The book of Revelation begins with letters from Jesus Christ to the 7 churches that were once in Asia Minor. The information was given to John who was at the time in Patmos, and in turn John was to write to the angels of the churches in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea. These churches are the 7 “golden candlesticks”, and each of these 7 churches has an angel, also known as a “star”. So, 7 stars and 7 golden candlesticks, because there are 7 Spirits of God.
I have heard others preach that the 7 churches in Revelation represent 7 distinct ages of Christendom across time, and others yet that the 7 signify 7 different types of churches.
My own view is that the 7 said churches showcase various characteristics of a church – a church as in a congregation of Christians. This is because every letter that John writes to a church begins by describing a characteristic of Jesus Christ.
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;
Revelation 2:1
And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
Revelation 2:8
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
Revelation 2:12
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;
Revelation 2:18
And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; …
Revelation 3:1
And to the angel 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;
Revelation 3:7
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
Revelation 3:14
So, if there are various characteristics of Jesus Christ, then likewise the 7 churches illustrate various characteristics of churches generally. This means, a church or a congregation can have one or more of these characteristics.
These things are written down so that a church that is astray might realise that it is in error and correct itself.
The church in Ephesus is described as a church that has done some works, a church that has patience, and a church that despises evil. However, more recently this church has become one that is lacking in works – its first love.
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: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 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; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
Revelation 2:2-6
The church in Smyrna is described as a church that is doing works, a church that is facing tribulation, and a church that is in poverty.
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. 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.
Revelation 2:9-10
The church in Pergamos is described as a church that is doing works, and a church that is faithful to some extent. But this church is also one that is propagating false doctrines, resulting in idolatry and fornication.
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. 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. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Revelation 2:13-16
The church in Thyatira is described as a church that is doing works, and a church that is charitable and regular and faithful and patient. But this church is also one that is allowing a false prophet and an improper teacher to speak, resulting in fornication and idolatry.
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. 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. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 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. 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. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
Revelation 2:19-25
The church in Sardis is described as a church with imperfect works, a church that is defiled to some extent, and a church that is not watching for signs of the end.
Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 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. 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.
Revelation 3:2-4
The church in Philadelphia is described as a church that is doing works, a church that is faithful, and a church that has a little strength.
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 not denied my name. 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. 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. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Revelation 3:8-11
The church in Laodicea is described as a church that is doing some works, a church that is lukewarm in regard to faith and works, and a church that trusts in riches rather than trusts in God.
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 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: 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, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 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.
Revelation 3:15-20
So, all these are attributes of a church, as in a congregation of Christians: works of varying quantity and quality, faith strong or weak, hatred of evil, patience, charity, poverty or riches, the spreading of false doctrines, and the presence of false prophets and improper teachers.
Any congregation that is negative in some regard must repent and repair itself, or else much if not all of the congregation will be lost.
Now, something else worth noticing is that each of the 7 also describes a specific reward for a Christian that overcomes tribulation in this life, sometimes Gentile and other times Israel.
To Ephesus, it is written that a Christian will be permitted to eat of the tree of life, as in he or she will be given eternal life.
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.
Revelation 2:7
To Smyrna, it is written that a Christian will not suffer the second death at the time of the great white throne of Jesus Christ.
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.
Revelation 2:11
To Pergamos, it is written that a Christian, specifically one of the line of Judah and therefore with ancestry to the Exodus, will receive a white stone with a new name written in it. I think the stone in question represents Jesus Christ or God the Father, and in that stone will be written the new name of Jesus Christ or God the Father.
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.
Revelation 2:17
To Thyatira, it is written that a Christian that is a saint or one of the 144000 will be given the morning star and consequently power over the nations.
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. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Revelation 2:26-29
To Sardis, it is written that a Christian, specifically a martyr of Jesus Christ in these last days and someone who has been watching for signs of the end, will be given white clothes and will remain in the Lamb’s book of life.
He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Revelation 3:5
To Philadelphia, it is written that a Christian of the line of Judah, who is to be a metaphorical tree of righteousness, will be made a pillar of the temple of God, essentially a priest and a minister of God.
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar 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. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Revelation 3:12-13
To Laodicea, it is written that a Christian, as in a son of God, either all of the 144000 saints that are to be lords of a fiefdom or else one of the 24 elders such as the 12 apostles, will also sit on the throne of the kingdom of God and reign alongside Jesus Christ, the Lord of lords and the king of the kingdom of God.
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. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Revelation 3:21-22
One more thing: Did you notice the repetition of “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches”?
This means, those that are to listen to God must listen to this message.
Furthermore, those that do not understand are not supposed to understand.