Start of verses for Ephesus churchThe first angel to receive a message for a church is the one at the church of Ephesus, Revelation 2:1.
The city of Ephesus is on the Asia Minor (now southwest Turkey) seacoast. At the time of the writing of Revelation, it was a capital of Roman Asia. The harbor at Ephesus is noted for its shifting bottom. This gives added meaning to the expression "...that you have left your first love.",
"Ephesus" itself means "desired". It is the same kind of desire that Paul talks about in Ephesians 5:25-33 that a husband, who loves his wife, has for her. In the same way, Christ "desires" the church at Ephesus and wishes to take care of it.
Ephesus, as a church, was established by Paul on his second missionary journey (Acts 19). John, the author of Revelation, was "minister" there for quite some time. Between Paul and John, there are indications that Timothy was in charge of the churches in the area. Extrabiblical sources indicate that Mary the mother of Jesus died here.
Start of verses for Smyrna churchThe message to the angel for the church at Smyrna starts at Revelation 2:8.
Smyrna, which is derived from the word "myrrh" or sweet perfume, lies 40 miles north of Ephesus. The current city of Izmir, Turkey is on this site.
There were a great number of persecutions in Smyrna. History records at least 10 great persecutions from Nero (96 AD) to Diocletian (313 AD). These persecutions are reflected in this letter to this church's angel.
The city itself was said to be very beautiful with a population around 200,000. A single street, "Golden Street" ran east and west through the city. There were beautiful Greek temples along this street for Apollo, Asclepius, Aphrodite, Cybele and Zeus. Smyrna was selected from 11 other cities to build a temple to Tiberius (23 AD).
Under Domitian (81-96 AD), emperor worship was compulsory for every Roman citizen. Once a year a citizen had to burn incense on the alter to the bust of Caesar, after which he was issued a certificate. This was mostly a political ceremony (not religious) but when burning the incense, you had to say "Caesar is Lord". Most Christians refused to do this.
As a result of refusal, the Christians received heavy persecutions. An early Christian, PolyCarp, was burned alive at age 86 (156 AD) as the "12th martyr" of Smyrna. He is quoted as saying, "Eighty-six years have I served Christ, and He has never done me wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?"
As if the Roman emperor worship requirements weren't enough, there was a large hostile faction in the Jewish community which also caused the Christian church much trouble.
Start of verses for Pergamos churchThe message to the angel for the church at Pergamos starts at Revelation 2:12.
Pergamos is an inland city about 65 miles north of Smyrna. It had a famous 200,000 volume library. After Ptolemy Epiphanes of Egypt (205-182 BC) cut off the export of papyrus, the researchers of Pergamos developed a paper from animal skins called parchment. This allowed Pergamos to become second only to Alexandria, Egypt in its vast library.
There were many temples in Pergamos. In fact, the great alter to Sater Zeus was considered one of the seven wonders of the world. The people of Pergamos had two main religions:
Dionysys - the god of the royal family symbolized by the bull.
Asclepius - the savior god of healing represented by the snake.
(Note: snake's involvement in healing in the Old
Testament, Numbers 21:6-9).
Start of verses for Thyatira churchThe message to the angel for the church at Thyatira starts at Revelation 2:18.
Thyatira is about 40 miles east of Pergamos. Politically, it was not very important. It did flourish in trade and was known for its trade guilds. In fact, the New Testament in Acts 16:14 records that Lydia was a trader of purple fabrics, and that she came from the city of Thyatira.
We will find another woman also associated with Thyatira -- Jezebel. That name was well known by Jews and we will get to know about her too!
Start of verses for Sardis churchThe details of the letter to the angel at the church at Sardis begins in chapter 3 of Revelation. This church was located about 30 miles south of Thyatira. It was prosperous commercially and strategic militarily because of its location on the important Hermus River valley road.
The city itself was on a rock hill with the acropolis containing the temple of Artemis 800 feet above the north section of Sardis. The city had rock walls nearly vertical with the only access being from the south. This limited access turned Sardis into a fortress which had been captured only twice throughout its history (and those two times, it is said, was through deception - not outright military overrun).
On the skyline of Sardis, some seven miles away, is the necropolis or cemetary of a "thousand hills" or modern Bin Tepe. It is so named because of the hundreds of burial mounds there.
A great wool industry flourished in the region which may have lead to the comment in verse 4 about white garments. This may have had special meaning to the members at the Sardis church.
Start of verses for Philadelphia churchPHILADELPHIA - The Church of the OPEN DOOR
Starting in Revelation 3:7, we have the letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia. Philadelphia is located about 25 miles southeast of Sardis. It is on the main highway from Smyrna (about 100 miles due west) to Phrygia and points east. During the first century A.D. a second highway, the imperial post road of the Roman Empire from Troas to Sardis, crossed the first main highway at Philadelphia. As a result, Philadelphia became a strong fortress city.
Surrounding Philadelphia were vine-growing regions to the northeast and cattle and grain farming along the Hermus River. Thus textile and leather industries flourished there.
History
The city was established between 159-138BC by King Attalus II, King of Pergamum. King Attalus II had great loyalty to his brother and thus from the king's nickname "Philadephus" - brotherly love, this city received its name.
The city's mission was to spread the Greco-Asiatic culture and language into the eastern part of Lydia and in Phrygia. Success in accomplishing this mission is seen in Lydian ceasing as a language and Greek became the only language around AD19.
A major earthquake leveled the city in AD17. The emperor Tiberius rebuilt the city because of its strategic location.
Church
It is not known who founded the church at Philadelphia. Ammia, a prophetess, led it from AD100-160. The church in its early centuries was vibrant and alive with an open door policy but by AD1392 it had waned until it fell under Muslim control.
Start of verses for Laodicea churchThe angel to the church at Laodicea receives his message starting in Revelation 3:14. This is the last of the churches - the NEUTRAL CHURCH.
Laodicea was located about 45 miles southeast of Philadelphia and approximately 100 miles east of Ephesus (the first church). It was a neighboring city to Colosse and one of the three cities in the fertile Lycus valley.
Laodicea was a great trade center in its day. It was famous for a glossy black wool, huge banks (Cicero cashed very large bank drafts there), and a school of medicine (developed an ointment to cure eye defects).
It was a very self sufficient city. It refused outside help to rebuild it when it was levelled by the AD 17 earthquake.
The description of Laodicea being a lukewarm church may have come from its water system. An aqueduct some six miles long brought water from its source south of the city. Either the water came from hot springs and it cooled on the way or it came from a cold source and warmed up. In either case, for all its wealth, Laodicea had poor water.
The church at Laodicea (and Hierapolis) may have been founded by
Epaphras
- Colossians
4:12-15. The name, Laodicea, means 'the rights of the people'.
1. Directive - Each letter starts with a directive like
"To the angel of the church......write".
The angel is not the pastor or leader but
rather the guardian of the letter.
2. Identification - Christ is identified as the sender usually
of Sender through a reference to some part of His
appearance in chapter 1.
3. Knowledge of - The sender has knowledge of the church. It
Church has the form of "I know your works...." or
something similar.
4. Comment or - This section of the letter directs the church
Exhortation to strive toward more perfection.
5. Promised - This promise (or threat) will be carried out
Coming by Christ himself.
6. "Hear and - This section advises that the hearer (the
Heed" Revelation was most often read to an audience
in times past) should perk up and listen.
More than that, to do the desired action such
as repent!
7. Promised - The blessing is given to "He who overcomes..."
Blessing the temptation or persecution. This blessing,
though, is ONLY available to the faithful ones.
According to Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus, that church was built upon a foundation of apostles and prophets, Ephesians 2:19-22.
But the New Testament expands the use of apostles beyond just the twelve disciples. Paul (Galatians 1:1), Barnabus (Acts 14:14), James - Jesus' brother (Galatians 1:19), and others (Romans 16:7) are referred to as "apostles". Therefore, the term "apostles" is applied to those who were authentically and specifically called and sent by Christ to be His spokespersons.
One sign of being an apostle was the ability to perform miracles as
recorded in 2
Corinthians 12:11-12 and Hebrews
2:2-4. BUT be aware that false prophets also may do miracles as in
Mark
13:21-23, 2
Thessalonians 2:8-10, and Revelation
13:11-13 (beast of the earth). The test of a true apostle is if
they
do not deny Jesus as Lord and if they are not "in it" for selfish gain
(2
Corinthians 11:5-15 and 2
Corinthians 12:11-12).