Revelation: 7 Letters

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that reads and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it: for the time is at hand. 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; 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, And has made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Behold, he comes 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. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, says the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” (1:1-8)

The 7x7 outline of Revelation is bookended by an introduction and an appeal. The first eight verses of chapter one introduce the apostle John, who was banished to the island of Patmos between Greece and Turkey. He shares God’s blessing on those who read “and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” The prophecies are not limited to the distant past or the distant future. It started in John’s time and carries us all the way to Christ’s return and beyond.

[s] “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. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What you see 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. And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and wrapped about the chest with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 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 shines in his strength. 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: I am he that lives and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which you saw are the seven churches.” (1:9-20)

In all the glory of His resurrected immortality, Jesus appears to John and dictates letters to be sent to churches that then existed in Asia Minor. From what we know of those churches, the letters addressed actual conditions at the time. There are many interesting things that can be learned from them. However, we need to maintain focus on the big picture and so we will limit ourselves to a brief overview of each one as it applies to the larger church down through history.

[4u] “Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things say he that holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know your works, and your labor and your patience, and how you can not bear them which are evil: and you have tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and have found them liars: And have borne, and have patience, and for my name’s sake have labored and have not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against you because you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you are fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto you quickly, and will remove your candlestick out of his place, except you repent. But this you have that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” (2:1-7)

The apostolic church started in the power of God poured out at Pentecost. In spite of ridicule, false accusations, and persecution, they preached the gospel to the known world by the end of the first century. It truly was a desirable church.

Yet, even in those early years, selfish influences entered the hearts of the members that gradually turned many away from their first love. Every epistle written by the apostles specified and counteracted these influences. To remain desirable, the church needed to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 1:3)

[4u] “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things say the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know your works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but you are rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which you shall suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days: be you faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches; He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death.” (v8-11)

While persecution raged off and on against the early church it remained relatively pure and true to the apostles’ teachings. No rebuke is written against this suffering church whose sacrifice rose like a sweet smelling savor to God.

One interesting note is that the fiercest and final period of persecution by the Roman emperors lasted ten years from 303 to 313a.d. This may be the point of “you shall have tribulation ten days,” if the day-for-year principle is used.

[4u] “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things say he which has the sharp sword with two edges; 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 in which Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you because you have 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. So have you also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto you quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches; To him that overcomes 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 knows except he that receives it.” (12-17)

Very quickly after the persecution ended, Christianity rose to become the dominant religion of the empire. After centuries of persecution, the emperor’s favor was a difficult temptation to resist. The church was not merely tolerated, but supported and to some extent controlled by the state. Pergamos is commended for having faithful martyrs, but most of the letter is a rebuke and an appeal to return to the simplicity of personal religion. This church is the first condemned for outright disloyalty to God—sacrificing to idols and fornication. Pergamos “elevated” itself for secular popularity.

[4d] “And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things say the Son of God, who has his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; I know your works, and charity, and service, and faith, and your patience, and your works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against you 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 unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 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. 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. But that which you have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcomes and keeps my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 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. And I will give him the morning star. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches.” (2:18-29)

The church of the dark ages was so spiritually backward that their last works were more than their first. Ephesus was counseled to return to its first love and “do the first works” of repentance. Thyatira piled alms upon indulgences upon pilgrimages upon crusades to give itself assurance and approval from God. For money and recited prayers, sinners could commit fornication and avoid true repentance. Religion had become a system of salvation by selfish works and rituals.

Jezebel was the pagan wife of the ancient Israelite king, Ahab. She introduced the idolatrous worship of Baal along with hundreds of false prophets devoted to it. She also killed every prophet of God she could find. This aptly describes the church of the Dark Ages with its inquisitions and that persecuted Bible-believing sects such as the Waldenses and Albigenses. Although they too had lost some biblical doctrines, they were peaceful and did not “know the depths of Satan” like the mainstream church.

[4d] “To the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things say he that has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know your works, that you have a name that you live and are dead. 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. If therefore you shall not watch, I will come on you as a thief, and you shall not know what hour I will come upon you. You have a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcomes 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. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches.” (3:1-6)

In the 1500’s the Reformation restored the authority of God’s Word over the authority of the church leadership. Using Gutenberg’s printing press, the Bible was distributed to many homes in their native tongue. Personal religion and relationship with God sprang to life in a great European revival. However, Protestant pastors soon began following in the footsteps of Catholic priests in seeking to control church and country. It was not enough to teach the people. They also had to regulate every area of religious life, and church membership was often a requirement for government office. Heretics and “witches” were a threat to the church and therefore to the stability of the state. Protestants persecuted protesters. Religion returned to ritual. Those with a living name were spiritually dead.

[4d] “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things say he that is holy, he that is true, he that has the key of David, he that opens and no man shuts and shuts and no man opens. I know your works: behold, I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it: for you have a little strength, and have kept my word, and have not denied my name. 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 your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 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. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which you have that no man take your crown. Him that overcomes 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 comes down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches.” (3:7-13)

No rebuke is written against Philadelphia. Starting about 1800 the Christian church experienced a revival of mission service unlike anything since the days of the apostles. The prophecies took on renewed interest as the doctrine of Christ’s literal return was restored to importance. The gospel was carried to the ends of the earth as Bible societies were established in record numbers.

[4d] “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things say the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot: I would you were cold or hot. So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth. Because you say I am 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 do not appear; and anoint your eyes with eyesalve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 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. To him that overcomes 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. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches.” (3:14-22)

Laodicea is the only church not commended. It is only rebuked and encouraged. It is not hard to see how this letter applies to the modern church. The material wealth of the western world has made the church comfortable and lax. It considers itself both financially and spiritually rich, because the general thinking is that they both go hand in hand.

Yet, the secular person looking at the church at large sees hypocrisy, wretchedness, and blind nakedness. Like the fabled emperor who wore no clothes in the parade, the church boasts of its pure morality but any sincere child can see that the church is no better, and often worse, than the secular world.

Jesus says that He will rebuke and chasten the people He loves. As the Spirit of truth ceases to be heard in the congregations, they are spewed forth from special protection. Natural disasters and other judgments multiply exponentially in an attempt to wake the deluded members and encourage them to be zealous to repent.

The reward is greatest to Laodicea. They are incentivised to buy gold tried in the fire now that they may soon sit with Jesus in His own throne.