Revelation

Revelation chapter 2 and 3 discusses the letters to the seven churches which were written by Apostle John.  The letters were important to the life of the churches and still they are relevant in modern churches since John was told by Jesus to write things which he has seen in the vision, the things which are in present and the thing which will appear in future (Barclay, 2001).  The letters had seven sections which included greetings, Jesus description, and the life of the churches, criticisms for churches, warnings, final exhortations and promises (Barclay, 2001).  The following are the seven churches and the advice which Jesus revealed and written by Apostle John.  

Ephesus

 Ephesus was a persevering church and it was given praises as Jesus had known the persecution and suffering which the church members were going through.  Jesus knew the achievements which the church had achieved for his name’s sake and the weaknesses with the church. For Ephesus church, it had a strong faith and they had grown more spiritually despite power from false teachers who was trying to weaken their faith (Barclay, 2001).  However, initially the church had a burning love but they   allowed self-satisfaction to weaken the love of Christ. For this reason, the church was given an advice that they must repent and underpin the love they had before so that they can be considered as God’s church, receive the tree of life and be in God’s paradise (Barclay, 2001).

Smyrna

 This church was persecuted and it suffered from many hardships.  The church was given praises for being spiritual rich despite of enduring tribulations and poverty.  The church refused to worship the emperor and for this reason they had to be persecuted   by Jews who were referred as of Satan (Siders, 2007).  The church was to meet suffering for 10 days and Jesus warned them not to fear and remain faithful during the tribulation period.  Jesus told that if they will conquer the world, they will receive victor’s crown.

Pergamum

Pergamum was also known as the ‘City of the Sword’ also a city with ‘Satan throne’ and a placed where the major religion was paganism. Despite the fact that the city was full of majesty and false religion, the church was praised for being strong in the midst of Satan’s throne and for holding their faith.   Even though they were mocked by being called ‘Christians’, they did not fear the Roman Empire but they trusted in the name of the Lord (Barclay, 2001).  However, the church was condemed for following the false teaching of Balaam and Nicolaitans.   The teachings made the Israelites to commit immorality and to eat unclean food.   Church members also violated the Christ’ freedom and engaged themselves in idolatry and immorality. For that reason, they were given an advice that they must repent from pagan practices and false regions.  Repentance was the key issue so that God can fight for them (Barclay, 2001).

Thyatira

This was a faithful and a persevering church and its spiritual status was commendable. The city was well known as a trade center and to enter in the local economy, trade guilds membership which supported idolatrous festival was to be taken (Barclay, 2001).  Despite all these, the church had a strong faith,   persevered hardships, offered God’s services and showed love to each other.  They improved their spiritual condition and overcame the weaknesses.  However, the church was condemned by following the false teaching of Jezebel (false prophetess) which led people into sexual immorality and eating unclean food (Barclay, 2001).   Jesus gave an advice to those who did not follow the false teachings and they were told to stand still until Jesus comes.  Those who heard the teachings were advised to repent from adultery and follow the sound doctrine.

Sardis

 Sardis church in other words was known as the ‘dead’ church   because initially it was seen like it was alive and spiritually vibrant but in real senses the church was spiritual lifeless and denied God’s power.   In outward appearance it looked like a Christian church but inwardly it was unclear (Barclay, 2001).  However, some people had   not defiled themselves and Jesus praised them for their strong faith in Christ. On the other hand, the church was condemned for having a fake reputation.  They were given   an advice that they must wake up, repent, seek the God’s power, take action, obey, be strong and do the right things in the sight of God (Barclay, 2001).

Philadelphia

 The Philadelphia city was known as the ‘City of the Door’ and in 17 A.D, the city cracked from earthquake.  This made a large number of people to move out the city as they feared another tragedy.   The people lived a poor life because of lack of wealth but God promised the city that he will open a door for them and no one will shut (Siders, 2007).  Despite the fact that the church lacked financial, political and social support, it was praised for having a strong faith in Christ, believing in Lord’s name and keeping the God’s word.  The church was advised to maintain the faith, spread the gospel, love each other and they will become victorious (Siders, 2007).  .

Laodicea

Laodicea church was also known as the complacent church; a church which was spiritually arrogant and had self-satisfaction.  This church was not recommended but rather it was defined as a church which was neither hot nor cold.  In outward appearance, the church believed that it was rich but in real sense it was poor spiritually (Siders, 2007).  The church had no purpose because it was blind, poor, pitiful and naked. The church was advised to take actions and buy wealth such as gold and clothing from Christ.  They must repent and leave the world pleasure (Siders, 2007).  .

 

There are many great lessons that today’s churches can learn from the seven letters.  The letters can help the modern churches to understand the God’s message and the life of Christians. First churches today should learn that they should be persevering and they should not forsake the Christ’s love (Gunter, 2011).  For example, the Ephesus church remained firm despite the trials and rejected the false teaching. However, they followed the world pleasures in ancient city and weakened their faith.  The letter reminds the church that, they should not abandon   the love of God but they should put God’s love first.  In addition, Jesus warned the church of Smyrna to persevere in tough times.  Jesus told them that a time of suffering will come but they should remain faithful until the end, the same advice applies to modern churches in that during the days of persecution, the churches should trust in God, be faithful and persevere to gain the victory (Gunter, 2011).  Other lesson is that, one of the signs which show that Jesus is near is false prophets. The church should not follow the teaching of false prophets like the church of Thyatira which followed y the teaching of Jezebel.   The church should not abandon the moral standards but should remain faithful until the end (Gunter, 2011).  Last, the modern world is full of evil, religious apostasy and temptations.  The same way the Pergamos maintained their faith, the church should remain faithful, maintain the fundamental biblical truth and reject the doctrinal compromise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

Barclay, W. (2001). Letters to the seven churches. Louisville, Ky: Westminster John Knox.

 

Gunter, D. M. (2011). Seven letters to seven churches: Lessons from the book of Revelation. Kansas City,

Mo: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City.

 

Siders, S. R. (2007). The seven churches of Asia, Revelation 2-3. Bloomington: AuthorHouse.