What Are the Seven Churches in Revelation

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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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