12. Eschatological Promises and Threat to the Seven Churches

Eschatological Promises and Threat to the Seven Churches

Prayer Thought:

Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons."  {FE 478.1}  

As a people we are to stand under the banner of Jesus Christ. We are to consecrate ourselves to God as a distinct, separate, and peculiar people. He speaks to us, saying, "Incline your ear, and come unto Me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David." "In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee. Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by Me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake. . . . No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of Me, saith the Lord."  {FE 478.2}  

Purpose of the Study

To explore the prophetic messages and lessons given to the seven churches in the book of Revelation, particularly in relation to their eschatological significance. 

This study would aim to examine both the promises of victory, restoration, and blessings to those who overcome, as well as the threats and warnings to those who fail to heed God's commands. 

It would also seek to understand how these messages are relevant to the church today, providing spiritual lessons and guidance on remaining faithful, discerning, and steadfast in light of the challenges faced by the people of God as they approach the end times.

What is the meaning of Eschatological?

The word "eschatological" comes from "eschatology," which means the study of the last days or events related to the end of the world and the future kingdom of God.

In the Christian context, eschatology refers to:
✔ The Second Coming of Christ
✔ The Resurrection
✔ The Final Judgment
✔ The New Heaven and New Earth
✔ The Kingdom of God

In simple terms, when something is described as eschatological, it relates to prophecies and doctrines about the final events in God's plan of salvation.

Seven Churches

Ephesus: 

• city claimed to be metropolis (mother city) of Asia (Turkey) – eventually vanished from map  

• all that remains is a place name ‘Ayasaluk’ (lit. hagios theologos (saint theologian) 

• after 5th cent, church built there was dedicated to John – was John’s home church in later years – last church to house a living apostle  

• two traditions about John → sermon: “Little children love one another” → John’s refusal to live under the same roof as heretic Cerinthus  

• outstanding character of the church (theological correctness) -- letter to the church by Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, shortly after John (speaks of a church so well taught that no unorthodox sect can gain a hearing among her members)

Smyrna: 

• rival city to Ephesus – 700 years before had been destroyed – in ruins for 3 centuries  

• John’s Smyrna had risen from these ruins – thrives today as Izmir (a major city in Turkey)  

• persecution in Smyrna from local Jewish community produced a famous martyr, Polycarp 

• lessons are that suffering is inevitable but suffering is also limited

Pergamos: 

• Ephesus was the New York of Asia; Pergamos was its Washington DC 

• provincial seat of Roman government – had enormous library – famous healings of priests of Aesculapius  

• city’s acropolis crowned with altar of Zeus – paraphanelia catering for mind, body, and spirit

• pressure in Pergamos through non-Christian society – persecution leads to martyrdom – seduction led by Nicolaitans (Num 31:16; 25:1-3) – compromise creeps in – distinction between church and world is blurred – too much tolerance and too little discipline

Thyatira: 

• important centre of trade and commerce – had guild of weavers and dyers, leather works and metal works

• famous temple of sun god Apollo – modern city of Akhisar on site of ancient Thyatira  

• problem with immorality and idol worship – Jezebel (an outsider who pretends to be a prophetess) – for Pergamos the pressure is from without – for Thyatira the poison is from within

Sardis: 

• old capital of Lydian kingdom – first appears in 7th cent BC – fabulously rich king, Croesus 

• changed hands several times – Cyrus, Alexander the Great, Antiochus the Great, Roman possession in 133 BC  

• citadel of Sardis never taken by assault – was thought to be impregnable but captured more than once through stealth

• church had good reputation – regarded as flourishing and active but was secure and complacent like the city – untroubled by heresy or persecution – not aware of real spiritual state 

Philadelphia: 

• about 40 km from Sardis – founded about 15 BC by Attalus II Philadelphus of Pergamos – named Philadelphia  

• was a beautiful city – nicknamed “Little Athens” – today a small city Alashehir  

• no rebuke best spiritual state – not noted for its great strength or reputation but enduring

Laodicea: 

• banking centre – textile town – famous for certain kind of eye ointment (Phrygian Powder) and black wool  

• lime-laden water flowed from nearby hot springs  

• financiers, physicians, clothing manufacturers were leading citizens  

• city so rich it refused Imperial aid when destroyed by an earthquake in AD 60 – 

• church a mirror image of the city – self-perception a stark contrast of Christ’s expectations – self-image totally false -- worst condition for a church

The Names of the Churches

1. Ephesus = “desirable” (uncertain)  – was loveless

2. Smyrna = meaning uncertain (trad. “myrrh”) – was suffering

3. Pergamos = “citadel” – was compromising

4. Thyatira = “burning incense” (uncertain) – had double standards

5. Sardis = “remaining” (uncertain) – was nearly dead

6. Philadelphia = “brotherly love” – was loving

7. Laodicea = “people judged” or “old castles” – was lukewarm (tasteless)

Descriptions of Christ

1. Controls destiny and is present – transcendent yet immanent

2. Living One who encompasses time and death

3. Judge and Warrior – destroys and protects

4. Son of God – awesome one

5. All Encompassing One – fills heaven and earth

6. Determiner of all things – holy and true (Isa 22:15 ff)

7. Creator, Witness and Amen – faithful one

Promises

1. return to Paradise – eat of the tree of life – immortality

2. victory over death – conquest over last foe

3. new name and new appetite – new life

4. power and authority – rulership (Isa 56:4 ff)

5. new clothes and name in book of life – permanence

6. God’s dwelling place – belongingness

7. sit on Christ’s throne – elevated destiny

A Sequential View

1. Ephesus – Apostolic period – AD 31-100

2. Smyrna – Patristic period – AD 100-313

3. Pergamos – Roman period –AD 313-538

4. Thyatira – Medieval period – 538-1517

5. Sardis – Reformation period – AD 1517-1833

6. Philadelphia – Advent Movement period – AD 1833-1844

7. Laodicea – AD 1844-end time

Weakness of the view: the unequal division of time and history which appears rather arbitrary – the conditions spelled out in Revelation do not always match the church in the assigned historical period – a purely linear view of the prophecy

An Eschatological View

This view looks at the prophecy not in a linear way but as a pie-view – sees a composite nature to the prophecy – sees the possibility that the prophecy applies to the church through the ages but especially in the end time – takes the exegetical data seriously 

Threats against the Churches

1. Ephesus: Christ will remove candlestand from its place

2. Smyrna: none

3. Pergamos: Christ will fight against them

4. Thyatira: Christ will repay according to their deeds

5. Sardis: Christ will come like a thief

6. Philadelphia: none

7. Laodicea: Christ will vomit them out; he will rebuke and discipline