Letters to the Seven Churches

 

Thanks to Steve for bringing the lessons during this quarter!

Click the read more link below for his summary outline of the churches, including their commendations, rebukes, and rewards. and a comprehensive list of what Jesus promised to those who are victorious in his name.

1. Epheus – The loveless Church (Rev 2:1-7)

Jesus identifies himself as the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, and who walks in the midst of the seven golden lamp stands. 

Commended for working hard and persevering, for not tolerating evil people or false prophets; and opposing the Nicolaitans, teachers of evil (harmfulness) who had influence over the people and brought them into bondage of messages not aligned with the Gospel.

Rebuked for abandoning their first Love.

Promised reward for victory:  The right to eat from the Tree of Life.

 

2.  Smyrna – The persecuted church (Rev 2:8-11) 

Jesus identifies himself as the first and the last (Alpha & Omega), and the one who was dead and came to life.

Commended for withstanding poverty and affliction, slander from the synagogue of Satan and suffering and being imprisoned for their faith.

Rebuked for ... there was no rebuke for Smyrna.

Promised reward for victory: a crown of life and no second death.

3.  Pergamum – The compromising church (Rev 2:12-17)

Jesus identifies himself as the one who has the two edged sword.

Commended for remaining faithful to Christ and His character even under the threat of death.

Rebuked for obedience: holding on to false teachings, eating food sacrificed to idols (supporting idolatry financially), and participating in sexual immorality.

Promised reward for victory: hidden manna, white stone, new name.

4.  Thyatira – The corrupt church (Rev 18-29) 

Jesus identifies himself as the Son of God, the one who has eyes like a flame of fire and feet like fine brass.

Commended for demonstrating love, faith, service, and endurance.

Rebuked for tolerating a false prophetess who misled some to eat food sacrificed to idols (supporting idolatry financially) and to commit sexual immorality.

Promised reward for victory: authority over the nations, the morning star.

5.  Sardis –  The dead church (Rev 3:1-6)

Jesus identifies himself as the Son of God, the one who has eyes like a flame of fire and feet like fine brass.

Commended for demonstrating love, faith, service, and endurance.

Rebuked for tolerating a false prophetess who misled some to eat food sacrificed to idols (supporting idolatry financially) and to commit sexual immorality.

Promised reward for victory: authority over the nations, the morning star.

6.  Philadelphia –  The faithful church (Rev 3:7-13)

Jesus identifies himself as the one who is holy, true, and who has the key of David (access to the king) – the one who opens and no one can shut, and who shuts and one one can open (absolute authority for access to God).

Commended for enduring with limited strength, keeping Christ’s word, and remaining faithful to the name of Jesus Christ.

Rebuked for ... no rebuke for Philadelphia

Promised reward for victory: will be kept at the hour of testing; made a pillar of God’s Temple; imprinted with the name of (character of) God, the name of Jerusalem, and the name of Christ

Editor’s Note: The various etymological meanings of the word Jerusalem indicate that it is a community ruled by one whose place is that of the ruler of creation, completion, wholeness and of the setting sun, whose ruler is righteousness and whose community lives under the law of I AM, whose character is love, desire or passion for God and his creation. 

 7.  Laodicea –  The lukewarm church (Rev 3:14-22)

Jesus identifies himself as the amen (so be it), the faithful, the True witness, the beginning of the creation of God.

Commended for ... no commendation for Laodicea.

Rebuked for being lukewarm and thinking that they needed nothing from Christ because they were wealthy; however they were actually wretched pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.

Promised reward for victory: The right to sit with Jesus on his throne.

Thus, the rewards promised to the victorious ones found within the church wherever they located are:

1. I will give the right to eat from the tree of Life which is in Paradise with God.

2. I will give you the crown of Life [and]... the one who conquers will never be harmed by the second death.

3. I will give some of the hidden manna...a white stone, and on the stone a new name is inscribed that no one knows except the one who receives it.

4. I will give authority over the nations – and he will rule them with an iron scepter; he will shatter them like pottery – ... I will also give the morning star (a new beginning).

5. Will be dressed in white clothes, and I will never erase his name from the book of life but will acknowledge his name before my father and before my father and before his angels.

6.  I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is going to come on the whole world to test those ho live on Earth. ... I will make a pillar in the Temple of my God, and he will never go out again.  I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God...and my new name.

7. I will give the right to sit with me on my throne.

These are what Jesus promised to “those who are victorious” and hear, have faith in, and live by his teachings.