The Seven Churches

Chapter 62.
The Seven Churches

1. WHAT title is given the last book of the Bible?

"The Revelation of Jesus Christ." Rev. 1:1.

2. To whom do those things which are revealed belong?

"The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever." Deut. 29:29.

3. For what purpose was the Revelation given?

"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass." Rev. 1:1.

4. What great event, according to this book, is imminent?

"Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him." Verse 7.

NOTE.-This book not only opens and closes with the subject of Christ’s second coming, but its eight lines of prophecy all reach down to this as the great culminating event to the church and the world.

5. What encouragement is given to study this book?

"Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." Verse 3.

6. To whom was the book dedicated?

"John to the seven churches which are in Asia." Verse 4.

7. What were the names of these seven churches?

"What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea." Verse 11.

NOTE.-These seven churches, and the messages addressed to them, apply to seven periods or states of the church reaching from the first to the second advent of Christ. "Under this emblematical representation of the seven churches of Asia," says Vitringa, in the "Comprehensive Commentary," "the Holy Spirit has delineated seven different states of the Christian church which would appear in succession, extending to the coming of our Lord and the consummation of all things." Their good qualities and their defects are pointed out, with admonitions, exhortations, and warnings suitable for each, all of which are also applicable to individual Christian experience.

8. By what title is the first state of the church distinguished?

"Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write." Rev. 2:1.

NOTE.-The meaning of Ephesus is desirable, and fitly describes the character and condition of the church in its first state, when its members received the doctrine of Christ in its purity, and enjoyed the benefits and blessings of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This applies to the first century, or during the lifetime of the apostles.

9. After commending this church for their good works, what charge did the Lord bring against them?

"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works." Verse 4, 5.

NOTE.-The "first love" is the love of the truth, and the desire of making it known to others. The "first works" are the fruit of this love.

10. What name is given to the second state of the church?

"And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write." Verse 8.

NOTE.-The meaning of Smyrna is myrrh, or sweet-smelling savor, and applies to the period of time when many of the saints of God suffered martyrdom under pagan Rome.

11. How is the closing period of tribulation of the church during this time referred to?

"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." Verse 10.

NOTE.-The most severe of what is commonly known as "the ten persecutions" under pagan Rome, began under the emperor Diocletian, and continued from 303 A.D. to 313 A.D., a period of ten prophetic days.

12. What name is given to the third state of the church?

"And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write." Verse 12.

NOTE.-The meaning of Pergamos is height, or elevation, and fitly represents that period of the Christian church, beginning with the reign of the emperor Constantine in 313 A.D., when the power which had put the Christians to death espoused the cause of the church, and by rewards, edicts, and promised promotions to office in the government, sought to induce the people to become Christians, thus bringing a flood of worldliness and corruption into the church. Many of the heathen rites and ceremonies previously introduced into the Christian religion, including the heathen festival, Sunday (sun’s day), were then established by law, resulting in the first day of the week taking the place of the Sabbath of the Bible.

13. How was the faithfulness of this church commended?

"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." Verse 13.

NOTE.-Antipas comes from two Latin words, anti, opposed to, and papas, father, or pope, and denotes a class of people who were opposed to papal rule. Regarding Pergamos.

14. What title was given to the fourth state of the church?

"And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write." Verse 18.

NOTE.-Thyatira means song of labor, or sacrifice of contrition, and points out the condition of God’s people during the long, dark period of 1260 years, beginning with the establishment of papal supremacy in 538 A.D., and closing with the downfall of that power in 1798. During that time, millions of saints of God were put to death in the most cruel manner that wicked men and demons could invent. Christi referred to this time in His wonderful prophecy recorded in Matthew 24, in these words: "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened." The tribulation of the 1260 years was cut short through the influence of the Reformation.

15. What promise did God leave for these persecuted ones?

"But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 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." Verse 25-27.

16. By what name is the fifth state of the church addressed?

"Unto the angel of the church in Sardis write." Rev. 3:1.

NOTE.-Sardis means song of joy, or that which remains. A cause for joy at that time was the fact that the great tribulation of the people of God was at an end. It was only as a result of the Reformation that any of God’s people were left remaining. See Matt. 24:21,22, and note under question 14. The Sardis church continued from the close of the papal power, 1798 A.D., until the beginning of the great advent movement in 1833, which was marked by the falling of the stars in November 13 of that year, as foretold by Christ in Matt. 24:29.

17. What endearing title is given the sixth church?

"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write." Rev. 3:7.

NOTE.-Philadelphia means brotherly love, and applies to the church under the judgment-hour message. See reading in Chapter 56. of this book.

18. What words to this church shoe the second advent near?

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

19. What is Christ’s message to the last church?

"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; . . . I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. . . . Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; . . . I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed. . . . As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." Verses 14-19.

NOTE.-Laodicea signifies the judging of the people, or, according to Cruden, a just people. This church exists in the time of the judgment and the proclamation of the final warning messages preceding Christ’s second coming. See Rev. 14:6-16. See readings in Chapters 56. thru 58. of this book. This is a time of great profession, with but little vital godliness and true piety.

20. What encouragement is given to heed this message?

"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." Verse 20

NOTE.-The pointed, searching messages to the seven churches contain most important lessons of admonition, encouragement, and warning for all Christians in all ages. The seven promises to the overcomer found in this line of prophecy (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26-28; 3:5, 12, 21), with the eighth or universal promise recorded in Rev. 21:7, form a galaxy of promises as precious, as comforting, and as inspiring as any recorded in the Scriptures. See readings in Chapter 123. and Chapter 193. of this book.

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