CHRIST'S MESSAGE TO THE CHURCH OF EPHESUS

1 UNTO the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

CHRIST'S MESSAGE TO THE CHURCH OF SMYRNA
8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

CHRIST'S MESSAGE TO THE CHURCH OF PERGAMOS
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

CHRIST'S MESSAGE TO THE CHURCH OF THYATIRA
18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
28 And I will give him the morning star.
29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

1 Vnto the Angel of the church of Ephesus, write, These things saith he that holdeth the seuen starres in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seuen golden Candlesticks:

2 I know thy workes, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not beare them which are euil, and thou hast tried them which say they are Apostles, and are not, and hast found them lyers:

3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my Names sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

4 Neuerthelesse, I haue somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first loue.

5 Remember therfore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and doe the first workes, or else I will come vnto thee quickly, and will remoue thy Candlesticke out of his place, except thou repent.

6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

7 Hee that hath an eare, let him heare what the Spirit saith vnto the Churches: To him that ouercommeth will I giue to eate of the tree of life, which is in the middest of the Paradise of God.

8 And vnto the Angel of the Church in Smyrna, write, These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is aliue,

9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and pouertie, but thou art rich, and I know the blasphemie of them which say they are Iewes and are not, but are the Synagogue of Satan.

10 Feare none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the deuill shal cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried, and yee shall haue tribulation tenne dayes: bee thou faithfull vnto death, and I will giue thee a crowne of life.

11 He that hath an eare, let him heare what the spirit saith vnto the churches. He that ouercommeth, shall not be hurt of the second death.

12 And to the Angel of the Church in Pergamos, write, These things saith hee, which hath the sharpe sword with two edges:

13 I know thy workes, and where thou dwellest, euen where Satans seat is, and thou holdest fast my Name, and hast not denied my faith, euen in those daies, wherein Antipas was my faithful Martyr, who was slaine among you, where Satan dwelleth.

14 But I haue a fewe things against thee, because thou hast there them that holde the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling blocke before the children of Israel, to eate things sacrificed vnto idoles, and to commit fornication.

15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

16 Repent, or else I will come vnto thee quickly, and wil fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

17 Hee that hath an eare, let him heare what the Spirit saith vnto the Churches. To him that ouercommeth will I giue to eate of the hidden Manna, and will giue him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth, sauing hee that receiueth it.

18 And vnto the Angel of the church in Thyatira, write, These things saith the Sonne of God, who hath his eyes like vnto a flame of fire, and his feete are like fine brasse:

19 I know thy works, and charitie, and seruice, and faith, and thy patience, and thy workes, and the last to bee more then the first.

20 Notwithstanding, I haue a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Iezebel, which calleth herselfe a Prophetesse, to teach and to seduce my seruants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed vnto idoles.

21 And I gaue her space to repent of her fornication, and she repented not.

22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her, into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

23 And I will kill her children with death, and all the Churches shall know that I am hee which searcheth the reines and hearts: and I will giue vnto euery one of you according to your workes.

24 But vnto you I say, and vnto the rest in Thyatira, as many as haue not this doctrine, and which haue not knowen the depthes of Satan, as they speake, I will put vpon you none other burden:

25 But that which ye haue already, hold fast till I come.

26 And hee that ouercommeth, and keepeth my workes vnto the ende, to him will I giue power ouer the nations:

27 (And he shall rule them with a rod of yron: as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shiuers:) euen as I receiued of my Father.

28 And I will giue him the morning starre.

29 He that hath an eare, let him heare what the Spirit saith vnto the Churches.

II == Ps 1:6 ; 2nd Cor 11:13 ; 2nd Peter 2:1 ; 1st John 4:1 ; Rev 2:9 , 13 , 19 ; 3:1 , 8 , 15

III == Gal 6:9 ; Heb 12:3 , 5

V == Matt 21:41 , 43

VII == Gen 2:9 ; Matt 11:15 ; 13:9 , 43 ; Rev 2:11 ., 17 , 29 ; 3:6 , 13 , 22 ; 13:9 ; 22:2 , 14

VIII == Rev 1:8 , 17-18

IX == Luke 12:21 ; Rom 2:17 , 28-29 ; 9:6 ; 1st Tim 6:18 ; James 2:5 ; Rev 2:2 ; 3:9

X == Matt 10:22 ; 24:13

XII == Rev 1:16

XIII == Rev 2:2 , 9

XIV == Num 24:14 ; 25:1 ; 31:16 ; Acts 15:29 ; 1st Cor 6:13 ; 8:9-10 ; 10:19-20 ; 2nd Peter 2:15 ; Jude 1:11 ; Rev 2:20

XV == Rev 2:6

XVI == Isa 11:4 ; 2nd Thess 1:16 ; 19:15 , 21

XVII == Rev 2:7 , 11 ; 3:12 ; 19:12

XX == 1st Kings 16:31 ; 21:25 ; Acts 15:20 , 29 ; 1st Cor 10:19-20

XXI == Rom 2:4 ; Rev 9:20

XXIII == 1st Sam 16:7 ; Ps 7:9 ; 62:12 ; Matt 16:27 ; Rev 20:12

XXV == Rev 3:11

XXVI == Matt 19:28 ; Luke 22:29-30

XXVII == Ps 2:8-9 ; 49:14

XXVIII == Rev 22:16

 

1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus, write this: " 'The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks in the midst of the seven gold lampstands says this: 2 "I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate the wicked; you have tested those who call themselves apostles but are not, and discovered that they are impostors. 3 Moreover, you have endurance and have suffered for my name, and you have not grown weary. 4 Yet I hold this against you: you have lost the love you had at first. 5 Realize how far you have fallen. Repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6 But you have this in your favor: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 " '"Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the victor I will give the right to eat from the tree of life that is in the garden of God."' 8 "To the angel of the church in Smyrna, write this: " 'The first and the last, who once died but came to life, says this: 9 "I know your tribulation and poverty, but you are rich. I know the slander of those who claim to be Jews and are not, but rather are members of the assembly of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of anything that you are going to suffer. Indeed, the devil will throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will face an ordeal for ten days. Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 " '"Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The victor shall not be harmed by the second death." 12 "To the angel of the church in Pergamum, write this: " 'The one with the sharp two-edged sword says this: 13 "I know that you live where Satan's throne is, and yet you hold fast to my name and have not denied your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was martyred among you, where Satan lives. 14 Yet I have a few things against you. You have some people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who instructed Balak to put a stumbling block before the Israelites: to eat food sacrificed to idols and to play the harlot. 15 Likewise, you also have some people who hold to the teaching of (the) Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore, repent. Otherwise, I will come to you quickly and wage war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 " '"Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the victor I shall give some of the hidden manna; I shall also give a white amulet upon which is inscribed a new name, which no one knows except the one who receives it."' 18 "To the angel of the church in Thyatira, write this: " 'The Son of God, whose eyes are like a fiery flame and whose feet are like polished brass, says this: 19 "I know your works, your love, faith, service, and endurance, and that your last works are greater than the first. 20 Yet I hold this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, who teaches and misleads my servants to play the harlot and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I have given her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her harlotry. 22 So I will cast her on a sickbed and plunge those who commit adultery with her into intense suffering unless they repent of her works. 23 I will also put her children to death. Thus shall all the churches come to know that I am the searcher of hearts and minds and that I will give each of you what your works deserve. 24 But I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not uphold this teaching and know nothing of the so-called deep secrets of Satan: on you I will place no further burden, 25 except that you must hold fast to what you have until I come. 26 " '"To the victor, who keeps to my ways until the end, I will give authority over the nations. 27 He will rule them with an iron rod. Like clay vessels will they be smashed, 28 just as I received authority from my Father. And to him I will give the morning star. 29 " '"Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches."'

Among the several churches in Asia Minor, these seven were chosen as typical of the Church of Christ from the end of the first century till His return for the Church, and is descriptive of seven church periods defined in church history. The last four persist to the end of the age. Each letter has seven parts. 1. Salutation; 2. Identifies Christ as sender; 3. Asserts His Knowledge; 4. Comment and Exhortation; 5. Promised (or threatened) Coming; 6. Admonition to Heed; 7. Promised Blessing.
v 1. Ephesus was capitol and largest city of province of Asia (southwest Turkey) and great seaport. Very immoral, worshiping fertility goddess Diana, with the idolatrous temple of Artemis where the silversmiths rose up against Paul. He spent much time there, Acts 20:31. Tradition  says John ministered there and Mary, mother of Jesus was with him (not reliable). Timothy had charge between them. Perhaps other six started from there.
EPHESUS is a back slidden church, but demonstrates the spiritually powerful apostolic church of the first century. Message from Christ to the messenger of the church in Ephesus. To each church, 2:1,6,12,18; 3:1,7,14, the same command, “write”.   While these messages were specific to these local churches, they are a test to churches of all time as to their spiritual state in the sight of God. They are for the personal evaluation of all those who hear, and are prophetic in regard to the spiritual history of the church. There is a behavior pattern that repeats in the visible church to the end of the Church Age, culminating in apostasy.
v 2. Ephesus commended for hard work and patient  perseverance, opposition to wicked men, identifying false teachers (An apostle had to have seen Christ),
v 3. They endured hardships, not succumbing to difficulties.
v 4. Paul had commended them in Eph. 1:15 for their love, and stresses the need for it in Eph. 1:4; 3:17; 4:2 4:16 and 5:2, 25, 28 33. This second generation of believers are still sound in doctrine and service, but they have lost that deep devotion to Christ of the original believers.
v 5. Loosing love is a great fall. We are to love Christ even more than family  (Matt. 10:37). We may refrain from doing certain things on the Lord’s Day etc., not out of legalism, but because we love the Lord and want to please him. The Ephesus church continued nearly five hundred years before the Lord removed that lamp stand, and the area is now uninhabited. 
v 6. The Nicolaitans were professing believers, but a sect who denied God as creator, encouraged idolatry and lived very licentiously. There is no positive evidence that it was started by Nicolaus, one of the first seven deacons. The word means destroyer of the people. Theirs was the first attempt to bypass the people and establish Apostolic Succession  with Bishops, Cardinals and Popes etc. They even used miracles to deceive people, and God hated their deeds.
v 7. All believers are overcomers in varying degrees, and all will partake of the tree of life which was in the garden of Eden, but will be in heaven, the New Jerusalem.
v8. SMYRNA  was a large wealthy seaport city about 35 miles northwest of Ephesus, still 200,000 today, now called Ismir, Turkey. It was a persecuted church in a martyr  period of time from Nero, AD 64 -Constantine AD 316. John’s convert, Polycarp, was martyred there about AD 155. Earlier persecution was mainly from Judaizers.   A comfort that the Lord was still in the midst of this persecuted church.    In his message Christ reminds of his deity and resurrection. While Ephesus had those who wanted to perpetuate apostleship, Smyrna had those who wanted to perpetuate the priesthood. These two efforts finally merged very ritualistic.
v 9. He comforts them that he knows all about their afflictions, and though they are in poverty, they are spiritually rich. He calls the synagogue of their Jewish persecutors the synagogue of Satan. The most severe persecutions have come from religionists.
Rom. 9:6 they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Gal 3:29 Jn. 8:44
v 10. Do not symbolize or spiritualize the ten days. It is frequently used in the Old Testament as a numerous but indefinite term. They would have sufferings, but they would not be forever. Whether these sufferings were disciplinary, preventive, to teach obedience or provide a better testimony, if they are faithful, even if they must die for it,  unto (not until) death, they have the promise of a crown of life, the martyrs crown.
v 11. Christ spoke it, John wrote it,  the angel assured it’s arrival, the Spirit spoke to receptive hearts an additional reminder that the second death is only for the unbelievers. This was added encouragement to those facing death as martyrs.
12. Pergamos (Pergamum) was a wealthy, wicked, idolatrous city, center of province Asia, sixty miles north, inland of Smyrna. Altar to Zeus, largest altar in the world and one of Seven Wonders of the World. Set on a high hill it towered 800 feet over the plain. Parchment was made in Pergamos and got it’s name from the town. A 200,000 volume library and medical center. Deity of medicine was Aesculapius (from which we get the word scalpel) was worshipped with sign of coiled snake on pole, corruption of Num. 21:8,9. Pergamos is a licentious church and covers the Church Age from around AD 300 through the fifth century with some features continuing to the end of the Church Age. After Persia took over Babylon in Belshazzar’s time, 539 BC, they did not want to continue the mystery religion, so  the seat of Babylon's idolatrous immoral religion was moved to Pergamos. Then, 300 AD moved to Rome where it paginated Christianity. Christ’s double edged sword, the Word of God, condemn sin and separates believers.
v 13. It was commendable that Antipas and others did not deny the faith in this wicked place, the headquarters of Satan’s religious system.
v 14. Balaam taught Balak to corrupt Israel by marriage and immorality with the women of Moab, thus defiling their separation, Num. 31:15,16; Jude 11; 2 Pet. 2:15 The believers here also were yielding to the rampant immorality, licentiousness and pagan practices of the area, thus corrupting the church. Constantine used Balaam’s method by giving much money, garments and Basilicas to the clergy. To please pagans in the church, pagan festivals were replacing true worship. Notable of these was changing the birthday of the Son of God from (probably April) to Dec. 25, the day pagans recognized as the birthday of sun god Tammuz. The church and state were thus united under Constantine, which began the persecution of the church by the state. The foot hold of the Nicolaitans (v 6) is seen in the rise of the Papacy. This union of church and state ushered in the first “Post Millennial View” that they could usher in the millennium without the return of Christ.
v 15. There were deeds of Nicolaitans at Ephesus, but here they also allowed the doctrine in members of  the church.
v 16. Repent  of compromise and immorality or be judged by the Word of God.
v  17. Those willing to hear will receive spiritual food here and a new name in glory. As the high priest alone had access to the manna hidden in the tabernacle and the name on the white stone, the Urim, we have access to Christ our manna, hidden for the time in heaven, and His new name (Rev. 3:12) He will give us His name as we are  His, and we will gain a new family name, His. (However God changed the name of several in the OT and it may be that He will change our names to fit our changed condition.) The stone with the overcomer’s new name will be known only to him and God, so he can be in constant communication with God. The name is more important than the white stone on which it is engraved. However there was an ancient custom of giving the condemned a black stone and the acquitted in trial a white stone. We are acquitted and approved by God.
v 18. THYATIRA was a much smaller city, 40 miles southeast of Pergamum, and was least important of these cities politically. It was another trade center, noted for crops and purple dye, and home of Lydia, seller of purple. Thyatira was a lax church and pictures the Church Age from around AD 500 to 1500, the period of the Dark Ages. Elements of that darkness continue and will climax in the apostasy of the end times. The Son of Man is here the Son of God. His eyes, like a flame of fire, show anger, and his feet, like bronze, indicate His indignation and righteous judgment.
v 19. They are commended for their love, service and perseverance, and were increasing in these in contrast with Ephesus which did less. However, doctrine and godly living were failing.
v 20. Perhaps Lydia, converted by Paul in Philippi, introduced the people of this, her home town, to the gospel. But another woman is corrupting the church much as Jezebel of 1 Kings 16 corrupted Israel. She and her adherents are guilty of both extreme physical and spiritual adultery, and the church is allowing her to even teach in the church, contrary to 1 Cor. 14:34.  She promoted the idea that since salvation is free, it was not wrong to practice the state system, even of religious prostitution and temple orgies.
v 21.. She had been confronted, but refused to repent, as did her followers.
v 22. Pagan rites were involved with trade, and she may have taken her position as a means to reach more for church.
v 23. She and followers who practice physical - spiritual adultery will be cast into a bed of great tribulation at end of Church Age or before. She and her group in gross sin will suffer death so dramatic that all the church shall know that the judgment is from the Lord. In similar situation today it would usually be better for the true believers to pull out of the apostate church. Jezebel’s actions (whether or not that was really her name) are comparative to the woman of Rev. 17:1-5 which she typified. By  the Dark Ages the Catholics were promoting Baptismal Regeneration, justification by works, celibacy, Mariolatry, confessionals, Purgatory, transubstantiation, indulgences, and penance. Millions of true believers were martyrs, up to 300,000 in a single day.
v 24, 25. The faithful remnant in Thyatira and other churches had been powerless to stop her doctrine, so they could only wait for Christ’s intervention at His return. 
v26. Overcoming believers will share in reign of Christ in His millennial kingdom,  1 Cor. 6:2
27. This rule will be as a shepherd tends his flock, but His scepter will be strong as iron. With it He can bring destruction.
v 28. Christ the morning star giving Himself that they might reflect Him to others. To Israel He was the Sun of Righteousness, Mal. 4:2, because He will bring righteousness after their dark hour of the Tribulation. To us He is the Bright and Morning Star, Rev. 22:16, who will remove us before that hour of darkness.
v29. Again the exhortation to listen to what the Spirit has to say, and be ready for His return.

Summary. If we accept that Christ had a secondary purpose to match these seven churches with Church Ages, they would be something like this:

1. Ephesus             Apostolic Age                 Before AD 100
2. Smyrna               Age if Persecution         AD 100-AD 313
3. Pergamos          Imperial Church Age    AD 313-AD 590
4, Thyatira               Age of Papacy               AD 590-1517
5, Sardis                 Reformation Age          AD 1517-1730
6. Philadelphia      Missionary Age             AD 1730-1900 
7. Laodicea            Age of Apostasy            AD 2000- ?

Letters to Seven Churches Teacher

1. Ephesus v 1-7   Apostolic Age - Before AD 100 - The early Church
Christ described - Holds 7 stars in hand, stands in midst of 7 candlesticks
Commendation - Faithfulness, patience, spiritual purity, discernment
Fault - Backslidden, left their first love
Promise - Overcomers will eat of Tree of Life

2. Smyrna v 8-11  Age if Persecution  -  AD 100-AD 313 -  Jews and Nero etc.
Christ described - First and Last. Was dead now alive.
Commendation, Endured tribulation
Fault, None, but there were false professors among them.
Promise, Given Crown of Life

3. Pergamos v 12-17   Imperial Church Age    AD 313-AD 590 - Paganism introduced by kings
Christ described - Has sharp two edged sword
Commendation - Haven’t denied the faith even though Satan’s seat
was there. (Sun god from Babylon 539 BC then to Rome 300 AD}
Fault, Offer to Idols, fornication, Doctrine of Balaam, and of Nicolaitans  (Clergy rule, combine church and state leading to Popes.)
Promise - Overcomers eat of hidden manna, get white stone, new name.

4, Thyatira  v 18-29 - Age of Papacy  - AD 590-1517 Dark Ages, no Bibles
Christ described - Son of God, eyes like flame of fire, feet of fine brass
Commendation, works, charity, faith, more works
Fault, Allowed false prophetess Jezebel to encourage fornication and eat meat offered to idols  Need to repent or have great tribulation
Promise Godly overcomers will have power over nations, receive the morning star

5, Sardis 3:1-6 - Reformation Age - AD 1517-1730 - Martin Luther, Bibles printed etc.
Christ described - He has the 7 spirits of God and the 7 stars
Commendation, A few names who have not defiled their garments
Fault, Lives but dead, imperfect before God, hear, so need to repent
Promise - Overcomers will be clothed in white, name won’t be blotted out of the book of life, but be confessed before the Father and the angels

6. Philadelphia v 7-13  -  Missionary Age -  AD 1730- 200?
Christ described - Holy and true. Has key of David, only He can open and shut
Commendation, A little strength, kept God’s word, not denied His name
Fault, False professors among them
Promise - Raptured before Tribulation, be pillars in heavenly temple, God’s name, name of New Jerusalem and Christ’s new name written on them

7. Laodicea v 14-22 - Age of Apostasy - AD 1900- ? 
Christ described - The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God
Commendation, None  (But it is in last time as Philadelphia Church)
Fault, Neither cold  or hot, think they are rich but are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. Christ rebukes and chastens those He loves so they need to repent.

Promise - Overcomers will sit with Christ on His throne.

Letters to Seven Churches Class

1. Ephesus v 1-7   Apostolic Age - Before AD 100 - The early Church
Christ described - Holds 7 stars in hand, stands in midst of 7 candlesticks
Commendation - Faithfulness, p________, spiritual purity, discernment
Fault - Backslidden, left their _____ _  ______
Promise - Overcomers will eat of             of            

2. Smyrna v 8-11  Age if Persecution  -  AD 100-AD 313 -  Jews and Nero etc. 
Christ described - First and            . Was dead now                .
Commendation, Endured                            
Fault, None, but there were                 professors among them.
Promise, Given                                  

3. Pergamos v 12-17   Imperial Church Age    AD 313-AD 590 - Paganism introduced by kings
Christ described - Has sharp two edged sword
Commendation - Haven’t denied the               even though Satan’s seat was there. (Sun god from Babylon 539 BC then to Rome 300 AD}
Fault, Offer to Idols, fornication, Doctrine of               , and of  _______________ (Clergy rule, combine church and state leading to Popes.)
Promise - Overcomers eat of hidden             , get white              , new     ________.

4, Thyatira  v 18-29 - Age of Papacy  - AD 590-1517 Dark Ages, no Bibles
Christ described - Son of God, eyes like flame of fire, feet of fine brass
Commendation, _______, ____________,          ____      more works
Fault, Allowed false prophetess                   to encourage fornication and eat meat offered to                   Need to repent or have great _______            
Promisee - Godly overcomers will have power over                     , and receive the ____________________.         
5, Sardis 3:1-6 - Reformation Age - AD 1517-1730 - Martin Luther, Bibles printed etc.
Christ described - He has the 7 spirits of God and the 7 stars
Commendation, A few names who have not defiled their                     
Fault, Lives but          , imperfect before God, hear, so need to             
Promise - Overcomers will be clothed in                 , name won’t be       _________ out of the book of               , but be confessed before the              ________  and the angels

6. Philadelphia v 7-13  -  Missionary Age -  AD 1730- 200?
Christ described - Holy and true. Has key of David, only He can open and shut
Commendation, A little                    , kept God’s              , not denied His                .
Fault, F         professors among them
Promise - Raptured before                         , be                   in heavenly temple, God’s name, name of                                           and Christ’s new                            _________written on them

7. Laodicea v 14-22 - Age of Apostasy - AD 1900- ? 
Christ described - The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God
Commendation, None  (But it is in last time as Philadelphia Church)
Fault, Neither                or           , think they are rich but are                                     ,                          ,                ,                   and                     . Christ rebukes and                       those He loves so they need to repent.
Promise - Overcomers will sit with                   on His                  

Summary. If we accept that Christ had a secondary purpose to match these seven churches with Church Ages, they would be something like this:

1. Ephesus             Apostolic Age                 Before AD 100
2. Smyrna               Age if Persecution         AD 100-AD 313
3. Pergamos          Imperial Church Age    AD 313-AD 590
4, Thyatira               Age of Papacy               AD 590-1517
5, Sardis                 Reformation Age          AD 1517-1730
6. Philadelphia      Missionary Age             AD 1730-1900 
7. Laodicea            Age of Apostasy            AD 1900- ?

         Location
1. Ephesus   On the coast
2. Smyrna      35 miles northwest of Ephesus,
4, Thyatira      40 miles southeast of Pergamum                    
5, Sardis          thirty miles southeast of Thyatira           
6. Philadelphia  28 miles SE of Sardis               
7. Laodicea      45 miles southeast of Philadelphia and 100 miles east of Ephesus