The Seven Letters
To the Churches
Part One
                                                                                   By Pastor F. M. Riley
                                                                                    April 22, 2017
     "I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
     Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter," Revelation 1:18-19.  
Introduction
     These Scriptures used as a text are taken from the Lord's own introduction to the Book of Revelation given to John.   
     There are seven of these church letters, prophetically setting forth the entire "church age" during this present Dispensation of Grace.  "7" is the number in the Bible which signifies "to complete; to fulfill; to fill up; to bring to a close."  In other words, a careful study of these seven letters to the churches will tell us exactly how this present dispensation is going to end in relation to the churches of the Lord Jesus Christ.  These church letters are worth a careful study by any true believer who seriously loves the great truths of the Word of God.  
     So let's get started.......
The Lord's Letter to His Church at Ephesus
     2:1....."Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus, write;  These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks.
     Each of these seven church letters are addressed to "the angel of the church" in a specific location.  Each letter prophetically sets forth a period of time during this present "church age,"  when the Lord would  deal with His churches in a certain way, according to the theme set forth in each of the letters.  
     The period of time covered by this church letter extended from approximately 70 A.D. to 170 A.D. It was during this period of time that ancient Israel was destroyed by the Roman Empire, and the Lord's Church became God's annointed messenger to mankind for this present dispensation.     
     The theme of this church letter is "backsliding."   See the attached chart.....
     The Greek word translated as "angel" in this Scripture is also translated as "messenger" seven times in the New Testament.  In the inspired Word, it can refer to the Lord's celestial angels, or to a man or woman chosen by God to deliver the Lord's message, depending on the context in which the word is used.  See Strong's Greek No. 32.  
     As used in these seven letters to the churches, each letter is explicitly addressed to "the angel of the church," likely referring to the pastor, who has a God given responsibility to deliver the Lord's message to the church which he is pastoring.  These "angels," or pastors of the churches, are all held in "the right hand" of the Lord, and will have to answer to Him for their obedience or disobedience in pastoring His churches.  Pastors of churches today need to remember this! 1:20; 2:1; Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Hebrews 13:17.  See also Jeremiah 23:28.      
    The writings of the Apostle Paul in the New Testament often mentioned this church located in the city of Ephesus.  This church apparently was chosen for the first church letter by the Lord as an example of consecration and dedication for all of His churches to emulate right through this entire dispensation.   
     Don't fail to notice that the Lord Himself states that He "walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks [lampstands], 1:20.  Today some lost people, in unbelief and ridicule, ask where they can find God?  Where?  Go to a true, Bible believing church!  As of right now, the Lord is still walking in the midst of His churches.  Glory to God!  Praise the Lord!      
     2:2-3....."I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:  
     And hast borne, and hast patience, and for My name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted."  
     Dear readers, the Spirit of the Lord indwells every true believer, and also indwells every true church.  There is nothing that can be hidden from the Lord, by those "professing" to be His children, and His churches, Proverbs 15:3.  
     The writings of the Apostle Paul in the New Testament,  reveal that even during the Apostolic period, there were some "false teachers"  claiming to be apostles of the Lord, who absolutely were not.  The church at Ephesus had confronted these "false apostles, "tried them," and had  proven that their claim of being apostles was a blasphemous lie.   The Lord commended the church at Ephesus for taking this stand against "evil," and those who practice it while masquerading as "Christians."   
     Remember that early Christianity was bitterly opposed by the Roman Empire, so the church at Ephesus did preach and teach God's Word while undergoing trials and persecution.  Nevertheless, the church at Ephesus, even under those conditions, continued to patiently labour, trusting the Lord for guidance and blessing, and refused to "faint." [give up and quit].  They did indeed set an example of faithfulness for true churches of the Lord Jesus Christ right down to this present day.
     2:4-5....."Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
     Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."  
     In spite of the fact that the church at Ephesus was one of the most dedicated churches in the early Apostolic period of christian history, still there were some among that church body, which were not dedicated and serious about loving and serving the Lord.
      The Greek tense in 2:4, indicates that the verse should have been translated as, "Thou art leaving thy first love."  In other words, the process had began, and was ongoing even at that time. Since Christ Himself mentioned their "works," this obviously had to do with the kind and quality of works they were doing.  Christ admonished them to "repent, and do the first works."  What was He referring to?
     Folks, the one Great Commission given to the churches by Christ Himself was, ".....and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth," Acts 1:8.  The Lord Jesus Christ is God's way of salvation, and the Savior and Lord of all men.  Therefore no church, claiming to be a "Christian church," should be engaging in any activity that does not seek to promote and exalt the Lord Jesus Christ.  PERIOD!   The lost, unbelieving world, does not need games and gimmicks, Candy bars, Cookies, and Christmas trees.  What the lost, unbelieving, world needs is the unadulterated gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and any church not giving this message to the lost, has left "their first love."  The Lord Himself told the church at Ephesus to "repent, and do the first works."  
     There was a penalty to be imposed for not listening to the Lord.  The Lord Himself warned the church at Ephesus, that if they did not repent, He would come and remove their "candlestick."  See 1:20.  I do not know the "date" that the great city of Ephesus was destroyed, but today tourists who visit the ancient site of Ephesus, see only fallen ruins.  There is no Christian church in that city, for there is literally no city.  The Lord did indeed remove the "lampstand" from Ephesus.  There is a high price to pay for those "professing Christians" who do not truly love and serve the Lord, and seek to give Him  first place in their church  and in their lives!
     2:6....."But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.   
     We believers living today can, or should, learn from the unscriptural conduct pointed out in these church letters.  One of the things the Lord commended the church at Ephesus for was hating "the deeds of the Nicolaitanes."  And what was this?  I'm so glad you asked!
     Dear readers, the first part of this word translated as "Nicolaitanes," is the Greek word, "nico," which literally means, "to conquer; subdue; rule over, by force or power."  The last part of the word, "laitanes," literally means, "laity; laymen."  In other words, the entire expression is referring to proud hearted preachers who demand absolute authority and rule over the Lord's people and church.  Preachers, pay attention!  The Lord said many centuries ago that He hated these kind of deeds, and I don't think for a minute that He has changed His mind, Hebrews 13:8.  No true church belongs to the pastor!  True churches belong only to the Lord!  Preachers and pastors need to keep this truth in mind!
     It is one thing for a church and pastor to love and serve one another, and the Lord by mutual agreement, and under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.   It is entirely another thing for a preacher to come to a church demanding absolute authority to decide every matter that concerns that church body, just like a little dictator.   Take heed!
     2:7.....He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;  To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God."  
     Just as there is a penalty for disobeying the Lord, so there is great blessing in hearing, believing, honoring, and obeying His Word.  The "overcomer" is the man or woman, boy or girl, who does that, "Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"  Read the entire context, 1 John 5:1-5.  
     The Lord was assuring those in the church at Ephesus who were truly saved, [Ephesians 2:8-10] that their salvation in Christ was real and secure.   Those true believers  who had heard what "the Spirit" said to the churches, would be given access "to eat of the tree of life," which at that time, the Lord Himself said, was located "in the midst of the paradise of God."  In other words it was in Heaven, exactly where the true "overcomer" is going when they leave this present evil world, Galatians 1:4.  By having placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, the true believer is assured of a home in Heaven.  Glory to God!  Hallelujah!  Praise the Lord!
     Notice that in this first church letter, it is explicitly stated that the Lord walks "in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks."  In other words, Christ Jesus was walking among these seven churches, 1:20.  This is based on the truth that these seven churches were His churches.  
     Dear readers, I have now been in the Lord's ministry for 63 years.  I have preached God's Word in all kinds of churches over these many years, in revival efforts and otherwise.  
     I have preached in churches where the Holy Spirit of our Living God was so strong, that His presence and power could be felt when I walked through the doorway into the building.  These churches were obviously praying and loving the Lord and His Word, and earnestly desired Christ to be in their midst, and it showed!  
      And yes, sadly, I have preached in some churches that were so lacking in the presence and power of God's Holy Spirit, and so spiritually cold, that it almost felt like I could skate down the church aisle on the ice as I entered the sanctuary.  In these churches, I was made to wonder how long it had been since Christ was welcome in their midst.  God have mercy!  
     Folks, if you truly want Christ in the midst of your church, then earnestly pray for Him to come in, and do only those things which you know would be pleasing to Him as your Savior and Lord.   Clear enough?
The Lord's Letter to His Church at Smyrna
     2:8....."And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive."  
     The time period represented by this church extended from approximately 171 A.D. to 312 A.D.  The name, Smyra, literally means "bitterness," and it was during this time that the Roman Empire did everything they knew to do to stamp out the entire Christian movement.  This church, and others like it, suffered terribly at the hands of the Roman government during those years.
     The theme of the church letter, as indicated by the name, literally means "chastised; chastened."  Since the first period of church history ended with the churches "leaving their first love," the Lord God brought  chastisement to come upon the churches in order to bring about repentance and renewed dedication to Himself.  The principle set forth in Hebrews 12:1-10 is just as applicable to an entire church body, as it is to individual believers.
     Once more the church letter is addressed to "the angel" [pastor] of the church located in the city of Smyrna.  In the salutation the Lord reminds the church that He suffered being put to death on the cross, but that He is very much "alive," and ready to help His Church and His people.  Dear readers, we who are true believers are not serving a dead, historical figure.  We serve our living Savior, the One who died for us at Calvary, but who was resurrected and lives today to minister God's grace to His churches, and to all who are willing to receive Him as their Savior and Lord.  Glory to God!  
     2:9....."I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan."
     Here, as in each of the church letters, the Lord acknowledges that He knows the "works" of the church at Smyra [just as He knows the works of every church claiming to be one of His churches].  The Lord also knew the "tribulation" [trouble] that church body was going through, and the poverty they were suffering.  But the Lord declared them to be "rich."  They were "rich" with the Lord's presence with them, in all that they were being called upon to suffer for His name's sake.  Compare Philippians 1:29 and 2 Timothy 2:10-12.  
     The Lord told this church that He also knew "the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not."  What is the Lord talking about in this statement?  Folks, Satan could hardly wait for the opportunity to begin sowing the seeds of corruption among the Lord's churches.  Careful students of the history of Christianity know that it was during this period in church history, that the theory of "replacement theology"  was invented.  During that time, some began teaching that God was through with Israel, and that the Church had replaced Israel as "the people of God," and that all of the promises and blessings God had pronounced upon ancient Israel had now been transferred to "the church."  Hogwash!   This theory really sounds good to those who never seriously study the Scriptures.  However.....
     I would remind our readers that God made an "everlasting covenant" with Abraham and his "seed," in Genesis 17:1-2; 17:7-8.  Then God reaffirmed that covenant with the Jewish people at Mt. Sinai, Exodus 2:24; Leviticus 24:8; 26:9.  The Jewish people [Israelites] are God's chosen people forever.   Just because the Jewish people have been temporarily set aside, to bring in the salvation of the Gentiles, does not mean that God is through with His chosen people, Romans 11:1-5.  
     Folks, Replacement Theology is "false teaching," a lie, and blasphemy against the Lord and His Jewish brethren.  The Lord said so!  The word, "blasphemy," literally means, "insult; to insult."  The Lord Himself says here in this Scripture that those claiming to be "Jews, and are not " was nothing more than an INSULT against the Lord and His chosen people of Israel.  Not only did the Lord label this claim as an insult, but He also said that the people making the claim were nothing more than "the synagogue [assembly] of Satan."   
     Dear readers, much misunderstanding of God's Word could easily be avoided, if those "professing" to be "Christians,"  would just take the Scriptures at face value for what they actually and literally say, rather than trying to make them say something else.   Hello!  
     2:10....."Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days:  be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
     This period of church history was not a good time for the Lord's churches and people.  The government of the Roman Empire, instigated by Satan, was doing all it could to abort and kill Christianity as a movement, even while it was being born.  True believers were cast into prison; some were cast into the Coliseum at Rome and forced to try to defend themselves against the half-starved hungry lions and other beasts, while the populace of Rome were entertained by the "show."  Many believers at that time sealed their testimony for Christ Jesus, with their own blood.  But the Lord Jesus Christ had already warned His churches that such "tribulation" was going to come upon them, and had admonished them to "be faithful unto death," stating that those believers who were martyred during this time would be given "a crown of life."  See also Luke 12:4-12.    
     Christ Jesus told the church that there would be "tribulation ten days."  Christian history reveals that there were ten great persecutions launched by the Roman Empire against Christianity, and the last persecution lasted exactly ten years.  The Roman Empire is long gone, and Bible believing Christianity is still here!   Glory to God!  Praise the Lord!  
     2:11....."He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death."  
     As in each of the church letters, there is an admonition for true believers to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking with them, and a promise to those who choose to be "overcomers," 1 John 5:4-5.  
     The Lord Jesus was obviously telling His people and churches living in this Smyrnean church period that physical death is not the end of the life that God has prepared for His people, 1 Corinthians 2:9.  Yes, trials and troubles may bring upon us sorrow and weeping during the night of this present evil world, but "joy cometh in the morning," Psalm 30:5.  Hallelujah!  Glory to God!  Praise the Lord!
     May our gracious Lord God add His blessings to this study.  
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TO BE CONTINUED AS THE LORD PERMITS.....
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     Permission is granted to any true believer, or Bible believing Christian Ministry, to reproduce this study to share with others, or to quote from it in context  as written.  
 
     Please address all comments, questions, and correspondence to: Pastor F. M. Riley, 14275 County Road 8120, Rolla, Missouri 65401.  
     Those readers who want to personally speak with me should call 573-201-0491.  I am available to answer my phone nearly any day, about any time,  except on  Sunday.  
     God bless every reader is my prayer.
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