Mt Sinai (Law) and Mt Zion (Grace)

Mt Sinai (Law) and  Mt Zion (Grace)
Mt Sinai (Law) and Mt Zion (Grace)

Monday, May 6, 2024

Revelation's 7 Churches

 

Jesus specifically mentions 7 Churches with letters written by John in Rev 2-3. These were all real places in what is today modern Turkey, (Turkiye). None of them exist today. There are many that believe that the Church of today can relate with those Churches that Jesus spoke to 1900 years ago and that there is a prophetic message therein. There are others that believe that the 7 Churches represent 7 ages of the Church age. There are still others that believe that the message was only for the 7 ancient churches and mean nothing for us.  We are going to explore the truths of God’s Word in this study and how Jesus’ letters to the Churches relates to us now, as well as studies done by others that help us in the search for truth.

Credits to Dr. David Jeremiah, and BibleInfo.com for some information used as well as the notes from the KJV Bible; but mainly to the Holy Spirit for His guidance and insight and the words of our Lord Jesus given to John.


Interesting that the Churches were in Turkey. According to Genesis the 4 rivers flowing from the Garden of Eden was also in Turkey. Noah’s Ark also landed in Turkey in the mountains of Ararat, Gn 6.

Revelation of Jesus Christ (italics are my comments after verses)

Rev 1:1 ¶  The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

2  Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. These things must shortly come to pass. This is referring to the Book of Revelation, but also can include the times of the Churches and the Church Age and history. 

3 ¶  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. These blessings are for reading and understanding Revelation, which includes the letters to the Churches.



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; Yud Hey Vav Hey is the unpronounceable Name of God. When the letters are rearranged, they mean past, present, and future. God is outside of time that He created. He is transcendent to time and can be anywhere in past, present or future. When Moses asked his Name, He replied “I AM”. The seven Spirits before His throne we will reveal in chpt 3:1

5  And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, Jesus is the Captain of our Salvation, Heb 2:10.

6  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. We are kings and priests of the Melchizedek order of Jesus and are His ambassadors to the world. Ps 110:4, Heb 7, 2 Cor 5:20.

7  Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. This is referring to the Rapture and the 2nd Coming, as well as Israel coming to Messiah Jesus.

8  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. In Hebrew that would be Aleph Tav, which is the hidden signature of Jesus the Messiah in the most important Hebrew Scriptures, and is not translated.

 9 ¶  I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

10  I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

11  Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, 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.



12  And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

13  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.

14  His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

15  And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

16  And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

17  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:

18  I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.


19  Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; Important: write what you have seen, things which are, and things which shall be.

20  The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. The seven candlesticks is a Menorah which is an eternal thing; as Jesus is the center of the Menorah and the light of the world.




Jesus is the light of the world and when God called him to come to the earth He brought light. He is symbolized in the Menorah in the first verse of the Bible. The 7 golden candle sticks that Jesus in among is a Menorah. He is the center and all the rest of the candles (or lamps) are lit from the center one.

Gn 1:1 ¶  In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Gn 1:3 ¶  And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

Jn 8:12 ¶  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.


EPHESUS (desirable or lovely, permitted)- Founded by Paul the most prominent of these churches. A major harbor on the Aegean Sea and was a prominent commercial and cultural center. The Temple of Artemis was there, which was one of the 7 ancient wonders of the world. It goes back to Semiramis of Babylon and was also called the Temple of Diana. Their first love of Jesus had left.

                                                                      Ephesus street



Ephesus library


Temple of Artemis


Rev 2: 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.

Paul warned them: Acts 20:29  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

4  Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. The intimate love of the Lord Jesus, walking with Him, and putting Him first.



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. Repent is the Greek word, metanoeo, which means to change your mind for the better. In other words, change your mind to follow the Lord. 

6  But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Nicolaitans are a sect that are into idolatry, and also a Church hierarchy where one class is above another. Nicolaitan means destruction of people: Niko to conquer, Laos the laity.

The object was to establish a "Holy Order of Men," and place them over the laity, which was foreign to the New Testament plan, and call them not pastors, but—Clergy, Bishops, Archbishops, Cardinals, Popes. Here we have the origin of the dogma of "Apostolic Succession," and the separation of the Clergy from the Laity, a thing that God "hates." The Church at Ephesus was not deceived, but recognized them as false apostles and liars. Clarence Larkin “The book of Revelation”

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. In the new Jerusalem, humans who come to worship the Lord can eat from the tree of life and live forever, and injuries can be healed by the leaves, Rev 22:2.

 

Historical era would be the late Apostolic Age.

Conditions of modern churches; active churches that have not kept Jesus as the center of their study and worship and thus have let practices in that are not pleasing to the LORD. Many of these problems come from not following the Word of the New Covenant. Jesus is center of the Old and New Testaments, but many still cling to the law over that of Grace. They do not mix well. The “Old Ones” of the Priests of Zadok of the Essene community prophesied in the Dead Sea Scrolls that God would raise up a Benjamite that would reveal God’s Grace and put God’s heart within our understanding; that would be Paul, who wrote half of the New Testament. We need to stay educated in our minds to what is written from Romans to Hebrews.


SMYRNA (sweet fragrance, myrrh)- A bustling seaport which also had a temple of Athena there, she was the Greek goddess of war. Homer the Greek poet was also from there. Polycarp was the Church Bishop there. He was a disciple of John and was martyred there by Rome. There was a large Jewish community there that was hostile to Christians.

Smyrna Basilica


                                                                    Smyrna ruins


Smyrna Agora


Smyrna Corinthian Colonnade in Agora


2:8 ¶  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. Part of interpreting the word is to know to whom it is being written. Jesus is talking to the Church, not Judaism. When I was in Israel the Jews that were believers in Jesus did not want to be called Christians, but Fulfilled Jews, because of the relationship of Hitler with the Catholic Church. Anti-Semitism is still great today, but we also need to remember that Jesus and His family were Jews, the Apostles were Jews, the Prophets were Jews, and our gentile Christians today are adopted into the family of God by being Born Again in Christ; 

Gal 3:7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

Gal 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Jews who are Born Again in Jesus are Messianic Jews or Fulfilled Jews.  

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. The second death refers to the lake of fire after the Great White Throne Judgment.

 

Historical era would be the early centuries of persecution and many Christians martyred.

Conditions of modern churches; America is just starting to see the persecution. Much of the rest of the world is suffering terrible atrocities at the hand of terrorist religions against Jews and Christians. Churches that do not follow Christ, but follow the world, won’t see as much persecution. 


PERGAMOS (height, elevation)- Was the Capitol of the providence of Rome and a major cultural center. The library of Pergamum was there and donated to Rome, it was a large and important library of the ancient world. Pergamum was known for pagan practices and false teachings.

Pergamos Heights


                                                      Pergamos Ruins modern Bergama



2:12 ¶  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. Satan will be attracted to Churches for he has no authority or power against those who are in Christ and know the Gospel, therefore he will try to pervert the truth. According to Eastern Orthodox, St. Antipas was killed in Pergamon in 92 AD for his faith. He followed the King of Kings and not the Emperor who claimed to be god.

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. Balaam could not curse Israel, for God would only let him bless them. Yet he taught Moab to intermarry and bring Israel to worship idols, Nu 25.



15  So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.


Remember that the Nicolaitans set up a hierarchy of order that was against the laity. God's 5 fold ministry gifts are: Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Evangelists, and Teachers. 



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.

 

Historical era would be the age of Constantine where the Church was the state religion and persecution that had been was stopped. Many pagan ideas and worship was morphed into the official Church.

Conditions of modern churches; churches that are supported by government and if that government is evil it will affect the church. Also churches that have an obvious hierarchy, or condone lifestyles that is against Bible teaching. Doctrines that are not based on sound Biblical principles will lead away from Jesus.


THYATIRIA (odor of affliction, perfume of labor, sweet savor of sacrifice)- The city was founded by Alexander the Great and famous for its trade items that included purple dye that was used in royal garments. Lydia in Acts 16 was from here.

Thyatira Basilica 


Thyatira Ruins





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. Jezebel was the queen of king Ahab who was a powerful witch. Jezebel and Ahab were very evil and were destroyed by Jehu who was anointed by God through Elisha to do so, 1 Ki 16- 2 Ki 9. Apparently the Thyatiria Church practiced things she did, idolatry and perversion of the gospel. .



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. Perversion of the gospel and Idolatry will cause one to miss the Rapture.

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. Jesus claims to be the Morning Star in Rv 22:16.



29  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

 

Historical era would be the time of the Papal apostasy, the dark ages.

Conditions of modern churches; many cults rise from the taking of ancient Babylonian, and Eastern religious ideas. Mixing of Christian doctrine with that of other religions is dangerous and will diminish Jesus’ worship in the Church.


SARDIS (those escaping or remaining. Red ones)- This city is on top of a plateau and has been conquered several times. The ancient Lydian capitol was here.

Sardis Ruins


Sardis Temple of Artemis


Sardis Bath Gym



Rev 3:1 ¶  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. The seven Spirits of God are: Compassion, Mercy, Love, Righteousness, Understanding, Justice, and Vengeance. The seven stars are in the Big Dipper, which is the large sheepfold of believers; and in the Pleiades which is the heart of Taurus the Bull  which represents the unstoppable force of the Second Coming of Jesus as a raging bull. 

                                         There are many 7s in Revelation, and the Bible.

                                   

This Church has only a name that they profess, but inside they are 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: forthey 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.



6  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

 

Historical era is the middle ages.

Conditions of modern churches; formalized religion that develops its own traditions aside from God’s Word and Holy Spirit interaction declines.


PHILADELPHIA (brotherly love)- Called the Gateway to the East; this city was famous for textiles, leather goods, and grapes. 

Philadelphia Basilica of St. John

 



Philadelphia Byzantine Ruins



3:7 ¶  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.

The key of David speaks of Messiah, our Lord Jesus. David set up a Tabernacle that only had the Ark of the Covenant, which of all the furniture of the Tabernacle mostly represented Jesus.



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. This hints of the Church that will be Raptured before the Great Tribulation.

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.

13  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

 

Historical era would be the reformation times of freedom and faith in spite of life's trials.

Conditions of modern churches; the earnest, Bible believing, Holy Ghost-Spirit filled Church will be delivered from the hour of temptation.


LAODICEA (Justice of the people)- This city’s wealth came from trade and banking. It is known for its expensive fabrics and a medical school. They were very prosperous; an industrial and commercial center probably causing them to be spiritual bankrupt.

Laodicea Ruins


Laodicea on the Lycus River


Laodicea Street


Laodicea Amphitheater


 

3:14 ¶  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.

 

Historical era would be the end of the Church Age, or the “last days” which will end with the Rapture.

Conditions of modern churches; popular, entertaining, self satisfied, rich, and worldly Churches.


It seems the Church Fathers that were after John realized that there were greater meanings that surrounded the letters of Jesus to the Churches other than just the time of the writings of John. Here is a basic chart relating to the ages that the Church has gone through in the 2000 year Church Age.


Clarence Larkin 1919 the Book of Revelation

Ephesus age 70-170 AD Apostolic

Smyrna age 170-312 AD Roman persecution ending with Constantine

Pergamos age 312-606  Union of Church and State and Israel replacement theology

Thyatira age 606-1520 AD Papal control to Reformation

Sardis age 1520-1750 AD Revival and justification by faith

Philadelphia age 1750-1900 AD Evangelical and Missionary

Laodicea age 1900-till Christ takes His Church, Lukewarm and Worldly


I prayed before the Father in Jesus’ Name about this study and the truth of it. Not that I do not pray about every study, for I could not teach without the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. In my prayer, I asked the Lord of the truth of these 3 theories about the letters:

1.      They were only for the 7 Churches in Asia at the time. (Turkey)

2.      They are to use for the Churches today with the same problems and or blessings to come.

3.      They are an outline of Church Ages that will cross the span of the Church Age from Jesus’ to the Rapture.

 

His answer to me on 3-25-24:

My Words are prophetic truths that stand for all time.

 

The letters are relevant to Churches today.

 

They also represent ages that My Church has, and will go through.


So there you have it, all of the theories have truth in them. The true Church of God is not in one Church, but all true Christian hearts, because the Church is composed of Born Again, believing Christians, where Jesus lives in them. Denominations break off over church doctrines and traditions that differ. Not that there is anything wrong with doctrines and traditions, as long as they are based on secure Biblical foundations. 

The Churches of  Ephesus, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, and Laodicea were all told to repent.

If they did not: Ephesus would have their candlestick removed, Pergamos would be fought against with the sword of Jesus’ mouth, Thyatira would have tribulation, Sardis would have Jesus come as a thief, and Laodicea would be spewed out of Jesus’ mouth.

 

REPENT

Strong’s 3340 μετανοέω metanoeo met-an-o-eh’-o

AV-repent

1) to change one’s mind, i.e. to repent

2) to change one’s mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins



If the Churches overcame: Ephesus would eat of the tree of life in the paradise of God, Smyrna would get a crown of life and not be hurt in the second death, Pergamos would eat hidden manna and receive a white stone with their new name, Thyatira would receive power over nations and the morning star, Sardis would receive white raiment, name sealed in the book of life and confessed before God by Jesus, Philadelphia would be Raptured and a pillar in the Temple of God with a new name written on them by God, and Laodicea would be granted to sit on the Throne of Jesus next to the Throne of the Father God.

 

When one comes with conviction to the Lord, and is sorry for ever sinning against Him, and asks Jesus into their life, they have a supernatural experience of being Born Again. They are changed and become a new creature. This changes their actions. It is not the other way around where your actions save you. You are saved by Grace and your faith in what Jesus promised.


 

If you have not allowed Jesus into your heart, present yourself to Him, change the way you think about God and ask Him for forgiveness and Salvation. Repent in Greek is what that means; you want to change your mind and do things that please God, not grieve Him.  Jesus became a man to die for the sins of the world, those who believe and come to God will receive Him.

John 3:14  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

20  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

 

Come to God today humble yourself before Him and ask Jesus to forgive you for your sins and come into your heart. Become part of the family of God. 



Scriptures are from the AKJV Bible. Pictures from the I-net, no infringement intended.

My book, The Plan: A Biblical Adventure is available at Amazon.com.






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