p. 366 | The Seven Churches of Revelation 2 and 3

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 17, 1913

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 90, No. 16.

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The Seven Churches of Revelation 2 and 3

By M. E. Steward

MRS. M. E. STEWARD

SYMBOLS:—

1. Seven golden candlesticks, representing seven churches. Rev. 1:20.

2. Seven stars, symbolizing the angels, or ministers, of the churches. Verse 20.

3. The various characteristics of the Son of man, who was walking in the midst of the candlesticks, and holding the stars in his right hand, signifying his powerful protection and help. Verses 12-16.

Reasons why these churches could not be literal:—

1. The whole book of Revelation was addressed to them. In the apostolic days most of it applied in the future; consequently, the churches then could have had but little benefit from the book.

2. In churches in close proximity, in constant intercourse with one another, having the same Scriptures, and ministered unto by the same individuals, there could not have been so great a difference in character and in the reproofs and promises given them.

3. There were other churches just as important as the seven mentioned. But the names of the seven aptly describe the different periods of the gospel church. Each of the seven churches, therefore, comprises all the churches of God at any one period.

Commendations, reproofs, and promises:—

1. In the messages to the churches, Christ introduces himself in the character suited to the time. He first speaks of their good traits. All the churches, except Sardis and Laodicea, are approved for good works.

2. Pergamos and Thyatira were reproved for wrong doctrine. Smyrna and Philadelphia received no reproof.

3. The promises were applicable to the peculiarities of their situation. Thus, Smyrna, which suffered martyrdom, had the assurance of not being “hurt of the second death.” The Philadelphia church, which had been ridiculed for its belief in Christ’s coming, was to be vindicated, so that scoffers would know that God loved it.

The record of the seven churches:—

1. The Ephesus, or apostolic church, while commended for general faithfulness, was censured for having left her first love. While in this condition, the people of God passed into the Smyrna church, about the end of the first century. Black clouds of persecution gathered about her; but she diligently sought her Lord, and when the storm burst in fury, she carried herself so nobly through it that she had the full approval of heaven. See Goodrich’s Church History. In the first three centuries, three million Christians were put to death. But Constantine became emperor, and to gain the influence of the church he brought her under obligation to him, by favoring her.

2. The name of the church now changed to Pergamos, which continued to 538 A. D. The Lord saw her trials, but reproved her for harboring false teachers. Thyatira followed Pergamos, and remained until 1798 A. D. This was the time of the papal supremacy. The Papacy is no part of the seven churches. She put between fifty and one hundred million of God’s people to death. Says “The Museum of Antiquity:” “These were well-informed persons, of strong, cultivated minds, neither wild in their notions nor foolishly prodigal in their lives.”

3. Sardis, the next church, swung from suffering and death into the arms of the world; had a name to live and was dead. Yet a few worthy ones were found even in Sardis.

The admonition following the testimony to each church, and addressed to every person who has an ear to hear,—a heart to accept the word of God,—is, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”

The advent churches:—

1. Philadelphia expected her Lord to come in 1844.

2. She was well pleasing to her Lord.

3. Laodicea closes the series of churches.

Time occupied by this church:—

1. Laodicea is the remnant church of Revelation 12. It is the one now existing, for the coming of Christ is the next great event with her and with us.

2. This church covers the time of the investigative judgment in the heavenly sanctuary. The meaning of the word Laodicea is judging the people.

3. The message to this church is true, for it is expressly stated to be from “the faithful and true witness.” Rev. 3:14.

The boast of Laodicea and the Lord’s testimony to her:—

1. “Thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods,” both temporal wealth, which according to James she has been heaping up, and Bible truth. She is not reproved for holding wrong doctrine. She feels that she has “need of nothing.”

2. God says: “And knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”

3. The Saviour is pleading for her in the judgment, but he declares he will spew her out of his mouth, because she is “lukewarm.” This declaration is conditional, for counsel follows, which, if accepted, will save her. “If lukewarm sinners realized they were sinners, Christ could plead in their behalf, and the Lord would arouse them by his Holy Spirit. They hear the word, but make no application of it to themselves.”—Mrs. E. G. White.

The Lord’s counsel to Laodicea:—

1. “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 eye-salve, that thou mayest see.” Verse 18.

2. We “buy” by exchanging ourselves, worthless as we are, for his blessings.

3. “Gold” is spiritual riches; it is principally three things,—faith, hope, and love. James 2:5; 1 Corinthians 13. “White raiment” is the “righteousness of saints.” Rev. 19:8. The “eye-salve” is the Holy Spirit. Acts 10:38.

Three things the Faithful Witness declares:—

1. “As many as I love [this proves that the Laodiceans are not rejected], I rebuke and chasten.” To rebuke is to reprove sharply. A special work that fulfils this point has been in this church ever since it had an existence. It is unquestionably the “testimony of Jesus,” the spirit of prophecy manifested through Mrs. E. G. White. This chastening of the church will not cease in rebukes from within and in persecutions from without till the end comes. Says Jesus, “Be zealous therefore, and repent.”

2. “If any man hear my voice [the Saviour speaks in various ways], and open the door [which is barricaded with many evil habits], I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

3. Wonderful is the promise to the overcomer, to sit with Christ in his throne! One hundred forty-four thousand will heed the loving counsel given, and be freed from fault. What a lifting of the last dregs of humanity into absolute perfection is this!