Seven Churches in Revelation

I have been reading and studying the letters to the seven churches. I came to it having been taught that the churches represented a chronology from the early church to the church in last days each of them representing a period of “church history” (yawn) as well as having personal application, as does all scripture.

I was interested to learn the seven church cities are all in Turkey (Asia Minor), because Turkey is now thought to play a prominent role in the events that have been prophesied in Daniel and in Revelation. Turkey is the goat in Daniels dream in Daniel chapter 8. - no conclusions from this, just interesting.

I have enjoyed the teachers Joel Richardson and Mark Davidson they share a theory Joel calls “consistent futurist” interpretation of Daniel’s dreams. I believe this is obviously correct because that’s what the scripture says “… pertains to the time of the end”. Daniel 8:19

I wanted to look at the letters with the same idea. Do they all pertain to the end? Is there a similar statement in the Revelation introduction? Not exactly but the entire book pertains to the time of the end so it is my belief that the letters to the churches all have end time significance rather than a church history lesson.

In reading each of the letters here are a couple observations:  They are unique but have overlapping challenges, some share the same problems and admonitions. Most importantly they are all exhorted to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 

Even if the letters were given only to the churches in these specific cities in Turkey the exhortation “he who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” is given to everyone.

Letters brief synopsis:

1.    Ephesus - Remember to love God and to love one another. Hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

2.    Smyrna - Do not fear. Be faithful unto death. Hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

3.    Pergamum - Repent of moral compromise. Hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

4.    Thyatira - Hold fast in moral stance. Hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

5.    Sardis - Wake up! (stop going through the motions) Strengthen what remains. Hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

6.    Philadelphia - Hold fast. Hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

7.    Laodicea - Repent! Acquire what God is giving. Hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Conclusions:

The church is diseased. In its efforts to be friendly and inclusive it has tolerated the contagions of sexual immorality and idolatry (other gods).

To not die it must do the things Jesus says in the letters.

Those who overcome will be rewarded.

How to overcome - By hearing what the Spirit says.

Read the book.

Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it, for the time is at hand.