THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF THE REVELATION
"Let him who has ears, hear what the Spirit says to the churches?"
Churches | Strengths | Failures | Instruction | Promise To Faithful |
Loveless
EPHESUS (Rev. 2:1-7) |
Hard work
Patient endurance Reject evil Persevere |
You have forsaken your first love | Repent and do the works as you did at first | You will eat from the tree of life |
Suffering
SMYRNA (Rev. 2:8-11) |
Endure your suffering and poverty, yet you are rich | None | Remain faithful even when facing prison, persecution or death | I will give you the crown of life. You will not be hurt by the second death |
Worldly
PERGAMUM (Pergamos) (Rev. 2:12-17) |
Loyalty to Christ; refuse to deny Him | Tolerate cults, heresies, idolatry and immorality | Repent! | Hidden manna and a stone with a new name on it |
Wrong Doctrine
THYATIRA (Rev. 2:18-29) |
Love, faith, works, patient endurance; constant improvement | Tolerate pagan cults, idolatry and immorality. Judgement coming! | Repent! | Faithful hold fast until I come. I will give you authority over the nations and gift of the morning star |
Spiritually Dead
SARDIS (Rev. 3:1-6) |
Only a faithful remnant have kept the faith. Church is spiritually dead | Repent and turn back to Christ | Strengthen what little faith remains | Faithful will walk with Jesus and not be blotted out of the book of life |
Spiritually Alive
PHILADELPHIA (Rev. 3:7-13) |
Kept my word and have not denied my name | None | I have placed before you an open door. I will keep you from the hour of trial. | I will make you a pillar in the temple of my God |
Complacent
LAODICEA (Rev. 3:14-22) |
None | Neither hot nor cold. You rely on riches but don't realize your spiritually impoverished condition. | Turn from indifference and repent! | I will invite those who overcome to sit with me on my throne |
Michal Hunt, Copyright © 2000 Agape Bible Study. Permissions All Rights Reserved.