3. Jesus' Messages to the Seven Churches Jan 12-18

A EPHESUS. From year 31 to 100. Until the death of John. 

B SMYRNA. From year 100 to 323. Until the conversion of Constantine. 

❖ The church in Smyrna was the church of martyrdom. Whoever refused to worship the emperor was imprisoned and killed. 

❖ Jesus didn’t specify any weakness in this church. He gave them a piece of advice that has encouraged Christians for centuries: “Do not be afraid… Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10) 

C PERGAMOS. From year 323 to 538. Until Justinian gives the Papacy political power. 

❖ The living emperor was worshipped for the first time in Pergamos in 29 BC. The god Asklepios was worshipped there too. 

❖ Some people in the church taught that it was correct to do so (Balaam and the Nicolaitans) 

❖ Jesus gives them the chance to repent. If they don’t, they will be punished with a sharp sword that comes from His mouth. 

❖ The Church strength declined doctrinally and spiritually between the 4th and the 6th century. They needed the bread of life (“the hidden manna”) like we do today. 

D THYATIRA. From year 538 to 1517. Until Luther’s Reformation. 

❖ In Thyatira, craftsmen had to take part in the rites of pagan temples in order to be admitted in trade guilds. The church leaders encouraged Christians to compromise (they’re called “Jezebel”) 

❖ During the Middle Ages, the uneducated masses had a great religious fervor (2:19), but the Church leaders corrupted the Christian faith. In 538 AD, the Empire gave them authority. They replaced the intercession of Christ with human intercession, and taught that salvation could be bought or gained by works. 

E SARDIS. From year 1517 to 1798. Until the Pope is imprisoned. 

❖ In 1517, the Reformation lifted the truth high again. Unfortunately, between 1565 and 1740, the reformed church degenerated into lifeless formalism. 

❖ Jesus Christ asks us to seek spiritual excellence and to keep our faith clean. He will give us white garments. 

F PHILADELPHIA. From year 1798 to 1844. Until the end of the 2,300 days. 

❖ A global religious revival began by the end of the 18th Century and continued until the middle of the 19th Century. 

❖ There is no reprimand for this church, but an “open door”, a new glimpse of the spiritual truths of the Heavenly Sanctuary. 

❖ We’re encouraged to keep what we have. Jesus will place His character (His name) in us, and we’ll live forever with Him. 

G LAODICEA. From year 1844 to… Until the End. 

❖ Laodiceans were rich thanks to commerce, their precious black wool, and their Phrygian eye salve. There was a thermal spring close to the city, at Hierapolis. That water was channeled to the city by using an aqueduct. 

❖ Nothing good was written about this church. Jesus knows our personal spiritual life and encourages us to get whatever we need from Him. — Gold: Faith (1 Peter 1:7) — White garments: Salvation and righteousness (Isaiah 61:10) — Eye salve: Spiritual understanding (Ephesians 1:17-18) 

❖ He insistently knocks the door of our hearts. If we let Him in and live with Him, we’ll sit with Him on His throne