“As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. – Revelation 1:20

In the book of Revelation Jesus gives us a report card of the seven Churches in Asia Minor that existed at the time John was on the Island of Patmos around 68 AD.  But these letters are not just to be read and reviewed by these seven Churches in 68 AD … they are letters to be read and reviewed by “all” Church Age believers, by anyone who has been “born again” to Salvation in Jesus Christ.  In other words, these letter are written to each believer as a personal message from Jesus to “evaluate yourself” in the light of the commendation and condemnations that Jesus gives to His Bride, the Church, as she waits and watches for her Groom. 

I am going to discuss in detail the messages to the Churches but the theme of the messages is to be an “overcomer” in Jesus.  I want to make the point at the beginning of this article that being an “overcomer” is not a matter of doing works to overcome sin in you and around you it’s a matter of believing what Jesus has done for you by His work on the cross to overcome your sin!  This is what John makes clear in his writing in the book of John, 1 John, 2 John and 3 John.  If you have believed in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus to pay for your sin, then you have the victory over death that was won by Jesus … you are “born again” a new creation in Jesus … you live in Jesus who has eternal life!  This is what it means to abide in Jesus … it means to believe in Jesus and “dwell upon” the good news of the gospel which accomplishes and completes your Salvation of eternal life in Jesus Christ!

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.  Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God – 1 John 5:4-5

I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. – 1 John 2:14

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

These seven Churches in Asia Minor also represent the seven “Churches periods” that have existed for almost 2,000 years, beginning at “Pentecost” around 30 AD and terminating at the “Rapture of the Church” in 2020 AD?  The message of warning and encouragement to believers during the seven Church periods is the focus and the “meat” of the commentary concerning Revelation 2 and 3, however before we get into this discussion of the messages to the churches let’s talk about the “messengers” … the 7 Angels, represented as 7 stars who are sent to the 7 churches. 

The number “7” is the signature number of God’s divine perfection.  The picture at the top of this article shows the Churches arranged as the lights of the menorah lampstand, with each Church representing a light that represents a Jewish feast event.  I am not sure you can match the Churches up with a feast event but even if you could the feast events are not accurate in this picture.  The purpose of the picture to show the Churches are the light of Christ in the world at this time.

The seven Churches are each represented by a lampstand or a candlestick … a “light” of Jesus shining in the world.  Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12).  Light is the visible spectrum of electromagnetic energy and electromagnet energy is the force that powers the world, while at the same time it drains the world of power causing it’s heat death.  The physical light from the sun is the form of energy/power that allows us to see the world while the Spiritual light from the “Son” is the form of power/revelation that allows us to see the creator of the world, the Father.  Though the physical power of the world is dying, the Spiritual power of God is never ending.  More over, the Spiritual power of God is not limited by the physical limitations we understand concerning the world of science … since God is creator of the world and He is outside the box of this world.  In fact, God is going to create a new Heaven and earth that is not hindered by the physics we understand today and He is going to give a “resurrected” body to those have a  resurrected heart of belief in Jesus, so His family of Grace can enjoy the plans that God has prepared for those that love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Matthew 5:14  “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

The word of Jesus are for everyone, at all times but in Matthew 5, Jesus is speaking to the Jews on the Mount of Olives, “the sermon on the Mount“.  He is reminding the Jews that they were the chosen people of God, who were suppose to be Spiritual light to the world, as the Jewish temple sat on the hill Mt Moriah/Mt Zion in Jerusalem.  The Jews were suppose to be the shining example of God’s blessing to the nation Israel in order to glorify God and lead the other nation to the coming Messiah … Jesus.  Since they failed this mission, the Jews have been temporarily “cut off” from the true vine of Jesus while the Church has been “grafted in”. 

The Church now has the responsibility to be the light of Jesus in the word today, until the Church is removed at the Rapture … then the light of the “two witnesses” will shine during the first 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation and the light of the 144,000 will shine during the last 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation (this is my understanding).  After the Tribulation period, Jesus Himself will be the light of the world, as He reigns and rules on Mt Zion for 1,000 years … along with His resurrected Saints.  

The seven Angels are represented as “stars” in the Heavens while the Churches are represented as candlesticks of light in the world.  There are many scriptures about how Angels are represented as stars in the Heavens and I have written an article about how the stars are a witness of God’s plan of redemption in the sky, The Mazzorth the Gospel in the Stars.  There are both “good” Angles and “evil/fallen” Angels.   The scriptures indicated that 1/3 of the Angles are fallen in nature, like Satan and they try to defeat or prevent God’s plan for redemption to man.  Both the good Angles and the evil Angles are in Heaven as messengers to men.  The good Angles bring encouragement and direction in Jesus to men on earth, while the evil Angles try to keep people focused on this world, anyway they can by hate and division or by giving them riches, fame or false dreams.

Psalm 91:9For you have made the LORD, my refuge,
            Even the Most High, your dwelling place.

      10No evil will befall you,
            Nor will any plague come near your tent.

      11For He will give His angels charge concerning you,
            To guard you in all your ways.

      12They will bear you up in their hands,
            That you do not strike your foot against a stone.

We born onto a battle field here on planet earth, a prison planet where we begin a prisoner to sin and need to be rescued from our Self Indulgent Nature (SIN).  The real battle is a Spiritual one that is being fought in Heaven, for the rescue of the souls of men so they can be freed from the penalty of sin by belief Jesus Christ.  

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. – Ephesians 6:12

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:  – Revelation 2:1

Note, what is written in Revelation 2:1 is not a salutation to an angel or to a person in Ephesus.  It is rather an instruction from the Lord Jesus to John to write something down for the angel to deliver. The letter to Ephesus concludes with the words, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” This statement clearly shows that this letter was specifically for the assembly of Ephesus and in a general sense for all the churches.  The message is for the Churches and the means of delivery for the message is through an Angel. – taken from this article (http://www.gloriouschurch.com/html/Angels-Of-The-Seven-Churches.asp)  

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, – Revelation 1:1

John is receiving the Revelation of Jesus Christ through an Angel (Revelation 1:1).  I didn’t find very much commentary about the identity of the 7 Angles.  The Catholics name the seven Angels but they include Michael, but he is an archangel to the Jews, not the Church.  Most commentators say the Angles represent human messengers, who are the pastors of a Church, which is true in a general sense but this not what is intended meaning of these passages in the book of Revelation.  Some people over stress the work of the Angels and they think the good Angles are doing the good work of Jesus so why should I bother do do anything or they think the fallen Angels are doing the bad of work of Satan and they are helpless to prevent it. 

The main point is the the Angles have important work and the are co-workers with men in the fight to see God’s will done.  Ultimately God Himself will accomplish His will on earth as it is in Heaven, regardless of the faithfulness of men or angels.  They will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.  The point it of praying the Lord’s Prayer is to agree with God that His will should be done on earth as it is in Heaven … there is no false worship allowed in Heaven, nor can anyone threaten God’s throne in Heaven.  Even the evil Angels and the demons know that Jesus is in charge but they can operate through the fallen hearts of men on earth.  

In faith not fear, to Christ draw near.

Always be found where God’s love abounds.

Somehow, when a person thinks and acts on their sinful desires (Self Indulgent Nature), where they are driven by fear or pride to control things and be important in this world … this fuels the power of Spiritual darkness for the pleasure and will of Satan and the evil Angels.  In the same sense “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding – Proverbs 3:5” is the prayer that enables the good Angles and the Holy Spirit to accomplish God’s good will on the earth.  The earth is currently Satan’s domain, he won it at the fall of Adam and Eve … but he does not have total control over the earth … he has limits of influence and power over the earth.  Satan is lord of those who are deceived in this world or who are in disbelief toward Jesus and I think Satan can even cause death to the one who has sold their soul to him (worshiped him) to gain power and fame.  

John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, – Revelation 1:4

And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”  – Revelation 7:11-12

Some commentators say that the “seven” Spirits of God that are before His throne are the seven attributes of praise that are given to God by those whoa are around the throne of God;  Blessing, Glory, Wisdom, Thanksgiving, Honor, Power and Might or Power, Riches, Wisdom, Strength, Honor, Glory and Blessings.  Some see these seven attributes are the seven eyes, seven horns and seven thunders of God.  Here are seven attributes of God that belong to God’s alone; self-existent, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, immutable, sovereign and Three in One.

While these seven attributes and seven praises to God acknowledge the awesomeness of God, I think the seven Spirit of God of Rev 1:4 are seven Angels that report on the condition of the Church of Jesus Christ.  The seven Church Angles are a Divine council to God reporting on the condition of the Church and advising with God concerning how to grow His Church, or discipline His Church.  

Note, the Divine Council of God was composed of 70 fallen Angels (Psalm 82:1), who ruled over the nations as a punishment to the nations when they were scattered at the Tower of Babel for their rebellion against God.  However, when Jesus preached in Sheol to the dead (1 Peter 3:19), He overthrew the council of the fallen Angels and reversed the curse of tongues at Pentecost that was upon the 70 nations … this is when the Church was conceived.  Since that time, the Divine Council of 70 fallen Angels has been overthrown and the Divine Council of the 7 Angels has taken it’s place (this is my understanding).

So who are these 7 Angels?  Well, I don’t know their names but I think they are represented by the 7 sisters stars of the Pleiades constellation.  The Pleiades is the location of the throne room of God in the Heavens.  The light/air chamber of the Great Pyramid of Gaza points to the Pleiades (click here).  Note, Venus, the bright and morning star, represented by Jesus will be in conjunction with Pleiades April 3-4, 2020 (click here).  The point of the 7 letters is not to draw attention to the 7 Angels but to convey that every Church should strive to reflect the commendations that are given in the 7 letters and they should strive to avoid the condemnation that are given.  Jesus is the light of the world and believers in Jesus should shine His light before men!

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. – Hebrews 13:2

I think that the Angels are witnesses or record keepers of the events on earth.  Each person has a guardian Angel to minister to them and also to witness for them in Heaven.  They report to Jesus on our welfare and to discuss how to assist our growth in Christ.  Angles can manifest in a way to physically protect a person or feed a person or even appear in human form to have fellowship with a believer (Hebrews 13:2).  But I think their main purpose of Angels is to flame on the Holy Spirit in the believer, to give them hope and assurance in Christ, through Spiritual confirmation of the word of God, through dreams and vision and utterances and word of knowledge.  However, this Spiritual communications is also the means the fallen Angles use to deceive people (even believers) with revelations of personal grandeur, false dreams, false visions and hope in this world.  This is why we are told to test the Spirits (1 John 4:1-6).

It is my understanding that a “born again” believer is sealed by the Holy Spirit and they therefore cannot be demonically possess … however I think a believer can be Spiritually deceive.  This kind of Spiritual deception is where Pentecostal Christians are so vulnerable because they are always looking for some anointing of power from above to show they are highly favored by God, more so than someone else.  The truth is that every born again believer is “anointed” by the Holy Spirit, able to comprehend the Truth of God.  Yes, there are “gifts” of the Holy Spirit that are given differently to believers but these are not given for personal bragging in the body of Christ but they are given for serving others in the body of Christ.  This is the exact opposite kind of attitude a believer is suppose to have … this is what Paul warned the Church not to do (Philippines 2:3).  

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; – Philippines 2:3

You won’t go to a Pentecostal church meeting and hear much about being humble … but it will be about demonstrating your Spiritual gifts to prove that God loves you.  It is very dangerous because it opens up a means for Satan to deceive the believer by making them trust in some demonstration of work of God by them, instead of putting their faith in Jesus Christ who “is” working in them and will complete the work in them (Phil 1:6).  Don’t misunderstand, God is still the miracle worker … we are to make our petitions to Him to supply our needs and see His glory revealed!  But our faith is based on our belief of the evidence of the signs and wonders of Jesus … His death, burial and resurrection.  Our allegiance is to Christ and His word, not to someone who claims to be an apostle or bishop working signs and wonders today!

The main message to the Churches is for the believer is to be an “overcomer“.  Jesus intends for His message to bless and encourage the overcomers but unfortunately the commentators and so called “champions” of the Bible have made the message of being an overcomer a means of “work” that causes “division” and “damage” to the body of Christ.  For instance, Scotty Clark who championed the sign in the Heaven that occurred on September 23, 2017 as being the Great Revelation 12 sign now says that the book of Revelation has nothing to say to the Church.  Scotty claims that the 7 churches of Revelation are churches that will exist during the Tribulation and believers in these Churches will need to do “works” to prove their faith.  He has even started a whole new interpretation of the Bible he calls “Rightly Dividing”, where He says that only the words of Paul are meant for the Church believers and we shouldn’t read anything else, even the book of Revelation.

Then there are the “Legalist” who teach that you must constantly be doing “good work” to show that you are approved by God and still in His saving Grace.  They see these 7 Churches existing today but unless you are doing “works” of righteousness … you ain’t gonna make it.  To them being an overcomer mean you must prove your faith or you will lose your faith.  To them believing is never enough … you must do some good work or more work than others or repent of your sin all day long or just hope and pray to be worthy enough to make it.  It’s really not encouraging at all to think I have to rely on my ability to complete the work of my salvation … as a matter of fact this is the very reason I asked Jesus to save me … to begin and complete the good work in me because I can’t do it (Philippians 1:6)!

John is told to write to each Angel of one of the 7 Churches, the message or report card of that Church.  Perhaps the point of writing to the Angles was God’s way of simply getting the Churches and the Angles on the same page.  I don’t know the reason that God spoke to both John and the Angles but it’s important to let the Churches know that the good Angles are in the fight with them.  God uses weak men who are strong in faith toward Christ to accomplish His will and He even uses unbelievers for His purpose.  God uses the Angles to accomplish His will and I am sure they are baffled by our stupid sinful ways, by our occasional acts of faith and by God’s amazing Grace.

Let’s take a closer look at what it means to be an overcomer.  To abide in the Lord is to dwell upon what you first believed, the promise of eternal life in Jesus Christ (1 John 2:24).  We are to cling too and stand upon the gospel, what Jesus has done for us, so we are not ashamed at His appearing.  We should be assured and confident in the gospel, which is entirely based on what Jesus has done for us.  He who believes in Jesus is an overcomer.  The gospel of Grace found in Jesus Christ is what we are to hold onto … this is our crown, our reward, our treasure!  Do not be deceived by teaching that adds to or takes away from the gospel of Jesus Christ, preaching that you can loose your Salvation if you sin or don’t repent enough or don’t do some good works after you are saved.  

Don’t misunderstand, good works are important and Jesus will judge our works for rewards in Heaven but our works do not get us into Heaven or our lack of works do not push us out of Heaven.  The most important thing about works is our motive for doing the works … is the motive for doing our works out of love and obedience toward God for His love toward us … or is the motive for our works to try and prove to God (or others) that we are righteous?   

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. – 2 Timothy 2:15

Perhaps the #1 work that Jesus wants us to do is to be a workman who can rightly divide the word of God.  The more you study God’s word, the more you understand the difference between the Law and Grace and the more you understand God’s love and His plan for man.  It is God who created you and His Holy Spirit can transform you into the person God created you to be, if you will yield to the Holy Spirit.   We are to do the good work God prepared for us from a position of “rest” in Christ, the assurance of our Salvation (Grace).  We do not try to do good works to enter or earn God’s rest (the Law).

One of the good works that God desires for us is to fellowship with other believers in the body of Christ to do His works in a “corporate setting” as a Church Body.  That’s what these letters are about, how to thrive in the body of Christ.  The Bible clearly tells us to not forsake gathering together (Hebrews 10:25).  The Church, the body of Christ and the local physical manifestation of the body of believers is God’s idea.  Christians who are in persecuted countries long to join other Christians in sweet fellowship and worship to Jesus Christ … why don’t believers in America have this same passion? 

Yes, you can grown in your faith outside of the church setting and this is your duty as a believer to study God’s word to show yourself approved.  And you are not to attend a church that is preaching anything contrary to the gospel of Jesus Christ but if you are not seeking to fellowship with like minded believers what kind of prayer and honest search have you made to find a place where you can fellowship with God’s children and serve in God’s body?  Especially, now that there are online Churches!  God has a BIG family in mind and learning to be a part of His local Church family is a blessing to God now and a reward from God in the future.

Most of this study is taken from YT videos by David Benjamine (included as a reference below).

(1) Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7) – the church that had forsaken its first love (2:4).  https://youtu.be/dKBiLVpq3k0

(2) Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) – the church that would suffer persecution (2:10).   https://youtu.be/kYJ75KOR9zY

(3) Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17) – the church that needed to repent (2:16).  The last four churches have a ready need to be ready for Jesus return “let he who has an ear”.  Separate truth from error with the two edge sword as Christ separates light from dark, the waters above and those below.  Pergamus means mixed marriage, Constantine couldn’t persecute the Church so he made Christianity the state religion which ruined it from within.  Pope becomes the head of mystery religions like Nimrod, the Illuminate, the seat of Satan.  Antipas is against this seduction when the government starts merging with the Church (like Trump).  Balaam the prophet, taught seduction thru flattery, where the woman of Medes (Balac) married and weaken the men through the pagan customs.  This is a type of Spiritual adultery.   The Nicolatians created a paid clergy class over the people.  Wheat and tares have become mixed, the overcomes need to repent from an allegiance to a leader instead of the Lord, or to go back to the Law (going back to the first wife you have divorced).  The golden pot had the hidden manna, Christ, which was in the ark in the Holy of Holies … this is the center and depth of God’s being, our nourishment.  We each get a new name in Christ.

(4) Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) – the church that had a false prophetess (2:20).  https://youtu.be/FNcq7K1YTUo

(5) Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6) – the church that had fallen asleep (3:2).  Nothing good to say.  They have a zeal (Calvinism/Puritans) but not according to Grace.  Sardis means “Prince of Joy” but they are dead, they are not refreshed in the Spirit. They may be believers but they are doing works to prove their Salvation.  The Seven fold Spirit is the wind of the Holy Spirit flaming on the lampstand of the Church.  They seem spiritual but they are not … they take a name of the leader like Lutherism instead of Christian.  They believe in the gospel of Grace for Salvation but their zeal is based on law keeping to prove their Salvation.  There are two groups, the overcomers of Grace and the Lorshippers but it was hard to distinguish.  They began in the Spirit but tried to be perfected in the flesh (Legalism).  To defile your garment is to touch something death, this is an unbeliever walking in the flesh trying to keep the law.  The garment of Salvation is the righteousness of Christ which is given by being born again in the Spirit … this person who have this white undefiled garment and their name will not be blotted out.  

(6) Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) – the church that had endured patiently (3:10).  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D_uOb4i3ao

(7) Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) – the church with the lukewarm faith (3:16).   The opinions of the laity, a group think of the Spirit of Jezebel, flattery and deceit, the spirit of Antichrist.  The facilitators stress unity of fellowship over the Truth.  There is no talk about Salvation by Grace alone in Christ alone and no talk of prophecy.  They elevates the opinions of men over the Truth and ecumenicalism of Jews, Catholics and Muslims.  They are home to Seeker sensitive churches, NAR and neo-Calvinist.   It says it is more important to “get along” and accept one another than it is to divide over the truth of the gospel.

Missler: 

Letters:

0

0