Revelation churches

1. The Church Age - things that are
• City (church addressed by city name)
• Christ (Who is speaking - attribute from ch 1)
• Complement (what they do well)
• Criticism (why they are failing)
• Correction (how to respond)
• Consequence (if correction is ignored)
• Commitment to overcomers (from ch 20-22)

2. THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF REVELATION, Chapters 2 & 3 – (THE THINGS THAT ARE)
City Christ Complement Criticism Correction Consequence Promise
Church
History
Ephesus
(2:1-7)
Holds the
seven stars …
walks in the
midst of (1:20).
Works, labor,
patience, cannot
bear evil or false
apostles, hate
Nicolaitans.
Left their first
love.
Remember,
repent,
repeat 1st
works
Will remove the
candlestick
(1:20)
Will eat of
the Tree of
Life.
Apostolic
Church 1st
century.
Smyrna
(2:8-11)
First and the
Last, Who was
dead and is
alive.
Works,
tribulation,
poverty.
—
Fear not, be
faithful unto
death.
—
Will receive the
Crown of Life,
Not hurt by
second death.
Persecuted
church 2nd,
3rd cent.
Pergamos
(2:12-17) sharp sword
with two
edges
Works, Hold fast
Jesus’ name, not
denied the faith.
Hold the doctrine
of Balaam and
the Nicolaitans.
Repent
Will fight against
with the sword
of my mouth.
Eat of hidden
manna, get
white stone
with new
name
Church from
312 A D.
(Constantine)
to 500 A.D.
Thyratira
(2:18-29)
Eyes like flame
of fire, feet like
fine brass.
Works, charity,
service, faith,
growth in works.
Tolerated false
prophet, Jezebel, to
teach immorality
and idolatry.
Repent,
hold fast until
I come.
Great tribulation,
children will be
killed.
Will give power
over nations,
will receive the
Morning Star.
Church of
the Dark
Ages till the
16th cent.
Sardis
(3:1-6) Has seven
spirits and
seven stars.
Works, a name
(reputation) of
being alive…
…but are dead.
Strengthen
the things that
remain, that
are ready to
die., hold fast,
repent.
I will come on you
as a thief.
Clothed in
white raiment.
Name not
blotted out of
Book of Life.
Protestant
Church of
Reformation.
Philadelphia
(3:7-13) True has the
key of David.
Works, kept Jesus’
word, not denied
His Name.
—
Hold fast that
which you
have…
…That no man
take thy crown.
Kept from hour
of temptation.
Be made a
pillar in New
Jerusalem.
Missionary
Church of
19th cent
revival.
Laodicea
(3:14-22
The Amen, the
faithful and true
witness, the
beginning of
the creation of
God
—
Lukewarm, neither
cold nor hot.
Wretched,
miserable, poor,
blind, naked.
Buy from
Jesus refined
gold and eye
salve. Repent.
I will spue you out
of my mouth.
I will come in to
him and sup
with him and he
with me.
The end-
times
lukewarm
church.

3. Church Heart Attitude Results in History
Ephesus (2:1-7) Cold Heart Passion fading
Smyrna (2:8-11) Consecrated Heart Persecuted by the world
Pergamos (2:12-17) Compromised Heart Married to the world
Thyratira (2:18-29) Corrupted Heart Pagan politics
Sardis (3:1-6) Ceremonial Heart Dead Faith
Philadelphia (3:7-13) Committed Heart
Missions focused -
reaching the world
Laodicea (3:14-22) Carnal Heart Loving the world