Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - 7 CHURCHES

 7 CHURCHES

The book of Revelation is very symbolic and rife with numerous prophetic statements. Some of these are in the lessons and stories of the seven churches in the first chapters of this last book of the Bible. Seven, of course, refers to that which is spiritually complete and/or perfect, and so these seven churches, although real physical churches in the time when Revelation was written, are indicative of the whole church age from inception to its ending.

The first church mentioned was the Church of Ephesus. This was the church of the Apostolic Period and was commended for its patience and perseverance.

I know your works, your labor, your patience, 

and that you cannot bear those who are evil… 

Nevertheless…you have left your first love.

(Revelation 2:2,4) 

The church was criticized for losing its love for God and truth, and for not doing the work for which it had been formed. Some people in this gathering were more interested in preeminence than service.

Then there was the Church at Smyrna. This was considered to be the persecuted church because, although the city itself was a wealthy and prosperous area, the church was not. The people of this gathering were often mocked and persecuted for their belief. It was during a period of intense Roman persecution of the church, and this church illustrated the need to endure and not to give up.

I know your works, tribulation, and poverty…

Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

(Revelation 2:9,10)

It was a sign to continue in the faith and not to succumb to prevailing social and religious customs or to political persuasions.

This was followed by the Church in Pergamos. It basically held to its beliefs but, because in part it was surrounded by wickedness in the city, some made compromises and continued to hold to their previous traditions, kept their former idols, or indulged in false doctrine.

I know your works…and you hold fast to my name

[but] you have those who hold the doctrine of Balaam,

[and] also those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans.

Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them…

(Revelation 2:13-16)

The warning against compromising the true belief with those of the surrounding pagan culture was clear. 

In time, compromise can lead to corruption and that was what the next church represented. The church in Thyatira was again showing evidence of the love, patience, and endurance exhibited by many of the other churches, but also had allowed a false teacher by the name of Jezebel to…

 

…teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality 

and eat things sacrificed to idols.

I will cast her…and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation,

[and] I will kill her children to death, unless they repent of their deeds.

(Revelation 2:20,22-23)

This church was in a prosperous area, on major trade routes and visited by diverse peoples. The church became materially prosperous but people often joined guilds and organizations, taking part in pagan practices and holidays, perhaps for appearances sake, at the same time attending churches as a professing believer. Do not compromise the truth for appearance or wealth or tribulation may ensue.

When churches become compromising and corrupt, they essentially become dead and that is what happened to the next church, the church at Sardis. It again was a wealthy church and did some good works but had no spirit or relationship with God.

…I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.

Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die,

for I have not found your works perfect before God.

Remember…how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent.

(Revelation 3:1-3)

It is important to remember that works, although important, are not in themselves enough. Although Sardis had the information needed from the gospel, it did little with it and essentially let the truth of what the church should be about die instead of being promoted and proclaimed.

But not all churches become as those above. Even at times of compromise and corruption, some groups continued to be faithful as was the church in Philadelphia. It was not a large or wealthy gathering, but in spite of this, and the need to endure hardship, this church remained faithful to God.

   

I know your works. 

See I have set before you an open door,

and no one can shut it;

for you have a little strength, have kept My word,

and have not denied My name.

(Revalation 3:8) 

This church was commended for holding true to God’s word and, without compromise, continuing to proclaim His truth. Be faithful to the truth and love the brethren is the message given. Because of their faithfulness, and in spite of its small size and lack of resources, God promised to protect such a body.

Because you have kept My command to persevere, 

I also will keep you from the hour of trial 

which shall come upon the whole world, 

to test those who dwell on the earth. 

(Revelation 3:10)

But unfortunately, as we enter the last phase of church history, many bodies have lapsed into what is known as the indifferent or lukewarm phase, as represented by the church of the Laodiceans. This church apparently had an abundance of resources but only an indifferent or cavalier spirit toward the Lord. They had a worldliness about them and were apparently so self satisfied so that felt they needed nothing.

…you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’-

and do not know that you are wretched, poor, blind, and naked-

I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot.

I could wish you were cold or hot. 

So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold or hot,

I will vomit you out of My mouth.

(Revelation 3:17,15-16)

So we have essentially come through the church age from the early church with its enthusiasm to where it began to lose its ardour, to the time when it was persecuted and then started to compromise the principles under which it began. Compromise leads in turn to corruption and then to the point where it no longer really functions and becomes dead. Though some maintain the faith, many have become like the Laodicean church with little enthusiasm for the truth.

Which church is most prominent now and to which do each of us belong is something we all should be thinking about.