Letters To the 7 Churches in Revelation - Letters to Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea

 

Letters To the 7 Churches in Revelation

Letters to Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea

 

Review:
The Book of Revelation was written by John while imprisoned on the Isle of Patmos.  He was placed on the Isle for spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jesus instructed John to write letters unto the 7 Churches of Asia. 

The first letter was written to THE CHURCH OF EPHESUS. 

They were reprimanded for leaving their first love. 

They were told to REPENT and DO THE FIRST WORKS.

The second letter was to THE CHURCH OF SMYRNA….

Christians in Smyrna were persecuted for their faith. Laws in Smyrna required people to worship the Emperor.  When Christ followers refused to worship a man, they were in danger of being executed if found out.

Jesus saw everything the Christians in Smyrna were going through and instructed John to write them a letter to encourage and strengthen them.

This Church did not receive any rebuke from the Lord. 

The 3^rd letter was to THE CHURCH IN PERGAMOS

The city of Pergamos was an evil, wicked place and Jesus said they were dwelling where satan’s seat was.  He commended them for continuing to stand for Jesus despite intense persecution and the death of their friend, Antipas.

However, they were rebuked for allowing those with false doctrines and doctrines of devils to intermingle in the Church, masquerading as ‘Christians’ who ‘just saw things a little differently’.  He reprimanded them for tolerating these false Christians within the Church in the name of ‘love’ and ‘tolerance’ but these false Christians were spreading abominable doctrines such the false teachings of the Nicolaitans (compromise) and that of Balaam (who taught Balac to teach the Israelites to commit fornication and sin before God).

He warned them to REPENT!!! OR ELSE He will come quickly and will fight against them with the Sword of His Mouth.

The 4^th letter was written to the CHURCH OF THYATIRA

They were commended for being loving, working for the Lord, serving others, full of faith, and having patience.  And He commends their works twice, the last being more than the first. 

Yet, they were rebuked for tolerating and allowing a false prophetess who had the spirit of Jezebel to teach and seduce God’s people to sin.  She used her influence to seduce and draw others into committing fornication and partaking in idolatrous ways.  The Jezebel spirit is a dominating spirit that does not want anyone to tell them what to do and will not receive instruction or correction.

Not everyone in that Church followed her yet they tolerated her and her false teachings. Jesus admonished them to not let down or give in to that deceptive, preacher killing spirit despite the pressure, despite how someone will try to reason and excuse the behavior away.  HOLD FAST until Jesus comes!  There’s a reward for those who do.

 

The 5^th letter was written to the CHURCH OF SARDIS

(Information taken from Word Aflame SS Curriculum Spring 2021)……………..
The City of Sardis had a history of not watching as carefully as it should for the enemy.  Enemies spied on the city of Sardis 2 times during its history – once in 546 BC and again in 214BC.  The spies both times noticed the guards of the city were not watching carefully so they climbed up a crevice I the cliffs below the city, crashed through the gates, and conquered the people.

Many years later, they were warned again by the letter from John to WATCH!
(end exerpt)

Jesus told John to write unto Sardis….

Rev 3:1 – And unto the angel (pastor) of the church in Sardis write; these things saith He that that hath the 7 Spirits of God, and the 7 stars.....

*We know that the 7 stars represent the 7 angels (which are the pastors) of the 7 churches in Asia (Rev 1:16,20)  When you look at Strong’s Concordance, we see the word ‘angels’ means ‘messenger or pastor’ (G32).

 

What are the 7 Spirits of God?

Without realizing this is what this weeks lesson was about, I happened upon Bro Dave Robbins’ recent lesson at Endtime Ministries concerning what the meaning of the 7 Spirits of God may possibly be.

We know that God is a Spirit and there is only ONE GOD (Deut 6:4).
Revelation 4:2 reveals there is a throne set in Heaven and ONE sat upon the Throne.

Revelation 4:5 – And out of the Throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were SEVEN LAMPS of FIRE burning before the Throne, which are the SEVEN SPIRITS OF GOD.

These are synonymous with the SEVEN HORNS and SEVEN EYES of God which run to and fro through the whole earth (Zech 4:10 + Rev 5:6).

When you look up the meaning of the word “Spirit” you find that it means “current of air or breath” (G4151) so they are what God breaths out.

So, what does the Bible mean when it talks about the 7 Spirits of God?

Isaiah 11:2 talks about the Spirit of the Lord….. 
                     1.  The spirit of wisdom and understanding
                     2.  The spirit of counsel and might
                     3.  The spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord
                     4.  The Spirit of Truth - John 14:17
                     5.  The spirit of Faith - 2 Cor 4:13
                     6.  The Spirit of Holiness - Rom 1:4
                     7.  The Spirit of Prophecy - Rev 19:10

These are what could possibly be what the Scripture is referring to. 

Let’s continue looking at the letter to Sardis….

Rev 3:1 – I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

          They claimed to be alive yet inside they were dead spiritually.

Therefore, they were warned…..

Vs 2 – BE WATCHFUL and STRENGTHEN THE THINGS WHICH REMAIN, THAT ARE READY TO DIE: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

Little by little, worldliness was creeping in and choking out the things of God.  They appeared to have life and to have the Spirit moving, yet this was only on the surface.

Just as a tree that appears to be healthy and flourishing on the outside but inside it rotten and decaying.  (Jude 1:12) 

They were becoming like the 5 foolish virgins – the oil was getting low in their lamps and they were unaware.  Jesus was warning them to WATCH, WAKE UP, Be aware of what’s happening inside spiritually before it’s too late! 

He warned them they’re about to die spiritually!  Wake up, pray more, fast more, read their Bible more to STRENGTHEN the things that remain!

He reminded them…

Vs 3 – Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and HOLD FAST, and REPENT. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

But Jesus found some good….

Vs 4 – Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white: for they are worthy.

There were some in Sardis that were praying, fasting, reading their Bible, and doing what they should.  They were found worthy!  I want to be found worthy, don’t you?

Then He concluded with….

Vs 5 – He that overcometh the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name before my Father, and before His angels.

I do not want my name to be blotted out.  We need to hear what the Spirit is saying to the Churches….

Vs 6 – He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

 

The 6^th letter was written to the CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA

*From WAP Spring 2021 SS curriculum: The members of this Church had faced economic and social disaster, along with many difficult circumstances, including earthquakes.  In the midst of the fear and chaos, they kept their eyes on Jesus and endeavored to please Him. *

Rev 3:7 – and unto the angel (pastor) of the Church in Philadelphia write; these things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that openeth and no man shutteth; and shutteth and no man openeth.

*Jesus is saying to the Church (to us) that He can open doors that no man can shut, and He can shut doors that no man can open - no matter how hard they try.  He holds the keys!

Vs 8 – I know thy works: behold I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My Word, and hast no denied My name.

*He’s saying to the Church because they had kept His Word and not denied His name He has opened a door for them to walk through that no man can shut.  They may be weary, but keep pressing forward.  Don’t give up! 

Vs 9 – Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

*Reminder: This is the same issue as was addressed in the letter to Smyrna. 
These are the ones who claimed to be Jews, claimed to love and serve God,
yet they did not know who He was nor were they doing the Lord’s work by
persecuting the Christians.  They did not discern what spirit they were of.

Vs 10 – Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from THE HOUR OF TEMPTATION, which shall come upon ALL the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

*Some use this to support a pre-tribulation Rapture.  We’re not going to delve into that right now because it would take too much time.  You have to look at several other Scriptures and compare Scripture to Scripture.

*What Jesus is saying to this Church is that He will guard and protect them during the Hour of Temptation that is coming to try the whole earth.

Luke 21:36 – Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Vs 11 – Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

*When Jesus said He’s coming quickly, we need to keep in mind that His time is not our time.  For with the Lord, a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years are as a day.  So, to the Lord, only a few days have passed since Jesus warned of the things to come.  (2 Peter 3:8)

Vs 12 – Him that overcometh will I make a pillar (a support) in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the Name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new name.

Vs 13 – He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches.

There’s a new name written down in Glory and it’s mine, oh yes, it’s mine!
What a Promise!

 

The 7^th and Final Letter was written to THE CHURCH OF LAODICEA

Rev 3:14 – And unto the angel (pastor) of the Church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen (meaning the One who is Firm and Sure), the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the Creation of God;

Vs 15 – I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

Vs 16 – so then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth.

*Jesus is warning the Church not to just go through the motions….. they wanted to serve God, but they were more-so a Sunday Christian. They came to Church to ease their conscious but the rest of the week was choked out by the cares of life….thinking about God at times but not truly spending time with Him until they arrived back at Church again. 

*They thought they were fine, but you can’t be half-hearted in living for God.  Jesus said He would spue these lukewarm Christians out of His mouth like you would something that tastes disgusting.  He hates lukewarmness!

Vs 17 – BECAUSE thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

*Laodicea was known for their wool and eye salve by which its inhabitants became very rich.   The members of this Church saw themselves as prosperous and thriving, but God was trying to show them that although they may have been financially, they were spiritually destitute. 

They didn’t realize there was just a small flame of the Holy Ghost flickering within them that was ready to die out.  They were like the 5 Foolish virgins whose oil was running out yet they were unaware because there was a little flame there.

Vs 18 – I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that hou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

*Jesus compared this lukewarmness to being naked.  They were spiritually naked and did not realize it. They were going spiritually blind yet they were unaware of their condition…thus the reference to anointing their eyes with eye salve so they could see. 

He admonished them to buy of Him gold tried in the Fire.  To get on fire for God, it’s going to cost you something….it doesn’t come cheap or easy!  You’re going to go through a refining fire, you’re going to face incomparable trials and tribulations that you never faced when just going through the motions of patty caking with Jesus.

Jesus said “Take up your cross and follow Me”.  He didn’t promise a rose bed of peace and prosperity that some seem to think signifies the blessings of God.  No, the way of Jesus is a way of sacrifice, suffering, and tribulation.  Are you willing to pay the price to buy of Him gold tried in the Fire?

Vs 19 – as many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

**This church did not receive any compliments.  But Jesus let them know it was BECAUSE He loved them that He was issuing this warning of correction. 
THAT’S true love!

Vs 20 – Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me.

*Jesus is knocking and calling to us.  Will we hear what He has to say?  Will we listen? Will we open the door?  Or harden our heart and try to excuse and reason away the things that God is warning and admonishing us against?

If we listen and obey and open the door to our hearts, He said He will come and sup with us and we will sup with Him.  He’ll feed us with spiritual manna.

Jesus is knocking on our hearts door….will we listen? and obey? 

Human nature craves to receive praise, affirmation, and adoration from others and God….that’s why social media is plagued with people posting selfies and other posts trying to get likes and become popular.  It’s not pleasant to receive criticism.

But if we receive a rebuke from Jesus while there is still life and breath in our body, we can be assured it is BECAUSE of His great love and mercy toward us.  We do well to listen and heed what the Spirit is saying to us as a Church and individually. 

I’ve received rebukes from the Lord – it’s not pleasant – but I thank God for them because it was His mercy trying to lead and guide me back on the straight and narrow path.  If He’s rebuking and chastening us, it’s because He loves us!

 

Vs 21 – To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne.

Vs 22 – He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

 

Our goal is to make heaven our home.  Obviously, Jesus wants that for us as well and the reason WHY He had John write these letters to the Churches (which are still applicable to us today). 

There are many lessons, both positive and negative, contained within these 7 letters that we are to learn from.  Will we hear what the Spirit is saying to the Churches?