1. Seven literal churches in Asia
2. He rebukes five
3. There is no rebuke to Smyrna and Philadelphia
4. Each was distinct and autonomous

1. Addressed to the Church

   NOTE: "unto the angel . . . "

2. Admonition to the Individual
   1. Admonished to hear - 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6 13, 22
   2. Admonished to overcome - 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21

"The seven churches represent the entire Church on earth, together they portray prophetically seven distinct consecutive periods of church history from the Cross of Calvary to the Crown in Glory." (Vallowe)

1. Ephesus - Church of the First Century
2. Smyrna - Persecuted Church of the Second and Third Century
3. Pergamos - Beginning of the State Church, 312-500 AD
4. Thyatira - Church of the Dark Ages, 500 AD until the 16th Century
5. Sardis - Church of the Renassance and Reformation Period, 16th to 19th Century
6. Philadelphia - Church of the Revival, the 19th Century
7. Laodicia - End Time Church of the Apostasy

1. Commendation, Verses 1-3, 6

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

   Nicolaitanism - an ecclesiastical heirarchy

2. Condemnation, Verse 4

   "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love."

3. Counsel, Verses 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."

4. Challenge, Verses 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."

1. Commendation, Verse 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."

2. Condemnation, None

3. Counsel, Verse 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."

4. Challenge, Verse 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."

1. Commendation, Verse13

   "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."

2. Condemnation, Verses 14-15

   "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 Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate."

3. Counsel, Verse 16

   "Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth."

4. Challenge, Verse 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."

1. Personel Application
   1. City
      1. Thyatira means Continual Sacrifice
      2. Commercial City
      3. Conglomeration of Religions

   2. Commendation, 19

      (even here we see the deterioration "the just shall live by faith") (even love can be dangerous when it tolerates sin)

   3. Comdemnation, 19-22
      1. Meaning of Jezabel

      2. Meaning of fornication

      3. Eat things sacrificed to idols

      4. Judgement is pronounced 21-22

2. Practical Application
   1. James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

   2. 2:24 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.

   3. 2:25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

   4. 2:26-29 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.

3. Prophetical Application

   Doctrine of the Nicolaitanes and the Doctrine of Balaam are now Dogma

1. Personal Application
   1. City
      Sardis means "escaping ones" or "those who comeout"

   2. Commendation, 1, 2, 3

   3. Condemnation, 1, 2, 3

2. Practical Application, 2a, 3a, 5
   "modernism and liberalism kills"

   III. Churches are founded and built out of feverent, heart felt evangelism

3. Prophetical Application

   Note: Vs. 3a - Great doctrine of Justification by faith. Added the Doctrine of Justification by faith but held on to many of the rituals and much of the formalism in her services and a compromise in her standing." (Vallowe)