Letters to the Seven Churches
"The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches" (Revelation 1:20).
These letters were written to the seven churches in Asia. This does not refer to the continent that is called Asia today, but to the Roman province of Asia which was on the western part of present-day Turkey. These seven churches were located along a road which begins at Ephesus on the coast, moved north through Smyrna and Pergamum turning east through Thyatira, then south to Sardis, southeast to Philadelphia and finally ending at Laodicea. One question that is often asked is, “Why was the Book of Revelation addressed only to these seven churches?”
The best explanation comes from understanding the unique relationship of John the Apostle with these seven churches, and what was happening to them when this book was written. Although these churches were established mainly through Paul’s ministry, they came under the care of John the Apostle after Paul died in AD 67. John took up residence at Ephesus and there he wrote his Gospel and his epistles which are 1, 2 and 3 John. From there he visited these churches regularly and exercised good pastoral care over them, even protecting them against false teachers like Cerinthus and false doctrines like Gnosticism.
Things became extremely difficult for Christians when Domitian became the emperor of the Roman Empire in 81 AD. Domitian was a cruel tyrant who wanted everyone to acknowledge him as Lord and God. When the Christians refused to do this, he persecuted them severely and turned everyone against them by blaming them for famines, earthquakes and plagues that affected any province in the empire. Many Christians were forced to renounce their faith in Christ. Some were killed, and many like John, were imprisoned or exiled. Let us read verse 9 to see where John was exiled: “I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
Revelation Chapter 1
1 This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John:
- Amos 3:7- Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
- Romans 16:25 - Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began.
- Daniel 2:28 - But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the latter days…
2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw:
- Acts 4:20 - For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand:
- Rev 22:7 - "Behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of prophecy in this book."
- Luke 11:28 - But He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."
- Romans 13:11- The hour (time) has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne:
- Romans 1:7 - To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood:
- Matthew 20:28 - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."
- John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
- 1 Corinthians 15:20 - But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
- Isaiah 11:2 - The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him (Christ)--the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.
- Acts 26:23 - ..that the Christ would suffer, and as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles."
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen:
- Titus 2:14 -Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
- Daniel 7:14 - And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, so that every people, nation, and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
- 1 Peter 2:9 - But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
(Parallel) Exodus 19:6- And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites."
7 Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen:
- Zechariah 12:10 - Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the residents of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns an only child, and weep bitterly for Him as one grieves a firstborn son.
- Matthew 24:30 - At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.
- Mark 14:62 -…and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.
8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty:
- Rev 22:13 - I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
- Colossians 1:18 - And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence.
9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ:
- Acts 14:22 - …strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. "We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said.
- 2 Timothy 2:12 - ..if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us.
- John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet:
- Revelation 4:2 - At once I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne standing in heaven, with someone seated on it.
- Revelation 17:3 - And the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness...
- Revelation 21:10 - And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high…
11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea:
(Some of these seven churches kept closer to the gospel than others. Jesus gave each one a short "report card.")
12 And I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands (seven churches).
13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle:
- Revelation 2:1 - Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks.
(Parallel) Daniel 10:5 - I lifted up my eyes, and behold, there was a certain man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist.
14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire:
- Daniel 7:9 - As I continued to watch, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.
- Revelation 19:12- He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows.
15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters:
- Ezekiel 43:2 - and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of many waters, and the earth shone with His glory.
- Rev 14:2 - And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder…
16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength:
- Matthew 17:2 - There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.
- Hebrews 4:12- For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
- Matthew 28:3 - His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.
17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
- Rev 2:8 - To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of the First and the Last, who died and returned to life.
(Parallel) Daniel 10:9 - I heard the sound of his words, and as I listened, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground.
(Parallel) - Matthew 17:7- Then Jesus came over and touched them. "Get up," He said. "Do not be afraid."
18 I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death:
- John 11:25 - Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies.
- Romans 6:9 - For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has dominion over Him.
- 1 Corinthians 15:20-23- But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept…
19 Therefore write the things that you have seen, and the things that are, and the things that are about to take place after this (present, past, future):
- Rev 4:1- After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”
- Rev 22:6 - Then the angel said to me, "These words are faithful and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent His angel to show His servants what must soon take place."
20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches:
- Matthew 13:11- He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
- Zechariah 4:2 - And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof.