Upon reading Christ’s assessment of Revelation’s seven churches, it is obvious that Christ’s analysis of these ancient churches is not a good report about them or of their leaders.
The analysis that follows is Christ’s assessment of each church.
It is provided to assist the reader to help determine where their own church might appear, using Christ’s “plumbline” as guidance (Amos 7:7-9).
Overview of the Condition of Revelation’s Seven Churches
Revelation chapters 2 and 3 refer to “the things which are” or issues that should concern the church on Earth until the Rapture occurs. (1 Cor. 15:23, 51-58; 1 Thes 4:13-17; 2 Thes 2:7).
In this, Christ’s letters to the churches have a twofold application:
- A local application to these churches, which reveals the spiritual and moral conditions occurring in seven local churches in Asia Minor at that time. These church congregations were located along the western coast of modern Turkey.
- A prophetic application to today’s churches leading up to the Rapture. In this, Christ’s words reveal the (poor) spiritual conditions in five of these churches that may help individuals in today’s churches assess their own spiritual health.
The Similarity in the Letters to the Churches
The order Christ addressed the churches are as follows:
- Ephesus (Rev 2:1-7)
- Smyrna (Rev 2:8-11)
- Pergamos (Rev 2:12-17)
- Thyatira (Rev 2:18-29)
- Sardis (Rev 3:1-6)
- Philadelphia (Rev 3:7-13)
- Laodicea (Rev 3:14-22)
- In nearly all of the letters there is a reference to one or more of the description of Christ in Rev. 1:12-16.
- Each letter is addressed to the church’s pastor.
- Except for the last church, each is commended for its “works”.
- Jesus Christ rebukes each church except the second (Smyrna) and the sixth (Philadelphia)
Christ’s Approvals and the Condemnations of Revelations Seven Churches
| Church | Approval Points | Condemnation Points |
| Ephesus | Rev. 2:2-6. I know | Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love – meaning evangelism. |
| Smyrna | 1. Works 2. Tribulation 3. Poverty, but rich in the Lord | No words of condemnation |
| Pergamos | 1. Works 2. Holding fast to Christ’s name 3. Not denying the faith. | 1. Holding the doctrine of Balaam 2. Eating things sacrificed to idols 3. Committing fornication 4. Holding the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes (church hierarchy) |
| Thyatira | 1. Works (James 2:26) 2. Charity (Godly love) 3. Service to God 4. Faith (as a gift – 1 Cor 12:9) 5. Patience (Rom 5:3-5) 6. Increased works (John 14:12) | 1. Jezebel permitted to teach 2. Allowing her to seduce My servants (Christians) to commit fornication 3. Permitting Jezebel to seduce Christians to eat things sacrificed to idols 4. Tolerating Jezebel in spite of her impenitence. |
| Sardis | 1. Works (Rev. 3:1) 2. Having a name or reputation of being a live church, but “art dead” (Rev. 3:1) 3. Works not perfect before God (Rev. 3:2) 4. Few godly members (Rev. 3:4) | No condemnation, but Christ’s promises to The Overcomer are: 1. Walk with Me in white (Rev. 3:4) 2. Be clothed in white raiment (Rev. 3:5) 3. I will not blot his name out of the Book of Life (Rev. 3:5) 4. I will confess his name before My Father and the angels (Rev. 3:5) |
| Philadelphia | 1. Works 2. A little strength 3. Kept My Word 4. Not denied My name | No condemnation |
| Laodicea | Nothing from Jesus to commend. |
|
Assessment points of Revelation’s Seven Churches
- Each of Revelation’s Seven Churches was commanded to repent except the second, fourth, and sixth. This means to stop sinning totally! In this, the fourth church was required to repent of its sin, but it was a free-will choice and not a commandment.
- Warnings of judgment are given to all the seven churches except the second and sixth.
- Each church was more corrupt than the preceding church except for the first, second, and sixth churches.
- Christ approved the first church for ten things, whereas He condemned the last church for ten things.
- Promises to ‘The Overcomers’ are those whom Christ knew in each church.
- Each Christian had the same admonition to “HEAR“!!!.
- John is told to write each case of judgment. Once one letter is completed, he continues writing letters to all remaining churches.
- He is told to write about “the things which shall be hereafter” or the events that follow the Rapture (Rev. 1:19; Rev. 4:1).
Eighteen Blessings to ‘The Overcomer’
Christ promises to give to every Christian who becomes an ‘Overcomer’ of Satan and his lies and deceptions the following benefits (or blessings):
- Eat of the tree of life (Rev. 2:7)
- Be given the crown of life (Rev. 2:10; Rev. 3:11)
- Escape the second death or the Lake of Fire (Rev. 2:11; Rev. 20:14)
- The hidden manna (Rev. 2:17)
- A white stone and a new name (Rev. 2:17)
- Their part in the Rapture (Rev. 2:25; Rev. 3:11; 1 Thes. 4:16; Phil. 3:21; Col. 3:4; 1 Cor. 15:23,51-58)
- Power (or authority as kings) over the nations (Rev. 2:26-27)
- Complete defeat of rebels (Rev. 2:27)
- The Morning Star (Rev. 2:28)
- Walk with Christ in white raiment (Rev. 3:4-5)
- Name eternally written in the Book of Life (Rev. 3:5; Rev. 22:18-19)
- Jesus Christ will mention the Christian’s name before God (Rev 3:5).
- The Christian will be a pillar in God’s temple (Rev. 3:12)
- The Christian will be eternally abiding with God (Rev. 3:12)
- God’s name written upon the Christian (Rev. 3:12)
- Name of the New Jerusalem written upon him (Rev. 3:12)
- New name of Christ written upon him (Rev. 3:12)
- The Christian will be given an eternal throne and kingdom in Christ’s kingdom (Rev. 3:21; Rev. 1:6; Rev. 5:10; Rev. 11:15; Rev. 22:4-5)
It seems from comparing today’s churches with Christ’s assessment of Revelation’s seven churches that Christianity has become more self-focused rather than Christ-focused. If one examines the list of promises (or blessings) above, it seems that most modern churches have become more like the Church at Laodicea rather then those at Smyrna and Philadelphia.
Things to ponder
- Have you read what the True Church of Jesus Christ should be like? If not, click here.
- What do you think of this article?
- Do you have any comments?
- Feel free to ask a question.
- Have you seen any street evangelism like this before?
The teachings were to my knowledge very cute transparent andwell understood andi love it,
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you penning this post and also the rest of the website is very good.
Hi Michaela – I’m so sorry that it has taken me so long to acknowledge your comment, because it is so much appreciated.
Yes, my website is ad-free and is here to share Biblical truth for those FEW Christians who “LOVE TRUTH that they MIGHT be Saved” (2 Thes 2:10). Welcome to the place where pure Biblical truth can be shared among “brethren” (Rom 8:14).
Feel free to post any questions you my have.
Blessings Michaela! Alan
Howdy, I think your site may be having web browser compatibility issues. Whenever I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in I.E., it has some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to give you a quick heads up! Aside from that, wonderful blog!
Thanks for he heads-up on this issue Alta and the comments about the blog. They are most appreciated.
Blessings! Alan
Hi Alta,
I’m sorry for the delay in responding to your comment, but I have been very busy. Google has also reported the problem to me and I believe I have rectified the issue.
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment as it is very much appreciated.
Blessings! Alan
Hi Alan,
Beautifully explained, Christ’s assessment of Revelation’s seven churches. I like the 8 Assessment points and 18 Blessings to ‘The Overcomer’.
Left me speechless with the explanation ( The Approval and the
Condemnation from Christ) in the form of a table.
Super blessed after reading this post! Awesome! Keep sharing Gospel in such a simple and easy to understand way! God bless you!