The 7 Churches of Revelation
(Revelation
2:1-3:22)
To the angel of the church in Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7) write: These are words of Him who
holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands:
I know your deeds, you work hard,
and always persevere,
but I have important words
I think you need to hear…
Your problem is you’ve lost your first love,
and so you must repent.
You must remember once again
the reason I was sent.
[Ephesus,
the first church, portrays the Apostolic period, from the birth of the church,
at the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), until approximately AD 100.]
To the angel of the church in Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) write: These are words of Him who
is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again:
I know your afflictions and poverty,
don’t fear to suffer for Me,
The Devil will imprison some of you,
and will test you endlessly!
I tell you, you’re actually rich,
though your lives are full of strife.
But if you’re faithful even to death,
I’ll give you the Crown of Life.
[This is an appropriate word picture for
the period of church history characterized by martyrdom. This period lasted
from approximately 100 to 312 AD when Constantine established Christianity as
the state religion of the empire.]
To the angel of the church in Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17) write: These are words of Him who
has the sharp, double-edged sword:
You live where Satan has his throne,
yet you hold fast to Me,
and did not renounce your faith,
yet there’s some diversity.
Some hold to the teachings of Baalam,
and the Nicolaitans, too.
Repent,
or by the sword of My mouth,
I shall come against you!
But to him who overcomes,
some hidden manna I’ll give.
And write a name on white stone,
to carry as long as he lives.
[Pergamum
(also known as Pergamos) represents the church period when the church became
married to the world. This period
lasted until about 500 AD.]
To the angel of the church in Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) write: These are words of the Son
of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished
bronze:
I know your deeds, your love and faith,
and that you serve and persevere;
that you’re doing more now than ever,
but there’s more you need to hear.
You tolerate the “prophetess”, Jezebel,
who lead you folks astray;
and those who commit adultery with her,
I swear will rue the day!
To him who overcomes to the end
(repent, lest you go too far!),
I’ll give to rule over the nations,
and will give him the Morning Star!
[Thyatira
stands for a dark period of the church from about 1000 AD until the time of the
Reformation which began in 1517.]
To the angel of the church in Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6) write: These are words of the Him
Who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars:
You say you’re alive, but you’re really dead,
the Lord is not happy at ALL!
You’d best wake up before it’s too late,
before I come to call!
If you overcome, I’ll dress you in white,
in My Book will remain your name.
I’ll confess you to My Father
and His angels without blame!
[The Sardis
church represents the Reformation church from 1517 until the mid-1700’s, when
the great revivals and modern missions movement began.]
To the angel of the church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) write: These are words of the Him
Who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open:
I’ve placed before you an open door,
that none can ever close again.
You’ve little power, but kept the faith,
forever you’re blest among men!
I’ll make false Christians bow to you,
they'll know you’re loved by Me!
I’ll keep you from the Day of the Lord;
you'll be with me eternally!
[Philadelphia
is the missionary church. It began in the mid 1700's with the great revivals
and the modern missions movement and it gradually lost its power during the
early years of the 1900's. Philadelphia means brotherly love. It is this love
that causes the desire to evangelize others (Romans 5:5).]
[NOTE: These are the TRUE
Christians of today.]
To the angel of the church in Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-21) write: These are words of the Amen,
the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation:
Since you are neither hot nor cold,
from My mouth, I’ll spew you out!
Repent,
or you will pay the price
with Death, there is no doubt!
You say you’re rich and have no needs,
but I say you’re wretched and poor!
You’d best repent and do it fast,
for I’m knocking at the door!
But if you can but overcome,
I’ll share My throne with you;
and you can share Eternal Life
with other Christians, too!
This is today’s apostate church,
you’d best depart from her!
And let nothing, from the truth of God,
convince you to deter!
[The
Laodicean church is the last church of the seven, and stands for the last of
the church periods. The name Laodicea means "rule of the people." It
is a picture of a church controlled by the people instead of being controlled
by God. It is the church of the Apostasy, or the great "falling away"
of believers.]
|
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the
churches. Revelation 3:22 |