Prologue
In Revelation 1:9-11 John makes it clear where his prophetic vision comes from when he writes “I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea”. The entire vision was to be sent to each of the seven churches, so that each church would know how Jesus felt about not just them but the other churches as well (there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed). In addition, every church would know about the other churches issues which would help them so they would not fall into the same traps. Finally, each of the churches would see the rewards that would be given to those who overcome and endure until the end. This is something we need to know today because God does not want us in the dark about what is coming, and he wants all his children to have access to the same information. Isn’t it interesting that Jesus describes himself the “First” and the “Last”? The Greek word for “first” is “protos”, which is where get our modern day word “prototype”. Anyone working in engineering or design will know that a prototype is the original build or idea, and sets the bar for everything that comes after it to make sure they conform to the original. In other words Jesus was OUR prototype of how we are to live, and yes someday maybe die. Romans 8:29 tells us that “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (Romans 8:29). The word “last” comes from the word “eschatos”, which means the end of the line. This can be viewed as “Jesus the author and finisher of our faith”, or as Jesus being the highest level than can be achieved. This being said, we must always pattern ourselves after Christ, and not each other for an incorrect ruler leads to incorrect measurements and inaccurate results.
John said “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches (Rev. 1:17-20). In this verse the Lord divides Revelations into three sections, which are the things John has seen (chapter 1), what is now (chapters 2 and 3), and those that will take place later (chapters 4-22).
The fact that the Lord is seen standing in the midst of the seven lampstands shows us that Christ has direct involvement with the 7 churches, and it is Christ himself who holds the seven stars in his right hand which speaks of the intimate relationship He has with its leaders. Whether you see them as the pastors or as angelic messengers, the fact remains that He has them in the palm of His hand.
The seven churches in Revelation 2-3 are a great insight into how God views the Church and Christians today because they were not just written to the churches of the day, but for anyone that “hath an ear let him hear”. The reason these messages are so vital for us today is that we can use them to measure where we are in Christ, and they act as a warning system in case we are committing the same transgressions that these churches were. As we all know, we are in the beginnings of the final tribulations on earth, and soon the wrath of God will fall on this planet like never before. In the case of the 7 churches it does not matter if you believe in a Pre, Mid, or Post-Tribulation rapture because in Revelation 1:3 it says “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand”. This book is for everyone who is born of God because “all scripture is given by inspiration of God… that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). So we as professing Christians need to “Examine yourselves, whether