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Analysis Of The Lord's Address To The Seven Churches – Bible study

Analysis Of The Lord's Address To The Seven Churches – Bible study

All conditions ever to be found in a congregation of the Lords 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).