The document provides information about the seven churches of Revelation that Jesus addressed in letters. It includes a chart summarizing key details about each church such as their commendations, concerns, and promises. It also analyzes the historical and spiritual contexts of each church and draws parallels between them and periods of church history. For example, it suggests Thyatira represents the medieval Catholic church while Sardis represents churches after the Reformation that lacked devotion. The document aims to help readers understand and apply the messages to the seven churches.

1. Three Easy Questions

2. Three Questions when you read the chapter you
wish to study:
1. What does the chapter say?
2. What does that mean – specifically – to me?
3. What am I going to do about it?
Some add an optional memory verse as a part of
the process to help them retain what God has
said to them.

5. Remember – at least 4 levels to understand!
1. To the believers at that time in that place
(Historical context)
2. To all the churches (Ecclesiastic context):
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to
the churches.”
3. To all believers (Homiletic context):
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says
to the churches.”
4. To world historical events (Prophetic context)

6. Helpful aids:
A spreadsheet program to keep track of things
in the 7 letters for each church:
Name (& meaning of name)
Christ’s title
The commendation if any
The concern if any
The encouragement or exhortation
The promise to the overcomer
The close location (the “He who has ears” part)

7. Letters to the Churches
Church Name Christ's Title Commendation Concern Exhoration
Promise to the overcomer 1
John 5:4,5 Close Comments
Ephesus
"Desired one" or "Darling" -
Apostolic Church
He that holds the seven stars and
walks in the midst of the seven
lampstands (The One in Charge!)
Did a good job of digging out
heresy and clinging to sound
doctrine - hates deeds of the
nicolaitans Left First Love
Repent (and do it
now)! Eat of the tree of life
before the
promise, like the
promise was kind
of a PS on the
letter
Lampstand is no longer there, A profile of
the Apostolic church - doctrine before
devotion.
Smyrna
"Death" - comes from
Hebrew word for "Myrrh" -
Persecuted Church
First and the Last, was dead and is
now alive - Interesting fact,
Smyrnan believers were facing
martyrdom
Knows their accomplishments -
and the persecution
(thilipsis=pressure), and their
poverty (but you are rich)
None given - no negatives on the
report card!
Have no fear - be
faithful to death, and
Jesus will give the
crown (stephanos) of
life Not hurt by the second death
before the
promise, like the
promise was kind
of a PS on the
letter
Pergamos
Great religious centre of the
Roman province of Asia.
Aesculapius was "God of
healing," Cadeuceus symbol
(derived from serpent staff
of moses) originated there.
Name means "Mixed or
Objectionable Marriage",
speaking of the marriage
between the Church and the
World
The One who has the sharp two-edged
sword. (The Word of God,
the primary remedy here!)
You hold fast my name, even
under threat of death
Hold the teaching of Balaam, who
taught Balak how to lead people into
sin so that God would remove His
protection (eat food sacrificed to
idols and commit immorality) - Some
hold doctrine of Nicolaitans (Clergy
rule over people)
Repent or fact the
Sword-bearer as he
makes war on them
who do these things
Will give some of the hidden
manna, will give a white
stone with a new name that is
unique to the receiver
before the
promise, like the
promise was kind
of a PS on the
letter
Thyatira
"Daughter" (Once held the
name Semmiramis, the
consort of Nimrod, the father
of idolatry)
Son of God, eyes like fire
(inspection, judgement), feet like
brass (can bear fire of judgement)
Increasing works, walk is good,
and improving!
Jezebel, who brings in pagan
worship (or rather the tolerance of
her), commit spiritual adultery
(fornication is having intimacy with a
false god)
Repent of their
deeds of intimacy of
false Gods. Or face
the great tribulation.
To the real believers,
only hold fast until I
come.
Power over the nations (the
desire of Jezebel), and the
Morning Star.
Right at the end
of the letter for
the first time.
The promise is in
the body of the
letter.
There were pagan practices in the Church.
That's what this is addressing. Consider
the papacy.
Sardis
One of the oldest cities on
earth, beginning before 2000
BC.Capital of the ancient
Lydian empire. Citadel
appeared to be impregnable -
and was anything but (was
conquered several times by
invaders by exploiting
unguarded oversights). It
was taken "like a thief in the
night." It is a city of Failure.
Name means "promise
without performance" or
"appearance without reality."
Characterized by lack of
diligence.
He that has the seven Spirits of
God (or sevenfold Spirit of God,
the Holy Spirit) and the seven stars
(the seven angels of the churches
in Asia Minor) None Given
Have a name for being alive - but are
dead ! "name" in Greek is "label."
You have a label, but the stuff in the
jar has rotted! This is one of the
most scathing letters of the seven.
Be watchful,
stregthen the things
ready to die.
Otherwise, the Lord
will come "as a thief
in the night," just as
happened in Sardis.
Remember, hold
fast, repent. We
must watch, or we
will be surprised at
His return. Need is
for watchfulness and
diligence.
Overcomers will be clothed in
white clothing. Not have
their names erased from the
book of life. Jesus will
confess them before the
Father and Angels as His.
At the end of the
letter. Again, the
promise is in the
body of the letter.
Prophetically, if Thyatira is the medieval
church or the Catholic church (and many
commentators make that connection),
then this is the church in the reformation!
The Reformation became very soft and
allegorical on hermaneutics. Fascinating.
Denominational churches are
characterised by a lack of real devotional
life. Side note - there is a real point to
house churches to aid in the diligence and
watchfulness required especially under
persecution. It is a movement of return
to simplicity and authenticity - the church
getting back to basics.
Philadelphia
"Friendly Fellowship" - it is a
friendly place. Some say
"Brotherly love," which is
acceptable also. We can
refer to it as the Missionary
church, the one that reaches
out with open hearts and
open doors.
He who is holy, true, has the key of
David, opens and no man shuts,
and shuts and no man opens.
An open door that no one can
shut. You have a little power!
Kept my Word. Not denied my
name. Judaisers will bow at
your feet and know I have
loved you. Because you have
kept my word, I will keep you
from the hour of testing that
will come on the whole world,
to test it.
None given - no negatives on the
report card!
I am coming
suddenly. Hold fast
what you have. See
that no one takes
your Crown
(stepahnos, victor's
wreath)
Overcomers will become a
pillar in the temple of the
Lord. Have no need to go out
from it anymore. Write upon
them the name of God, name
of the city of God (the New
Jerusalem), and the Lord's
New Name.
At the end of the
letter. Again, the
promise is in the
body of the letter.
Laodicea
City named for a Phyrgian
ruler's wife, Laodice. "Lao" =
"people" and "diceans" =
"rulers." or "Rule by the
people." Is this perhaps
descriptive of something like
Democracy? Perhaps,
perhaps not. The problem
here is that JESUS is
supposed to rule the church,
not the people.
The Amen, The faithful and true
witness, the Originator of the
creation of God None Given
Neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm.
The church perceived that they were
rich, wealthy, needing nothing.What
they were was wretched, poor,
blind, and naked according to the
Lord.
To buy refined Gold
from God, and white
clothing to cover
their nakedness, and
ointment for their
eyes to make them
see. God who loves
them will reprove
and discipline them,
so they must "have
warmth of feeling"
(be zealous) and
repent (change their
minds) about the
Lord.
The promise here is not made
to the church. Jesus is
outside the church, knocking.
So he appeals to the
individual. The overcomer
will sit down with Him on His
throne, just like Jesus
overcame and sat down with
the Father on His throne.
At the end of the
letter. Again, the
promise is in the
body of the letter.
Laodicea was an affluent place because it
was located at a major intersection of
roadways. Most of the wealth in the
region passed through there, making it a
very wealthy place. Example - AD 62, an
earthquake destroyed the city - and the
wealthy citizens rebuilt the place without
financial aid from Rome. (source: Tacitus,
Annals 14:27) Interesting note: indicates
driven by pride, and may have
contributed to their problems. Major
industries also interesting - textiles!
Known for quality of black wool. Also
known for an effective opthalmic
ointment. Part of a 3-city area known for
hot springs. Being in the middle, the
water temperature was - you guessed it -
tepid. (Hot springs were at Hieropolis,
water was cold by the time it reached the
other end at Colossae.) Possibly founded
by Epaphras.

9. Key Verse: 7a, 11a, 17a, 29 – They who have
ears to hear…
1-7: Legalism and Politics in church
8-11: Living with Persecution
12-17: Selfishness, Sex, and Politics
18-29: “The Deep Things of Satan”