7 Churches of Revelation – Revelation Chapters 1, 2 & 3 – Biblical Interpretations

In All 7 letters to the 7 Churches of Revelation:

1. ➥ Starts with “to the Angel.”
2. ➥ Jesus is the Speaker.
3. ➥ Jesus refers to His attributes described in Chapter 1.
4. ➥ Jesus says, “I Know…”
➥ Jesus praises positive qualities. (5 of the 7)
➥ Jesus provides “Reproof & Discipline” (Rev 3:19) with a call to “repent.” (5 of the 7)
➥ Jesus describes destruction from Him personally for non-repentance. (5 of the 7)

➥ Jesus speaks about “works.” (5 of the 7)
5. ➥ Jesus says, “to he who overcomes…”
6. ➥ Jesus says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches.”
7. ➥ Jesus speaks of a “Reward” for Conquerors!
5 of the 7 Churches need to Repent or be destroyed by Jesus personally.
Jesus has only good things to say about 2 of the 7 Churches, Smyrna and Philadelphia. Jesus speaks to both of these approved Churches about the “Blasphemy” or “Slander” of the “Lying” “Jews” who are a “synagogue of Satan.” (Rev 2:9 & 3:9)

“to the Angel…”

Each Letter to ALL 7 Churches is Addressed to the Angel of that Church: Rev 2:1, 8, 12, 18, 3:1, 7, 14.
1.➥ Ephesus – Rev 2:1
2.➥ Smyrna – Rev 2:8
3.➥ Pergamum – 2:12
4.➥ Thyatira – Rev 2:18

5.➥ Sardis – Rev 3:1
6.➥ Philadelphia – Rev 3:7
7.➥ Laodicea – Rev 3:14
(“angle” appears 64 times in Revelation, aggelos Strongs G32.
Use of Angel in the rest of Revelation – Rev 1:1, 2, 20, 3:5, 5:2, 11, 7:1-2, 11, 8:2-13, 9:1, 11, 13-15, 10:1-10, 11:15, 12:7, 9, 14:6-10, 15-19, 15:1, 6-8)
(Angel or Angels appears 294 times in the Bible, Heb 1:6-7, 14, Heb 2:2, Rev 14:6-12, Exo 3:2, 14:19, 23:20-23, 32:34, 33:2, 2 Kin 6:17)

Jesus is the Speaker
& His Description Refers back to Ch 1 & Forward to Future Visions in Revelation

In ALL 7 Letters to the Churches, Jesus is the Speaker & Provides a Brief Reference back to the description of Himself in the 1st Vision of Chapter 1 & forward to other descriptions of Himself in visions in the latter chapters.
1.➥ Ephesus – Rev 2:1 quoting Rev 1:12-13, 16, 20
2.➥ Smyrna – Rev 2:8 quoting Rev 1:17, 22:13
3.➥ Pergamum – Rev 2:12 quoting Rev 1:16, 2:16, 19:15, 21

4.➥ Thyatira – Rev 2:18 quoting Rev 1:14, 15, 19:12
5.➥ Sardis – Rev 3:1 quoting Rev 1:4, 4:5-6, Rev 1:16, 20
6.➥ Philadelphia – Rev 3:7 quoting Rev 1:18
7.➥ Laodicea – Rev 3:14 quoting Rev 1:5, 19:11, 21:6

“I know…”

In ALL 7 Letters, Jesus expresses complete Awareness of the 7 Churches’ condition, good and lacking when He says to each, “I Know…”
1.➥ Ephesus – Rev 2:2
2.➥ Smyrna – Rev 2:9
3.➥ Pergamum – 2:13
4.➥ Thyatira – Rev 2:19
5.➥ Sardis – Rev 3:1
6.➥ Philadelphia – Rev 3:8
7.➥ Laodicea – Rev 3:22
Revelation 2:23 – Jesus “searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.”
Jesus “walks in the midst of the 7 golden lampstands” Rev 1:12-13, Rev 2:1.
Jesus Knows!

Positive Qualities

To 5 of the 7 Letters to the Churches Jesus Knows, recognizes & reinforces qualities or conditions He has judged POSITIVE and mandatory for “Overcomers” or “Conquerors!”
2 of the 7 Churches, Sardis & Laodicea, received NO Positive reinforcement.

Summary of POSITIVE Qualities:

1.➥ Ephesus – Rev 2:2-3, 6 – Works, toil, patient endurance, cannot bear those who are evil, tested false apostles, enduring patiently, bearing up for my name’s sake, not grow weary, hate the works of Nicolaitans.
2.➥ Smyrna – Rev 2:9 – Tribulation, poverty yet rich. (ALL POSITIVE! NO Reproof, Discipline or call to Repentance Revelation 3:19)
3.➥ Pergamum – 2:13 – Hold fast my name, did not deny my faith even in days of Antipas

4.➥ Thyatira – Rev 2:19 – Works, love, faith, service, patient endurance, latter works exceed the first.
5.➥ Sardis – NOTHING Positive (Revelation 3:4, yet some at Sardis worthy)
6.➥ Philadelphia – Rev 3:8, 10 – Little power yet kept my word, not denied name, kept my word about patient endurance. (ALL POSITIVE! NO Reproof, Discipline or call to Repentance Revelation 3:19)
7.➥ Laodicea – NOTHING Positive

Reproof, Discipline & Zealous Repentance!

In 5 of the 7 Letters to the Churches, Jesus Provides “REPROVE” & “DISCIPLINE“
with a call to REPENTANCE.
PURPOSE = Rev 3:19 “Those whom I LOVE, I REPROVE & DISCIPLINE, so be ZEALOUS & REPENT.”
Only 2 of the 7 Churches, Smyrna & Philadelphia received no reprove or discipline.
5 of the 7 Churches needed to Repent of Jesus’ reprove & discipline or be destroyed by Jesus personally..

His reprove & discipline to these 5 Churches is:
➥ Ephesus – Rev 2:4-5 – Abandoned the love you had at first.
➥ Pergamum – 2:14-15 – Teaching of Balaam, eating food sacrificed to idols, practicing sexual immorality & teaching of Nicolatians.
➥ Thyatira – Rev 2:20, 24 – Tolerate Jezebel, practice sexual immorality, eat food sacrificed to idols & learned the deep things of Satan.

➥ Sardis – Rev 3:1-3 – Reputation for being alive but dead, Wake up, strengthen what remains and is about to die, have not found your works complete in the sight of my God,
Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent.
➥ Laodicea – Rev 3:15-18 – I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot, lukewarm, for you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

Consequences for Non-Repentance

To 5 of the 7 Churches of Revelation, Jesus Provides DEADLY CONSEQUENCES for NOT ZEALOUSLY REPENTING of His REPROVE & DISCIPLINE :
Jesus states His PURPOSE of Deadly Consequences in Revelation 2:23 “ALL the CHURCHES WILL KNOW that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.”
➥ Ephesus – Rev 2:5, “Remove your Lampstand.”
➥ Pergamum – 2:16, “War against them with the sword of my mouth.”

➥ Thyatira – Rev 2:20-23, “throw her onto a sickbed,” “throw into great tribulation,” & I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.”
➥ Sardis – Rev 3:3, “If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.”
➥ Laodicea – Rev 3:16, ” I will spit you out of my mouth.”
Rev 3:19 “Those whom I love, I reprove & discipline, so be zealous & repent.”

WORKS & the Seven Churches of Revelation

Jesus speaks of “works” 11 times to 5 of the 7 Churches of Revelation! Rev 2:2, 5-6, 19, 22-23, 26, 3:1, 2, 8, 15
Revelation goes on to mention “works” an additional 8 times. Rev 9:20, 14:3, 15:3, 16:11, 18:6, 20:12-13, 22:12.
According to Strong’s G2041, the Greek word for “works”, “Ergon,” appears 176 times and is translated as work (152x), deed (22x), doing (1x), labor (1x).”Ergon” appears 19 times in Revelation!

LOW “WORKS”
➥Ephesus – Rev 2:4-5 “…you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first.”
Love for Jesus is Equated with WORKS!
Rev 2:6 “You hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”

“NOT COMPLETE” “WORKS”
➥ Sardis – Rev 3:1“‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.”

“LUKEWARM” WORKS
➥ Laodicea – Rev 3:15-16 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!” ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

“WORKS EXCEED the 1st”
➥ Thyatira – “Works” mentioned 3 times!
Rev:2:19, “Your latter works exceed the first.”
Rev 2:23, “I will give to each of you according to your works.”
Rev 2:26-29, Reward for Keeping Jesus’ works until the end!

WORKS COMPLETE!
➥ Philadelphia ⁸ “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, that no one is able to shut.

The Doctrines of “Once Saved always saved” & “Saved by Grace” is NOT compatible with Jesus’ repeated consistent words, Judging the 7 Churches based on the level of their “Works!”
James 2:17, “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead”
James 2:26, “So also faith apart from works is dead.”

James 2:2 “that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works.”
(consider James 2:14-22 for context)
Acts 26:20 – “they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.”
Just a couple more references to “Works” in the Bible: Titus 2:14, 3:8, 14, 1 Peter 2:11-12, 2 Peter 1:3-8, Eph 2:10.

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Jesus says to ALL 7 Churches of Revelation, “to the one who overcomes….”

Jesus says to ALL 7 Churches of Revelation, “to the one who overcomes….”
1.➥ Ephesus – Rev 2:7
2.➥ Smyrna – Rev 2:11
3.➥ Pergamum – 2:17
4.➥ Thyatira – Rev 2:26
5.➥ Sardis – Rev 3:5
6.➥ Philadelphia – Rev 3:12
7.➥ Laodicea – Rev 3:21

“Overcome” occurs 7 times to the 7 Churches in Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26, 3:5, 12, 21, and 8 times in the visions following Revelation 5:5, 6:2, 11:7, 12:11, 13:7, 15:2, 17:14, 21:7.
Jesus stated GOAL To ALL 7 Letters to the 7 Churches of Revelation is to “Overcome,” “Conquer” or gain “Victory!”
The 7 Letters to the 7 Churches serve as Jesus’ complete GUIDE or INSTRUCTION List for Believers to “Overcome,” “Conquer” or be “Victorious” over the Devil’s world & their own sinful nature.

Believers must follow ALL the instructions to all 7 Churches to “Overcome!”
Failure in any 1 area means failure to “Overcome,” “Conquer” or gain “Victory.” (See Ephesus – Rev 2:1-7)
Jesus’ high standard for Overcomers is NOT taught or highlighted in most of today’s Churches.

“Overcome,” Strong’s G3528, nikau, occurs 28 Times in the New Covenant writings. The KJV translates Strong’s G3528 in the following manner: overcome (24x), conquer (2x), prevail (1x), and get victory (1x). Strong’s definition is, 1) to conquer, a) to carry off the victory, come off victorious, i) of Christ, victorious over all His foes, ii) of Christians, that hold fast their faith even unto death against the power of their foes, and temptations and persecutions.
John 16:33 – “But take heart, I have overcome the world.”

“Let Him Hear What the Spirit Says to the Churches”

Jesus Concludes All 7 Letters of Revelation to each Church with the words, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”. Rev 2:7, 11, 17, 29, 3:6, 13, 22.
Believers are to listen to what the Spirit says to ALL 7 Churches (es) PLURAL.
1.➥ Ephesus – Rev 2:7
2.➥ Smyrna – Rev 2:11
3.➥ Pergamum – Rev 2:17
4.➥ Thyatira – Rev 2:29
5.➥ Sardis – Rev 3:6
6.➥ Philadelphia – Rev 3:13
7.➥ Laodicea – Rev 3:22
1 other occurrence at Rev 13:9-10

“He who has an ear,” or “let him hear,” is mentioned in Eze 3:27, Matt 11:15, 13:9, 43, Mark 4:9, 23, Luke 8:8, 14:35, Acts 28:27, & Rom 11:8.

According to Jesus’ Parable of the Sower, SEEING, HEARING, REMEMBERING, PERCEIVING & UNDERSTANDING God’s Words is EQUATED with PRODUCING FRUIT!
According to Jesus, True Hearing, Seeing, Perceiving & Understanding is “Small” (Matt 13:31-32) “Secret” (Matt 13:33-35) & “Hidden” ( Matt 13:44).

Parable of the Sower

➥ In Parable of the Sower Jesus uses the word “hear” 12 times! Matt 13:9, 13-23, 43. Consider Matt 13:3-23 for context.
A first occurrence at Matthew 13:9 after Jesus lists 4 scenarios :
According to Matt 13:8, 23 True “Hearing” “PRODUCES 100, 60 & 30.”

Matthew 13:9-17, 35 states the Purpose of Parables is for Jesus to impart the “hidden” “secrets of the kingdom” to those He considers worthy verses those who worship in vain, Not Hearing, Not Seeing, Not Understanding & Not Perceiving (Matt 13:14-15, 19, 22). Jesus is quoting from Isaiah 6:8-11.
As for the future fulfillment compare Isaiah 6:11 with the 7th Vial of Wrath in Revelation 16:17, 19.
BLESSINGS & HEALING for Hearing, Seeing, Perceiving & Understanding “secrets of the Kingdom” at Matt 13:15-16.

REWARD

Jesus concludes ALL 7 Letters to the 7 Churches of Revelation with a Reward for Overcomes or Conquerors:
1.➥ Ephesus – Rev 2:7, “I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”
2.➥ Smyrna – Rev 2:11, “will not be hurt by the second death.”
3.➥ Pergamum – 2:17, “I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.”

4.➥ Thyatira – Rev 2:26-29, “I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. And I will give him the morning star.”
5.➥ Sardis – Rev 3:5, “clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.”

6.➥ Philadelphia – Rev 3:12, “I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.”
7.➥ Laodicea – Rev 3:21, “I will grant him to sit with me on my throne.”

Revelation 11:18 at the 7th Trumpets says, “and the TIME for the dead to be judged, and for REWARDING your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great”
Heb 11:6, Luke 6:23-25, 1 Cor 3:14