The Seven Churches of Revelation part 1

by John Thomas Lowe
(Woodruff, S.C.)

tom lowe
1/30/2022


The seven churches mentioned in the Revelation were physical churches with definite locations. So the letters that John writes to these churches were delivered to the cities/churches, he mentioned. These letters may have less to do with seven different church ages (as some scholars believe) but rather fundamental churches that existed when John wrote to them. If there are similarities between the churches in the last 2,000 years, it may be a message to them, but these tendencies still exist today in churches worldwide. That does not mean they are all lost, but that each Church has its struggles, but this we do know; the churches John writes to have particular strengths and weaknesses, and these same strengths and weaknesses exist in churches today. Can you see the similarities in the churches of today? Do not miss the fact that each church and church age has had its struggles that are unique to them, just as it is with individual Christians.

Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea ─ The cities of the seven churches mentioned in Revelation are modern-day Turkey. The Seven Churches of Revelation, also known as the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse and the ... island Patmos, and the cities' locations housing the seven churches. The seven churches in the Book of Revelation exist today because some things never change in one form or another.

The Church at Ephesus
The first Church the Apostle John, mentions is the Church at Ephesus. By the time that John writes this, there are already false teachers and so-called "apostles," so Jesus says, "I know your works, your toil, and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false" (Rev 2:2)…so far, so good because churches must be diligent and discerning in keeping out those who label themselves, "apostles" and bring in false teachers, but now Jesus says this Church has "abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first" (Rev 2:4-5a), otherwise "I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place unless you repent" (Rev 2:5b). Having their lampstand taken away may mean that Jesus will allow the Church to die out, especially if Jesus is not the Head of it.

Located in modern Turkey, Ephesus was one of the largest and wealthiest cities in the eastern Mediterranean area. It had a population of about 250,000 people. The temple of the Greek goddess Artemis was located there.
• Ephesus ranked fourth among the most influential cities in the Roman Empire. (The others were Rome, Alexandria, and Syrian Antioch.)
• Along with Smyrna and Pergamum, it was one of the three great cities in Asia.
• Scholars estimate that more than 225,000 people lived there. Although some scholars think the number was misread, this is based on records referring to 40,000 male citizens. It really should read 1,040 male citizens, which would calculate into a population of 6-7,000 people – male citizens, women, enslaved people, children.
• Ephesus was a harbor town and the center of three separate trade routes.
• Because of its location, it was thriving economically and culturally.
• It was also home to the temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. (The temple of Artemis was built in 550 BCE, measuring over 100,000 square feet. It had been destroyed and rebuilt several times but was utterly destroyed in 400 CE.) it was the largest building in the ancient world -- 4 times the size of the Parthenon in Athens and comprised entirely of marble – 425 feet long, 220 feet wide, with 127 pillars that were 60 feet tall.
• It supposedly contained a statue of the goddess Artemis, which fell to earth as a meteorite.
• Ephesus was also a significant financial center since many people came to worship there (and donate money).
• Ephesus also had several other temples built in honor of various emperors.
• Scholars believe a significant Jewish presence in the city was noteworthy, but no synagogues have been excavated yet.
• It is believed that Paul wrote 1 Corinthians from Ephesus, where he claims to have fought with beasts.
• Paul's first visit to the city was relatively brief, but the second time he remained there between 18-22 months (teaching in a hall after being thrown out of the synagogue).
• According to Acts 19, he was responsible for a great riot when the Ephesians chanted, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians."
• Paul met with the Ephesian elders to Jerusalem and gave them his famous farewell address (Acts 20:29-30).
• Most scholars do not think that Paul wrote the Letter to the Ephesians.

The Church at Smyrna
To the Church at Smyrna, Jesus had John write, "I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan" (Rev 2:9). Could this be talking about false converts, since he is a Jew that is one inwardly (Rom 2:28-29), and if you are Christ's, then God sees you as a child of Abraham? The Apostle Paul writes, "Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham" (Gal 3:7). John ends this Letter by warning them that some of them will be thrown "into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Rev 2:10).

Located in modern Turkey, it is now known as Izmir. Smyrna was a city on the Aegean Sea coast of the Roman province of Asia (modern Turkey) north of Ephesus. It had magnificent buildings and was one of the most prosperous cities in Asia Minor. It was a Greek colony that was captured and destroyed by the Lydians in the 7th century B.C. It was built up again in the 3rd century B.C. and later became an ally to Rome. The Gospel eventually spread there from Ephesus.
• Smyrna was another harbor city, located 35-40 miles north of Ephesus.
• Ignatius (second century C.E.) stopped to meet with martyrdom in Rome and wrote several letters.
• It called itself the "first of Asia."
• It is believed that the Jews were quite hostile to area Christians and took advantage of Roman discontent to denounce any connections with them.
• It survives to this day as the modern city of Izmir.
• It was also an important Christian center.
• It was the birthplace of several famous people, including Homer (though some dispute this claim).
• It was the first city to build a temple to the goddess Roma.
• Like Ephesus, it was also destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries.
• Non-canonical writings of Paul and the Apostle John speak of visits to this city.
• One inscription gives gratitude to "former Jews" for 100,000 drachmae designated for a building project (123-24 C.E.).
• Scholars estimate its population to have been around 100,000.
• Smyrna also maintained a center for science and medicine.
• The city was renowned for its beauty, pleasing architecture, and fine wine.
• The people of Smyrna had a good relationship with Rome; hence, this site was chosen as a temple to Emperor Augustus.
• According to several inscriptions found there, there was a large Jewish population in this city.