The Seven Churches of Asia

John the Apostle wrote in the Book of Revelation what Jesus revealed to him on the Isle of Patmos in visions. He had been condemned to this Greek isle by the Romans for preaching the gospel. It was here that he was to experience his greatest visions, given to him by the LORD, concerning what will transpire in the end of days.

It is interesting to note that the Apostle John wrote of the beginning of time in John 1:1 In the beginning was the word....And he wrote of the end of time in the book of Revelation 21:5-6 Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is thirsty of the fountain of the water of life freely.

Jesus came to the apostle John on Patmos on the Lord's day (Sunday) and said: I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last: what you see, write in a book, and send it to the 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.

John turned to see the voice that spoke, when he turned he saw seven golden candlesticks. And standing in the middle of them was like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot and girt about the chest with a golden girdle. His head was white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; and his feet like unto brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice was as the sound of many waters. This is not a baby in a manger nor a corpse on a cross, bleeding. This is the Risen Christ! Victorious over death.

He held in his hand seven stars, and he stood in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks.

Jesus explained to John that the golden candlesticks are the seven churches of Asia. And the stars were the angels, the messengers of those seven churches.

What did Jesus say of these seven churches and was he merely speaking to THOSE congregations? He was not only speaking to the individual congregations alive and operating in Asia at the time, but to the whole of the church through history (prophetically)...as well as to the individual believers within the entire scope of the church age. Here what Jesus has to say to His Church.

First was Ephesus, which prophetically is the church in the first century after the apostles were dead and not available to settle disputes. All that was available to this church age is the writings of the apostles. Jesus praises this church age for it's patience and labour. He tells them he knows that they hate evil and that they have tried them that say they are apostles and are not. It is during this time that the canon of the New Testament itself is laid down and accepted. "Nevertheless, I (Jesus) have somewhat against you, because you have left your first love." They must have forgotten why they were laboring and for whom they patiently waited.

Next mentioned is the church of Smyrna, which prophetically is the church during the age of persecution in the 1st to the 4th century. To this church Jesus says; "Fear not of those things which you shall suffer; behold the devil shall cast some of you into prision, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days; be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life."

The third church to be addressed is Pergamos, which prophetically is the church of worldly compromise during the 4th and 5th centuries. It was the church age that witnessed Christianity becoming the state religion under the Roman Emperor Constantine. To this church Jesus says, "I know your works and where you dwell, even where Satan's seat is; and you hold fast my name and have not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwells." Jesus then went on to say he had a few things against them..."they held to the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacraficed to idols and to commit fornication." This is the beginning of apostacy and compromise with the world.

Fourth to be addressed is Thyatira. The corrupt church of the 6th-15th centuries. He says to them..."because you suffer that woman Jezebel, which calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols." This by far is one of the most scathing rebukes of the seven letters and winds up with, " 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." The worldly church gains power over mens lives but looses the key to eternal life. It is the period of the Inquisition and the martyrdom of many.

Next is Sardis, the church that is DEAD. Prophetically this is the church in the 16th and 17th centuries. Listen what the LORD has to say: "Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard, and hold fast and repent." This is the age of reason and enlightenment according to man's history books, according to the LORD it is a time of deadness and need of repentance. It is also the time of the reformers, but their work is not found perfect before God.

Next is Philedelphia, here is the faithful church all down through the ages and many believe the remnant church of the last days, those who 'have a little strength, and have kept my word and have not denied my name'. Noteworthy is this promise made to them..."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." Many teach today that the church will endure the 'time of Jacob's Trouble', the Great Tribulation. This is the key verse that tells me we will not endure the wrath of God upon this rebellious world.

Lastly we hear what the LORD has to say to the church of Laodicea, "I know your works, that you are neither hot nor cold; I would you were cold or hot. So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot I will vomit you out of my mouth. Because you say you are 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 you to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness does not appear; and anoint your eyes with salve, that you may see." It is very interesting that Laodecia in ancient days was a city that was known for it's eye salve...and medicinal ointments. But prophetically, this church is the lukewarm, compromising churches of today who claim all the promises but do not know that they are blind and naked spiritually.

We are in the last days. I hope you will seek out the Lord Jesus and repent so you may know your name is written in the book of life!