Revelation: Letters to the Seven Churches

By Emmy Prewitt

Jesus had John write letters to seven churches in Asia-seven different messages from the mouth of Jesus and John acted as secretary and wrote.

But these letters are not just for those seven churches, but they are also for us today.  For at the end of each letter Jesus tells us:  “He that has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says unto the church...”  There are certain benefits given to those who heed these words.  

These letters are given to “us” just before Jesus reveals what will happen in the very last day--the very end.   We need to listen to what is contained in them and take inventory of our lives as we read them.

Revelation 1: 4, 10-19:  4-John to the seven churches which are in Asia:  Grace be unto you, and peace, from Him which Is, and which Was, and which Is to Come; and from the Seven Spirits which are before His throne; 10-19-I (John) was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, “I am Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last and, what You see write in a book and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.”  And I turned to see the voice that spake with me.  And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; and in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.  His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire; and His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters.  And He had in His right hand seven stars:  And out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword” and His countenance was as the sunshineth in his strength.  And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.  And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, “Fear not; I am the first and the last:  I am He that lives, and was dead, and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and Have the keys of hell and of death.  Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks.  The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches:  and he seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.  

First of all we see Jesus explaining the seven stars and the seven candlesticks. The word angel means:  messengers, heavenly beings or pastors.  The seven candlesticks are the churches.  So it makes sense that the angels are probably pastors of the churches.  And these letters are being written to the pastor of each of these churches to be shared with their congregation.  Secondly, we will be looking specifically at the attributes of Jesus listed in the verses above and how they relate to the different churches, and will only be looking at the highlights of each church because there is so much more to each of these churches.

Revelation chapters 2 through 3

To the Church at Ephesus  2:1-7

Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things says He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know your works, and your labor, your patience, and how you cannot bear them which are evil:  and you have tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:  And has born, and has patience, and for my name's sake hast labored, and hast not fainted.  Nevertheless I have somewhat against you, because thou hast left your first love.  Remember therefore from whence thou are fallen, and repent, and do the first works, or else I will come unto you quickly, and will remove your candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.  But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.  He that has and ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Attribute:  “He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

Jesus, the Revelator is shedding light onto the Ephesian Christians.  The seven stars and the seven golden candlesticks represent Light.  The seven stars from the Lord, the seven golden candlesticks from earth-the pastor of this church and also Christians today spreading his Light into the dark places.  The number seven represents perfection-Jesus is perfect, He is Light and His Light is perfect.

Jesus reveals to Ephesian church:

their works

patience

that they can't bear evil

that they tried them that say they are apostles and found them liars.

While the Lord has complimented them on many things He continues by saying “Nevertheless”.  They have left their first love and He tells them 'remember therefore from where you have fallen--Repent!'

What happened here is that while they can't “bear those which are evil have tried those that say they are apostles and found them 

liars”; they left their focus from off the Lord and quit shining the Light by living and preaching the Word of God to judging and    looking for evil in everyone that comes into their midst.  And Jesus is telling them to STOP IT! and repent: to remember where they came from and put their focus back on Jesus and His Word.

He is tells us the same thing.  If evil comes in our midst, yes it needs to be dealt with in the proper manner.  Don't go looking for it!!  Keep our focus on Jesus and His Word--studying it and sharing it.

Reward:  “To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”

To the church of Smyrna 8-11

And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things says the First and the Last, which was dead, and is alive; I know your works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but you are 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 you shall suffer:  behold the devil shall cast some of you into prison that ye may be tried and ye shall have tribulation ten days: you be faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath and ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches; he that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death.  

Attribute:  “the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive” This is one of only two churches that Jesus did not find any fault with and Smyrna is one of them.  With Smyrna He is warning them of some things to come and giving them encouragement; He is also addressing fear.  

Jesus know: 

their works

tribulation

He knows they will be severally tried and He tells them to remain    faithful unto death.  He is telling them: 'I have been there and come out on the other side.  I am the first and last; I was dead and now alive.  I know what is awaiting for you--remain faithful!!'

He is telling us the same thing:  Remain faithful!! through though      severally tried-remain faithful!  And you will:

Reward:  “Not be hurt of the second death”

To the church of Pergamos 12-17

And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things says He which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I you're your works, and where thou dwells, even where Satan's seat is:  and you hold fast my name and have not denied my faith, even in those day wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwells.  But I have a few things against you, because you have there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block 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 Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.  Repent, or else I will come unto you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.  He that hath and ear, let him hear what the Spirit says 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 knows saving he that receives it. 

Attribute:  “He which hath the sharp sword with two edges”

This church allows people into their congregation that is leading people into sin by deception.   

Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is the discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”  

Second Corinthians 6:14-18 says, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers?  for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?  and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?  and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for you are the temple of the Living God; as God hath said, “I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate”, says the Lord, “and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters”, says the Lord Almighty.

Jesus told them (and us) in verse 16, “ Repent, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”  This church and us are to repent for this fellowship with sin and boot them out of our churches if they do not repent.  We are the ones to deal with this.  Jesus gave us the authority in His Name to do this, also it is our place to do it.  He tells us to have NO fellowship with false teachers and with the people who what nothing to do with the Lord and living righteously.

He will come and “fight against them with the sword of His mouth”.  But we have the same sword--the Word of God and this fight is for us to do .  It won't be the blessing that it should be.  Just like Pharaoh was to be a blessing to Israel when they were to leave Egypt and give Israel the wealth that belongs to them for all the years of service.  But Pharaoh, because of his selfishness and wanting slaves to build his wealth and cities would not be obedient.  God used him anyway but not to Pharaoh's or Egypt's benefit.  Pharaoh and his army were killed in the Red Sea and Egypt lost it power and status in the world.  

So,  we are to repent, turn on back on the evil world and “come out from among them, and be ye separate”.  Then we will overcome and will:

Reward:  be given to eat of the hidden manna, and will be given a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows saving he that receives it!

To the church of Thyatira 18-29

And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things says the Son of God, who hath His eyes like unto a flame of fire, and His feet are like fine brass; I know your 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 you, because you allow that woman jezebel, which calls 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 or their deeds.  And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am He which searches 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 you have already hold fast till I come.  And he that overcomes, and keeps 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 has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches.

Attribute:  “The Son of God, who hath His eyes like unto a flame of fire, and His feet are like fine brass.”

Jesus says:  “ I know:

thy works

charity

service 

faith

thy patience

thy works

“Not withstanding I have a few things against you”...

This church has allowed people into their church that is and teaches sexual impurity and is causing others to fall from the Lord through deceptions of this kind of sin.  

The Lord is demanding purity from them and from us, that is the reason for the “flame of fire, and feet like fine brass” which represents purity.  Brass also represents oneness with the Lord Jesus Christ.  

Brass is an alloy of zinc and copper and is a substitutional alloy.  (Jesus took our place on the cross and paid for our sin so we don't have too--we couldn't anyway.)   It is used in place of gold (we are here to be the light, hands, feet of Jesus.)  

Brass is resistant to tarnishing and is a natural germicidal.  When we are walking in God Word-studying it, living it, confessing it, sin and sickness must flee and die. 

Brass has malleability--it is capable of being reshaped or extended by beating with a hammer or by pressure of rollers.  And is an easy material to cast.  We must let the Potter make into what He wants us to be--Righteous, over-comers, living in victory and without sin.

Brass has acoustic properties--we are to make melody in our hearts to the Lord.   We are to sing His praises and worship Him

Brass becomes stronger and self-healing when aluminum is mixed with it.  I had asked the Lord about this:  “Why not mix aluminum in with the zinc and copper?”  His answer was immediate:  “ Because I don't want you to be hard hearted but tender-hearted to the needs of other and you can not heal yourself.  I am your Healer!”

This brass alloy must be produced with great care, with special attention placed on a balanced composition and proper production temperatures and parameter to avoid long-term failures.  God has taken great care to make sure of our success in Him!!  The word alloy means:   *a state as to being mixed with base metals; comparative purity.  A substance composed of two or more metals INTIMATELY mixed and united, usually by being fused together and dissolving in each other when molten; as, brass is an alloy of copper and zinc.  Jesus prayed in John 17: 20-23  “...Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; that they all may be one; as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that You have sent Me.  And the glory which You gave Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one:  I in them, and You in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and hast love them, as You have loved Me.”

He is telling them, and us that we must keep ourselves pure and separated from the sexual and worldly lust and be united intimately with Him.  Those who have not gotten caught in this trap He says to them:  “ I will put upon you none other burden”.

Repent, do what is right in His site and you will receive a 

Reward:  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.

Facts about brass are from the on-line encyclopedia: Wikipedia

* Definition of  alloy is from Webster's New International Dictionary 2nd edition.

The church in Sardis 3:1-6

And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things says He that has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars, I know your works, that you have a name that you live, and are dead.  Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die:  for I have not found you works perfect before God.  Remember therefore how you have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent.  If therefore you shall not watch, I will come on you as a thief, and you shall not know what hour I will come upon you.  You have 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 overcomes, 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 has and ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches.

Attribute:  He that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars.

This church is hanging on by a thread.  There are just a few things that remain that are worth anything and they are told by the Lord to strengthen those things for they are ready to die.  Their works before God has NOT been perfect and they need to:

Remember how they have received and heard the Word of God

Hold fast to it

and Repent back to the things of the Lord.

There are only a few people who are worthy to walk with the Lord in white.

The attributes given to this church is what is needed to revive them and to bring them back to life in Jesus.

Seven is the number of perfection.  We are to be perfect:  Matthew 5:48  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Seven stars: again this means light; shedding light to see and to know what is the truth.

Seven Spirits of God:  Isaiah 11:2  “And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;”

The Spirit of the Lord:  First off a church or person needs to do is to repent and turn to the Lord.  Seek His will for congregation or self and serve Him.

Spirit of Wisdom:  According to Proverbs 8 Wisdom is easy to get.  She says she lifts her voice where ever people are and calls to them to listen to Her.  Reading through this chapter we find there is no reason for a person to lack Wisdom.  Wisdom by definition is skilful, it is prudence:  knowing right from wrong and staying away from the wrong and doing what is right. 

Spirit of Understanding:  This is comprehension, discerning.  Job 28:28  “And unto man he said, Behold the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.”  A lack of this kind of understanding was morally culpable (that is guilty, criminal, deserving of censure or moral blame) and resulted in sin and even more drove away God's compassion for person who did not have it.

Spirit of Counsel: Advice, purpose, plan.  God has advice--His Word for us; He made us with and has a purpose and a plan for us.  We need to seek His Word and Him in prayer.

Spirit of Might:  This is force of valor, victory, and mastery.  It means to be a powerful warrior and champion.  He has made us all this and strong in Him.  We are victorious in Christ:  First Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  

Spirit of Knowledge:  This is cunning, learning, and insight.  40 out of 91 times in Proverbs it is associated with wisdom.  Proverbs 24:3-5 “Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established.  And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.  A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increases strength.”  God holds unbelievers and Israelites responsible to know Him.

Fear of the Lord:  moral reverence.  This fear acknowledges God's good intentions:  Exodus 20:20.  It will motivate and delight even the Messiah: Isaiah 11:2-3.  It is produced by God's Word: Psalms 119:38, Proverbs 2:5.  It makes a person receptive to Wisdom and Knowledge:  Proverbs 1:7; 9:10.  The Fear of the Lord may be lost by despair of one's own situation (Job 6:14) or by envy of sinner's (Proverbs 23:17).  This fear restrains people from sin, it gives confidence, and helps rulers and causes judges to act justly and it results in good sleep.

I suggest reading through Proverbs chapter 8.

Sardis and anyone today that is lacking needs to repent and seek the Seven Spirits of God.  And he that overcomes

Reward:  “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.”

To the church  of Philadelphia 7-13

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write;  

These things says He that is holy, He that is True, He that has the key of David, He that opens, and no man shuts; and shuts, and no man opens; I know thy works:  behold I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it; for you have little strength, and has kept my word, and have 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 your feet, and to know that I have loved you.   Because you have kept the word of my patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.  Behold, I will come quickly: hold that fast which you have, that no man take your crown.  Him that overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go nor 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 comes down out of heaven from my God:  and I will write upon him my new name.  He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches.  

Attribute:  “He that is holy, He that is True, He that hat the key of David, He that opens, and no man shuts; and shuts and no man opens.”

The church at Philadelphia has little strength but they kept God's Word and have not denied His name.  This is the second church that the Lord did not find a fault with.  This church is holy and true-holding fast to the Word of the Lord and not deviating from it.  And because of this the Lord is going to “keep them from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them...”

The meaning of this attribute given to this church is this:  once the door is open-salvation is assured.  Anyone can come and receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.  But once the door is shut-judgment is certain.  Matthew 25: 1-13:  The parable of the 10 virgins.

Remain faithful!

Reward:  He that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God and he shall go no more out (assurance of salvation): and I will write upon him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, which is new Jerusalem (belonging), which cometh down out of heaven from My God:  and I will write upon him My new name.

To the church of Laodicea 14-22

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodicians write; These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the Creation of God; I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot:  I would thou were cold or hot.  So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of My mouth.  Because you say, I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor and blind, and naked.  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white raiment, that thou may be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do to appear, and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may 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 any 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 overcomes 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 has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches.  

Attribute:  The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the Creation of God.  This last part literally means the 'the cause of creation.'

This church is in serious trouble.  They are rich and increasing in material wealth.  Laodicea is know for their wealth and baking.  They had a famous medical school.  So they are very comfortable, self confident, satisfied and complacent.  They think they are all right with the Lord.  What they are doing is playing both sides.  But they don't know how very destitute they really are.

They are neither hot nor cold.  The Lord says I would rather you be one or the other.  Hot means to be fervent, that is fervent for the Lord.  Cold is not walking with the Lord but is able to be persuaded when confronted with the truth.  But lukewarm is a very danger position.  It means riding the fence, indecisive.  In the case with Laodicea they are so wealth have no need of any material thing and full of pride of what they do have, they are missing out on what the Lord has for them.  He says to them, “Enough!”  Buy from me gold that is tried in the fire that you may be rich, buy raiment that you may be clothed, and anoint your eyes with eye salve so you can see the truth!   Repent, be faithful, walk in truth and be true witnesses of the Lord.  In verse 20, He wants to have true fellowship with these people and with us.  He wants us to see how rewarding that fellowship is.  To him that repents and overcomes:

Reward:  “I will make to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.”