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1 And unto the angel of the church Proverbs 21:15-16&21 It is joy to James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O Sardis: A once great city which grew /
in Sardis write; These things saith the just to do judgment: but vain man, that faith without into a power in about 1150 B.C. /
he that hath the seven Spirits of destruction shall be to the works is dead? The capital of the kingdom of Lydia /
God, and the seven stars; I know workers of iniquity. John 15:10-11 If ye keep my command- and home of Croesus, once known as /
thy works, that thou hast a name The man that wandereth out of ments, ye shall abide in my love; the world's richest man. It was /
that thou livest, and art dead. the way of understanding shall even as I have kept my Father's losing its influence in Roman times /
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the remain in the congregation of commandments, and abide in his and today is a pasture land for /
things which remain, that are ready the dead. love. goats. The church of Sardis was also /
to die: for I have not found thy He that followeth after These things have I spoken unto once renown but was by now "dead". /
works perfect before God. righteousness and mercy you, that my joy might remain in Its early growth was well known and /
findeth life, righteousness, you, and that your joy might be its fall was also fast. But not a /
and honour. full. total fall since there remained a /
3 Remember therefore how thou hast Isaiah 47:11 Therefore shall evil Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore, for few who were still worthy. The /
received and heard, and hold fast, come upon thee; thou shalt not ye know not what hour your Lord majority of the church needed to /
and repent. If therefore thou shalt know from whence it riseth: doth come. repent, while a few had remained /
not watch, I will come on thee as a and mischief shall fall upon II Timothy 1:13 Hold fast the form pure. Many scholars propose that /
thief, and thou shalt not know what thee; thou shalt not be able of sound words, which thou hast it is symbolic of the 12th thru /
hour I will come upon thee. to put it off: and desolation heard of me, in faith and love 16th century church as formalism and /
shall come upon thee suddenly, which is in Christ Jesus. ceremony are prevalant in the church, /
which thou shalt not know. little true knowledge and love of /
4 Thou hast a few names even in Ecclesiastes 9:8 Let thy garments II Thessalonians 1:5 Which is a the Word was evident. /
Sardis which have not defiled their be always white; manifest token of the righteous /
garments; and they shall walk with Daniel 12:10 Many shall be purif- judgment of God, that ye may be Philadelphia: A church that has " a /
me in white: for they are worthy. ied, and made white, and tried; counted worthy of the kingdom of little strength" but which has /
5 He that overcometh, the same but the wicked shall do wick- God, for which ye also suffer: "kept my word" and "hast not denied /
shall be clothed in white raiment; edly: and none of the wicked Philippians 4:3...and with other my my name". The reward for their /
and I will not blot out his name shall understand; but the wise fellow labourers, whose names are faithfulness was to be great as /
out of the book of life, but I will shall understand. in the book of life. their enemies would worship before /
confess his name before my Father, Exodus 32:33 And the Lord said Luke 12:8 ...Whosoever shall confess their feet and they would not have /
and before his angels. unto Moses, Whosoever hath me before men, him shall the Son to suffer the great temptation that /
6 He that hath an ear, let him sinned against me, him will I of man also confess before the the world must suffer. The church /
hear what the Spirit saith unto blot out of my book. angels of God: of opportunity with the continuously /
the churches. open door, the church of "brotherly /
I Peter 1:15...he which hath called love". This church gives hope to /
7 And to the angel of the church in Isaiah 22:22 And the key of the you is holy, so be ye holy in all all the christian world, that if /
Philadelphia write; These things house of David will I lay upon manner of conversation. they are faithful and diligent, they /
saith he that is holy, he that is his shoulder; so he shall I John 5:20 And we know that the Son will be afforded the same rewards /
true, he that hath the key of David, open, and none shall shut; and of God is come, and hath given us that will be given to the church at /
he that openeth, and no man he shall shut, and none shall an understanding, that we may Philadelphia. The city was located /
shutteth, and no man openeth. open. know him that is true; and we are at the entrance to the beautiful /
8 I know thy works: behold, I have Job 12:12-14 With the ancient is in him that is true, even in his valley of Hermus, an agriculturally /
set before thee an open door, and wisdom; and in length of days Son Jesus Christ. This is the true significant area. Sometimes referred /
no man can shut it: for thou hast a understanding. God, and eternal life. to as "Little Athens". Located in a /
little strength, and hast kept my With him is wisdom and Matthew 16:19 And I will give unto area of frequent earthquakes it was /
word, and hast not denied my name. strength, he hath counsel and thee the keys of the kingdom of almost totally destroyed in A.D. 17. /
understanding. heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt Its name has been changed many times, /
Behold, he breaketh down, and bind on earth shall be bound in but it still exists today as the /
it cannot be built again: he heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt Turkish city of Alaeshir of the /
shutteth up a man, and there loose on earth shall be loosed in "the City of God". Many scholars /
can be no opening. heaven. propose that this church symbolizes /
9 Behold, I will make them of the Isaiah 49:22-23 Thus saith the Matthew 23:13&28 But woe unto you, the missionary church when there /
synagogue of Satan, which say they Lord God, Behold, I will lift scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! was an explosion of knowledge and /
are Jews, and are not, but do lie; up mine hand to the Gentiles, for ye shut up the kingdom of searching for the truth of the /
behold, I will make them to come and set up my standard to the heaven against men: for ye neither Word as the Bible became readily /
and worship before thy feet, and to people: and they shall bring go in yourselves, neither suffer available in printed form. /
know that I have loved thee. thy sons in their arms, and ye them that are entering to go /
10 Because thou hast kept the word thy daughters shall be carried in. Laodicea: The lukewarm church, located /
of my patience, I also will keep upon their shoulders. Even so ye also outwardly appear in a wealthy banking city beautiful /
thee from the hour of temptation, And kings shall be thy righteous unto men, but within ye with resplendent temples and theatres. /
which shall come upon all the world, nursing fathers, and their are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Also noted for its manufacture of /
to try them that dwell upon the queens thy nursing mothers; II Peter 2:9-10 The Lord knoweth how fine clothes from a fine black wool. /
earth. they shall bow down to thee to deliver the godly out of temp- A center for medicine at its school /
with their face toward the tations, and to reserve the unjust in a temple to Aesculapius the Greek /
earth, and lick up the dust of unto the day of judgment to be god of medicine where its fine eye- /
thy feet; and thou shalt know punished: salve was manufactured. Rich in the /
that I am the Lord: for they But chiefly them that walk after things of the earth, but "wretched", /
shall not be ashamed that wait the flesh in lust of uncleanness, "miserable", "poor", "blind", and /
for me. and despise government. "naked". Such a familiar story in /
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold Isaiah 63:4 For the day of Philippians 4:5 Let your moderation this country of great wealth where /
that fast which thou hast, that no vengeance is in mine heart, be known unto all men. The Lord many of the mainline Christian /
man take thy crown. and the year of my redeemed is is at hand. churches have lost their enthusiasm /
12 Him that overcometh will I make come. Hebrews 12:22-24 But ye are come unto for the Word and are slowly dieing. /
a pillar in the temple of my God, I Kings 7:21 And he set up the mount Zion, and unto the city of Churches that were born out of the /
and he shall go no more out: and I pillars in the porch of the the living God, the heavenly enthusiasm for the truth of the /
will write upon him the name of my temple: Jerusalem, and to an innumerable reformation are slowly dieing of /
God, and the name of the city of my Isaiah 65:17-18 For, behold, I company of angels, indifference and "lukewarmness". /
God, which is new Jerusalem, which create a new heavens and a new To the general assembly and Will this be the story of the /
cometh down out of heaven from my earth: ... behold, I create church of the firstborn, which Christian churches of the United /
God: and I will write upon him my Jerusalem a rejoicing, and are written in heaven, and to God States of America as the Lord /
new name. her people a joy the Judge of all, and to the rapidly opens up the missionary /
13 He that hath an ear, let him spirits of just men made perfect, fields in other areas of the world? /
hear what the Spirit saith unto the And to Jesus the mediator of the Will we soon lose our status as a /
churches. new covenant,... Christian nation, many say this had /
already happened. Many scholars /
14 And unto the angel of the church Jeremiah 42:5 Then they said to Colossians 1:15-16 Who is the image propose that the church of Laodicea /
of the Laodiceans write; These Jeremiah, The Lord be a true of the invisible God, the first- symbolizes the church of the end /
things saith the Amen, the faithful and faithful witness between born of every creature: times that is no longer fulfilling /
and true witness, the beginning of us, For by him were all things its mission. /
the creation of God. created, that are in earth, The letters to the seven churches /
15 I know thy works, that thou art Job 20:15 He hath swallowed down visible and invisible,... are a amazingly complete expose of /
neither cold nor hot: I would thou riches, and he shall vomit Matthew 25:26,27&30 ...Thou wicked the problems facing the churches of /
wert cold or hot. them up again: God shall cast and slothful servant, thou the modern world. /
16 So then because thou art luke- them out of his belly. knewest that I reap where I sowed /
warm, and neither cold nor hot, I Proverbs 23:4 & 7-8 Labour not to not, and gather where I have a) A loss of enthusiasm for the /
will spew thee out of my mouth. be rich: cease from thine own not strewed: Word and concern for the salvation /
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, wisdom. Thou oughtest therefore to have of the world as the church becomes /
and increased with goods, and have For as he thinketh in his put my money to the exchangers, more interested in the pleasures /
need of nothing; and knowest not heart, so is he: Eat and drink, and then at my coming I should of the world and its status in the /
that thou art wretched, and miser- saith he to thee; but his have received mine own with usury world. /
able, and poor, and blind, and heart is not with thee. And cast ye the unprofitable /
naked: The morsel which thou hast servant into outer darkness: there b) Persecution that is occurring in /
eaten shalt thou vomit up, and shall be weeping and gnashing of many areas of the world as the /
lose thy sweet words. teeth. forces of satan work to destroy /
Luke 12:19-21 And I will say to my the influence of the church in /
soul, Soul, thou hast much goods all areas of the world. /
laid up for many years; take thine /
ease, eat, drink, and be merry. c) Infiltration of false teachings /
But God said unto him, Thou fool, as satan tries to dilute the /
this night thy soul shall be req- teachings of the Word with pract- /
uired of thee: then whose shall ices and doctrine that make the /
those things be, which thou hast penetration of the Word less /
provided? effective. /
So is he that layeth up treasure /
for himself, and is not rich d) Immorality has made a great intr- /
toward God. usion into many so called churches /
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold Zechariah 13:9 And I will bring II Corinthians 5:2-3 For in this we as the prohibitions of the Word are /
tried in the fire, that thou mayest the third part through fire, groan, earnestly desiring to be not adhered to and the word "sin" /
be rich; and white raiment, that and will refine them as silver clothed upon with our house which is not heard from many pulpits. /
thou mayest be clothed, and that is refined, and will try them is from heaven: /
the shame of thy nakedness do not as gold is tried: they shall If so being clothed we shall not e) Spiritual death has entered many /
appear; and anoint thine eyes with call on my name, and I will be found naked. churches as they may hold to sound /
eyesalve, that thou mayest see. hear them: I will say, It is I Corinthians 3:13 Every man's work doctrine in many areas, but there /
my people: and they shall say, shall be made manifest:...because is no enthusiasm for spreading /
The Lord is my God. it shall be revealed by fire; the Word for fear of persecution /
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and Job 5:17 Behold, happy is the man Hebrews 12:6-7 For whom the Lord by the world or that they might /
chasten: be zealous therefore, and whom God correcteth: therefore loveth he chasteneth, and scour- not appear as sophisticated to /
repent. despise not thou the chastening geth every son whom he receiveth. the world. /
of the Almighty: If ye endure chastening, God /
dealeth with you as with sons; f) The truly missionary churches in /
for what son is he whom the father this world today seem to lack the /
chasteneth not? strength and power to fulfill /
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and Proverbs 8:32-35 Now therefore John 10:9 I am the door: by me if the great opportunity that the /
knock: if any man hear my voice, hearken unto me, O ye children: any man enter in, he shall be Lord has provided for them. /
and open the door, I will come in for blessed are they that keep saved, and shall go in and out, /
to him, and will sup with him, and my ways. and find pasture. g) The excess earthly wealth of some /
he with me. Hear instruction, and be wise, Luke 12:37 Blessed are those servants, churches have made them complacent /
21 To him that overcometh will I and refuse it not. whom the Lord when he cometh shall or filled with pride in their acc- /
grant to sit with me in my throne, Blessed is the man that hear- find watching: verily I say unto omplishments to the point that /
even as I also overcame, and am set eth me, watching daily at my you, that he shall gird himself, they can no longer be a witness to /
down with my Father in his throne. gates, waiting at the posts of and make them to sit down to meat, the many poor and needy of this /
22 He that hath an ear, let him my doors. and will come forth and serve them. world who need the Word. They /
hear what the Spirit saith unto the For whoso findeth me findeth Matthew 19:28&30 ...Verily I say unto are too far above the level of the /
churches. life, and shall obtain favour you, That ye which have followed people that truly need their /
of the Lord. me, in the regeneration when the witness. /
I Samuel 2:7-8 The Lord maketh Son of man shall sit in the throne /
poor, and maketh rich: he of his glory, ye also shall sit /
bringeth low, and lifteth up. upon twelve thrones, judging the /
He raiseth up the poor out of twelve tribes of Israel. /
the dust, and lifteth up the But many that are first shall /
beggar from the dunghill, to be last, and the last shall be /
set them among princes, and to first. /
make them inherit the throne I Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God /
of glory: for the pillars of of Peace sanctify you wholly; and I /
the earth are the Lord's, and pray God your whole spirit and soul /
he hath set the world upon and body be preserved blameless unto /
them. the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. /
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SUMMARY OF THE LETTERS /
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CHURCH CHARACTERISTICS OF CHRIST COMMENDATION REBUKE EXHORTATION PROMISE /
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Ephesus Holds the seven stars in His Deeds, hard work, Has forsaken her Remember; repent; Will eat from the /
right hand and walks among patience. first love. do the things they did at tree of life. /
the seven golden lampstands. Does not tolerate first. /
wicked men. /
Endures hardships. /
Hates the practices /
of the Nicolaitans /
/
Smyrna The First and the Last, who Suffers tribulat- (none) Do not be afraid. Will receive a crown /
died and came to life again. ion and poverty. Be faithful, even unto of life; will not be /
death. hurt by the second /
death. /
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Pergamos Has the sharp, Remains true to People there hold Repent. Will receive hidden /
two-edged sword. Christ; does not the teachings of manna and a white /
renounce her faith. Balaam and of the stone with a new /
Nicolaitans. name on it. /
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Thyatira The Son of God, whose eyes Deeds, love, faith, Tolerates Jezebel Repent; hold on to what you Will have authority /
are like blazing fire and service, with her immora- have. over the nations; /
whose feet are like fine perseverance, lity and idolatry. the morning star. /
brass. doing more than at /
first. /
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Sardis Hath the seven spirits of Deeds; reputation Art dead. Wake up! Strengthen what Will be dressed in /
God and the seven stars. of being alive. remains. Remember what you white; will be /
A few have not received, obey it, repent. acknowledged before /
defiled their My Father and His /
garments. angels. /
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Philadelphia Holy and true, holds the Deeds, keeps (none) Hold on to what you have. Those who overcome /
key of David. Christ's word and That no man take thy will be pillars in /
Openeth and no man does not deny his crown. the temple; /
shutteth, shutteth name endures the name of God, of /
and no man openeth. patiently. the New Jerusalem, /
and of Christ's new /
name will be written /
on them. /
/
Laodicea The Amen, the faithful and (none) Lukewarm, neither Buy from Christ refined Overcomers will eat /
true witness, the beginning cold or hot. gold, white clothes, with Christ; will /
of God's creation. Wretched, pitiful, and eye salve. rule with Christ. /
poor, blind, and Be earnest, and repent. /
naked. /
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Matters of Contention: "I also will keep thee from the hour of Luke 21:34-36 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts /
temptation, which shall come upon the world, which shall come upon be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this /
all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." This promise life, and so that day come upon you unawares. /
to the church of Philadelphia is interpreted by many scholars to be For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of /
evidence that the the church symbolized in prophecy by this church the whole earth. /
will be resurrected to heaven prior to the beginning of the great Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted /
tribulation. It would be great if the justification to warrant this worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to /
conclusion were more directly stated. Other scholars believe that stand before the Son of man. /
a resurrection is not necessarily warranted by this statement, /
instead the inference is that the Lord will provide the strength or /
a place of hiding on earth which will allow them to pass through the /
time of temptation or tribulation (such as 12:14). Those who favor /
the resurrection (rapture) of the church prior to the tribulation /
will also refer to the statements of Luke 21:34-36 which seem to /
parallel the passage of 3:10. But again the word resurrection is /
not directly stated. /
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