The Book of Revelation mentions about seven letters to seven revelation churches. Every letter Jesus declared and recorded by the apostle John declared victory and defeat in accepting the church and warned every congregation to repent. The suggestions in these letters are prophetic, warning that Christian traps today will lure us out of faith.
The seven revelation churches are:
- Ephesus: The church that had abandoned its first love for Christ (Revelation 2:4).
- Smyrna: The church that would face severe persecution (Revelation 2:10).
- Pergamum: The church that needed to repent of sin (Revelation 2:16).
- Thyatira: The church whose false prophetess was leading people astray (Revelation 2:20).
- Sardis: The sleeping church that needed to wake up (Revelation 3:2).
- Philadelphia: The church that had patiently persevered (Revelation 3:10).
- Laodicea: The church with lukewarm faith (Revelation 3:16).
When the apostle John wrote the last book of the Bible around 95 AD, the seven revelation churches were all true congregations, but many scholars believe that these passages have a second hidden meaning.
Where the seven revelation churches were and what do they signify?
Ephesus
Ephesus is a well-known business and cultural center in Asia. Christ’s letter to the church at Ephesus praised the congregation’s “deeds…strive…fortitude” and rejected the false apostles (Revelation 2:2-3).
Despite hard work and doctrinal integrity, Christ still blamed the community for “giving up their original love” (Revelation 2:4).
This “abandoned love” may mean that the Ephesians are no longer so focused on Christ, or that the work they do is no longer out of love for each other.
The letter to the church at Ephesus does give the community hope if they repent and rekindle their love for the Christian life (Revelation 2:5-7).
Significance of Ephesus
The lesson in the letter to Ephesus teaches that truth and love must go hand in hand. A church that expresses love at the cost of doctrine purity is as flawed as a church that maintains congregation harmony at the expense of true doctrine. Instead, Jesus revealed that a church built in his image must teach God the truth in love.
Smyrna
Smyrna is home to a large Jewish community hostile to Christians. The Bible points out that Jewish accusations of defamation against Christians led to the persecution of Christians by the Roman authorities (Acts 14:2, 19: Acts 17:13).
Christ’s revelation to Smyrna praised the community’s material poverty and spiritual wealth and admitted that he had suffered improper persecution (Revelation 2:9). (Revelation Church)
Christ did not condemn the church but warned that some members of the church were about to be imprisoned, urging them to “faithfully do it or even die”, and bearing in mind the promise of “the crown of the victors” (Revelation 2:10).
Significance of Smyrna
Just like the church in Smyrna, Christians are clearly and insidiously persecuted worldwide. This letter warns all Christians that although we may suffer great suffering, the period of suffering will be shorter compared to the eternal promise.
Pergamum
The city of Pergamum is famous for its pagan customs. Although the city was widely influenced by pagans, the letter to the local church praised the church’s faith (Revelation 2:13).
The letter then condemned some members of the church because they followed the wrong doctrine that led to a compromise between religion and morality (Revelation 2:14-15) to resolve the sins of the church. (Revelation Church)
God calls on the community to repent or risk the judgment from “[his] sword in his mouth” (Revelation 2:16).
Those who repent will receive “hidden nectar”, which is the bread of heaven (Psalm 78:24), and “white stones” or clean slate with a new identity in Christ (Revelation 2:17).
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Significance of Pergamum
Just like the Christians in Pergamum, it is easy to normalize the non-Christian behavior of those around us and allow this behavior to dilute our values (1 Corinthians 15:33).
But the Bible urges us to “not follow the pattern of this world”, but to change through the renewal of our thoughts according to the Word of God (Romans 12:2).
Thyatira
Thyatira is a wealthy business city. Jesus’ letter to Thyatira praised the growth of the church in faith and service (Revelation 2:19).
The collapse of the church was due to its love of a false prophet, which caused some members to commit idolatry and unethical behavior (Revelation 2:20).
Although the false prophet still repents, Jesus stated that he can repent of the congregation by staying away from the prophet (Revelation 2:21-22).
The Lord reminds us of this revelation that He will repay each of us according to our actions (Revelation 2:23). (Revelation Church)
The retribution of sin is death. However, those who adhere to the faith will gain the Messianic authority of Christ in various countries of the world and defeat death (Revelation 2:26-28).
Those who repent will receive “hidden nectar”, which is the bread of heaven (Psalm 78:24), and “white stones” or clean slate with a new identity in Christ (Revelation 2:17).
Significance of Thyatira
Just as some people in the church of Thyatira were led astray by false prophets, today’s Christians have also fallen victim to cult leaders, mysterious practices, and other false doctrines.
To share the victory of Christ, we must avoid these “deep secrets” of Satan (Revelation 2:24) and resolutely obey the teachings of Christ.
Sardis
Sardis is a city that has suffered two raids despite being fortified. Our Lord blamed Sardis’s church for keeping “alive” in appearance but dying spiritually (Revelation 3:1).
Jesus hinted that the city had a history of surprise attacks. He warned the congregation to “wake up” and repent, lest he “come like a thief” to give him judgment (Revelation 3:2-3).
Those who repent will receive “hidden nectar”, which is the bread of heaven (Psalm 78:24), and “white stones” or clean slate with a new identity in Christ (Revelation 2:17). (Revelation Church)
Those of the Sardis tribe who follow the warnings of Christ will “wear white,” a symbol of purity and victory, and will be recognized in the book of life in heaven (Revelation 3:5).
Significance of Sardis
Nowadays, if we only practice our faith and don’t feed our spirits, Christians may fall into the traps that plague Sardis Church. By studying the Bible, praying and fellowship to believe, we can avoid becoming “living dead”.
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is home to a synagogue community that is hostile to Christians. Christ praised the Philadelphians despite their limited strength, but they remained loyal to God in the face of trials (Revelation 3:8).
Jesus did not blame this congregation but condemned his persecutors. (Revelation 3:9).
Christ promised that if his fellow citizens in Philadelphia remained loyal to him, he would protect them from “tribulation” and make them pillars of God’s temple (Revelation 3:10-12).
Significance of Philadelphia
The message conveyed to Philadelphia shows us the blessings of our faith despite the suffering. Those who persevere despite their weaknesses will have a firm foothold in the kingdom of heaven.
Laodicea
Laodicea is a prosperous industrial and commercial center. Jesus’ letter to this church immediately took a lot of time to condemn the congregation because their lukewarm faith threatened to “spit out” the congregation from his mouth (Revelation 3:16).
Christ accused the church of allowing its economic prosperity to lead to its spiritual bankruptcy and showed that despite economic wealth, only he can provide spiritual wealth (Revelation 3:17-18). (Revelation Church)
Those in the Laodicean church who opens the door of Christ will attend his heavenly banquet and have the right to sit with him on the throne (Revelation 3:20-21).
Significance of Laodicea
Just like Laodicea’s church, it is easy to feel complacent about our faith during the period of prosperity. In this revelation, Christ warns us that he will “spit out” the lukewarm disciples.
On the contrary, Jesus urges us to continue to seek the face of the Lord, even if his hands have given us rich wealth in life.
What are the warnings applied to Modern churches?
Even if John wrote these warnings nearly 2,000 years ago, they still apply to the Christian church today. Christ is still the head of the church all over the world, supervising it with love.
Many modern Christian churches have deviated from biblical truths, such as those that teach prosperity or do not believe in the Trinity.
Others became lukewarm, and their members just moved on the bill without being passionate about God. Many churches in Asia and the Middle East face persecution.
“Progressive” churches are becoming more popular, and their theology is based more on current culture than on solid doctrines in the Bible. (Revelation Church)
Numerous denominations prove that thousands of churches are built on the stubbornness of their leaders.
Although the letters in these Revelations are not as predictive as the rest of the book, they warn the wandering churches today that discipline will fall on those who do not repent.
What is the piece of advice to individual Christian believers?
Just as the Old Testament judgment of the nation of Israel was a metaphor for the relationship between the individual and God, the warnings in Revelation also speak to everyone who follows Christ today. These letters serve as a measure of the loyalty of each believer.
Nicolas is gone, but pornography on the Internet has lured millions of Christians. The false prophets of Thyatira were replaced by TV preachers who avoided talking about Christ’s death because of sin. Countless believers have changed from love for Jesus to worship of idol property. (Revelation Church)
As in ancient times, an endorsement is still a danger to those who believe in Jesus Christ, but these text messages read to the seven churches of the Apocalypse are only a serious reminder. In a tempting society, they brought Christians back to the first commandment. Only the true God is worthy of our worship.
Conclusion
These 7 revelation churches may be chosen to receive Christ’s end-of-the-world information because geographically, these churches were built along an established circular trade route that brings together the most populous and most influential areas in the province.
Once an inspiring message is sent to the churches in these famous cities, the message will spread to Christian communities in other parts of the province.
Although the seven letters in the Apocalypse are tailor-made for named churches, these churches and their stated defects can symbolize all churches in one way or another.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Where are the 7 churches in Revelation located today?
The Seven Churches of Revelation, also known as the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse and the Seven Churches of Asia, are seven major churches of Early Christianity, as mentioned in the New Testament Book of Revelation. All of them are located in the Asia Minor, present-day Turkey.
What does the Bible say about the Church of Laodicea?
The Laodicean Church in the Revelation of John (Revelation 3:14–22) In John’s vision, recorded in the book of Revelation, Christ instructs John to write a message to the seven churches of Asia Minor. The message to Laodicea is one of judgment with a call to repentance.
Who are the 7 angels in Revelation?
Seven angels or archangels in revelation are given as related to the seven days of the week: Michael (Sunday), Gabriel (Monday), Raphael (Tuesday), Uriel (Wednesday), Selaphiel (Thursday), Raguel or Jegudiel (Friday), and Barachiel (Saturday).
Why does Turkey have seven churches?
Turkey has seven churches as the Seven Churches of Revelation are ancient churches that St John wrote about in the Bible. Each church received a letter calling them to repent for their sins and correct their current course. When the letters to the churches were sent, there were active Christian communities in each of the towns.
Who wrote Revelation?
The Book of Revelation was written sometime around 96 CE in Asia Minor. The author was probably a Christian from Ephesus known as “John the Elder.” According to the Book, this John was on the island of Patmos, not far from the coast of Asia Minor, “because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus”.