part 7: The Seven Churches of Revelation
Puzzled About Revelation, March 25 2021
“The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.”
Introduction
I. Background to the Seven Churches:
Rev. 1:4: John, to the seven churches in the province of Asia…
MAP: These were seven literal, historical churches in the Roman province of Asia Minor (Turkey). Beginning with Ephesus, they are listed in order, going clockwise…
These were important cities for trade, commerce, travel, military outposts, and centers of religious worship to false gods.
CHART: “The Seven Churches of Revelation”
5-fold pattern: Christ, Commendation, Criticism, Instruction, Promise
Call to hear: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Rev. 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22).
Rev. 1:10: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”
“Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches”: John was invited to observe and participate in the unfolding of revelation to mankind by WRITING and SENDING what he SAW to the seven churches (and all the churches).
II. Historical Interpretations of the Seven Churches:
Historicist/Preterist View:
The letters to the 7 churches (and the Book of Revelation as a whole) were fulfilled in the first century AD.
Futurist View:
These are all prophetic of the last days Church during the final Tribulation. While there may prove to be some truth to this view, it does not fit the context of Rev. 1:19.
Chronological or Church Age View:
The seven churches represent seven different time periods of the “Church Age,” from its beginnings in the first century to the 2nd Coming.
These seven “church periods” according to this view are: [1]
1. Ephesus: The Apostolic Church ≈ 30 - 100 A.D.
2. Smyrna: The Martyr Church ≈ 100 - 313 A.D.
3. Pergamos: The Compromising Church ≈ 314 - 590 A.D.
4. Thyatira: The Roman Catholic Church ≈ 590 - 1517 A.D.
5. Sardis: The Reformation Church ≈ 1517-1700 A.D.
6. Philadelphia: The Revival Church ≈ 1700-1900 A.D.
7. Laodicea: The Worldly Church ≈ 1900- Rapture???
This view is popular with some and required for the Pre-Trib rapture to be true (Philadelphia Church). However, this view is unlikely for several reasons:
1. The Bible does not state it, either explicitly or implicitly.
2. Commentators disagree on the precise timing of each period, assigning subjective and arbitrary dates that do not fit neatly with actual history.
3. This is a very pro-Reformation, western-centric view of the Church. None of the seven churches adequately describes the condition of the Church throughout the world at any given time. Different churches struggle with different issues. Some are seeing decline while others are simultaneously experiencing revival.
III. The Interpretive Key to the Seven Churches:
“Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now (history) and what will take place later (prophecy).”
Traditional View: Each church is BOTH historical AND a prophetic type of the spiritual climate that can exist in any church, in any culture, at any time in redemptive history; therefore, their messages are relevant for us today!
In the coming weeks, we will look at:
o Ephesus: The Loveless Church (2:1-7)
o Smyrna: The Persecuted Church (2:8-11)
o Pergamos: The Compromising Church (2:12-17)
o Thyatira: The Corrupt Church (2:18-29)
o Sardis: The Dead Church (3:1-6)
o Philadelphia: The Faithful Church (3:7-13)
o Laodicea: The Lukewarm Church (3:14-22)
IV. The Symbolism of the Seven Churches:
Much of what John saw he described using SYMBOLISM. Symbols (signs) convey truth using images to paint pictures in our minds. Often, Scripture provides the meaning of the symbol, either in the passage itself or from an Old Testament symbol familiar to John’s audience. We must understand the meaning of the symbol and then believe the reality it points to as TRUE.
“And when I turned, I saw seven golden lampstands…”:
o Seven = number of fullness, completeness, or perfection in Scripture. These seven are, therefore, representative of the fullness of the Church, filled with the sevenfold Spirit (1:5; cf. Isa. 11:5).
o Gold = precious, valuable, associated with royalty. The churches are seen as precious to Jesus. Just as gold is refined through fire, so the faith of the churches must be refined through trials, tribulations and persecutions (See 1 Peter 1:3-9).
o Lampstands = the churches (1:20). John likely has the seven-branched Menorah of the Tabernacle/Temple in mind (See Ex. 25:31-40; 37:17-24; Zech. 4). The menorah pictures both the unity of the Church, filled with the Spirit, as well as the individuality of the local body of believers.
“You are the light of the world.” (Matt. 5:14)
“‘Not by might nor by strength but by My Spirit,’ declares the LORD.” (Zech. 4:4)
“and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man”: Where was the one “like a son of man”? AMONG the lampstands! Where is Jesus when His people are facing trials and tribulation? Right there with them in the midst of it! Hallelujah!
Conclusion
How encouraging it is to know how precious the Church and churches are to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! He purchased us with His own blood to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father (1:5-6). He walks among His churches and knows us intimately, encouraging and exhorting us so that we may overcome by faith and inherit the promises.
“He who has ears, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Maranatha!
[1] https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/what-is-the-significance-of-the-seven-churches-in-revelation.html