Review Lecture on the Seven Churches of Revelation

THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF REVELATION: A PROPHETIC PICTURE OF THE END-TIME CHURCH IN THE FINAL SEVEN-YEAR PERIOD OF THIS PRESENT AGE?

Introduction: We have just finished the study of the Seven Churches of Revelation in about ten weeks. When we started this study, I had two BIG questions in my mind. First, “Why is the letters to the Seven Churches part of the Book of Revelation?” Meaning, Revelation is a end-time book, where as the seven letters were written to seven Churches of that time. The letters could have been one of the epistles or seven epistles in the New Testament. The seven Churches are:  Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Second, “Why only these seven churches?” Meaning, there were many other churches in the province of Asia at the time John wrote these letters. On a side note, the order in which the seven churches are introduced (Rev 1:11) and the sequencing in which the letters are arranged is exactly same. Any significance in the order?

The answer we discovered (at least I think so) as we finished this study is this: The letters to the Seven Churches of Revelation form a prophetic picture of the church in general during the final seven-year period of this present age, just before the Second Coming of Jesus and the beginning of the Millennial kingdom. The Seven Churches, with their unique situations introduce us to the various problems and triumphs to be experienced by the end-time church. Further, the seven churches with their unique sequencing, introduce us to various actors of the end-time events and the order of their occurrence.

Background: We need to have the following in our mind for this study:

1)    The Final Seven-Year Period: There is a final seven-year period of this present age about which Daniel the prophet spoke about. In Daniel’s prophecy about the Seventy “Seven” (Da 9:24), referring to a period of 490 years, Daniel divided the whole period into three groups. The first group is seven “sevens” (Da 9:25), meaning 49 years, referring to the time period between Daniel’s vision and restoration and rebuilding of Jerusalem. The second grouping is sixty-two “sevens”, meaning 434 years, referring to the time interval between restoration of Jerusalem and the Messiah’s death on the cross (Da 9:26). After that there is a gap of an unknown number of years in which we are living now for the last two thousand years. But Daniel tells that after this unknown gap period, there will be a final one “seven” (Da 9:27), meaning a significant final seven-year period before the end of this age.

2)    Preparation of the Servants of Jesus: The seven churches of Revelation were real churches of their time. Their situations and problems described in the letters are real. However, the situations and problems described for the churches are going to be the situations and problems of the world-wide church during the final seven year period. The Book of Revelation is written for the bond-servants of Jesus (Rev 1:1), for those in the Church to be prepared for the unique dynamics during the end of the age. As such, the Book of Revelation, will be fulfilled in a world-wide scale through the end-time church, the Church that goes through the final seven year period of this present age.

3)    Pattern is Prophecy: Most of us think that prophecy means utterance of the future event by a prophet. But to the Hebrews, prophecy also means pattern. Meaning, an event that happened in the past is more likely to happen in future. In this case the situations and problems of the Seven Churches are likely to re-occur but in a world-wide universal scale to the church in general. Pattern here refers to patterns of events as well as patterns of words or language the Holy Spirit uses to describe events.

    Now let's look at the problems, situation, solutions, promises and their present as well future (end-time) fullfillments for each of the churches.

I. Ephesus (The Rise of the Antichrist; Time of false peace and safety; Deception; Falling away)

    In Jesus’ evaluation the church in Ephesus was excellent in service (to people), commitment (to cause or organization), purity (moral), discernment (based on understanding and exposition of bible) (Rev 2:2,3,6). However, she was charged for forsaking the first love (Rev 2:4,5). This was such a serious charge, that if she did not repent, she would be removed and would cease to exist as a church (Rev 2:5). As the prescribed solution for this problem, Jesus admonished her to do the first things (Rev 2:5 KJV). Here “first thing” does not mean more activities but the first in priority. What is the first thing we as Christians should do? What is the first and the greatest commandment? Jesus said that the first and the greatest command is to love Him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength (Mt 22:36-38; Mk 12:29-30). To Ephesus, which meant desirable and its title during the Roman rule was “first and greatest metropolis of Asia” [Source: Easton Bible Dictionary], Jesus admonished to restore the first and the greatest commandment. Without loving Jesus as our first thing in life, we can live a religious life, as the church in Ephesus was doing. It is possible to work hard for mission, be busy with many programs and activities, study bible a lot and have sound knowledge of the Scriptures and purity of doctrines, live a morally upright life, yet do all this without loving Jesus enough. Jesus who introduced himself as the owner of this church threatened to remove this church (Rev 1:20;2:1,5).

    It does not matter whether Apostle Paul was the founder of this church! She would be removed by Jesus because she lacked love for Him.  Why is it such a serious matter? It is so because, when we do not love Jesus enough, our hearts do not remain empty. We knowingly or unknowingly love something or someone. The matter is serious when we consider the warning of deception and self love prophesied by Daniel (Da 8:23,25; 11:21,23), Paul (2Ti 3:1-5; 4:3,4), and Jesus himself (Mt 24:4, 11-13, 23-25) about the end time. All of them talked about a period of false peace and security just before the end of the age. This refers to the first three and half year period of the last seven years of this present age. This is the time period when the Antichrist rises as a world leader with great wisdom and able to solve world’s most difficult and long standing problems, such as: terrorism, food security, ethnic conflicts, and religious animosity, etc. This prophecy finds it’s fulfillment when Jesus opens the first of the seven seals (Rev 6:1-2).

   REV 6:1 I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals…[2] I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.

    DA 8:23 “In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a fierce-looking king, a master of intrigue [attractive personality, greatly gifted person], will arise. 24 He will become very strong, but not by his own power….25 He will cause deceit to prosper, …

   DA 11:21 “He will be succeeded by a contemptible person who has not been given the honor of royalty. He will invade the kingdom when its people feel secure, and he will seize it through intrigue… 23 After coming to an agreement with him, he will act deceitfully, and with only a few people he will rise to power.

   MT 24:4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.

   MT 24:11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. ¹² And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. ¹³ But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

   MT 24:23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand..

   2TI 3:1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

    The problem is that as the love for Jesus grows cold in many Christians’ hearts and get replaced by love for self, money and pleasures, Antichrist will find it easy to deceive them with his charming personality, leadership qualities, and unmatchable human wisdom. The world will experience a period of false peace and safety under the leadership of the Antichrist and he will succeed in deceiving many of the elect who are not sincere in loving Jesus (Rev 6:2).

    Repentance of the love for self  and a new resolve to love Jesus (Mt 16:24-27) is the only way for continuity as a Christian and as a church/ministry. Otherwise, Jesus says he would remove the lampstand, meaning loss of salvation as an individual and absence of impact on the world as a church or ministry. Many will join and follow the Antichrist because he will greatly honor those who acknowldge him by distributing his plunders with them (Da 11:24) and he will also make them rulers over many people and will make them owners of the land (Da 11:39). They will look like those who gained the whole world, but they will lose their life (Mt 16:26). On the contrary, Jesus encourages us through truthful eternal promises to love him by telling us about a place in the paradise and the right to eat from the tree of life (Rev 2:7). In the age to come, believers will not need the tree of life to remain alive, but to have unique spiritual experiences. The leaf of the tree of life are described as having effect to heal the nations. Whatever that may mean, the promise is only for the overcomer. With the hope of living in paradise, we must give up self-loving and love for pleasure.and instead love Jesus in this life as the first thing! This answers one of the greatest questions we can ask about the end-time. How can we be saved from the deception? The answer is to love Jesus as first thing. When we love Him as first thing, we will not be deceived, no matter how charming, powerful and attractive is the Antichrist during the first three and half period of his career

    Mt 16:24-27 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. [25] For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. [26] What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? [27] For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.
   
    Jude 1:24-25 To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy-- [25] to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

II. Smyrna (The Reign of the Antichrist as the man of lawlessness; Intense persecution against the saints)

    Jesus directly refers to the persecutions, prison and death the Church of Smyrna was about to suffer as the schemes of the devil to test the church. This prophecy will find ultimate fulfillment when the Antichrist will persecute the Christians who refuse to worship him and will put them into prison and death (Rev 13:7,10). This is the beginning of the great tribulation.

    Rev 13:7 He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. [8] All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast … 10 If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints.

    After the three and half period of false peace and security, the Antichrist violates his own covenant of peace in the middle of the seven years, takes off his mask and reveals himself as a beast, a cruel and most oppressive dictator the world has ever seen (Da 8:23-25; 11:21-). He would be acting as the Serpent’s seed to fight against the Messiah the woman’s seed (Ge 3:15) in the final battle between good and evil. Many Christian who refuse to worship the Antichrist will be put in prison and even killed. But the ultimate victory will be of the saints.

    DA 8:23 "In the latter part … a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will arise. [24] He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people. [25] He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power..

    DA 11:23 After coming to an agreement with him, he will act deceitfully, and with only a few people he will rise to power. 24 When the richest provinces feel secure, he will invade them… He will distribute plunder, loot and wealth among his followers. He will plot the overthrow of fortresses—but only for a time.

    DA 11:36 “The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place…. 37 He will show no regard for the gods of his ancestors or for the one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all. 38 Instead of them, he will honor a god of fortresses; a god unknown to his ancestors he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. 39 He will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the land at a price.[d]

    2TH 2:3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness[a] is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

    Jesus calls for patient endurance to the church and faithfulness to the point of death (Rev 2:10; 13:10). This is a time of intense pressure to acknowledge and worship the Antichrist or suffer persecution, even death. Many who love their life will give up their faith and join with Antichrist and worship him (Da 11:30,32,34). But their end will be destruction and eternal condemnation (suffering second death) though they might have had been born again and had faith in Jesus for a time (Rev 21:8). On the contrary to those who love Jesus and refuse to worship Antichrist at the cost of their life will be rewarded by Jesus. Jesus who is the First and the Last, who died and rose again will resurrect them will give them position of authority in his kingdom (Rev 20:4,6)

    REV 20:4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. … This is the first resurrection… The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

III. Pergamum (Rise of the False Prophet; Deceiving the elect through signs and wonders; Mark of the Beast)

IV Thyatira (Jezebel, Rise of Harlot Babylon—the One World religion, Astounding Parallels between Jezebel & Harlot Babylon, Ahab & Antichrist, Elijah [+ Moses] & the Two Witnesses)

V. Sardis (The Rapture of the Saints and the prepared Bride  enters the Wedding of the Lamb)

    The charge that Jesus brings against the church in Sardis is the ignorance of her own reality. The church was living in false pride. She thought she was alive and ready, but in reality she was dead and not ready to meet the unexpected (Rev 3:1-2). The “unexpected” is the Second Coming of Jesus, for Jesus’ return will be like that of a thief—resulting in loss that could have been avoided through preparation. Jesus (Mt 24:42-44) and Paul (1Th 5:2-4) make it very clear that Jesus’ second coming will be like a thief only to those who are not prepared. It is not meant to be and not supposed to be like a thief for those who are prepared. We will suffer loss if we do not watch the house, but if we prepare and remain watchful it will not suffer loss! That’s the point.

    Mt 24:42“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

    1Th 5:2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. [3] While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

    Rev 3:4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. [5] He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. [6] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

    To those who remain watchful and prepare—which means to be alert and self controlled, putting faith and love as breastplate, and the hope of salvation as helmet (1Th 5:6,8), which also means keeping our clothes on or not indulging in spiritual adultery with false god(s) (Rev 16:15)—Jesus calls them as those who did not corrupt their garments with sin (Rev 3:4). He calls them worthy to enter the Wedding of the Lamb as His prepared Bride (Rev 19:7), like the five wise virgins who entered the Wedding (Mt 25:10; Rev 3:5). Jesus will also present these overcomer to the Father as a reward for the Father’s long suffering in bringing His sons and daughters back to Himslef and the Son’s laying down His life for them on the painful and shameful cross. This will be a day of great rejoicing and celebration of the victory! But the names of those who do not overcome will be blotted out from the book of life (Rev 3:5)though they too had a new-birth experience and lived like Christians, but instead of being prepared to be the worthy Bride of Christ, continued to enjoy sin (spiritual adultery) and back-slided with a false hope of entering heaven anyway! Like the five foolish virgins who were told by Jesus, “I do not know you!” (Mt 25:12) they will be disowned by Jesus to their own surprise and shame (Rev 3:5).

     REV 16:15 "Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed."

     Rev 19:7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)

     How can we be watchful and ready? Self controlled and living with faith and love and hope of salvation at this critical hour? We need the Holy Spirit who is here to prepare the Bride for the Bridegroom. The five virgins prepared Oil—which symbolizes a Spirit filled life.The Holy Spirit is the source of faith and love and hope, especially at a critical time like this!

VI. Philadelphia (Beginning of the Millennial Kingdom; the Judgment seat of Christ; Mobilization of the saints for their new assignments)

VII. Laodicea (Final dealings with complacency and rebellion)

    The complete set of notes will be freely made available, but only on request. To make your request, use the comment section below, or email to: gnial2001@gmail.com