In the Book of Revelation, Jesus sent a message to seven churches that were located in the western part of Asia Minor, directly south of the Black Sea. The word "church" is translated from the Greek word "ekklesia" which means the people of God, the whole collective body of Born-Again Christians found everywhere on the Earth throughout history.
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A. The Seven Churches
Ephesus
1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 "'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans*, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.' (Revelation 2:1-7 ESV)
*(The Nicolaitans were Gnostics who wanted to blend Christianity with many pagan practices such as sexual immorality)
Ephesus was a magnificent and influential capital city of Asia Minor on the Aegean Sea. It was the fourth largest city of the Roman Empire in the first Century and was the center of trade and the seat of its government, learning, art, wealth, and religion. The amphitheater could hold up to twenty-five thousand people. It was the home to the Temple of Artemis (aka Diana), and considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Artemis was the goddess of fertility who was believed to control the reproduction of humans, animals, and crops. The city was also known throughout the ancient world for its temple prostitutes and hedonistic celebrations.
On the Apostle Paul's third missionary journey [Acts 18:23], he chose to live there for two to three years. He helped turn the whole province to Jesus [Acts 19:8-12] and he was used by the Holy Spirit to heal the sick and cast out demons, even with "handkerchiefs and aprons" (Acts 19:19).
The Apostle Paul taught daily and debated the great doctrines of the many beliefs found there until "all Asia" had heard the truth of Jesus. He wrote his first letter to the Corinthians (57 A.D.+-) there and then a letter directly to the Ephesians (62 A.D.+-).
The church at Ephesus had Paul as its founder and Timothy as its first pastor, who ultimately died a victim of mob violence for his protests against the annual festival of Artemis [1 Timothy 1:3]. In 69 A.D., John the beloved was the Pastor from 69 A.D. until he was exiled to the prison island of Patmos (95+- A.D.), then was released and traveled to various churches until died a natural death (98 A.D. +-).
Ephesus remained the most important city in Asia. However, in 263 A.D., it was attacked by a group of mercenaries who sacked and nearly destroyed it. Constantine rebuilt it during the 5th and 6th centuries.
The city was attacked again in the year 655 A.D., as well as in 700 and 716 A.D.. It was fully conquered in 1090 A.D, and the inhabitants were either slaughtered or carried away into captivity. Christians took it back in 1100 A.D. and changed the name of the town to Hagios Theologos, and kept control of the region until 1308 A.D. At that point, it became merely a small village called Ayasalouk.
Ultimately the great city of Ephesus literally vanished from the earth, gone with the wind. Today, the area where it once was is now a place of desolation without an inhabitant.
Smyrna
8 "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: 'The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. 9 " 'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.' (Revelation 2:8-11 ESV)
Smyrna is located about 40 miles north of Ephesus on the Aegean Sea at the head of a beautiful bay in the thriving Aegean seaport city called Izmir, which was considered the most beautiful city in Asia. Near the sea-shore there stood a magnificent temple of Cybelé whose head decorated the coins of the city. It was known for its harbors, commerce, marketplaces, and celebrated for its library, sacred festivals and games.
There are no historical accounts as to how and when Christianity was introduced there. It can be reasonably argued that the church was founded during Paul's stay at Ephesus. It was a persecuted church that suffered poverty and martyrdom (Revelation 2:8-11).
The early church father Polycarp was the bishop of Smyrna and a disciple of the Apostle John. At the age of eighty-six, he was burned at the stake for refusing to renounce his faith in Jesus. Some of Polycarp's last words were, "For eighty-six years I have been his servant, and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?" (Wilson, p. 311).
In the years A.D. 178-180, a succession of earthquakes decimated the city almost to ruins, but it was restored by the emperor M. Antoninus. In the successive wars throughout the years, marauding armies frequently attacked, but it always recovered until 1424 A.D. when it was fully conquered and the Christian community was destroyed.
The closest city to it was Izmir, which is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities of the world and is home to more than 2.5 million people today. It was originally founded by Alexander the Great and is claimed as the birthplace of Homer, who was worshipped as a hero in a magnificent building called the Homereum. In 1424 A.D.
Pergamos (aka Pergamum)
12 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: 'The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. 13 "'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.' (Revelation 2:12-17 ESV)
Pergamos lies 40 miles directly north of Smyrna, located on the plains and foothills along the Caicus River. It was settled and named by the Aeolian Greeks after the fall of Troy. It was not a commercial town, such as Ephesus, but was considered a major city in Asia Minor and political capital of Asia as well as the center of state religion and paganism.
It was a very cultured and opulent city that was adorned with magnificent residences, temples, and groves. It had a library which rivaled that found at Alexandria, a great medical school, and was famous for the religious rites that were celebrated in honor of Asclepius, the Greek-Roman god of healing and medicine, as well as Serapis, the Egyptian god of the underworld, in the worship complex known as the Aesclepium and Serapeum. Jesus called it "satan's throne" because of its decadence and sensuality (Revelation 2:13).
In the 3rd century A.D., an earthquake severely damaged the city, and it was also sacked by marauding mercenaries. No significant building was ever built again.
Thyatira
18 "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: 'The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19 " 'I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. 20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, 23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. 24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. 25 Only hold fast what you have until I come. 26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, 27 and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.' (Revelation 2:18-29 ESV)
Thyatira was a wealthy town on the river Lycus in western Asia Minor, about 50 miles inland from the Aegean Sea and about 35 miles from Pergamos. It was small in size and built on flat ground without natural defenses, making it vulnerable to attack. The town was an important center of manufacturing. It was the home of many skilled craftsmen; linen weavers, garment makers, rope-makers, bronze workers, potters, tanners, bakers, dyers of cloth and was known for its purple dye (see Lydia - Acts 16).
The church was mostly void of persecution, and the Christians could worship freely. The only major threat to them may have been the trading guild that incorporated pagan practices into their business dealings. Members of the guild were expected to participate.
Just outside of the city, there was a pagan shrine of the Sambathe, a witch and seer who could glean knowledge from the god(s), and pass it along to those seeking divine knowledge. Sambathe was similar to Canaanite god Baal.
In 366 A.D., there was a battle pitting Roman soldiers against each other, and the Roman emperor Valens defeated the Roman usurper Procopius. However, the city was left unscathed and remained home to a Christian community until 1922, when the Christian population was deported. Today, it is known as Akhisar.
Sardis
1 "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: 'The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. "'I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. 4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.' (Revelation 3:1-6 ESV)
Sardis was located at the foot of Mount Tmolus, on the banks of the Pactolus River famous for its golden sands, in western Asia Minor, 60 miles inland from Ephesus and Smyrna. It was the capital of the Lydian empire in 549 B.C. and then again in 295 A.D. It was also one of the wealthiest and influential Roman cities noted for its fruits and wool. Its wealth was also partly due to the gold which was found in the sand of the river Pactolus.
Sardis was the home to gymnasiums, bathhouse complexes, and multiple pagan temples, such as the temple to Cybele (a god who resembled Diana of Ephesus) that was started during the time of Alexander the Great, near the fourth century B.C.
Throughout the centuries, Sardis was rebuilt multiple times after devastating earthquakes. The temple to Cybele was still unfinished by the Fourth Century A.D. After it was rebuilt in 17 A.D., it obtained considerable distinction under the Romans during the reign of Tiberius (14-37 A.D.). In 1402 Sardis was destroyed, and its people were annihilated. It was never rebuilt and does not exist today.
Philadelphia
7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: 'The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. 8 " 'I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. 11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. 12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.' (Revelation 3:7-13 ESV)
Philadelphia was located somewhere between 20 to 80 miles southeast of Sardis on the Cogamis River. It was established in 189 B.C. by King Eumenes II who named the city for the love of his brother, who would be his successor, Attalus II (159–138 B.C.), and whose loyalty earned him the nickname, "Philadelphos." It was known for its variety of pagan temples and worship centers.
The city was nearly destroyed when the same earthquake that destroyed Sardis in 17 A.D., hit the area. Emperor Tiberius, in lieu of the damages, allowed Philadelphia to be free of taxation. Various other emperors aided the area, such as Caligula (ruled 37 to 41 A.D.), Vespasian (ruled 69 to 79 A.D.), and Caracalla (ruled 188 to 217 A.D.).
The people who made up the church were very poor and heavily taxed for public purposes. They mostly lived on the outskirts of the city. It remained a prosperous city until the eleventh Century, when it was captured by an invading Army and then retaken by Eastern Roman Emperor Alexius I. It continued as a prize among the warring forces until finally overtaken in 1338 A.D.. There is no trace of the ancient city of Philadelphia today. The modern city of Alasehir stands on top of the site.
Laodicea
14 "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation. 15 " 'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'" (Revelation 3:14-22 ESV)
Laodicea was located around 50 miles southeast of Philadelphia in the Lycus River Valley of western Asia Minor, near the influential, ancient cities of Hierapolis and Colossae. Before the city was named Laodicea, it was called "Diopolis," the "city of Zeus." It was a place of considerable size, trade, and wealth with theaters and pagan temples. It was on the primary trade route between the cultures of the West and East and became a commercial and banking center. It was known for eye and ear medicine and for its black wool. Laodicea was known as a primary hub for the Roman aqueduct system. The water was tepid and unpleasant, but nearby Hierapolis gushed hot thermal springs.
Laodicea became a Christian city of eminence and a meeting-place of church councils under the Romans and Muslim rule. There was a devastating earthquake in 600 A.D., and most citizens of Laodicea resettled into the modern-day Denizli, a city of over 500k people. In the eleventh Century, the city died out after invaders came through and utterly destroyed it. It now a place of desolation.
What is the Significance of the Seven Churches?
There is the belief that the seven churches have spiritual significance today as they were types of churches (and individual Christians) that would surface time and again throughout history. However, the message given to John by Jesus was specifically for the seven physical churches of Asia Minor that were organized into distinct congregations in the seven towns/cities, into separate and independent assemblies.
The Bible tells us that the spiritual "Church" is one body in Christ. The original order of an individual church, as the Apostles founded it, was congregational. Each congregation of Believers had a clearly defined need for improvement and Jesus gave a specific promise to those who overcome.
Other churches existed at the time of John's vision besides the seven churches of Asia Minor such as at Antioch, Alexandria, Colossae, Corinth, Rome, and elsewhere. So, why did Jesus address the letters to only seven of them?
There are numerous works written by early church leaders and teachers since before 300 A.D. that believed the seven churches of Asia Minor represented the entire fullness of the Church of all time in their names, in all their strengths and weaknesses, as well as in their relationship with Jesus as it then existed, or was to exist.
There were more churches in existence at the time the book of Revelation was written, but Jesus chose to address only seven of them. Seven is the number of completeness and could designate the whole Christian body, of all times and all places.
The entire book of Revelation is a book of sevens and is considered the book of the complete fullness of everything and consummation of all divine dispensations. It consists of seven visions, with the sevenfold ascription of glory to God and to the Lamb, and discloses the seven Spirits of God, seven candlesticks, seven stars, seven lamps of fire, seven seals, seven horns and seven eyes of the Lamb, seven angels with seven trumpets, seven thunders, seven heads of the beast and seven crowns upon those heads, the seven plagues, seven vials, seven mountains, and seven regencies.
Jesus admonished the churches seven times in intense urgency that is universal in scope: "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches" (Revelation 2:17, 3:6; see also Matthew 11:15; Mark 4:9). The entire book is filled with special promises of blessing to those that read and keep it.
Some believe that the churches also represent seven phases or periods in history, stretching from the time of the first Century to the final coming again of Christ. Others believe that they represent seven varieties of Christians of Christians, both true and false and that the Church universal is made up of the characteristics of each of them in nearly every congregation. Each admonition embraces seven distinct parts that show there is a completeness and fullness about the whole.
B. Where are the Seven Churches Today?
The churches of the first Century had no buildings that were dedicated to worship, nor did they build churches. They met in homes, caves, on the street, in marketplaces, and in schools. They met everywhere, and for over 300 years they grew and thrived in zealous, evangelistic missionary outreach, even during great persecution.
Then, in 313 A.D., the Roman Emperor Constantine decriminalized Christianity, and it became his favored religion. He ordered pagan temples to be 'dedicated' to Christ and had them 'baptized,' along with the pagan images and idols, and then renamed them. The god Aphrodite was renamed Mary, the god Osiris was renamed Joseph, and the god Demeter was renamed, Peter.
Under Constantine, the ministry position of "pastor' was changed to 'priest.' The name used for the "Church" in the Bible was changed from "ekklesia" to "kuriakos, kuriakos, kurkos, kurk," which means a lordly house or building which became the 'state' church.
In 570 A.D., a man named Muhammad bin Abdullah was born. He worked for a rich widow named Khadija and married her. In 1610 A.D. he came to her and said, "The angel Gabriel has appeared unto me," then he described it, "with a silken scroll." He then told her, "The angel Gabriel came and holding the scroll said,' Read in the name of the Lord God who made man from a drop, read.'" At that moment the religion of Islam was born.
Mohammad began telling his family and fellow polytheistic tribesmen who lived in Mecca about his experience, and that he was called to become Allah's chosen messenger and proclaim the message of submission. Whoever obeyed the message became a Muslim (one who submits). After 12 years of preaching that message, he had only about 100 converts who were mostly relatives. The Mecca tribesmen let him preach his message until 622 A.D. when they forced him to leave. He settled in Medina, and from there, he began to launch warring raids everywhere to proclaim his message.
He came up with a new strategy to gain converts and told his followers to fight non-Muslims until they recited the
Shahada, which became Islam's first pillar of faith. To live, all a person has to do is say "there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the prophet of Allah" and if they did, "then their blood (lives) and possessions are denied you." Those who have yet to recite the Shahada are considered infidels. It is considered a noble and holy endeavor, known as "Jihad," to annihilate and destroy those who refuse to recite the Shahada.
Muhammad said to those willing to "battle in the path of Allah" that they are guaranteed the spoils of war, plunder, and slaves (including concubines). If they die during Jihad, their rewards will be even greater, including being forgiven of any sin committed in their life and guaranteed entry into Paradise (aka Heaven), as well as 72 "Houris" who are supernatural, sultry, and voluptuous celestial virgin women that Allah created for the express purpose of the sexual gratification of his warriors throughout all of eternity, and would miraculously return to being a virgin after each sexual encounter (See Surah 78:31).
By 630 A.D., Muhammad's army began to grow exponentially, and they aggressively plundered cities all around them and beyond. Muhammad died in 632 A.D. at the age of 62, but the Jihad continued, and just 25 short years later the army of Islam had conquered Egypt, overrun Palestine and Jerusalem, conquered all of Syria, Mesopotamia, Iraq, Persia, and then turned northward into the great central areas of Asia called Turkistan. In 1009 the order was given by Hakim Bi-Amr Allah to begin another Jihad and over 30,000 churches were attacked and destroyed across Egypt and greater Syria.
The Muslim armies often paid mercenaries to fight for them. A Celtic race of mercenaries, known as the Gauls, fought for them in the destruction of Pergamos. Another group of mercenaries hired by the Muslims was Germanic tribesmen, known as the Goths. They sacked the city of Ephesus in 1090 A.D. and nearly destroyed it. In 1096, the first Crusade began in response and were victorious for 44 years until Islam recovered their losses and began defensive Jihad. By 1299 A.D. Islam had conquered the Middle East.
A Mongolian warrior named Timur (Persian name for Tamerlane) was a skilled and cruel military tactician. Around 1395 A.D. he became a Muslim and was the most powerful ruler of the 14th Century. Once, after a visit to the city of Baghdad around 1400 A.D, the leader of the city insulted him, and in 1401 A.D he returned with a huge army who decimated the city and built 120 towers across it that was made of 90,000 severed heads. In late 1402 A.D, his forces seized Sardis, sacked it, and made an enormous pyramid of the heads of the decapitated Christians there. In 1424 A.D Smyrna was totally destroyed by him. He never lost a battle. His armies killed over 17 million people.
In fifty more years, Muslims had overrun all of North Africa and Spain. By 1453 A.D the Christian Byzantine Empire was fully overthrown. Those who carried out the continuous Jihad wars throughout history were also known as the Moors, Ottomans, Persians, Tartars, Arabs, Turks, and Islamic Jihadists.
Jihadists also deprived Spain and England of access to the Black Sea and cut off their land route to India. In 1492 A.D., King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel financed Christopher Columbus to find a new route to India and America was discovered in.
In 1801-1805 the United States fought against Islamic Jihadists in what is known as the Barbary Powers Wars (aka the Tripolitanian War and the Barbary Coast War). In 1923, after World War I, the United States helped create the Turkish Republic and the Grand National Assembly of Turkey constitutionally abolished the institution of the caliphate in March of 1924. In 2001 Islamic Jihadists attacked the USA and caused the death of over 3,000 people. They remain a threat throughout history.
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Throughout history Islamic Jihad has been carried out against Christianity and those Christians living through it believed they were in the Great Tribulation as tens of thousands of churches were attacked and destroyed. The seven churches ultimately disappeared from the Earth and the areas where they existed are no longer considered as 'Christian.' However, during the late 20th Century, the archaeological remains of all seven locations were discovered in present-day Turkey.
It must be noted that the fundamental reason the churches of Asia Minor do not exist today is that countless Born-Again Christians throughout history refused to bow down to the god of Mohammad by reciting the "Shahada" and renounce their faith in Jesus and, instead willingly chose to experience a horrible death. It is overwhelmingly clear that their transformation from becoming Born-Again was so utterly profound and life changing that nothing could shake their faith in Jesus because they did not fear death.
In the Quran, the holy book of Islam, Allah demands war against unbelievers and especially against Jews and Christians (Qur'an 2:216; Surah 5:34; 9:5, 29, 73, 47:4; 123-124, 191). Many believe that Islam remains the greatest threat to the world today.
There is an emerging contingent of those who believe that the Antichrist mentioned in the Bible may well be the Mahdi spoken of in Islam because he fulfills all the characteristics and actions of the biblical Antichrist (aka the Assyrian - see Revelation 13:1-10; Micah 5:5; Qur’an 27:82).
There is also a growing belief that the "false Prophet" will be the 'Isa' of Islam, and the final world empire will actually be the "Beast" which is the one who fills the office of the Caliph (Mahdi?) after a Caliphate comprised of 10 Islamic nations will be re-established (see Daniel 7:11; Revelation 17:9-11; 19:20; Qur’an 27:82).
The mark of the Beast (aka Bismillah) in Islam is a line drawn on the forehead and must also be worn on the right arm/hand of every Muslim at Judgment, and is what distinguishes them from non-believers (Tirmuthi 2369). Islam is not just a religion but a system of government (Sharia law and commerce).
These beliefs may all end up being just speculation, but they are something to be soberly studied and researched in light of current world events.
To briefly summarize, the primary difference between the god of Islam and the God of Christianity is the god of Islam requires the sons of his followers to be sent to die to prove their love for him, and in Christianity, God sent His Son to die to prove His love for them.
C. Lessons Learned from the Seven Churches
Each of the churches had a clearly defined need for improvement, and Jesus gave a specific promise to those who overcome.
To the church in Ephesus, He commended them for their hard work and moral integrity - but Jesus pointed out a visible defect. He told them, "You have forsaken your first love" (Revelation 2:4 NIV). Their need was a deeper love relationship with Jesus, and He promised them that, if they overcome, they will eat from the tree of life.
The church in Smyrna was poor and afflicted, slandered, attacked by the enemy, and suffering unbelievable persecution. Their faith was being severely tested. Yet, in spite of their outward appearance of poverty and blessings, Jesus said they were rich. He told them that if they remain faithful, they would not be hurt in the second death (See Revelation 2:8-11).
The church in Pergamos lived "where satan has his throne." Jesus commends them for their uncompromising strong, and steady witness (See Revelation 2:13). Yet, He rebuked them for being nearsighted and condoning heresy that could lead them into idolatry and immorality. Jesus said they needed sound doctrine and moral purity and promised if they overcame, they would eat the hidden manna found in heaven (See Revelation 2:12-17).
The church in Thyatira was commended by Jesus for their faith, love, service, and perseverance in which they continued to grow (See Revelation 2:19). However, they allowed ego-driven and unsubmitted leadership - that was crafty and corrupt - in everything they did. They exerted unhealthy influence over others and taught unsound doctrine, which promoted immorality (See Revelation 2:20-23).
Jesus warned them that He is the one who searches every person's heart and will repay them according to their own deeds (See Revelation 2:23). They needed personal accountability, and He promised if they overcame, they would have authority over all the nations (See Revelation 2:18-29).
The church in Sardis was commended for having a few members "who have not soiled their garments with evil deeds." The church was full of hypocrisy. They had a reputation of "being alive," but they were actually "dead." Their need was to go back to the basics of what they had learned at the beginning of their faith and begin walking in integrity. Jesus promised them if they overcame that their names would remain in the Book of Life because "No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God" (Ephesians 1:4; 1 John 3:9, 5:4-5; Revelation 3:1-6; 13:8).
The church in Philadelphia was a church that had been weakened under the pressure of daily persecution, yet they remained faithful to the Scriptures and avoided temptation. Their need was to continue patient endurance relying on Jesus as their only source of life no matter how weak they may feel. Jesus promised if they overcame, He would give them a new name (See Revelation 3:7-13).
The church in Laodicea was located among the rich and famous. It was known worldwide for its medical expertise. It was a wealthy church comfortably content with what they had and indifferent to the things of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said He wished that they were either hot or cold. But they were "like lukewarm water"… "wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked."
Jesus rebuked their self-righteousness and demanded that they turn from the outward appearance of spirituality and turn inwards to the heart: "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20 NIV). He promised if they overcame that, they would sit with Him on His throne (See Revelation 3:14-22). Jesus told them that He would be "Anointing the eyes with eye salve," which expressed an impartation of spiritual perception to those who needed to understand their condition (Revelation 3:18).
D. The Secret to Overcoming
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory." (Isaiah 6:3 NIV)
Throughout history, Christians have lived and died under persecution, and for them it was the Great Tribulation. In the world today, there are more than 340 million Christians who are actively persecuted. The Bible admonishes every Born-Again Christian three times to "Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness" (1 Chronicles 16:29, Psalm 29:2, 96:6, KJV). All of the promises given to the Churches are contingent on becoming an overcomer through holiness. Sitting on the throne is a reward for the overcomer (Matthew 19:28, 25:31; Hebrews 8:1, 12:2; Revelation 3:21). Born-Again Christians overcome sin, the world, and the enemy, by the "blood of the Lamb," the word of their "testimony," and their willingness to die to self - "and they did not love their life -- unto death" (Revelation 12:11 YLT).
The beauty of holiness begins by becoming a "vessel for honor sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work" (2 Timothy 2:21 NKJV). Holiness requires living a life of daily sacrifice, picking up your cross daily by laying down your life, and esteeming others more highly than yourself.
As seen with each of the seven churches, all of the benefits are significant! Yet there is no promise given that they would avoid persecution and being martyred if they 'worked' harder at being a 'good' Christian. The benefits are wholly based on appropriating the blood of Jesus in your life and through your testimony. The Born-Again Christian proves that Jesus exists and that His promises are true when they are seen loving others more than themselves. Dying to self through holiness and repentance is the most genuine and purest testimony. It also fulfills the Great Commission and changes the world for the good.
Resources and Recommended Reading:
1. 'Icon and Minaret – Sources of Byzantine and Islamic Civilization.' Edited by Charles M. Brand
2. 'The Great Church in Captivity: A Study of the Patriarchate of Constantinople from the Eve of the Turkish Conquest to the Greek War of Independence 'by Steven Runciman
3. 'Islam Encounters Christ' by Nahed Mahmoud Metwalli
4. ‘Sword and Scimitar’ by Raymond Ibrahim
5. 'In the Shadow of the Sword: The Birth of Islam and the Rise of the Global Arab Empire' by Tom Holland
