Seven Letters to Seven Churches

 

Seven Letters to Seven Churches…and You

Revelation 2:1-3:22

 

“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.”

 

One thing, of the bazillion things, I love about Jesus, is that He doesn’t beat around the bush. He gets straight to the point. Says what He means and means what He says.

Revelation opens in a whirlwind. Straight out of the gate it tells us blessed are those who read, hear, and obey, the words of this prophecy.

John prays, Jesus appears, John faints, Jesus wakes him and tells him, to get up and write.

And then, with one short sentence, Jesus outlines the entire book of Revelation, into three simple sections.

Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. (Revelation 1:19).

So, John got up and wrote, the things which he saw. A majestic description of Jesus, standing in the midst of seven golden lampstands. (What does Jesus look like?).

And then just like that, we turned the page and found ourselves in the next section, the things which are; which covers all of chapters two and three.

The things which are, section includes, seven letters to seven Churches. It represents the time period from the birth of the Church to the Rapture of the Church. (From the Day of Pentecost, around 33 A.D. to about…now).

We don’t know for sure when the Rapture will take place. Most believe it is likely to be somewhere around 2,000 years from when He left. Jesus didn’t tell us. The Bible doesn’t say. But they both gave us clues, so we would know the season. When blossoms appear, you know summer is near. (Matthew 24:32).    

Of course, before that happens, Jesus wants everyone to be ready. It’s not His will that any perish (2 Peter 3:9). 

Which is one of the primary reasons, Jesus dictates the seven letters—so you and I, will be ready to meet Him. 

It’s important to remember, this is a book of prophecy. Prophecy, often has a near and far, fulfillment, and a natural and Spiritual, interpretation. 

Although the seven letters are written with a timely message to seven literal churches of that day, they also have a timeless message for all, from that day to this.

Let’s do a fly-over to see what all the letters have in common, and then, we’ll dive into each one individually.

Each Letter Has, Literal, Spiritual and Historical Relevance

1.      Literal: Seven literal churches with a timely message, in that day.

2.     Spiritual: Timeless message, relevant from that day to this.

3.     Historical: Each letter represents a time-period in church HIStory.

(NOTE: Binding a letter to a specific time period in church history, is a debated school of thought. It can’t be proven with chapter and verse; but can be used as a tool to help package and present the eternal message of the letters. It does not compromise the integrity of scripture in any way, as long as we remember the letters are not just historical, or allegorical, but words of prophecy, directly from Jesus, to all who will read, hear and obey.)  

Each Letter Begins With a Special Description of Jesus

The list will sound familiar because Jesus uses the description John just gave us in chapter one. Well, except for number six; the church of Philadelphia uses a description found in Isaiah 22:22. Which we’ll discuss, when we get to that letter.

1.      He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands (2:1).

2.     The First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life (2:8).

3.     He who has the sharp two-edged sword (2:12).

4.    The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass (2:18).

5.     He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars (3:1).

6.    He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens” 3:7 * Isaiah 22:22.

7.     The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God (3:14).

 

Seven Similarities of the Seven Letters:

1.      All addressed to the angel (pastor) of each Church

2.     All provide an opening description of Jesus

3.     All begin with Jesus saying, “I know your works”

4.    All contain a commendation or condemnation, or both

5.     All promise a reward for overcomers

6.    All share a glimpse into eternity

7.     All say: He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Each Church (unofficially) Named by Their Works

1.      Loveless Church                   Ephesus

2.     Persecuted Church              Smyrna (no rebuke)

3.     Compromising Church       Pergamum

4.    Corrupt Church                    Thyatira

5.     Dead Church                         Sardis

6.    Faithful Church                    Philadelphia (no rebuke)

7.     Lukewarm Church               Laodicea (no compliment)

Represent a Time Period in Church HIStory

Graphic by permission: Pastor Gary Hamrick, Cornerstone Chapel

All Were Located in Western Asia Minor (modern day Turkey)

Right in the midst of all the wars and rumors of wars, today.

Make no mistake, it’s no coincidence, but Providence.

Jesus knew the day He dictated the letters to John, that the very ground where the letters were sent, would one day feel the footsteps of soldiers being drawn to Israel for the culmination of events, described in the words of this prophecy. (Stay tuned, Lord willing, we’ll be studying all about it soon).

Make no mistake. What we see today in Ukraine, is just the beginning of Russia’s movement. This will happen. Russia and crew will surround Israel; much like Russia surrounded Ukraine. What we’re witnessing is a dress rehearsal.

Will Israel's gas be Ezekiel 38s "hook in the jaw" that reels Russia to Israel? I don’t know. And it doesn't matter. We know the lure will be cast (maybe it has been), and the hook will be set, and Rosh will be drawn to attack Israel.

This is the beginning of birth pains—and they’re not Braxton Hicks. They will come faster and faster and become more and more intense. Our job is to breathe, the Word of God.

Do not fear, we’ve been given the Script; not to scare us, but to prepare us.

Take comfort knowing that by Divine orchestration and timing, we’re studying Revelation, as it is being played out before our very eyes.   

Next, we’re going to experience the depth of His love as we dive into the letters.

Let’s pray:

Lord, we ask for wisdom, thank You.

We need mature discernment.

We know not how to occupy 'til You come, by standing against evil, and yet, yielding to Your will, that may use evil to complete Your purpose. As You did in the garden, in the shadow of the cross. 

We follow Your lead and pray, Father, make us one. And not our will, but Yours be done.

Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Find us loving You and ready.

Amen.