Lesson Ten
The Letters to the Churches

A. THE THINGS THAT ARE:

In Revelation 1:19 John was instructed to write:
•	The things which thou hast seen - Revelation Chapter One.
•	The things which are - Revelation Two and Three.
•	The things which shall be hereafter - Revelation Four to Twenty-two.

B. THE SEVEN CHURCHES IN CHURCH HISTORY:

In church history the seven churches are representative of definite period in history:
•	Ephesus: - Church of the first century; from Pentecost to AD 96: the Apostolic 	Church.
•	Smyrna: - The suffering persecuted church of the 2nd and 3rd centuries, AD 96 to 	AD 312 when Constantine professed conversion.
•	Pergamos: - The Imperial church, AD 312 to AD 500.
•	Thyatira: - The Dark Ages, AD 500 to AD 1520 (the Reformation).
•	Sardis: - The church of the Protestant Reformation.
•	Philadelphia: - The church of revival, Brotherly Love, the true church which shall 	be raptured.
•	Laodicea: - The End Time church of Apostasy.

C. THE GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES:

The seven churches were located in seven cities of Asia Minor. These cities were situated in a triangular manner. From Ephesus one goes north to Smyrna and to Pergamos about one hundred miles. Coming back in a southeast direction, one comes to Thyatira, Sardis,
Philadelphia, and finally Laodicea, about one hundred miles east of Ephesus. Beginning at Ephesus, one can reach each city in proper order traveling in a clockwise manner.
•	EPHESUS: It was located at the mouth of the Cayster River. 
•	SMYRNA: It was situated on a harbor and was a prosperous trading port.
•	PERGAMOS: Capital of the area and the chief town of the province of Asia.
•	THYATIRA: This was a center of commerce. 
•	SARDIS: It was famous for arts and crafts. 
•	PHILADELPHIA: It was named after its founder Attalus II Philadelphus. It was a 	grape growing district.
•	LAODICEA: It was a wealthy city and had great commercial prosperity 

D. PROMISES TO THE OVERCOMERS:

•	EPHESUS: - "… will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the 	paradise of God" (Revelation 2:7).
•	SMYRNA: - "… shall not be hurt of the second death" (2:11).
•	PERGAMOS: - "… will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a 	white stone, and on the stone a new name written" (2:17).
•	THYATIRA: - "… to him will I give power over the nations … And I will give him 	the morning star" (2:26-28).
•	SARDIS: - "… shall be clothed in white raiment …I will not blot out his name out 	of the book of life …I will confess his name before my Father"(3:5).
•	PHILADELPHIA: - "… A pillar in the temple of my God … I will write upon him 	the name of my God … name of the New Jerusalem. I will write upon him my new 	name" (3:12).
•	LAODICEA: - "…will I grant to sit with me in my throne" (3:21).

Most of these promises need little explanation. However, we shall explain the following:
•	HIDDEN MANNA: This is heavenly food that is hidden in God's Word. The 	overcomer will be able to have deep truths from the Word revealed to him.
•	WHITE STONE: In ancient trials the jurors would vote for acquittal by laying 	down a white stone. This white stone is a symbol of eternal acquittal.
•	MORNING STAR: Jesus declared Himself to be the bright and morning star 	(Revelation 22:16). This promise means that the overcomer would have the 	presence of Jesus Christ with him.

E. THE LETTER TO THE CHURCH OF EPHESUS (Revelation 2:1-7):

•	DESCRIPTION: The name "Ephesus" means "the desirable one." 
•	COMMENDATION: This church was separated and would not tolerate evil. 
•	CONDEMNATION: Jesus condemned the Ephesian church because she had left 	her first love. 
•	ADMONITION: They are admonished to repent and return to their first love. 

F. LETTER TO THE CHURCH OF SMYRNA (Revelation 2:8-11).

•	DESCRIPTION: "Smyrna" comes from the word "Myrrh." The Hebrew root word 	for Smyrna means, "bitter." 
•	COMMENDATION: The church is commended for its endurance under 	persecution. 
•	CONDEMNATION: There was no rebuke to this church.
•	ADMONITION:  Fear not and be faithful unto death.

To these exhortations were given two blessings:
•	They would be given a crown of life.
•	They would not be hurt of the second death.
•	The ninth chapter of his prophecy is one of the greatest chapters in the Bible.
•	Along with the answer to his prayer, Gabriel told Daniel, "Thou art greatly beloved" (Daniel 9:23).
•	Certainly Daniel had a special place in the heart of God. 

Lesson Ten
Self-Help Test

State which of the following is TRUE or FALSE:
1.	There were more than seven churches who received a special message in Revelation two and three. __________
2.	Ephesus was the church of the first century. ________
3.	Thyatira was the church of the dark ages. ______
4.	All the churches of Revelation were close to each other geographically. ________
5.	Polycarp was from Pergamos. ________
6.	Lydia was from Sardis. _______
7.	Laodicea was a wealthy city. ________
8.	"Ephesus" means "desirable one." ________
9.	Ephesus kept their first love intact. _______
10.	Smyrna was a persecuted church. ________