The Meaning of the Seven Churches of Revelation
- By Lisa
- Nov 1
- 6 min read
Updated: Nov 3
It's All About The Rewards
The Revelation of Jesus. Learn the true current condition of the "Present Day Church" with this companion guide. The spiritual state of these churches exists in the Body of Christ right now. Keep the faith and the rewards Jesus has waiting for you in Heaven far surpass our light and momentary troubles here on earth. You have overcome already in Jesus. You are the light of the world, that is literally the Lampstand that Jesus holds in His right hand. We, The Church, PRAY, without ceasing, for the body of Christ.
THREE FACTS
Where did the Seven Churches reside on the map in history (see map below).
Secondly, why study the seven churches, because these seven churches represent the problems in the current day church, and learn the true oppositions facing The Church. Living loveless, experience persecution, caving to compromise, participating in corruption, being spiritually dead, and live lukewarm. These are the seven issues The Church has to overcome while on the earth. All our problems fall within these seven key categories. See what they are below in this study. Once we reach heaven, Jesus is coming to reward you for overcoming.
Additionally, the bible teaches us in Colossians 3:1-5 that we are to seek the eternal treasures that are above, where Jesus is. Keep your mind set on things above and not on the things that are on the earth. Revelation chapters 2 and 3 shows us great things are ahead of us and lets us know what to expect in our near future, Heaven!
The Location of the Seven Churches and their spiritual Name
The letters written in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, were literal letters written to seven literal churches. These seven letters represent the spiritual state of the "Present Day Church." The loveless Church, the persecuted Church, the compromising Church, the corrupt Church, the dead Church, and the lukewarm Church. In history, these seven Churches were located in modern-day Turkey, formerly Asia Minor territory and part of the Eastern Roman Empire that ruled until 1453. This is the same Roman Empire that was in rule while Jesus was walking the earth. Not one city of these churches is in existence today, but ruins remain. The Island of Patmos, the location John the Revelator led by The Holy Spirit, wrote Revelation, is west of Turkey now part of the Greek islands.
The Revelation of Jesus, The Church
This is what Revelation chapters 2 and 3 are all about, YOU, The Church. You are the light to the world. The seven candlesticks represent the seven churches each one with something to overcome and receive rewards from Jesus Himself. That's what studying Revelation 2 and 3 is all about, the rewards and eternal life for The Church, YOU!
U.S./Turkey Peace Alliance
In October of 2025, President Trump and President Erdogan seen here joining in strength. A Christian-Judeo Nation joining with a former, and one of the first, Christian nations. This is a blessing for the preservation of Christianity, The Church. Turkey could become a future member of the Abraham Accords because of this alliance. Reported by CBNnews.com, Turkey is in this alliance for a future land grab somewhere, probably the Gaza Strip, where the current war is located between Israel and Hamas. Turkey and Egypt are possibly the two countries that will revitalize the Eastern Roman Empire because of their dominance in the region. How does this relate to the Second Coming of Christ and the rapture? First, the Eastern and Western Roman Empires must rise again for the Anti-Christ to rule and reign. The Western Roman Empire has already risen again, under the name, "The European Union." The Eastern Roman Empire is close to assembling through middle eastern peace alliances. Once this happens, the Rapture will take place, then the Tribulation will start once "The Church" is removed from earth. After the Tribulation period, Jesus will return as "The Second Coming" with us, The Church, to judge all that oppose Him on the earth and under the earth.
Studying the Seven Churches will boost, renew a fiery faith, and bless you. These churches are rooted in ancient Asia Minor and connected to Apostle Paul’s ministry (Acts 19:10). The challenges these seven Churches faced are the same challenges we face today. Jesus gives us the answers and a way out, right now while on the earth, of what it is WE need to overcome. Then, when we reach Heaven and after the Rapture, Jesus will reward us, The Church.
View a list of these REWARDS by clicking here:
EPHESUS
This church left, abandoned and deserted Christ, their first love. A Christian that left Jesus says, "I don't need God anymore, I'm good." Repent and come back to Jesus, your first love and I, Jesus, will reward and grant you to eat of the Tree of Life in the Paradise of God.
Revelation 2:1-7; 1 John 4:19; Matthew 22:37; Matthew 16:24
SMYRNA
This is the persecuted Church. Jesus knows your affliction, pressing trouble. distress, and abuses but you are rich! Do not fear! Jesus is bigger and stronger than those persecuting you. Be loyally faithful to Jesus and He will reward you with the crown of life and in no way be injured by the second death.
Revelation 2:8-11; John 15:18-27; James 1:12; 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
PERGAMUM
This is the compromising church. Married (yoked) to the world. Tolerating sin, seeking financial gain for false teaching, and leading believers astray through compromise with the world for selfishness. A compromising Christian says, "I don't have to do everything God says, I'm not sinning as bad as them." He called you out of the world. Repent and Jesus will give to eat the hidden Manna, a reward you a new name only you will understand.
Revelation 2:12-17; Romans 12:2,3; 2 Peter 2:15-16; Jude 1:18-25; 1 John 5:4; Exodus 16:31-35; John 16:33
THYATIRA
The corrupt church. Tolerating prophets and prophetesses claiming to be inspired by Jesus but leading The Church astray beguiling them to practice false religious worship to another without their knowledge. "I filled my religious obligation this week, I went to church." Awake, Repent and Jesus will reward you authority over nations and rule with a rod of iron given by Our Father.
Rev 2:18-29; 2 Kings 9:22,30; Psalm 2:8,9; Luke 6:37; 2 Corinthians 4:4; John 37-40
SARDIS
The dead church. Presumably alive, but dead. Awake, Repent! Remember your lessons, hold them to your heart. A spiritually dead person says, "I don't need to be concerned, I have time. Or, I will just blend in until my time is up." In Heaven, Jesus will reward you with white garments, keeping your name in the Book of Life, and will confess your name openly before God, Our Father for overcoming.
Revelation 3:1-6; Rev 20:12-15; Matthew 10:32-33; Mark 9:3; Matthew 24:42-44; Rev 22:12
PHILADELPHIA
The faithful church. Because you have kept the faith and Jesus' Word, you will receive a crown. "A faithful Christian is a BIG worshipper." Jesus will reward you as a pillar in God's sanctuary. You will receive a name of God, the name of the New City, and a new name from Jesus Himself.
Revelation 3:7:13; Isaiah 22:22; 2 Timothy 4:7; Galatians 6:9; Revelation 19:12
LAODICEA
The Lukewarm Church. Neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm. You think you are in need of nothing, but you need zeal for Jesus. A lukewarm Christian says, "It doesn't take all of that. That's too much church and bible reading for me." Open your eyes and see, repent and I, Jesus, will reward you to sit beside Me on My throne.
Revelation 3:14-22; Matthew 7:7-8; John 14:6; Hosea 12:8; Proverbs 3:12; Isaiah 62:2; James 4:4; 2 Corinthias 6:17
IT'S ALL ABOUT SHINING YOUR LIGHT AND THE REWARDS
Studying the Seven Churches of Revelation can ignite a change in your heart to walk closer with The Lord. We all face these trials in our Christian walk at some time. Now we recognize it and overcome it empowered with the Lord Jesus. Revelation chapters 2 and 3 were written by Jesus to guide His followers back to Him, offering the path to overcome these obstacles (Psalm 119:105) and then...rewards them. Persist in your faith; Jesus has already conquered the world (John 16:33). Embrace this Revelation and share it with others. You might be the only Light someone sees on this earth.
So, keep your mind set on the eternal treasures above (Colossians 3:1-5), great rewards are waiting for you that no other group of people or angels in Heaven will receive. You are set apart (dedicated) to Jesus now, on the earth, to receive these rewards (1 Peter 2:9). That is why the darkness in the world cannot overcome the Light in YOU (John 1:5). Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4).
God bless you, may the peace of God continually be with you
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