The Seven Churches - Introduction

Revelation 1:10,11 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

The above book explains that the book of revelation is directed only to the seven churches and not the general audience. There were many prominent churches in this time but Jesus had a great plan in writing the letter to these churches. From Patmos where John was writing this letter, the seven cities were nearby and followed a specific trade route or road from Ephesus to Laodicea. Because we read that Jesus had only seven stars in his hands and was walking among the seven lampstands, we should see that these churches do not just represent themselves but every other church in every period from the day of Pentecost till today. Also these instructions were not individual instructions but these are contained in a single book which should not have any correction whatsoever and sent to all the seven churches. This means that some of these are direct instructions to us and there are many warnings of problems which may arise. We may to be able to completely categorize us a single of this type but may have one or more individual qualities mentioned to one or more churches in here.

The book starts with the words “The revelation of Jesus Christ” which was given by God the Father to show to His servants. This book is intended only to churches and not the general audience and so, we should take this not as the gospel but a fundamental understanding of Jesus Christ the church should have. The book should be read seeking a revelation of Jesus Christ the Son of God, the Lamb which was slain. The first quality about Jesus is mentioned as a faithful witness. We should not see Jesus as a witness to God about us as he is an advocate there (1 John 2:1). He is a faithful witness to us about God the Father. This explains why we have to look at Jesus so closely to see God (John 12:25).

Revelation 5 explains to the church how honorable Jesus is in heaven. There is a scroll which should be opened by a worthy person who have ransomed people for God. In the following chapters, there are seven seals, seven trumpets and at last seven bowls of wrath poured out, then there is judgment and at last we see the new heaven and new earth is prepared with a New Jerusalem. With this we should understand that this scroll as a deed of the new kingdom where Satan has no authority or presence. For this, the Lord has to complete his ransom of people worthy to be a kingdom and priests. This should happen and only then Jesus would be worthy to open the scroll. The churches should together become that kingdom as in Rev 5:9-10.

We also should note that these seals must opened (Rev 1:1) soon. But, the speed the church is progressing towards becoming a kingdom and priests is so pathetic that it still has not happened after 2000 years. But we are very close now as doctrines are more clean and closer to the will of God. If we strive hard with strong faith, we will be able to fulfill God’s eternal plan in this.

We also read that John was turning away from our Lord when the Spirit left him and he had to turn around to look at the seven churches. This explains how the word has to come first before any visions explaining the purpose of the vision. The word has preference than vision. Vision without words do not serve its purpose. If John could not hear the word, it is not possible to interpret its meanings. When reading the book it is important that we hear the Lord before we conclude at anything.

We should also see that there were seven lampstands and not lamps. These do not produce or own any light of their own but carry the light from the seven spirits / torches as in Revelation 4:5. If we do not hold this understanding, our interpretation of the word will fail. A church should not produce any light of its own and that’s why a church and a community gathering are very different. The church should ensure that its primary responsibility is to hold the light stronger as in Mathew 5:15. If the church cannot lift the Holy Spirit high and display His greatness to the world, the greatest gift of the Holy Spirit cannot work efficiently.

And, we should not fear because He is the first and the last, the alpha and the omega. This means that throughout all these events, as in Joshua 1:9, God is in control and He is in the receiving end.

Amen.