Jesus Addresses the Churches

Jesus addresses seven churches in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. We as Christians need to examine ourselves against the scriptures to see which church we fit into. Scripture tells us that what is written down is for our instruction. As we read the letters written to the churches, we need to examine ourselves and ask God which church He sees us in.

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:4-6 NASB

What Church Are You?

If Jesus physically came into our churches today, what would He say? Which church gathering would you fit into? Below is an overview of each church. We need to examine our lives against these people Jesus is speaking to.

Ephesus

‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
Revelation 2:2-4 NASB

Jesus encourages them in what He sees they have done, but He says they have left their first love.

From Strong’s Lexicon: “left” is the Greek word aphiémi (863) and means to send away; leave alone; abandoned; release; divorce; neglected

Jesus then gives them directions on what they must do to be pleasing to Him.

Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place⁠—unless you repent.
Revelation 2:5 NASB

Revelation 1:20 says that the lampstands are the churches. In Strong’s Lexicon, the Greek word for “churches” is ekklēsia (1577), which means an assembly of citizens regularly convened.

As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches .
Revelation 1:20 NASB

From HELPS Word-studies: 1577 ekklēsía (from 1537 /ek, "out from and to" and 2564 /kaléō, "to call") – properly, people called out from the world and to God, the outcome being the Church (the mystical body of Christ) – i.e. the universal (total) body of believers whom God calls out from the world and into His eternal kingdom. [The English word "church" comes from the Greek word kyriakos, "belonging to the Lord"

It is clear Jesus is talking to Christians who have left their first love. He tells them to repent, or their lampstand will be removed. This is serious. We are the lampstand. We, as disciples of Jesus, are the church. We must not assume that we will never be these people. We must examine ourselves and ask God if we have left our first love, abandoned God. I think about divorce today and how common it is in the church. Is that what we do with God when it gets tough to walk in His ways? Do we do the same? We must ask ourselves, are we loving God, or do we simply want the benefits God offers us?

As disciples of Jesus, we are going to be asked to do and speak hard things. As we do this, we will get persecuted. I know from personal experience that this persecution can lead to love growing cold. Jesus tells us this in Matthew.

“Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.
Matthew 24:9-12 NASB

My Testimony:

I came to a place not long ago where I was feeling tired and worn out. I was getting persecuted by Christians because I was speaking the Word of God. I went from being frustrated to thinking, why bother. I was feeling sick in my spirit, so I started asking the Lord what was wrong with me. I heard my love was growing cold. I asked for help because I had no desire for my love to grow cold, but I didn’t know what to do. I was still in the Word every day studying, still pouring into anyone I could, still doing the Word of God, but my heart was sick. I heard to read the Psalms. As I read Psalms, it was like cool water running over me on a hot summer day. As I read, I healed. God knew what I needed for healing. I encourage anyone going through a loss of love for whatever reason to stop and ask for help. He knows what you need. Even if you are an imitator of the Word, there may be times when you experience your love growing cold. You may be doing everything you know to do according to the Word of God, but you need His mind on how to love properly and be revived.

Smyrna

Jesus tells Smyrna not to fear and to be faithful.

‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Revelation 2:9-10 NASB

We see these people will have to suffer, but it is NOT suffering because they sin, it is suffering because of what Jesus is going to allow Satan to do to them. We can’t say we are not these people. If we find that we are one of these people, we can’t get out of it on our own strength; we must say, Lord, help me. We must all go through the refinement process, but some may face this. The Book of Daniel says this.

Those who have insight among the people will give understanding to the many; yet they will fall by sword and by flame, by captivity and by plunder for many days. Now when they fall they will be granted a little help, and many will join with them in hypocrisy. Some of those who have insight will fall, in order to refine, purge and make them pure until the end time; because it is still to come at the appointed time.
Daniel 11:33-35 NASB

Pergamum

Jesus addresses stumbling blocks with the people in Peragum.

But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
Revelation 2:14-15 NASB

Jesus talks about stumbling blocks in Matthew and Luke.

The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
Matthew 13:41-43 NASB

“Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes! “If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be cast into the eternal fire. If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be cast into the fiery hell.
Matthew 18:7-9 NASB

He said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble. Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
Luke 17:1-3 NASB

From Strong’s Lexicon: The Greek word for “stumbling block” is skandalon (4625). It means stumbling block, offense, trap, snare, cause for error or sin.

From HELPS Word-studies: 4625 skándalon – properly, the trigger of a trap (the mechanism closing a trap down on the unsuspecting victim);

4625 /skándalon ("the means of stumbling") stresses the method (means) of entrapment, i.e. how someone is caught by their own devices (like their personal bias, carnal thinking).

["4625 (skándalon) is the native rock rising up through the earth, which trips up the travele"properly, the bait-stick of a trap, a snare, stumbling-block" (Abbott-Smith)

We must understand what are stumbling blocks are today. We must examine if the version of Christianity we live looks anything like the lives of the men and women from Acts. We know their lives were pleasing to God. Over time, cultures change, but God’s culture never changes. Jeremiah 18 tells us this.

‘For My people have forgotten Me, They burn incense to worthless gods And they have stumbled from their ways, From the ancient paths, To walk in bypaths, Not on a highway,
Jeremiah 18:15 NASB

We must all ask ourselves as the church, are we clean? Are we a pure bride clothed in white, or are our garments stained? Israel got in trouble because they wanted to be like all the other nations. How is the church different today? It wants to be like the world, be accepted, and look good in the world’s eyes. If we want to be pleasing, we must go back to the ancient path and become imitators of those whom God is pleased with in scripture.

Thyatira

Jesus is not pleased with Thyatira because these people tolerate the woman Jebezel.

But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
Revelation 2:20 NASB

From Strong’s Lexicon: The name “Jezebel” is the Greek word Iezabēl (2403). Jezebel, name given to a false prophetess of Thyatira, possibly borrowed from the name of Ahab's wife, queen of Israel
From Thayer’s Greek Lexicon: in Revelation 2:20 equivalent to a second Jezebel, the symbolic name of a woman who pretended to be a prophetess, and who, addicted to antinomianism, claimed for Christians the liberty of eating things sacrificed to idols.

The definition of antinomianism is one who holds that under the gospel dispensation of grace, the moral law is of no use or obligation because faith alone is necessary to salvation. - Merriam Webster

This teaching is prevalent in the church today. Many people believe grace is given so they can practice sin. People are taught that there is no longer an obligation to obey the Word of God. Jesus specifically says this teaching is teaching people to take part in eating things sacrificed to idols. 1 Corinthians gives us more insight as to what this means.

No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.
1 Corinthians 10:20-21 NASB

We must examine what and how we are sacrificing to see if we are sacrificing to demons or God. I encourage everyone reading this to examine what abominations are in scripture. Also see Exodus 32 and Ezekiel 8 on worship. This is extremely important because if not, Jesus says this in verses 22 and 23.

Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.
Revelation 2:22-23 NASB

Sardis

Jesus is not pleased with these believers because their deeds are not complete.

“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.
Revelation 3:1-4 NASB

Ephesians tells us we were created for good works. We can’t stop doing them for any reason.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk inthem.
Ephesians 2:8-10 NASB

Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?
James 2:17-20 NASB

For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
James 2:26 NASB

These scriptures show us that faith and works go together. Jesus tells these people in Revelation 3:5 that He is going to erase their name if they don’t repent.

He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
Revelation 3:5 NASB

From Strong’s Lexicon: The Greek word for “erase” is exaleiphō (1813), which means to wipe out, to blot out, to erase, to obliterate

From HELPS Word-studies: 1813 eksaleíphō (from 1537 /ek, "wholly out from," intensifying 218 /aleíphō, "smear") – properly, to rub (smear) out, i.e. completely remove (wipe away); obliterate; remove totally from a previous state with the outcome of being blotted out (erased).

[1813 (eksaleíphō) originally meant, "to plaster, rub smooth, or whitewash." Later it referred to "wiping out" in the sense of "to cancel" (rubbing out a writing or seal impression left on a wax tablet). Thus 1813 (eksaleíphō) was used for canceling obligations or entitlements (extended benefits or liabilities).]

Jesus is going to erase/obliterate/remove entitlements from these people if they do not repent. These are believers who have stopped doing their jobs given by God. It is not man-made church work that Jesus is referring to. He is talking about the good works God created them to do. If you do not know what God’s good works are, I encourage you to examine the scriptures and become an imitator of Jesus, Peter, Paul, and all the people we see doing their jobs in scripture.

Philadelphia

Jesus does not have anything against this group of believers. He acknowledges their situations and encourages them.

‘I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie⁠—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you. Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
Revelation 3:8-10 NASB

Jesus does not seem concerned that they have little power or that there is a synagogue of Satan. He is matter-of-fact about their situation and encourages them to hold fast. He gives a promise that the people who think they are God’s children but are not will have to bow down at their feet and acknowledge that He loves them. He also gives a promise that He will keep them from the hour of testing that comes upon the whole world. It doesn’t mean that they will not see it, but He will keep them from the hour of testing. It will not be testing for them.

From Strong’s Lexicon: The Greek word for “perseverance” is hupomonē (5281), the definition is patient, enduring, steadfastness

From Thayer's Greek Lexicon: The characteristic of a man who is unswerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings.

The Greek word for “keep” is tēreō (5083), the definition is to keep, to guard, to observe, to watch over

From HELPS Word-studies: 5083 tēréō (from tēros, "a guard") – properly, maintain (preserve); (figuratively) spiritually guard (watch), keep intact.

The Greek word for “testing” is peirasmos (3986), the definition is temptation, trial, testing, which means trial, probation, testing, being tried, temptation, calamity, affliction

From HELPS Word-studies: 3986 peirasmós (from 3985/peirázō) – temptation or test – both senses can apply simultaneously (depending on the context). The positive sense ("test") and negative sense ("temptation") are functions of the context (not merely the words themselves).

My Testimony:

I was in London in August 2019. I was admonishing a friend of mine who was in a false gospel. As I was admonishing her, it came out of my mouth that God is angry at the churches, and the church building doors were going to close in 2020. In March 2020, I was in Crete, Greece, looking out the window of our flat, asking God what was going on. Italy had just closed down, and my family was told we had to extend our visas because we were going to be in Greece indefinitely. This is not what God told us back in January when we booked our tickets off the island. He had told us we were leaving April 28, 2020. As I asked God what was happening, He reminded me of what He told me back in August. Then I asked Him, What is this sickness that we are hearing about? He said it’s like the flu. Then I asked if the food would run out. He told me not this time. I was able to share all of this with the believers in our lives. We were told 10 days before we were to leave that we were not getting off the island. We took it to prayer, and God said to be patient. Four days before we were to leave, we called the port for the ferry to find out if we could get on the boat with our tickets from January. We were told to show up at a specific time, and we could get on the boat. We got off the island and back in the states before Greece opened public travel. We traveled on that boat with the transporters of essential supplies and the ship staff. Jesus kept us from the hour of testing, we simply had to hold fast to what He told us and be obedient.

Laodicea

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.
Revelation 3:14-19 NASB

These people seem to be living life thinking they are doing good, that God is pleased with them, but He is not.

From Strong’s Lexicon: The Greek word for “Lukewarm” is chliaros (5513), which means warm, tepid; of persons: lukewarm.

Strong’s Lexicon usage: The term "chliaros" is used to describe something that is neither hot nor cold, but rather tepid or lukewarm. In a biblical context, it is used metaphorically to describe a state of spiritual indifference or complacency, lacking fervor or zeal.

Jesus tells them that they are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.

From Strong’s Lexicon: The Greek word for “wretched” is talaipōros (5005), which means distressed, miserable, wretched

From Strong’s Lexicon: The Greek word for “miserable” is eleeinos (1652), which means pitiable, miserable

From HELPS Word-studies: 1652 eleeinós (from 1656, eleos, "mercy") – pitiable, wretched; in great need of mercy (because desperate).

From Strong’s Lexicon: The Greek word for “poor” is ptōchos (4434), which means of one who crouches and cowers, poor, destitute, spiritually poor

From Strong’s Lexicon: The Greek word for “blind” is tuphlos (5185), which means blind, physically or mentally.

Strong’s Lexicon Usage for blind states: The Greek word "tuphlos" primarily refers to physical blindness, the condition of being unable to see. It is also used metaphorically in the New Testament to describe spiritual blindness or a lack of understanding and insight, particularly in relation to spiritual truths and the teachings of Jesus Christ.

From Strong’s Lexicon: The Greek word for “naked” is gumnos (1131), which means naked, without clothing, bare, exposed.

We know what our clothing is according to Revelation 19.

Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
Revelation 19:7-8 NASB

This explains that these people thought that they were rich for some reason, but they are blind that they are naked. They have no righteous acts.

From Strong’s Lexicon: The Greek word for “righteous acts” is the word dikaiōma (1345), which means Ordinance, requirement, righteous act, judgment, justification
Meaning: a thing pronounced (by God) to be righteous (just, the right); or the restoration of a criminal, a fresh chance given him; a righteous deed, an instance of perfect righteousness.

Strong’s Lexicon usage states: The term "dikaióma" refers to a righteous act or deed, an ordinance or requirement, or the result of being justified. It is used in the New Testament to describe God's righteous decrees, the righteous acts of believers, and the justification provided through faith in Jesus Christ. The word emphasizes the concept of righteousness as both a legal standing before God and a moral obligation for believers.

Jesus tells them to buy gold refined by fire from Him and eye salve to see. The refinement process is a discipling process full of tests and trials meant to train God’s children in righteousness.

What church group would God say you are in right now? Are there things in your church gathering that are not pleasing to God? Are you compromising what God says pleases Him? Are you going along with things and traditions because that’s the way you have always done it? I highly encourage you to seek God and ask Him what things you need to change. I encourage everyone to examine themselves, to take an honest look at themselves to see if they are tolerating anything that is not pleasing to God. If you genuinely ask, He will show you. It may take some time for you to learn, but He will show you. He will lead and guide you by His Holy Spirit into all truth.

I want to be like the Philadelphia church.

Resources:

Strong’s Lexicon: Biblehub.com