WHAT DO THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF REVELATION 2 AND 3 REPRESENT?
John wrote to the seven churches in Asia Minor - Ephesus, Smyrna,
Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.
These were 7 cities on a mail run in Asia Minor (present day Turkey),
beginning with Ephesus and ending with Laodicaea.
They existed in the centuries after Christ`s time, but they do not all
exist today. Some - like Sardis and Laodicaea - lie in ruins. Some -
like Philadelphia - are still thriving towns.
John used actual names of certain churches of his time to represent
varying degrees of righteousness and wickedness that existed in his
day, paralleling them with the wickedness and righteousness of the 7
communities of the entire world in the last days (now).
These are the same sins that have always existed within human
societies, and cover such vices as anger, gluttony, pride, lust,
slothfulness, envy and greed - and along with each "deadly sin" is
given the virtue needed to overcome it.
1. Ephesus is angry with false prophets, but is commanded to return to
their first works and love our enemies as Christ taught.
Because Ephesians keep God`s commandments, they "judge" those who
claim to follow Christ, but by their works can be seen not to. Some in
Ephesus, however, had left their first love and left keeping God`s
commandments as they should. The light from their candlestick was
growing dim!
However they hated the deeds of the Nicolaitians - who represented a
hierarchy or ruling class who presume themselves to be superior over
other people. A true leader from God is the servant of all!
2. Smyrna is given the example of Daniel and his friends who resisted
the temptation to indulge in the King`s food for 10 days, putting
their appetite for keeping the commandments of God above their
appetite for food offered by the King.
The gospel of Christ was taught to the first and to the last and is
the same always - the same as the ten commandments given at Mount
Sinai with the 50 statutes and judgments. The same as will be taught
at the end time.
3. Pergamos has many who are full of pride and are given the example
of the martyr Antipas (a personal friend of John`s) who refused to put
himself above others. "Antipas" means "to stand against all."-
including this world and its governments.
Pergamos dwelt where Satan`s seat is.
4. Thyatira relates the example of Jezebel, a woman who was given to
all the lusts of the world.
The works of the world are represented as a "woman" - Jezebel.
Jezebel cast out and killed the true prophets of God.
5. Sardis take upon themselves the name of Christ, but most are
slothful in keeping his works perfectly.
6. Philadelphia seeks for knowledge - the "keys" to open doors of
understanding - and think they envy those who appear to have great
knowledge, but actually do not. They can be deceived and led away
from God to revere those who claim to know God.
Our "crown" is symbolic of certain powers and rights given to the
bearer. Each of us has the power and right to know the mysteries of
God for ourselves and run our own lives, working out our own
salvation. We don`t give this "crown" to other religious leaders.
7. Laodicaeans seek for the fine things of the earth and are filled
with material greed.
The remedy for their poverty is refined gold, representing righteous
works.
The remedy for their nakedness is white raiment, representing
righteous desires.
The remedy for their blindness is eyesalve, representing righteous
judgment.
Christ`s life gave us a sure example that we can exist in this world
and keep the commandments of God.
To sum up - the world now is "the seven churches". It needs to
replace human nature with the fruits of the Spirit - love, temperance,
meekness, goodness, longsuffering, peace and joy.
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