The Seven Churches
Open Your Bible
Revelation 2:1-29, Revelation 3:1-22, Matthew 22:34-39
BY Sharon Hodde Miller
“Things are getting worse and worse.”
When we look at the news, the culture, the entertainment, and even the Church today, it’s easy to feel as if everything is slowly getting worse. It’s tempting to believe that the world is gradually unraveling, and that we are moving further away from truth, instead of toward it.
Whenever we feel this cynicism begin to creep in, the temptation is to idealize the generations that have gone before us. We think, Our parents’ generation, our grandparents’ generation, the earliest Christians—they had it all together. Things weren’t as bad back then!
I struggle with this mentality often. There are days when I feel jaded about Christians and about the Church. I log onto social media and see division and in-fighting, or I read about a pastor failing his congregation and his family. I see name-calling and judgment and the drawing of big, deep lines, and my heart wants to harden toward it all.
On those days when we are tempted to dismiss the world with a flick of the wrist, when we find ourselves looking down on other Christians who “aren’t doing it right,” and when we despair that the Church’s reputation is hopelessly smeared, Revelation 2–3 has a word for us.
In these chapters, written just a generation after Jesus’s resurrection, many churches are distracted and lost. Although they are working hard and striving to be faithful, God also levels the following charges against them:
They had forsaken their first love (2:4).
They participated in pagan rituals (2:14).
They were sexually immoral (2:14).
They embraced false teaching (2:15, 20).
They had a reputation of being alive, but they were dead (3:1).
They were lukewarm, neither hot nor cold (3:16).
All this, only sixty years after Jesus walked the earth.
What this tells us is that the world is not simply getting worse, and neither is the Church. Following Jesus has always been hard. Faithfulness to God has always come unnaturally. Ever since sin entered the world, human nature has found it difficult to obey.
And that is exactly why we need a Savior.
The good news of Jesus Christ begins with the bad news that we are broken. We have always been distracted. We have always resisted the truth. It was true two thousand years ago, and it is just as true today. Therefore, these letters to the seven churches in Asia minor are important for us as well. “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 2:29).
But our brokenness has never stopped God. Our division, our fighting, our apathy, our immorality, even our bad theology—none of it has ever stopped God. So when we read Revelation 2–3, we can do three things. First, we can remember that humanity is not getting worse, and neither is the Church—the temptation to turn away from God and His ways has always been there. Second, we can welcome this list of rebukes as an opportunity to identify our own areas of need.
And finally, we can hope. In Revelation 3:19, God says, “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline” (NIV). When we see darkness in the world—no matter how great—we don’t have to despair, and our hearts don’t have to grow hard. Instead, we can consider the possibility that God is allowing us to see these things, so that He can redeem them.
78 thoughts on "The Seven Churches"
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This post has brought new wisdom into my heart. I am guilty of looking at the news and wanting to shit the world out. Now that it has been brought to my attention, that this is nothing new it almost comes as a relief. This is just the world. No matter what time or place we have always always needed Jesus just as much as we do in today’s world.
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This is so articulately said, and so timely. My heart hurts and my brain is angered so often when I read the news. I am so very discouraged by PEOPLE, be they leaders or the populace, and the levels of corruption, lies, and evil they allow to prevail. But I taught history and what you say is true: ℯ ℯ ℯℯ ℴℯ. As Christians, we have a duty to uphold truth, beauty, and goodness. God will help us when we do, and He will correct us when we don’t. Correction and rebuke are here and coming…now to have faith & hope for the good to come.
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This is my first study and I’m doing it alone so was a little confused at first, but I have it figured out now. The chart was super helpful!! I really enjoy being able to discuss this information with you all so am very thankful for that!
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Just wondering where did you see a chart?? Sounds super cool
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I love to read Revelation and yet, this morning when I read the scriptures for today, I was overwhelmed. There was so much to take in…and…I have read it before. If I felt overwhelmed, I wondered if there were other ladies out there who felt the same way?
I know that SRT may be done only online, or the study book may be purchased to go along with it.
For those ladies who do not have the study book, there was a chart that helped me tremendously.
I’m going to try to describe it to you so that you could create one of your own, should you want to study that way:
There are 7 columns – each with the name of one of the churches as the heading. (Ephesus Rv2:1-7, Smyrna Rv2:8-11, Pergamum Rv2:12-17, Thyatira Rv2:18-29, Sardis Rv3:1-6, Philadelphia Rv3:7-13, Laodicea Rv 3:14-22)
There are 4 rows under the church column names.
The row titles are as follows:
Description of Christ
Affirmation (Sardis and Laodicea have NO affirmation)
Rebuke (Smyrna and Philadelphia have NO rebuke)
PromiseGoing through the scriptures and writing down the various attributes on the chart was very helpful for me. If you are struggling, I would encourage you to give it a try.
Thank you Lord Jesus for your Word through the Holy Spirit that instructs, guides, and leads us.
Give us ears to hear what the Spirit says, and hearts that obey.
Amen.-
Thank you for taking the time to write this description. Very helpful!
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I should have read the story from Sharon before writing my prior comment. I just needed some clarification with the study book. I was a little lost. Thanks!!!
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Brittney, are you going through this study with a group or by yourself? I wish there were videos to follow along with because I’m a little confused on this. I feel like I’m not getting anything out of it unfortunately.
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An encouragement to me is how Jesus points out where these churches fall short, yet He continues to give them an opportunity to repent. When I find myself with similar characteristics, growing lukewarm or bending to idols, I too can repent and be redeemed. I am forever thankful for His mercy and grace.
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This was so good and refreshing to start my day with! I’m usually not one to leave comments, but this was just too good not to. So much of this lesson stood out to me, but the letter to the Church in Philadelphia was right on time. I’ve been praying fervently and fasting for breakthrough and for a specific door to open for me. In Rev 3:8 it says, “See, I have opened a door in front of you that no one can shut.” So grateful for this confirmation and encouragement.
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