We can take those messages right down where the rubber meets the road. They are also messages to the individual.
( 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.) Revelation 2:7.
I would like to add some interesting things on top of what Richard has already shared with you. At least I find these things interesting. There were more than seven churches in Asia Minor. But the seven listed by Richard are the only seven listed for us. What I find interesting is that of all the churches in Asia Minor, these seven were the major churches in the seven postal districts at that time.
And the postal districts went from Ephesus, and went clockwise up and around and down to Laodicea, and then back to Ephesus again. So it's written in the order of the postal districts that they are in. Here we see seven of them. John writes according to a heptatic system, using the number seven. The number seven, according to the Hebrew and Jewish people means perfection or completeness.
These are seven churches that the Lord chose. And each one has its own message. But at the same time, each church was to listen to all of the messages, not just theirs. That's why it's not a letter. Sometimes I slip up and say the letter to the Ephesians or letter to Laodicea. But these are not letters. These are messages, and each church received all seven.
But to their particular church there was a message. And they also got to read the messages to the other churches. And if you put them all together, you have the Lord's complete message to His church before He returns. We find in all honesty that some of these things are in all churches. So if the Lord feels this way about one church, and a church might have one or two things that are mentioned in some of the churches, then we can know what the Lord thinks about it.
Let me see if my memory serves me correctly; Ephasus; Thiatyra; Pergamos; Philadelphia; Laodocia; Sardis? I forget the last one. Ok Smyrna.
As to what they were and what they represent; history tells us these were all places in Turkey (Asia Minor) which had been reached for the gospel. They are to typify today's churches; and/or all phases throughout church history as well. This would be because of the fact that none of these places exist today; but since 2 Tim 3:16 applies surely there is some application to be learned; especially in light of the beginning of Rev. 4 which states what happens "immediately after these things".
As for as I know; only Ephesus was mentioned previously; namely in the book of Ephesians. The sobering part is that they had left their first love but they still did everything else correctly. They still; however were in danger of losing their lampstand ( Rev. 2:5). This would indicate His presence being withdrawn from that assembly.
Surely; we aspire to be as the Philadelphia church who would escape the trial to occur on the whole earth and stand before God.
( Rev. 3:10). Rev. 2:10 talks of Smyrna who would suffer persecution and death 10 days; some say that stands for the 10 emporors of the Roman empire. Some take it to mean some will go through that literal time in the tribulation; but that seems less likely. In any event; we can learn to avoid the Jezebel type mentality in today's churches were brazen women tend to rule; or the Laodician one where everyone feels secure in wealth but in reality their state is quite the opposite.
There are other doctrines of demons which no doubt are in effect today. May we read these chapters and all of Revelation to recieve a blessing as the scripture indicates. Agape. Rich P
We can take those messages right down where the rubber meets the road. They are also messages to the individual.
( 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.) Revelation 2:7.
God bless.
You can go on Google and read commentaries on those 7 churches.
Type each one like this:
Pergamos Church, Bible, Commentary
Mishael
I would like to add some interesting things on top of what Richard has already shared with you. At least I find these things interesting. There were more than seven churches in Asia Minor. But the seven listed by Richard are the only seven listed for us. What I find interesting is that of all the churches in Asia Minor, these seven were the major churches in the seven postal districts at that time.
And the postal districts went from Ephesus, and went clockwise up and around and down to Laodicea, and then back to Ephesus again. So it's written in the order of the postal districts that they are in. Here we see seven of them. John writes according to a heptatic system, using the number seven. The number seven, according to the Hebrew and Jewish people means perfection or completeness.
These are seven churches that the Lord chose. And each one has its own message. But at the same time, each church was to listen to all of the messages, not just theirs. That's why it's not a letter. Sometimes I slip up and say the letter to the Ephesians or letter to Laodicea. But these are not letters. These are messages, and each church received all seven.
But to their particular church there was a message. And they also got to read the messages to the other churches. And if you put them all together, you have the Lord's complete message to His church before He returns. We find in all honesty that some of these things are in all churches. So if the Lord feels this way about one church, and a church might have one or two things that are mentioned in some of the churches, then we can know what the Lord thinks about it.
As to what they were and what they represent; history tells us these were all places in Turkey (Asia Minor) which had been reached for the gospel. They are to typify today's churches; and/or all phases throughout church history as well. This would be because of the fact that none of these places exist today; but since 2 Tim 3:16 applies surely there is some application to be learned; especially in light of the beginning of Rev. 4 which states what happens "immediately after these things".
As for as I know; only Ephesus was mentioned previously; namely in the book of Ephesians. The sobering part is that they had left their first love but they still did everything else correctly. They still; however were in danger of losing their lampstand ( Rev. 2:5). This would indicate His presence being withdrawn from that assembly.
Surely; we aspire to be as the Philadelphia church who would escape the trial to occur on the whole earth and stand before God.
( Rev. 3:10). Rev. 2:10 talks of Smyrna who would suffer persecution and death 10 days; some say that stands for the 10 emporors of the Roman empire. Some take it to mean some will go through that literal time in the tribulation; but that seems less likely. In any event; we can learn to avoid the Jezebel type mentality in today's churches were brazen women tend to rule; or the Laodician one where everyone feels secure in wealth but in reality their state is quite the opposite.
There are other doctrines of demons which no doubt are in effect today. May we read these chapters and all of Revelation to recieve a blessing as the scripture indicates. Agape. Rich P
John wasn't told to write to the Churches of Asia, BUT:
Revelation 1:29 The mystery .......the stars are the ANGELS of the seven churches .....
Revelation 2:1 Unto the ANGEL of the church in Ephesus WRITE;
Revelation 2:8 Unto the ANGEL of the church in Smyrna WRITE;
Revelation 2:12 Unto the ANGEL of the church in Pergamos WRITE;
Revelation 2:18 Unto the ANGEL of the church in Thyatire WRITE;
Revelation 3:1 And unto the ANGEL of the church in Sardis WRITE;
Revelation 3:7 And to the ANGEL of the church in Philadelphia WRITE;
Revelation 3:14 And unto the ANGEL of the church of the Laodiceans Write;
God Bless YOU!
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