Churches

Ephesus

This is the first of seven churches of which John was instructed to write an epistle.

The Church of Ephesus has struggled in the faith because they have lost their love and affection for the gospel.

Laodicea

This is the seventh of seven churches of which John was instructed to write an epistle.  The church of Laodicea is a wealthy church.  Laodicea is lukewarm.  They are a church that has the appearance of being faithful and trusting in God, but in actuality, they are not trusting in Him.  They have substituted their wealth for their god. They are faithful in attending church, but it is not God that they serve, therefore they are lukewarm.

Pergamos

This is the third of seven churches of which John was instructed to write an epistle.

The church of Pergamos is actually a faithful church, but they are located in the midst of false teachers.   They are also persecuted because they are followers of Christ.  The false doctrines are so wide spread in Pergamos that it is referenced as the house of Satan.

Philadelphia

This is the sixth of seven churches of which John was instructed to write an epistle.

Philadelphia is a faithful church because they have kept the gospel of Christ and has not denied His name.  Because they are so faithful, other unfaithful churches will worship before them.

Sardis

This is the fifth of seven churches of which John was instructed to write an epistle.  Sardis is a struggling church.  They believe and are trying to maintain the gospel but they are failing miserably.  It appears that Sardis is a church that is confessing and professing Christ but isn’t practicing Christ.

Smyrna

This is the second of seven churches of which John was instructed to write an epistle.  Smyrna is a church that is prospering even thought they are experiencing some trying times.  Because they are faithful, Satan is really coming hard against them.  They are to remain faithful and not to fear anything that may confront them.

Thyatira

This is the fourth of seven churches of which John was instructed to write an epistle.  Thyatira is a church that is busy trying to express love, kindness and obedience to the word of God.  Although they are so spiritually minded, they have let down their guard and false doctrines has crept into the church.  A remnant of the church is following false teaching and they are required to repent immediately.  The rest of the church has not stained their garments with false teachings and they should continue doing what they are doing.