Welcome back to part five of our Introductory study of the Book of Revelation. In the previous lesson, we took a look at the first three churches which were: Ephesus, Sardis, and Pergamum. In this lesson, I will be concluding our overview of chapters 2 and 3 which are the letters to the seven churches of Asia Minor by taking a look at the final four churches which are: Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. And again, before I continue with this study, I need to reiterate that it is not my goal here to do an exhaustive study on the Seven Churches nor the Book of Revelation itself. Rather, my aim is to prayerfully, share just enough nuggets that will inspire and motivate you to develop a hunger and a thirst to begin a journey into the riches and depths of God’s word for yourself. With that, let’s first less consider this quick review of some of the general background information that we have discussed so far about the seven churches:
There are Four Distinct Levels of Application to Each Letter:
These were seven literal church communities that existed in the first century that were dealing with very real issues and circumstances that these letters addressed head on. Which means that these letters had very valid local applications.
Each letter ended with the admonition of: “he that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit has to say to the Church[es]” churches being plural. In other words, every church was to pay attention to the messages in each letter. Which means that the messages in each letter, were not only meant to have local application for the church in which the letter was addressed, but they were intended to have application for all of the churches that existed at the time, as well as every church in history, up until and including modern day. It is important also to note, that every church in history, will have ELEMENTS of each of these seven letters, contend with. Some to more or less extent than others.
In addition to corporate applications, each of these letters also contain PERSONAL applications for every believer on an individual level. In short, God selected these seven congregations to give timeless instruction for His people throughout the centuries, both collectively, as well as, individually.
And finally, and somewhat controversially, many theologians believe that these seven letters in the order that they are given, include the lay out of the chronological history of the church age. Now while I won’t be going into a lot of detail about this idea, I will however just note, that the premise of this argument centers around the question, “Why these particular seven churches?” In other words, there were over 75 church communities at this time and some were in the general vicinity of the seven churches.
For instance, Colossae was only about five miles SE of Laodicea. There was also such locations as, Corinth, Thessalonica, Galatia, Antioch, and so on. So, why did God choose these particular seven churches and not any of the others? The argument is that if you trace Church history beginning at the first century, you will see a pattern that chronologically mirrors the messages given in these seven churches. While this is an argument worthy of follow up, there are many bible teachers who reject this view as over spiritualization of the text. Now like I mentioned, I won’t be going into much specific detail on this aspect at this time, but I may come back to it in some future study.
The Churches report card – Each letter Contains these 7 elements or reports:
1. Name of the Church. 2. Description or title that Christ chooses for Himself. 3. Exhortation. 4. Concern. 5. Exhortation. 6. Promise to the Overcomer. 7. Closing phrase: “he that has an ear, let him hear, what the Spirit says to the churches”.
Thyatira — The Adulterous Church (Revelation 2:18-29)
Thyatira (modern Akhisar, Turkey) is the fourth church to receive a message from the risen Jesus. Thyatira is mentioned in Acts as the hometown of Lydia, and later one of the main churches of Asia Minor. According to Luke’s account, Paul shared the Gospel with Lydia, a woman from the city of Thyatira in Asia Province who had relocated to Philippi. She had a business dyeing and selling purple fabrics (See (Acts 16:13-15). The dyeing of fabrics with a purple dye made from the madder root was a major part of the economy in the area of Thyatira, and bringing this industry to Macedonia was probably a lucrative business decision. Paul may have visited Thyatira and brought the Gospel there during his 3-year stint in Asia Province, most of which was spent in Ephesus (Acts 19:10, 20:31). Now located inside modern Akhisar, about 40 miles southeast of Pergamum and on the road to Sardis, this was the 4th destination of the 7 letters of Revelation.
In the greeting Jesus declares himself to be the Son of God. Thyatira was the smallest city/town to receive a letter and it is probable that the church there was also quite small in number. Despite this, Thyatira receives the longest of the seven letters. The commendation given to the church recognizes their deeds, love, faith, service and perseverance. Additionally, it is stated that they are doing more now than at first. This would indicate that while they may not be large numerically, they are growing spiritually. Their ‘doing’ involved their faith and love leading to service and deeds.
Nevertheless, as with the other churches there is a problem with false teaching and this led to eating food sacrificed to idols and sexual immorality. 1st century Thyatira was primarily a pagan city, similar to others in the Roman Empire, but the letter to the church there contained a specific warning about a false, self-proclaimed prophetess that John calls “Jezebel. So, in spite of their positive characteristics, Christ yet condemns them for what is evidently rampant immorality in the church that was spearheaded by this prominent female figure that Jesus referred to as Jezebel.
The tone used when speaking of Jezebel would tend to lead to the conclusion that she was a real person who was actively promoting herself as a prophetess and using this to lead others away from sound teaching. There is the possibility however, that Jezebel was an allusion to the evil, pagan Phoenician queen of ancient Israel associated with harlotry and witchcraft (Revelation 2:20; 1 Kings 16:31; 2 Kings 9:22). The “deep things of Satan” may be a reference to the practicing of mystery religions, which were considered “secret” and only special initiates were allowed to learn and participate in the rituals (Revelation 2:24).
The specific deeds that were called out were spiritual adultery and and the worship of idols. Whether this women was real or allegorical, the key message is that false teaching was not only being practiced, it was being tolerated. The use of the word ‘tolerated’ would give the impression that the church knew the teaching was wrong, but still allowed it to be taught. Jesus warns the church that punishment will come and that it will be a witness to all the churches that he searches the hearts and minds of those who profess his name. The warning is clear, Jesus sees beyond the outward appearance and understands the inner thoughts.
The Threat of Death (Revelation 2:22-23)
This warning is not just to the prophetess but also to “those who commit adultery with her.” They would find themselves in “great tribulation” unless they repented of their immorality.
The Message to the Christians (Revelation 2:24-25)
The message for those that stood their ground and did not engage in the cult of immorality is to “Hold fast what you have till I come” (verse 25.)
The Message to the Conquerors (Revelation 2:26-29)
This is a message to those who would choose to remain faithful to Christ “until the end”. Christ promised that they would reign and they would be raptured.
Sardis — The Dead Church (Revelation 3:1-6)
Sardis, south and slightly east of Thyatira, was a very ancient city, becoming the capital of the Lydian Kingdom in the 7th century BC but existing centuries before that (Herodotus, Histories). This kingdom of Lydia said to have invented coinage, and the “Lydian stater” is famous as the earliest type of coin ever discovered (Herodotus, Histories; Xenophanes of Colophon).
The wealth of Sardis came from the fertile farmland outside the city, the textile industry, and the Pactolus river which provided water and contained gold dust, or more specifically an alloy called electrum (McRay, Archaeology and the New Testament). Located on a major highway from the Aegean coast which provided access to the east, the city was a stronghold in ancient times. The citadel of Sardis had been known as a place of military fortitude, even being described as “the strongest place in the world,” although history shows that the city was defeated on several occasions (Polybius; Strabo, Geography; http://www.sardisexpedition.org/en/essays/about-Sardis).
During the 1st century, the city had a gymnasium, a theater (about 20,000 capacity), a stadium (12,000 or so spectators), an aqueduct, public baths, temples to Augustus, Tiberius, and possibly Vespasian, and a famous temple to Artemis that was still in ruins and being rebuilt during the 1st century.
With this church there are no commendations; Christ begins immediately with a denunciation: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.” The church was full of what we today would call “nominal Christians,” Christians in name only. In other words, the church was filled with unsaved people going through the motions of religion. There were many tares among the wheat (Matthew 13:24-30)). Jesus then calls them to repent of their sin: “Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Re
To “wake up” means to start paying attention to their need of salvation, to stop being careless about their heart’s condition before God. Jesus notes the judgment that would take place if they did not repent: “If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you” (Revelation 3:3b). A dead church, and one unrepentant in its deadness, will be disciplined by Jesus Himself. After the warning, Jesus encourages those in Sardis who had remained faithful: “Yet you have still a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy” (Revelation 3:4(. The faithful remnant had not soiled their garments (participated in sin).
Jesus makes a final promise to the believers in Sardis: “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” (Revelation 3:5). The overcomer will receive a white garment (a token of righteousness), he will never have his name removed from the book of life (a promise of eternal security), and he will be confessed by Jesus in heaven (Luke 12:8).
Historical evidence would seem to suggest that the church at Sardis apparently followed the instructions of this letter, since Christianity persisted there through the Byzantine period. Melito, who wrote an apologetic defense of Christianity to the famous philosopher emperor Marcus Aurelius, in addition to several other scholarly works such as “On The Passover,” was probably the foremost bishop of Asia Minor in the 2nd century AD while he lived in Sardis and led the Church there. The earliest known church building at Sardis, however, dates to the 4th century, after Constantine legalized Christianity and possibly after Theodosius made it the official religion, since in the time of the early Church, the Christians at Sardis must have met in private houses as was common throughout the Roman Empire (4th century Byzantine Church “E”).
In summary, Christ gives five specific directions for the church that is dead.
Be Sensitive to the Inroads of Sin in the Church (verse 2)
Be Supportive of Those Who Remain True to Christ in the Church (verses 2, 4)
Be Submissive to the Control of the Holy Spirit in the Church (verse 3)
Be Subject to the Authority of God’s Word in the Church (verse 3)
Be Sorry and Repent for the Sin of the Church (verse 3)
There is hope for those that do what Christ has directed. He promises eternal life for those that repent and submit to Him (Revelation 3:5).
Philadelphia — The Faithful Church (Revelation 3:7-13)
Philadelphia (“brotherly love/friendship,”) of Lydia, the sixth city addressed in the letters to the 7 churches in Revelation, is the city about which least is currently known due to the limited amount of archaeological remains recovered from the site (Revelation 3:7-13). Philadelphia, which is the only church of the seven that is not criticized for anything (Revelation 3:7-13), was near the Cogamus River and Mount Tmolus, which was situated on the imperial military route west to Rome, while to the east, the highway led all the way to Susa from Sardis, meaning the city would see regular visits from soldiers, travelers, and merchants (Jeffers, The Greco-Roman World; Thorpe, “Philadelphia”).
An inscription found in the ruins suggests that Philadelphia was founded at least as early as the 2nd century BC during the reign of King Eumenes II of Pergamum, who named the city after his younger brother, Attalus II, who was called Philadelphus in honor of his love and loyalty to his brother the king. The soil around the city was renowned, leading to the production of exceptional grapes and wine (Strabo, Geography). Because the main industry was wine, it has been suggested that Dionysus was the main deity of the city. Yet, the image of this god only appears on a few coins from Philadelphia, and none of those date to the 1st century AD (1st century BC, 2nd and 3rd century AD). In 92 AD, Emperor Domitian issued an edict for Asia Province, which required many vineyards to be cut down and replaced with corn, which probably severely damaged the economy of Philadelphia.
Jesus affirms the church’s positive actions: “I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name” (Revelation 3:8).
Christ commended the church in Philadelphia for four things:
They have an open door,
They have a little strength,
They have kept the Word of God,
And they have not denied the Lord.
Jesus affirms the church’s positive actions: “I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name” (Revelation 3:8). The church of Philadelphia was weak in some respects, yet they had remained faithful in the face of trial. Because of this, the Lord promises them an “open door” of blessing.
Jesus’ letter then condemns the enemies of the Philadelphian believers: “I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars, I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you” (Revelation 3:9). Those who persecuted the believers (the persecutors were religious hypocrites in this case) would one day realize Christ loves His children. The church of Philadelphia would be victorious over its enemies.
Jesus encourages the Philadelphian believers regarding His future coming: “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown” (Revelation 3:10-11). The church’s faithful endurance would serve as a blessing. Jesus would take them to be with Him before the coming tribulation (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). He also exhorts them to remain faithful, because this would lead to rewards in the afterlife.
Jesus provides a final promise to the believers in Philadelphia and to all believers: “Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down from out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name” (Revelation 3:12). So, those who struggled with weakness Jesus makes everlasting pillars in the house of God. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). Jesus’ words of comfort certainly would have been a blessing to the Philadelphians who had faithfully stood for Christ in their pagan culture. His words continue to serve as an encouragement to faithful believers today.
Laodicea — The Lukewarm Church (Revelation 3:14-22)
The city of Laodicea, currently located in modern Turkey, was situated in the Lycus valley, about 45 miles southeast of Philadelphia and about 100 miles east of Ephesus. Laodicea was about 10 miles Northwest of Colosse and about 5 miles south of Hierapolis, the other two cities in this famous first century triangle of ancient wealth. “Along with Colosse and Hierapolis, Laodicea was one of the cities in the fertile Lyous valley.
Laodicea was annexed by Rome in 133 BC, and because of its location on the main trade route of Asia minor, it became one of the riches cities in the area. Because of banking, agriculture, its marble trade, its famous glossy black wool industry, (whether dyed or natural in color is not known), and its famous medical school, and its unique water aqueduct system, Laodicea became one of the most important and prominent cities in the area at the time that John wrote Revelation. The great Roman road stretching to the inland of Asia from the coast at Ephesus ran straight through its center, making Laodicea an important center of trade and communication.
“That the city’s banking assets were noteworthy is evidenced by the fact that Cicero cashed huge bank drafts in Laodicea. So wealthy was Laodicea that after the great earthquake of A.D. 17, which destroyed it, the people refused imperial help in rebuilding the city, choosing rather to do it entirely by themselves.
“Laodicea had a famous school of medicine; and a special ointment known as ‘Phrygian powder,’ famous for its cure of eye defects, that was either manufactured or distributed there, as were ear ointments also. Near the temple of the special god associated with healing, Men Karou (who later became identified with Asclepius), there was a market for trading all sorts of goods” (Ramsay, Seven Churches, p. 417). Zeus, the supreme god, was also worshiped in the city” (Expositor’s).
Christ used each of the things that Laodicea was famous for as analogous to the Church at Laodicea’s depraved condition. However, with all of Laodicea’s wealth and prosperity, it was their unique water extraordinary aqueduct system that drew the strongest parallel or analogy to their spiritual condition. The Laodicean water system was actually a marvel of engineering, piping in water from springs nearly 5 miles away. But the biblical insight comes when you contrast the water at Laodicea with the HOT springs of nearby Hierapolis and the COLD mountain water of nearby Colosse. By the time the water reached Laodicea with its aqueduct system, the water was always lukewarm, or neither cold or hot, and filled with mineral deposits, which probably made the water unpleasant to drink.
It was with this backdrop that John delivered that famous warning from Jesus to the church in Laodicea, ” I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot, I wish you were one or the other, either cold or hot, but because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth, you say that I am rich and have acquired wealth and am in need of nothing, but you do not recognize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich, and white clothes to wear so you can cover your shameful nakedness, and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see (Revelation 3:17-18).
The Laodicean church was lacking in every way. It was a compromising, conceited, and Christ less church and Christ said that it made Him sick (Revelation 3:16). In fact, contrary to the other six churches, the Laodicean church has nothing to commend it. Jesus begins the message with condemnation. Jesus emphasizes their “lukewarm,” apathetic nature three times. As a result of their ambivalence to spiritual things, Jesus would have nothing to do with them. He would “spit them out,” as the people of Laodicea would spit out the tepid water that flowed from the underground aqueducts to their city. With their apathy came a spiritual blindness; they claimed to be rich, blessed and self-sufficient. Perhaps they were rich in material things. But, spiritually, the Laodiceans were in a wretched, pitiful condition, made all the worse in that they could not see their need. This was a church filled with self-deceived hypocrites.
Jesus calls the Laodicean church to repent of its sin: “I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see” (Revelation 3:18). Their material wealth had no eternal benefit, so Jesus commands them to come to Him for true, spiritual riches (see Isaiah 55:1-2). Only Christ can supply an everlasting inheritance, clothe us in righteousness, and heal our spiritual blindness.
Having gotten their attention, Jesus then explains why He described their spiritual condition as lukewarm. “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked” (verse 17). Christ’s words showed them that He knew that the citizens of their city were wealthy, they had at least twice declined the government’s help to rebuild their city after an earthquake and had rebuilt it with their own funds. Yet this wealth had blinded them from seeing their true spiritual condition. The culture of the city had infiltrated the church, and the members didn’t know how spiritually wretched and weak they were.
To heal their weak spiritual condition, Jesus said, “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see” (verse 18). Christ’s threefold prescription to cure their condition paralleled the physical circumstances that had apparently deceived them. Consider the following:
Although there was much gold in the city, the riches that really matter are spiritual in nature—knowing and practicing God’s truth (1 Peter 1:7; James 2:5.
Although Laodicea had a reputation for producing excellent-quality garments from the wool produced in the area, the Bride of Christ will be dressed in “fine linen, clean and bright” representing “the righteous acts of the saints” (Revelation 19:8).
Although Laodicea produced medicine for healing various eye ailments, the most important things we need to see are spiritual. Throughout the ages Satan has “blinded” the minds of most people (2 Corinthians 4:4). This blindness “is taken away in Christ” (2 Corinthians 3:14).
Jesus then tells the Laodiceans that He has given them this strong correction because He loves them and wants them to “be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3:19). Of course, God’s love extends to all humanity. He is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
Wrapping up His message, Jesus then explains that He is standing at the door and knocking, meaning that He wants to come in and dine with them (Revelation 3:20). After such strong correction, it is especially poignant to note that God wants sinners to repent and will quickly forgive their sins if they do. Concluding with encouragement, Jesus reminds them that if they overcome, they will rule with Him (verse 21). When the messages to the churches of Revelation 2-3 are viewed as a chronological development of the Church, this passage also indicates that the return of Christ is near.
And finally, like all the previous messages, Jesus says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (verse 22). This message, as well as all of the others, is still important for Christians today.
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