The seven churches are symbolic of the church in different periods of the Christian Era.
The number 7 indicates completeness, and is symbolic of the fact that the messages extend to the end of time. The symbols used reveal the condition of the church at different periods in the history of the world.
Message to Ephesus.
Rev 2:1 "Unto the angel of the
church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right
hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;"
Rev 2:2 "I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience,
and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they
are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:"
Rev 2:3 "And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's
sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted."
Rev 2:4 "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because
thou hast left thy first love."
Rev 2:5 "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and
repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy
candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."
Rev 2:6 "But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the
Nicolaitanes, which I also hate."
Rev 2:7 "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life,
which is in the midst of the paradise of God."
"In the days of the apostles the Christian
believers were filled with earnestness and enthusiasm. So untiringly did they labor for
their Master that in a comparatively short time, notwithstanding fierce opposition, the
gospel of the kingdom was sounded to all the inhabited parts of the earth. The zeal
manifested at this time by the followers of Jesus has been recorded by the pen of
inspiration for the encouragement of believers in every age. Of the church at Ephesus,
which the Lord Jesus used as a symbol of the entire Christian church in the apostolic age,
the faithful and true Witness declared:
'I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not
bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are
not, and hast found them liars: and hast borne, and hast patience, and for My name's sake
hast labored, and hast not fainted.' Revelation 2:2, 3.
At the first the experience of the church at Ephesus was marked with
childlike simplicity and fervor. The believers sought earnestly to obey every word of God,
and their lives revealed an earnest, sincere love for Christ. They rejoiced to do the will
of God because the Saviour was in their hearts as an abiding presence. Filled with love
for their Redeemer, their highest aim was to win souls to Him. They did not think of
hoarding the precious treasure of the grace of Christ. They felt the importance of their
calling; and, weighted with the message, "On earth peace, good will toward men,"
they burned with desire to carry the glad tidings of salvation to earth's remotest bounds.
And the world took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus. Sinful men, repentant,
pardoned, cleansed, and sanctified, were brought into partnership with God through His
Son.
The members of the church were united in sentiment and action. Love for
Christ was the golden chain that bound them together. They followed on to know the Lord
more and still more perfectly, and in their lives were revealed the joy and peace of
Christ. They visited the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and kept themselves
unspotted from the world, realizing that a failure to do this would be a contradiction of
their profession and a denial of their Redeemer.
In every city the work was carried forward. Souls were converted, who in
their turn felt that they must tell of the inestimable treasure they had received. They
could not rest till the light which had illumined their minds was shining upon others.
Multitudes of unbelievers were made acquainted with the reasons of the Christian's hope.
Warm, inspired personal appeals were made to the erring, to the outcast, and to those who,
while professing to know the truth, were lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.
But after a time the zeal of the believers began to wane, and their love for
God and for one another grew less. Coldness crept into the church. Some forgot the
wonderful manner in which they had received the truth. One by one the old standard-bearers
fell at their post. Some of the younger workers, who might have shared the burdens of
these pioneers, and thus have been prepared for wise leadership, had become weary of
oft-repeated truths. In their desire for something novel and startling they attempted to
introduce new phases of doctrine, more pleasing to many minds, but not in harmony with the
fundamental principles of the gospel. In their self-confidence and spiritual blindness
they failed to discern that these sophistries would cause many to question the experiences
of the past, and would thus lead to confusion and unbelief.
As these false doctrines were urged, differences sprang up, and the eyes of
many were turned from beholding Jesus as the Author and Finisher of their faith. The
discussion of unimportant points of doctrine, and the contemplation of pleasing fables of
man's invention, occupied time that should have been spent in proclaiming the gospel. The
masses that might have been convicted and converted by a faithful presentation of the
truth were left unwarned. Piety was rapidly waning, and Satan seemed about to gain the
ascendancy over those who claimed to be followers of Christ.
It was at this critical time in the history of the church that John was
sentenced to banishment. Never had his voice been needed by the church as now. Nearly all
his former associates in the ministry had suffered martyrdom. The remnant of believers was
facing fierce opposition. To all outward appearance the day was not far distant when the
enemies of the church of Christ would triumph.
But the Lord's hand was moving unseen in the darkness. In the providence of
God, John was placed where Christ could give him a wonderful revelation of Himself and of
divine truth for the enlightenment of the churches." The Acts of the
Apostles page 578 to 581
"And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna
write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;" Rev
2:8
"I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the
blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of
Satan." Rev 2:9
"Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some
of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou
faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Rev 2:10
"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that
overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." Rev 2:11
Church periodChurch period: 100AD to 313AD A time of presecution of the Christian Church by pagan Rome.
Interpretation:
"saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive" This is Jesus Christ.
"I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich)" Similar to Mat 5:10 "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
"I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan." The true Israel is the one who serves God from the heart. and not the one who were born Jews or merrily claim the name of Christ. The early Christian Church, as with all persecuted follows of God, had within their midst those who professed to follow God but compromised to obtain to favor of the world. Just as their were other Jews in Babylon that bowed to the Image while Daniel's three friend were thrown into the fiery furnace.
"shall have tribulation ten days" This is the ten year period of persecution from 303 to313 under the Roman Emporor Diocletian. It was a severe period of Christian persecution and many Christian books were lost.
"second death." This is the eternal death recieved only by the wicked after the 1000 year period when the saint are in heaven after Christ Second Coming. See Rev.20: 1-10
Rev 2:12 "And to the angel of the
church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two
edges;"
Rev 2:13" I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where
Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in
those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan
dwelleth."
Rev 2:14 "But I have a few things against thee, because thou
hast 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."
Rev 2:15 "So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the
Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate."
Rev 2:16 "Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and
will fight against them with the sword of my mouth."
Rev 2:17 "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh 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 knoweth
saving he that receiveth it."
Rev 2:18 "And unto the angel of
the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like
unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;"
Rev 2:19 "I know thy works, and charity, and service, and
faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first."
Rev 2:20 "Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee,
because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach
and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols."
Rev 2:21 "And I gave her space to repent of her fornication;
and she repented not."
Rev 2:22 "Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that
commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds."
Rev 2:23 "And I will kill her children with death; and all the
churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give
unto every one of you according to your works."
Rev 2:24 "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."
Rev 2:25 "But that which ye have already hold fast till I
come."
Rev 2:26 "And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the
end, to him will I give power over the nations:"
Rev 2:27 "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.
Rev 2:28 "And I will give him the morning star."
Rev 2:29 "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
saith unto the churches."
"At Philippi, Lydia, of the city of Thyatira, heard the apostles, and her heart was open to receive the truth. She and her household were converted and baptized, and she entreated the apostles to make her house their home." Sketches from the Life of Paul, page 74
Rev 3:1 "And unto the angel of the
church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the
seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead."
Rev 3:2 "Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain,
that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God."
Rev 3:3 "Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard,
and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a
thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee."
Rev 3:4 "Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not
defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy."
Rev 3:5 "He that overcometh, 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."
Rev 3:6 "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
saith unto the churches."
"In Sardis many had been converted through the preaching of the apostles. The truth had been received as a bright and shining light. But some had forgotten the wonderful manner in which they had received the truth, and Jesus found it necessary to send reproof."
"The church of Sardis is represented as having in it a few faithful ones among the many who had become, as it were, careless and insensible of their obligations to God. "Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy." Who is so favored as to be numbered among these few in Sardis? Are you? Am I? Who are among this number? Is it not best for us to inquire into this matter, in order that we may learn to whom the Lord refers when He says that a few have not stained their white robes of character (MS 81, 1900)?
In the message to the church at Sardis two parties are presented--those who have a name to live, but are dead; and those who are striving to overcome. Study this message, found in the third chapter of Revelation. [Rev. 3:1, 2 quoted.] Who are meant by those that are ready to die? and what has made them thus? The explanation is given, "I have not found thy works perfect before God." [Vs. 3-5 quoted.]" S.D.A. Bible Commentary Vol. 7, page 958+959
"When, as overcomers, we shall be "clothed in white raiment," the Lord will acknowledge our faithfulness as verily as in the days of the early Christian church He acknowledged the "few names even in Sardis," who had "not defiled their garments;" and we shall walk with Him in white, for through His atoning sacrifice we shall be accounted worthy. . . . "
"In view of these encouraging promises, how earnestly should we strive to perfect a character that will enable us to stand before the Son of God! Only those who are clothed in the garments of His righteousness will be able to endure the glory of His presence when He shall appear with "power and great glory."
"It means much to be an overcomer. The besetments of the enemy and all his evil agencies must be firmly resisted. Every moment we must be on guard. Not for one instant are we to lose sight of Christ, and of His power to save in the hour of trial. Our hand must be placed in His, that we may be upheld by the power of His might." Sons and Daughters of God, page 368
"Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless." "Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness." "And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: to the end He may stablish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints." "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition, but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." Testimonies for the Church Volume Five, page 692+693
Rev 3:7 "And to the angel of the
church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that
hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man
openeth;"
Rev 3:8 "I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an
open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word,
and hast not denied my name."
Rev 3:9 "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 thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee."
Rev 3:10 "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I
also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to
try them that dwell upon the earth."
Rev 3:11 "Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou
hast, that no man take thy crown."
Rev 3:12 "Him that overcometh 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 cometh down out of
heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name."
"Notwithstanding the opposition of the strongest powers of darkness, there is One able to open the door. This is the same door that was opened at the baptism of Christ. After the Saviour had taken the steps in conversion requisite for every sinner to take in order to be saved,--repentance, faith, and baptism,--thus entering into covenant relation with God, He kneeled on the bank of the Jordan and prayed. And the heavens were opened, and the Holy Ghost, in the form of a dove of burnished gold, hovered over the Son of Man, enshrouding Him in light, while a voice from the highest heaven declared, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Manuscript Releases Volume Seven, page 125