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Answer The 1st chapter of Revelation is introductory about the vision John received on the Isle of Patmos . The second and third chapters are about messages addressed both to certain specific churches that were actually in existence at that time, and also to specific Church eras. These are as follows:- 1.-Church at Ephesus (Rev 2:1-7)

(The loveless church, represented by the Apostolic era of church history from the day of Pentecost to 100AD) 2.-Church at Smyrna (Rev.2:8-11)

(The persecuted church; the martyrdom era of church history 100-312AD) 3.-Church at Pergamos (Rev. 2:12-17)

(The compromising church; the married-to-the-world era of church history 312-1000AD) 4.-Church at Thyratira (Rev.2:18- 27)

(The corrupt church; the pre-Reformation church age 1000-1517) 5.-Church at Sardis (Rev 3:1-6)

(The dead church; the Reformation church age 1517-1750) 6.-Church at Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7-13)

(The faithful church; the Missionary church age 1750-early 1900's) 7.-Church at Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-22)

(The lukewarm church; the church of the Apostasy, or falling away of believers: period early 1900's-present). 1. The church in Ephesus:-

Rev 2:1-29 KJV Unto the angel of the church ofEphesuswrite; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; [v. 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: [v. 3] And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. [v. 4] Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. [v. 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. [v. 6] But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. [v. 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.

2. The church in Smyrna:-

[v. 8] And unto the angel of the church in Smyrnawrite; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; [v. 9] 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. [v. 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. [v. 11] 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.

3. The church in Pergamos:- [v. 12] And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; [v. 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. [v. 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. [v. 15] So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. [v. 16] Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. [v. 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.

4. The church in Thyatira:- [v. 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; [v. 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. [v. 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. [v. 21] And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. [v. 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. [v. 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. [v. 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. [v. 25] But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. [v. 26] And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: [v. 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. [v. 28] And I will give him the morning star. [v. 29] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. 5. The church in Sardis:-

Rev 3:1-22 KJV 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. [v. 2] Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. [v. 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. [v. 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. [v. 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. [v. 6] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

6. The church in Philadelphia:- [v. 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; [v. 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. [v. 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. [v. 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. [v. 11] Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. [v. 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. [v. 13] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

7. The church in Laodicea:- [v. 14] And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceanswrite; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; [v. 15] I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. [v. 16] So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. [v. 17] Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: [v. 18] I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. [v. 19] As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. [v. 20] Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. [v. 21] To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. [v. 22] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

NB These ages and states are NOT rigidly 'set in stone' and do not apply only to these seven 1st-century churches because they also are representative of each major church period in history, and they also apply to all individual churches today (not just denominations) . These seven churches in Revelation apply to:-

(i) The seven actual churches mentioned in Revelation by John in the 1st century AD.

(ii) The seven major church periods in history, from 95AD to the present day. (iii) All individual Christian churches existing today

Each church is a unique combination of ALL of the traits of all seven churches but in differing proportions, even if they don't like to admit it.Most churches like to think of themselves as a Philadelphian-type of church, even if their works show they are not. For example, there are some which are well and truly dead and don't know it, and there are some that are doing well. However, there is also an increasing percentage which fit the Laodicean era-church category quite well.

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15y ago
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The second and third chapters of Revelation are about messages addressed both to certain specific churches that were actually in existence at that time, and also to specific Church eras. These are as follows:-

1.-Church at Ephesus (Rev 2:1-7)

(The loveless church, represented by the Apostolic era of church history from the day of Pentecost to 100AD)

2.-Church at Smyrna (Rev.2:8-11)

(The persecuted church; the martyrdom era of church history 100-312AD)

3.-Church at Pergamos (Rev. 2:12-17)

(The compromising church; the married-to-the-world era of church history 312-1000AD)

4.-Church at Thyratira (Rev.2:18- 27)

(The corrupt church; the pre-Reformation church age 1000-1517)

5.-Church at Sardis (Rev 3:1-6)

(The dead church; the Reformation church age 1517-1750)

6.-Church at Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7-13)

(The faithful church; the Missionary church age 1750-early 1900's)

7.-Church at Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-22)

(The lukewarm church; the church of the Apostasy, or falling away of believers: period early 1900's-present).

1. The church in Ephesus:-

Rev 2:1-29 KJV Unto the angel of the church of Ephesuswrite; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; [v. 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: [v. 3] And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. [v. 4] Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. [v. 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 [ie church: see Rev 1:20] out of his place, except thou repent. [v. 6] But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. [v. 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.

2. The church in Smyrna:-

[v. 8] And unto the angel of the church in Smyrnawrite; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; [v. 9] 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. [v. 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. [v. 11] 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.

3. The church in Pergamos:-

[v. 12] And to the angel of the church in Pergamoswrite; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; [v. 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. [v. 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. [v. 15] So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. [v. 16] Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. [v. 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.

4. The church in Thyatira:-

[v. 18] And unto the angel of the church in Thyatirawrite; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; [v. 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. [v. 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. [v. 21] And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. [v. 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. [v. 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. [v. 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. [v. 25] But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. [v. 26] And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: [v. 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. [v. 28] And I will give him the morning star. [v. 29] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

5. The church in Sardis:-

Rev 3:1-22 KJV 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. [v. 2] Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. [v. 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. [v. 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. [v. 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. [v. 6] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

6. The church in Philadelphia:-

[v. 7] And to the angel of the church in Philadelphiawrite; 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; [v. 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. [v. 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. [v. 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. [v. 11] Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. [v. 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. [v. 13] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

7. The church in Laodicea:-

[v. 14] And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; [v. 15] I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. [v. 16] So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. [v. 17] Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: [v. 18] I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. [v. 19] As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. [v. 20] Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. [v. 21] To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. [v. 22] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

NB These ages and states are NOT rigidly 'set in stone' and do not apply only to these seven 1st-century churches because they also are representative of each major church period in history, and they also apply to all individual churches today (not just denominations) . These seven churches in Revelation apply to:-

(i) The seven actual churches mentioned in Revelation by John in the 1st century AD.

(ii) The seven major church periods in history, from 95AD to the present day.

(iii) All individual Christian churches existing today

Each church is a unique combination of ALL of the traits of all seven churches but in differing proportions, even if they don't like to admit it. Most churches like to think of themselves as a Philadelphian-type of church, even if their works show they are not. For example, there are some which are well and truly dead and don't know it, and there are some that are doing well, but there is also an increasing percentage which fit the Laodicean era-church category quite well.

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11y ago

Two were very good: Smyrna and Philadelphia. Two were very bad: Sardis and Laodiccea. Three were partly good, partly bad: Ephesus, Pergamum, and Thyatira.

  • The two good churches, Smyrna and Philadelphia, were composed of the humbler classes of people and were facing persecution.
  • The two bad churches, Sardis and Laodicea, seem to have included the ruling classes, nominally Christian, but pagan in lifestyle.
  • Ephesus was orthodox in teaching but losing its first love.
  • Pergamum was faithful to the name of Christ but did permit heresy.
  • Thyatira was growing in zeal but tolerated the heresy of Jezebel.

John, under Jesus' direction, wrote a real letter to seven real churches in Asia. We may assume that seven copies were made, and one sent to each city. Each church could thus read the Lord's estimate, not only of itself, but also the other churches. In addition to being real letters to real churches in John's day, the letters also have current application. Today's churches should evaluate themselves with the help of these seven letters. This internal review should also extend to us as individuals. How we should all pray that, under close and honest examination, we more resemble Smyrna and Philadelphia.

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14y ago

They are Ephesus, Laodicea, Pergamum, Philadelphia, Sardis, Smyrna, and Thyatira.

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12y ago

They were literally seven churches that the apostle John wrote letters to, commending them on what they were doing correctly, and telling them where they were in sin.

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12y ago

Rev. 1:20...."And the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches".

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What does Seven stars in his right hand and seven golden lampstands mean in revelation?

Your answer is provided in Revelation 1 and 2,Christ explains your question so I will not attempt to add to his explanationRevelation 1: 20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks.The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches:and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.


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Could someone tell me Which of the seven churches did not exist when revelations was wrote?

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What does the bible say about burning candles?

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Gods number is 777 why 777?

In the first chapter of the Bible, we are introduced to seven churches. In Rev 1:20 we read of seven churches having seven stars (which are seven angels) and seven lampstands which symbolize those churches. It is NOT just because Satan has 666. Both numbers have a meaning. Read the bible to answer your questions.


Which of the seven churches in the book of revelaton had sinned?

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