NOTES: The 7 Churches of Revelation

1. Church of Ephesus (Loveless Church) [Rev. 2:1-7]
     Age: 30 A.D. -- 100 A.D. (Apostolic Age)
     Meaning: "Maiden of Choice or Desirable"
     Facts: Very wealthy port city that was eventually washed away by ocean tides; Home of Diana.

1. Description of Jesus:  Holds the 7 stars in His right hand and walks among the 7 golden lampstands (Jesus is in charge of His churches).
2. Commendations: Their works, toil, patience, does not tolerate evil men who claim to be apostles and tests their message. Also hates the Nicolaitans.
3. Reproofs: Left their first love, not focused on Christ.
4. Warnings: Repent or Christ will remove their lampstand.
5. Promises: To him who overcomes, will be given the tree of life (aka Salvation)

2. Church of Smyrna (Persecuted Church) [Rev. 2:8-11]

     Age: 100 A.D. -- 313 A.D.
     Meaning: Myrrh (used for embalming); association with death.
     Facts: Very wealthy port city that is still inhabited; headquarters for Emperor worship; sits on unstable land; Christians were being persecuted by Jewish people.

1. Description of Jesus:  First and the Last; died and came to life again (Jesus conquered death).
2. Commendations: They have suffered tribulation and poverty but are rich.
3. Reproofs: N/A
4. Warnings: Some will suffer tribulation (aka death); Reward - be faithful to death and receive Crown of Life (greek: stefanos vs. diadem, something you earn v. something you inherit).
5. Promises:  To him who overcomes, will not be hurt by the second death

3. Church of Pergamum (Compromising Church) [Rev. 2:12-17]
     Age: 313 A.D. -- 600 A.D.
     Meaning: thoroughly married (marriage of church to the state)
     Facts: Home of Athena; located in wide valley; was a city-state; large library that rivaled Alexandrian Library; renowned medical center (Asclepius) with huge white stones that recorded healings of the people; very intellectual; worshipped Dionysis.

1. Description of Jesus:  Has the sharp, double-edged sword (Jesus is in charge of life and death, not the emperor).
2. Commendations: They do not deny the faith
3. Reproofs: Hold to the teaching of Balaam and the Nicolaitans
4. Warnings: Repent or Christ will make war against the false teachers (and believers may suffer the consequences of that war)
5. Promises: To him who overcomes, will be given the hidden manna and a white stone (gives person proof of their innocence; that they are member of a club).

4. Church of Thyatira (the Corrupt Church) [Rev. 2:18-29]

     Age: 600 A.D. -- 1517 A.D. (Dark Ages)
     Meaning: Unending sacrifice (issue of transubstantiation - Jesus is not the final sacrifice)
     Facts: Worshipped Apollo (son of Zeus); Center for trade unions which dealt with bronze items.

1. Description of Jesus:  The Son of God; eyes are like blazing fire and feed like burnished bronze.
2. Commendations: Their last works are greater than the first.
3. Reproofs: Tolerates the woman Jezebel
4. Warnings: Jesus will cast the church into great tribulation, unless they repent of their works
5. Promises: To him that overcomes and keeps Jesus' deeds, will be given authority over the nations.   They will be given the Morning Star. 

5. Church of Sardis (the Dead Church) [Rev. 3:1-6]

     Age: 1517 A.D. -- 1648 A.D.
     Meaning: Remnant
     Facts: Prone to earthquakes; ruined city that at one time was a seemingly inpenetrable city; city captured by Persia and Antiochus by using a secret passage way.

1. Description of Jesus: Holds the 7 spirits of God and the 7 stars. (Jesus brings His Church to life)   
2. Commendations: N/A
3. Reproofs: Wake up and strengthen the things that remain which were about to die; Your deeds are not complete; Remember what you have heard and repent.
4. Warnings: Jesus will come like a thief in the night if they do not wake up
5. Promises: To him that overcomes, Jesus will not blot out his name from the Book of Life, and Jesus will confess his name before God and the angels.

 6. Church of Philadelphia (the Faithful Church) [Rev. 3:7-13]

     Age: 1650 A.D. --
     Meaning: Brotherly Love
     Facts: Alasehir is the modern day city in Turkey; prone to earthquakes and destroyed by them several times in history; founded by King of Pergamum; prosperous commercial center;

1. Description of Jesus: Holy and True; Holds the key of David, who shuts and no one opens and opens and no one shuts.
2. Commendations: They have kept Jesus' words and not denied His name.
3. Reproofs: N/A
4. Warnings: Jesus will make those who call themselves Jews and are not, to come and bow down at their feet and now that He has loved them.
5. Promises: Jesus will keep them from the hour of testing.  To him who overcomes, Jesus will make him a pillar in the Temple of God; and write upon him the name and city of God.

7. Church of Laodicea (the Apostate Church) [Rev. 3:14-22]
     Age: 1900 -- End of Age
     Meaning: People Ruling
     Facts: Known for its banking industry, linen & black wool, and medical school which produced eye salve.

1. Description of Jesus: The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Ruler of God's creation.
2. Commendations: N/A
3. Reproofs: Because of their lukewarmness, Jesus will spit (vomit) them out of His mouth.
4. Warnings: Jesus disciplines those He loves, so be zealous and repent
5. Promises: To him who opens the door, Jesus will come in. To him who overcomes, Jesus will allow him to sit on the throne with Him.

Three perspectives on the meaning of the churches:
1. Literal view
2. Universal view
3. Sequential view