The Seven Letters to Seven Churches

Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches. Revelation 1:12-20

By 95AD, the Apostle John is now the last living apostle and has been confined to the island prison of Patmos by the Roman Emperor Domitian. While there, he receives a visit from the glorified Christ and is told to write what he has seen, what is, and what is to come (1:19). This order of how to record the Revelation (Greek apocalupsis) is also how to interpret the Revelation.

The Revelation begins with the Seven Letters to the Seven Churches which are Christ's final instructions to the Church He is building (Matt. 16:18). Because of the order they are given, these are not just pragmatic guides to the seven churches in the first century, but prophetic to all churches for the past two thousand years. Technically, there are four levels of applications that these magnificent letters can be understood by:

Historical- these were seven, literal churches existing in John's day. But understand that by 95AD, there were thousands of churches scattered throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. These seven are simply a 'sampling' of the churches that would ever come to be. It seems, given the meaning of the names, that these churches were purposely chosen to represent all the kinds of churches that would ever come

Congregational- these letters applied to a corporate grouping of "types" of churches that would come to exist, as well as to all believers as each letter exhorts those "with ears to hear" to take heed to the message given therein

Individual- Christ exhibits His omniscience by pointing out the individual struggles and glories of believers in each of these churches. He knows our struggles. He knows our victories. He is there walking amongst us, in our midst, as we move through time towards our glorious future (Rev. 1:13)

Prophetic- Due to the order in which these letters are given, they present (in hindsight) a panoramic view of God's omniscience and sovereignty. Note also the corresponding Pauline epistle and Matthew 13 "Mystery Kingdom" parable which perfectly compliment Jesus' final letters to the Church

There is a division between the first three churches, and the last four. This division is noted in the subtle structure change in the letters themselves.

For instance, the letter to the church at Ephesus concludes with...7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’

To the church of Thyatira, the order flips...26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’—as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star. 29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Again, it's a subtle change, but a change nonetheless that likely means that the first three churches are no longer in existence, while the last four remain and overlap each other.

People don't often think about it, but Jesus had spoken His seven "Mystery Kingdom" parables after His official rejection by the nation of Israel. Jesus' ministry had a shift in His 3 1/2 year ministry around the time of Matthew 13, where instead of preaching "Repent, the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand," to the message of His own, coming crucifixion. Furthermore, since the Church was a mystery to the Old Testament prophets and even the disciples then, these Mystery Kingdom parables would perfectly overlay the coming seven Churches here in Revelation 2-3. The Apostle Paul also wrote seven letters to seven churches if you take away the personal letters- Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and the duplicates of 2 Cor., 2 Thess.

Take note there are two churches that receive NO condemnations from our Lord Jesus Christ. These are the churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia. But even between these two, there are differences. Smyrna, the persecuted church is offered no hope of escape, but are told to persevere and they will receive the crown of life. But to the second church, Philadelphia, they are told they will be rescued. This is an important difference that reinforces the aforementioned division. Smyrna is told to persevere through it, and Philadelphia is told they will be delivered from it.

Also, note there is only one church that receives NO commendations from our Lord Jesus Christ, the church of Laodicea. This is a wealthy, but spiritually lukewarm church that thinks they need nothing and believe their present conditions warrant their self-assigned righteousness. Jesus is revulsed by them and warns them sternly to repent and turn to Him or else. This will be the church that enters into the 70th Week.

Thyatira (largely representing the Roman Catholic Church) is threatened to be cast into great Tribulation unless they repent.

Sardis (largely representing the Protestant denominations) is threatened to be caught unaware of our Lord's return. They will be just as surprised as the godless will be when it happens because they were spiritually asleep thanks in part to their dead and lifeless orthodoxy.

Laodicea will have to (unless they repent) buy their gold refined through fire, meaning, they will have to learn the hard way by entering into the 70th Week and becoming martyrs (like Smyrna) to be redeemed.

To the church of Philadelphia alone, Christ reserves this special blessing to those who "have not denied His name and are of little strength" to be kept from (Greek tereo ek) the hour of trial that is coming upon the WHOLE earth.

Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. Revelation 3:10-11

I am disputing the author of this article for its ill-conceived translation and misapplication of the context of the scriptures involved. His use of the text attributes motives and actions of all the members of the seven congregations, which was not the intent of the Lord and Messiah Who caused these letters to be written to discipline the chief elders in the full view of their congregations. These letters were NOT issued to discipline the current congregations for their cumulative behaviors.

The following is my description of this author's gross (and quite unspiritual) error in his misuse of the Bible that flaunt his own ignorance of the purpose of the letters, thinking it glorifies his "scholarship."

Rev 1:20 (AV):

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:

Without further explanation at this point, the "angel" of each local assembly was the most influential elder of the congregation, usually initially appointed by a church-planter like Saul of Tarsus (as he was of Ephesus) with general agreement of the customarily gathered believers as would be in a Jewish synagogue, a "president" as it were.

and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

"Kirk" or "church" is the Medieval English word to which the Greek word ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia; pronounced ek-klay-see'-ah, meaning "called-out ones")("ecclesa"in the Vulgate) and is the term used in the Greek culture of that time for an organization whose recognized members know that they regularly gather for planned activity of their group, or may be summoned to special meetings for matters requiring consensus.

So now, to whom were John asked to address each of these seven letters? Unless the reader understands the use of pronouns as found in the Greek, he/she will come to the same error that this author has propagated from many other poor lecturers.

The problem is that the modern use of the word "you" in English does not distinguish as to whether it is to translate the second person singular of its use, or the second place plural. Contrary to that modern ambiguosity, the King James translation never confuses the proper translation.

In the KJV, where the Hebrew or Greek means second person singular, the Elizabeth language revives the words "thee, thou, thy, thine, thyself' in its translation. The use of "you, ye, your, yourself" are reserved for use only in the translation of the second person for two or more individuals, not merely one.

So therefore in these letters discussed in this article, here are some excerpts of them from the correct KJV usage of the nouns (pronouns underlined):

To the ruling elder of the Ephesus assembly:

Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; . . . 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: . . . Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 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^assembly out of his place, except thou repent^{change thy mind}.

Was Jesus directly criticizing any other members of the Ephesus gathering? No, but anyone reading this text then or now can take this under advisement, eh? Has everyone in the Ephesus chapel made somebody/something else their most earnestly pursued sovereign interest? Not according to what I understand from this note from Jesus.

But to the appointed elder at Smyrna, the leader of the poor in riches but faithful on their allegiance to the commands of their Savior, John was asked to tell him as coming from The Risen Lord and Savior:

And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; . . . 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.
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye^plural may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Jesus here is explicitly commending this appointee for overseeing the conduct and spiritual state of the gathering, who all seem to be responding meekly. So what about the "bishop" of the northern assembly?:

And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 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^plural, where Satan dwelleth. But I have a few things against thee, . . .

Apparently this elder is having, though claiming to be a "Christian," just a bit too much tolerance to sinning and persecutors of his flock. And his church members will be seeing this criticism, won't they? Do they feel that Jesus is criticizing them, or is He encouraging them to be more forceful in their congregational discipline of this influential elder?

Ah, well; the following text tells of what is to happen. What of the behavior of the president of the synagoguing believers at Thyatira?:

And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, . . . 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.
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. . . . I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. . . . But unto you^plural 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^{ones excluded from punishment} none other burden.

It sounds to me that Jesus is permitting the appointment of a sin-minded elder by a local plurality of congregants (but not all!). The people professing to be "Christians" today ought to take very seriously what He says of the people of Thyatira who permit this misbehavior of their "minister."

Going on, regarding the state of the leadership of the Sardis chapel:

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^physically livest, and art dead^spiritually>.
Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 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.
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. 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.

The point of including more text in this citation is to firmly demonstrate that the letter, though being to the churches for everyone to read and ponder on, it was not written to anyone but the unqualified inadequate plain-literally defined "angel" (God's messenger/preacher/teacher) of this mixed congregation. However, this accountable representative of the assembly has to note that there are a few, eight or less of the constituents, who far pass any qualities of discipleship that he has shown. And we as students of the Bible should take note that this letter is not intended as a criticism of the whole assembly, it is a condemnation of his leadership and example before it.

The general tone of this overall passage is somewhat alleviated by the fact that two of the local assemblies have not defrauded The Lord Jesus of the Glory presumed by claiming to be members as local Depots under His supervision. Smyrna is one, and the gathering of Philadelphian regenerates is the other:

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;
I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee^{God's appointed messenger} 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.
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^personally. Rev 3:10 Because thou^personally hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee^personally from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 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.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

See here, the Lord's purpose in this note is to commend this local influential elder personally for his faithful obedience in shepherding his local flock of Jesus' sheep, with a crown awarded for his competency and faithfulness under great challenges, This letter is not about the church. It is about the full recognition of his devotion to The Faith.

But sadly, there is the outstanding example of fakery to the Master by the example of the worldliness-cleaving fellow milking his aficianados and their diffidence to a fervid dedication to Jesus and His abundant life of wealth in the spiritual realm:

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;
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee^{the principal church leader} out of my mouth.
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:
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.
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

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My criticism of this author is having an unscriptural point of view in writing his article. The whole book was to be sent to the seven churches in Asia Minor, to be read by them, and to read the letters sent individuallu to the particular chief influencers of those seven churches for their discipline by the leaders of their congregations, of which they were only his local administrators.

In the first chapter, verse 11, Jesus commanded John to proceed thusly: "I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; . . ."

This was an imperative for John to send the whole book, containing the individual letters each of them addressed to only one person, not to the whole community, though being open letters, they were allowed to read each of them. To think that the letters were addressed to each of the congregations is the wrong point of view, and to read modern versions of the text without supplemental notes on the grammar issues the translators ignore is to provide an opportunity for ill-advised preaching on those passages.

It is true that many readers of even the King James Bible remain ignorant that the "thee, thy, thine thyself" are NOT use of some sort of religiously intimate language only used by God or with God or To God; in prayer, for instance. This ignorance result from lack of instruction in the grammar of English, let alone other more precise languages. And the Koine Greek of the New Testament is very precise, needing interpretation for many passages. But most readers have not received a clear instruction that the differentiation was deliberately applied by the translators so that the reader might not be confused. So much for now. Be advised, all you Religion Forum responders.

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