but you are dead. (Rev 3:2-4 NKJ) 2 "Be watchful, (Rev 3:5 NKJ) 5 (Rev 3:6 NKJ) 6 "He
NKJ) "And `These things says your works, that you have and strengthen the things which "He who who has an ear, let
to the angel He who has the a name that you are alive, remain, that are ready to die, for overcomes shall him hear what the
of the church seven Spirits of I have not found your works be clothed in Spirit says to the
in Sardis God and the seven perfect before God. 3 white garments, churches."'
write, stars: "Remember therefore how you and I will not
have received and heard; hold blot out his
fast and repent. Therefore if you name from the
will not watch, I will come upon Book of Life;
you as a thief, and you will not but I will
know what hour I will come confess his
upon you. name before My
4 "You have a few names even in Father and
Sardis who have not defiled their before His
garments; and they shall walk angels.
with Me in white, for they are
worthy.

2
Greeting Attribute of Christ Commendation Rebuke Prescription Promise Authentication
(Rev 3:7 NKJ) (Rev 3:7 NKJ) (Rev 3:8-10 NKJ) 8 "I know (Rev 3:11 NKJ) 11 "Behold, I am (Rev 3:12 NKJ) (Rev 3:13 NKJ)
7 "And to the `These things says your works. See, I have set coming quickly! Hold fast what 12 "He who 13 "He who has an

angel of the He who is holy, He before you an open door, you have, that no one may take overcomes, I ear, let him hear what
church in who is true, "He and no one can shut it; for your crown. will make him a the Spirit says to the
Philadelphia who has the key of you have a little strength, pillar in the churches."'
write, David, He who have kept My word, and have temple of My
opens and no one not denied My name. 9 God, and he
shuts, and shuts and "Indeed I will make those of shall go out no
no one opens": the synagogue of Satan, who more. And I will
say they are Jews and are not, write on him the
but lie-- indeed I will make name of My
them come and worship God and the
before your feet, and to name of the city
know that I have loved you. of My God, the
10 "Because you have kept New Jerusalem,
My command to persevere, I which comes
also will keep you from the down out of
hour of trial which shall heaven from My
come upon the whole world, God. And I will
to test those who dwell on write on him My
the earth. new name.

(Rev 3:14 NKJ) (Rev 3:14 NKJ) (Rev 3:15-17 NKJ) 15 "I (Rev 3:18-20 NKJ) 18 "I counsel 21"To him who (Rev 3:22 NKJ)
14 "And to the `These things says know your works, that you you to buy from Me gold refined overcomes I will 22 "He who has an

angel of the the Amen, the are neither cold nor hot. I in the fire, that you may be rich; grant to sit with ear, let him hear what
church of the Faithful and True could wish you were cold or and white garments, that you Me on My the Spirit says to the
Laodiceans Witness, the hot. may be clothed, that the shame throne, as I also churches."'"
write, Beginning of the 16 "So then, because you are of your nakedness may not be overcame and
creation of God: lukewarm, and neither cold revealed; and anoint your eyes sat down with
nor hot, I will vomit you out with eye salve, that you may see. My Father on
of My mouth. 17 "Because 19 "As many as I love, I rebuke His throne.
you say,`I am rich, have and chasten. Therefore be
become wealthy, and have zealous and repent. 20 "Behold, I
need of nothing'-- and do not stand at the door and knock. If
know that you are wretched, anyone hears My voice and
miserable, poor, blind, and opens the door, I will come in to
naked-- him and dine with him, and he
with Me.