When you study the Book of Revelation, one of the first things that you will look at are the seven churches listed in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. There you will see seven actual letters from Jesus — one to each church. In the letters He applauds and chastises each church and He offers them advice on how to get back on track. Much of the dialog is directed towards the leaders in the churches regarding the way the truth is being taught, or not.
All of these seven churches mentioned in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 are literal churches that were located in Asia Minor. These churches were planted and cultivated by the Apostle Paul, with the church at Ephesus being the lead church. Though the letters are written to the seven churches in Asia Minor, there are considerable parallels to the churches in today’s church age.
The study of the seven churches can be very large and in depth. For the purposes of this article, I share a summary of the seven churches in the Book of Revelation [1].
Ephesus – Does Things by the Book (Revelation 2:1-7)
Key Passage: Revelation 2:2–3 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: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
The Good: Church Discipline, Faithful, Good Works, Hatred of Evil, Patience, Sound Doctrine
The Bad: Backsliding, Loss of Love
The Promises to Those that Persevere: Food from the Tree of life
Relation to Today’s Church: Sound but lacking Spirit
Smyrna – Disguised as the Poor Church (Revelation 2:8-11)
Key Passage: Revelation 2:10 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.
The Good: Treasures in Heaven, Strong in Spirit
The Bad: Lack Admonishment to the members
The Promise to Those that Persevere: A crown of life
Relation to Today’s Church: The persecuted church throughout the world
Pergamos – In the Midst of Evil (Revelation 2:12-17)
Key Passage: Revelation 2:13–14 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. 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.
The Good: Unwavering even when surrounded by evil
The Bad: No resistance to corrupt doctrines
The Promises to Those that Persevere: A new name, Food and Other blessings
Relation to Today’s Church: Churches that endorse and promote political agendas or secular practices that are against what the Bible teaches as truth.
Thyatira – Evil False Teacher (Revelation 2:18-29)
Key Passage: Revelation 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.
The Good: Great in love, Servant-hearted, Much faith and Patience
The Bad: Very little or no discipline, No resistance to corrupt leadership
The Promise to Those that Persevere: Jurisdiction to rule the nations
Relation to Today’s Church: Evolution of Cults
Sardis – The Vanishing Church (Revelation 3:1-6)
Key Passage: Revelation 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.
The Good: No Applause for the church at large but some for the very few who remain pure
The Bad: Too much formality, Spiritually dead, Very inactive
The Promises to Those that Persevere: Recognition in Heaven, Eternal Life
Relation to Today’s Church: Strict and Formal
Philadelphia – Small and Devoted (Revelation 3:7-13)
Key Passage: Revelation 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.
The Good: Good testimony, True to God’s Word [2]
The Bad: None
The Promise to Those that Persevere: Backbone of the Spiritual Church though they are few
Relation to Today’s Church: Sincere Spiritual church (the model of the true church); Brave and bold to share Christ
Laodicea – Neither Hot nor Cold (Revelation 3:14-22)
Key Passage: Revelation 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
The Good: None
The Bad: Spiritually arrogant, Spiritually blind, Spiritually underdeveloped, Spiritually depressed
The Promise to Those that Persevere: Fellowship with Jesus on His throne,
Relation to Today’s Church: Popular, All about the show, Secular, Worldly
Final Thoughts
Of all the seven churches in the Book of Revelation, there is only one that we should strive to be. When Christ is what we promote in the church we will continue to have opportunities to minister outside the walls. We must remember that our mission field begins the moment we walk out of church. We can never forget that our main job as a Christ-follower is to plant seeds so that others will follow as well. When we put Christ first we will be like that church in Philadelphia that Jesus had nothing bad to say about. When we stay true to God’s Word our testimony will convince others to want what we have. When our words and actions reflect Jesus, His light will draw others into the kingdom.
Take a look at this article: How to Choose a Church [3]
Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, King James Version