What Are the Seven Churches in Revelation: Are you wondering where are the 7 churches of Revelation located today or the location of the seven churches in Revelation? We have looked at seven churches in the Book of Revelation as indicated below
Contents
What Are the Seven Churches in Revelation?
- Ephesus
- Smyrna
- Pergamum
- Thyatira
- Sardis
- Philadelphia
- Laodicea
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Below is a better explanation of the 7 churches
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Church in Ephesus
Revelation 2: 1-7
History of Ephesus
Ephesus was located on the Aegean Sea, which is located in current day Turkey and Greece. This town had a striking harbor and it was located on the main highway for the region. In present time Today this port is a marsh and sandy beach.
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Historically Ephesus was famous for:
The worship of Artemis or Diana, the pagan goddess of fertility,
The Temple of Artemis was also a major treasury and bank of the ancient world
The famous temple was destroyed in 263 AD and only the foundation stones remain
The town was also known for its superstitious and satanic practices
Paul wrote a letter to the church, it is the place where Aquilla and Priscilla, with Apollos, served (Acts 18:24-28).
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What Jesus said about the Church in Ephesus
Some of the things John wrote about the church in Ephesus include:
Praises
They did not tolerate wicked people
They tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and found them false
Had have persevered and have endured hardships for His name, and have not grown weary.
To repent and do the things as they did at first
Ephesus hated the practices of the Nicolaitans
Criticism
They had forsaken the love they had at first.
Promise
To the one who is triumphant, Jesus will give them the right to eat from the tree of life, that is in the paradise of God.
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Church in Smyrna
Revelation 2: 8-11
History of Smyrna
Smyrna
Smyrna was located 60 kilometers (40 miles) north of Ephesus. Present the city is known as Izmir, one of the oldest cities in Turkey and in the world.
Historically Smyrna was known for
Due to its good harbor, Smyrna was a significant center of trade
A center of worship for goddess Nemesis
Normally it was referred to as “the ornament of Asia”
Smyrna was one of the last cities to fall into the hands of Islam
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What Jesus said about the Church in Smyrna
Commendations and persecutions
Jesus knew about their afflictions and their poverty but they were rich!
Jesus knew about the slander of those who say they were Jews and wee not, but were a synagogue of Satan
They should not be afraid of what they were about to suffer.
The devil would put some of them in prison to test
They would suffer persecution for ten days.
They were to be faithful, even to the point of death,
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Promise
Jesus will give them life as their victor’s crown.
The one who is triumphant will not be hurt by the second death.
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Church in Pergamum
Revelation 2: 12-17
History of Pergamum
Pergamum was situated 60 kilometers past Smyrna. The Pergamum means “elevation” or “exalted.” Its religious and cultural center was on top of a visible mount. It was the capital city of the Roman province of Asia. Presently, the city of Bergama lies at the same location where Pergamum was once located.
Historically Pergamum was known for
Pergamum was a famous cultural center.
The city inherited the ancient system of sun worship from Babylon.
It was a center of ancient sun worship
Was the location for the altar of Zeus
Their medical symbol was a serpent wrapped around a pole
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What Jesus said about the Church in Pergamum
Praises
Jesus knew that they lived where Satan had his throne but they remained true to Him.
They did not renounce their faith in God, even after Antipas was put to death
Criticism and correction
There were those who held to the teaching of Balaam
Others still held to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
Repent or Jesus would soon come to them and fight against them with the sword of His mouth.
Promise
Those who were victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna and a white stone with a new name written on it, well-known only to the one who obtains it.
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Church in Thyatira
Revelation 2:18-29
History of Thyatira
Thyatira means “odor of affliction. Thyatira was located 30 kilometers west of Pergamum. Currently, Akhisar is located where Thyatira was.
Historically Thyatira was famous for
Apollo, the sun god, was the chief deity of the city.
Was notable for dying of cloth (colors purple and crimson)
What Jesus said about the Church in Thyatira
Praises
Jesus knew their deeds, love, faith, service, and perseverance.
They were also doing more than they did at first.
Criticism and correction
They tolerated Jezebel, a woman who called herself a prophet and mislead her servants into sexual wickedness and the eating of food sacrificed to idols
Jesus asked the Christians in Thyatira not to follow in her teaching
Jesus did not impose any other burden on the church in Thyatira except they hold on to what they had until He comes.
Promise
To the one who is triumphant, the Lord would give authority over the nation
Jesus will also give the triumphant one the morning star.
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Church in Sardis
Revelation 3: 1-5
History of Sardis
Sardis was the capital of the province of Lydia and was located 40 kilometers southwest of Thyatira.
Historically Sardis was famous for
The temples of Artemis and Zeus
The city was situated 1000 feet up on the side of a mountain
The people of Sardis considered the city unconquerable.
The city was conquered without resistance by both Cyrus and Antiochus
What Jesus said about the Church in Sardis
Criticism and correction
Jesus knew their deeds; although they had the reputation of being alive, they were dead.
They need to wake up and strengthen what remains and is about to die,
Their deeds were unfinished in the sight of God.
They remember what they had received and heard, hold on to it and repent.
If they did not wake up, Jesus will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
Promise
For the few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with the Lord, dressed in white, for they are worthy.
The one who is triumphant will be dressed in white. Their name will not be blotted out from the book of life but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.
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Church in Philadelphia
Revelation 3: 7-13)
History of Philadelphia
Philadelphia lies 45 kilometers east of Sardis. Presently, the city of Alashehir stands where the ancient city of Philadelphia stood.
Historically Philadelphia was known for
It was the doorway to this region
The city was prone to earthquakes and had to be occasionally restored and rebuilt.
What Jesus said about the Church in Sardis
Criticism and correction
The Lord knew that they had little strength, although they kept His word and had not denied his name.
Jesus would make those who are of the synagogue of Satan come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that He loved them.
Promise
Since they had kept His command to endure patiently, The Lord will also keep them from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world.
The one who is triumphant I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it.
He will write on them the name of God and the name of the city of God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name.
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Church in Laodicea
Revelation 3: 14-22
History of Philadelphia
Laodicea is the final church mentioned in revelation. It was located 60 kilometers southeast of Philadelphia.
Historically Laodicea was known for
It was a famous health resort since it had a medical school
Had well-known warm mineral baths
The warm water collected while hot but due to the distance covered by the pipes it reached the resort lukewarm.
Laodicea was a city of commerce.
The people were very rich
The merchants sold fine clothing made from soft, glossy, black wool.
The church in Laodicea was likely established by Paul’s companion Epaphras.
What Jesus said about the Church in Laodicea
Jesus knew your deeds, that were neither cold nor hot
Because they were lukewarm Jesus would spit them out of his mouth.
They felt rich and didn’t need a thing, yet Jesus says they are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
The Lord counseled them to buy Gold from Him so they could be rich, and to buy white clothes so they can cover their nakedness
They needed to be earnest and repent.
Promise
Jesus will come in and eat with that person, and they with Him
Frequently Asked Questions about What Are the Seven Churches in Revelation
What is the significance of the 7 churches in Revelation?
The importance of the 7 seven churches is to illustrate the specific message that Jesus had for the church during John’s time. Revelation 2 and 3 contain the messages of Jesus to 7 churches where he gives a commendation, correction, and a reward to anyone who overcame. Additionally, it is a prophecy about the church throughout history from John’s time. It also prophesied what the people of God would undergo in history.
Why Laodicea is a lukewarm church?
Physically. Laodicea had famous lukewarm mineral baths. Spiritually speaking the church was lukewarm because they didn’t have a firm stand in the Lord. Through John, Jesus Christ reveals how they rejoice in their wealth and though they never needed anything. If the works of Laodicea church were put under fire they would burn out. That is what Christ is advising them to buy from Him pure gold refined in the fire.
Who wrote Revelation?
The book of revelation was written by John, the last surviving disciple of Jesus
Which of the seven churches in revelation did receive criticism from Jesus
Smyrna & Philadelphia
Which Church was known to have left the first love?
Ephesus
John wrote the book of revelation when he was in which place?
Patmos
In Revelation 1, John’s vision of Jesus. the church was represented by the?
Lampstand
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