1“And to the angel of the assembly in Sardis write:
“He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars says these things:
“I know your works, that you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2Wake up and strengthen the things that remain, which you were about to throw away, for I have found no works of yours perfected before my God. 3Remember therefore how you have received and heard. Keep it and repent. If therefore you won’t watch, I will come as a thief, and you won’t know what hour I will come upon you. 4Nevertheless you have a few names in Sardis that didn’t defile their garments. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5He who overcomes will be arrayed in white garments, and I will in no way blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 6He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.
7“To the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write:
“He who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, he who opens and no one can shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says these things:
8“I know your works (behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one can shut), that you have a little power, and kept my word, and didn’t deny my name. 9Behold, I make some of the synagogue of Satan, of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but lie—behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10Because you kept my command to endure, I also will keep you from the hour of testing which is to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11I am coming quickly! Hold firmly that which you have, so that no one takes your crown. 12He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out from there no more. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my own new name. 13He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.
14“To the angel of the assembly in Laodicea write:
“The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of God’s creation, says these things:
15“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. 16So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth. 17Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing,’ and don’t know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked; 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see. 19As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent. 20Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with me. 21He who overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.”
The seven churches are first introduced in 1:4 whereby John addresses the Book of Revelation to them (1:11). Described as the “seven lampstands” in 1:20, these real churches, namely, Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, are located in the Roman province of Asia Minor (modern southwestern Turkey). In chapters 2-3 a letter is specifically written to each of them, dictated to the apostle John from Jesus Christ (e.g., Rev 2:1). Each letter addresses their spiritual conditions. For example, the church at Ephesus is commended for its rejection of evil, its endurance, patience, and doctrinal vigilance. But this church is rebuked for serving God out of orthodoxy, not passionate agape-love (cf. Matt 10:37; Mark 12:28-34). In fact, an examination into each letter reveals a general outline used for all: (1) self-description of Christ which is most apropos to the church’s situation (cf. drawn from Revelation 1:12-20), (2) commendation, (3) criticism, (4) correction, (5) consequence of disobedience, and (6) a promise or incentive for obedience.
There are three minor exceptions to the comments seen above in reference to four of the churches. Smyrna and Philadelphia were not rebuked, though they were warned of the need to obey the instructions of Christ. Sardis and Laodicea are unique among the churches in that they received no commendation. The messages given to the historical churches are applicable today, and the admonition to overcome refers to all believers (cf verses 2-3, 10c, 13, 19, 25; 3:3, 8, 10; 1 John 5:4-5).