Analysis Of The Lord's Address To The Seven Churches
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles
All conditions ever to be found in a congregation of the Lord’s church at any time in history may be found (at least in principle) in one or more of the seven churches described in Revelation 2-3.
We see a general pattern followed in each of the letters:
- Begins with a salutation containing a description of Christ.
- The Lord praises what can be commended in the particular church addressed.
- The Lord condemns what is wrong or contrary to His standard for the church.
- The Lord gives warnings to those churches.
- The Lord gives promises of blessings or rewards.
The following is a list of the seven churches addressed, including a description of Christ, their commendation, condemnation, warning, and promise for overcoming:
1) Ephesus — Revelation 2:1-7
Description of Christ — Revelation 2:1
Commendation — Revelation 2:2-3,6
Condemnation — Revelation 2:4
Warning — Revelation 2:5
Promise for overcoming — Revelation 2:7
2) Smyrna — Revelation 2:8-11
Description of Christ — Revelation 2:8
Commendation — Revelation 2:9
Condemnation — None
Warning — Revelation 2:10
Promise for overcoming — Revelation 2:10-11
3) Pergamos — Revelation 2:12-17
Description of Christ — Revelation 2:12
Commendation — Revelation 2:13
Condemnation — Revelation 2:14-15
Warning — Revelation 2:16
Promise for overcoming — Revelation 2:17
4) Thyatira — Revelation 2:18-20
Description of Christ — Revelation 2:18
Commendation — Revelation 2:19
Condemnation — Revelation 2:20-21
Warning — Revelation 2:22-25
Promise for overcoming — Revelation 2:26-28
5) Sardis — Revelation 3:1-6
Description of Christ — Revelation 3:1
Commendation — Revelation 3:1,4
Condemnation — Revelation 3:1-2
Warning — Revelation 3:2-3
Promise for overcoming — Revelation 3:5
6) Philadelphia — Revelation 3:7-13
Description of Christ — Revelation 3:7
Commendation — Revelation 3:8-10
Condemnation — None
Warning — Revelation 3:11
Promise for overcoming — Revelation 3:12
7) Laodicea — Revelation 3:14-22
Description of Christ — Revelation 3:14
Commendation — None
Condemnation — Revelation 3:15-17
Warning — Revelation 3:16-20
Promise for overcoming — Revelation 3:21
- Note that the application for overcoming to all seven churches is:
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 2:7; Revelation 2:11; Revelation 2:17; Revelation 2:29; Revelation 3:6; Revelation 3:13; Revelation 3:22).