What Is the Significance of the Seven Churches in Revelation?

[WalterandDebbie]

Saturday 12-7-24 7th. Day Of The Weekly Cycle, Kislev 5 5785 77th. Fall Day

The Seven Churches of Revelation - Bible Meaning Explained​

The seven churches are the primary focus of the first three chapters of Revelation. They are represented by seven golden lampstands, and the seven angels – or messengers – of the churches, represented by seven stars in the right hand of Jesus. These churches are located in Asia, modern Turkey...

www.biblestudytools.com

Love, Walter And Debbie

 

[Indentured Servant]

Saturday 12-7-24 7th. Day Of The Weekly Cycle, Kislev 5 5785 77th. Fall Day

The Seven Churches of Revelation - Bible Meaning Explained​

The seven churches are the primary focus of the first three chapters of Revelation. They are represented by seven golden lampstands, and the seven angels – or messengers – of the churches, represented by seven stars in the right hand of Jesus. These churches are located in Asia, modern Turkey...

www.biblestudytools.com

Love, Walter And Debbie

The seven letters are not to physical locations of "church," or different stages, or eras, of the so-called "church.".

They are letters to seven types of people, (the "Called"), who are indwelled by one of the seven Spirits of God, a.k.a. the Holy Spirit. Only those who have one of the seven Spirits will be able to receive the message intended for them in each specific message.

There is no theological concession for this- it is purely a spiritual message, intended to reach only those to whom each letter is intended .

If we approach the interpretation by modern theological exegesis or "best-guess" interpretation, we will never receive the message intended for each of us.

Each of these is an invitation to correct our shortcomings and focus on the aspects of our faith that are lacking...

Ask God to lead you to YOUR letter.............

 

[WalterandDebbie]

The seven letters are not to physical locations of "church," or different stages, or eras, of the so-called "church.".

They are letters to seven types of people, (the "Called"), who are indwelled by one of the seven Spirits of God, a.k.a. the Holy Spirit. Only those who have one of the seven Spirits will be able to receive the message intended for them in each specific message.

There is no theological concession for this- it is purely a spiritual message, intended to reach only those to whom each letter is intended .

If we approach the interpretation by modern theological exegesis or "best-guess" interpretation, we will never receive the message intended for each of us.

Each of these is an invitation to correct our shortcomings and focus on the aspects of our faith that are lacking...

Ask God to lead you to YOUR letter.............

Hello Indentured Servant, Thank you for your input.

Love, Walter And Debbie

 

[RandyK]

The seven letters are not to physical locations of "church," or different stages, or eras, of the so-called "church.".

They are letters to seven types of people, (the "Called"), who are indwelled by one of the seven Spirits of God, a.k.a. the Holy Spirit. Only those who have one of the seven Spirits will be able to receive the message intended for them in each specific message.

There is no theological concession for this- it is purely a spiritual message, intended to reach only those to whom each letter is intended .

If we approach the interpretation by modern theological exegesis or "best-guess" interpretation, we will never receive the message intended for each of us.

Each of these is an invitation to correct our shortcomings and focus on the aspects of our faith that are lacking...

Ask God to lead you to YOUR letter.............

I quite disagree. Exegesis is like a science, depending on a systematic approach to understanding, and can be no more neglected than we would neglect the use of a dictionary or encyclopedia. If you expect to obtain private messages, apart from understanding what you're reading, then you're into automatic writing, or some occultic phenomenon.

It is debatable--almost any subject is, but it is highly likely that the letters are addressed to the specific historical, geographical cities/churches that they list. For me, that's the only thing that would make sense, and certainly does not prohibit my learning spiritual lessons from what was written to them.

Furthermore, we are warned about adding or subtracting from the explicit meaning of the book of Revelation. These were stated to be letters addressed to specific churches that existed at the time.

If we deny this, we are subtracting from the revelation, and adding our own private revelation to what is not stated to be a symbolic expression or code of some kind. Verboten!

Rev 1.19 “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches."

 

[Indentured Servant]

I quite disagree. Exegesis is like a science, depending on a systematic approach to understanding, and can be no more neglected than we would neglect the use of a dictionary or encyclopedia. If you expect to obtain private messages, apart from understanding what you're reading, then you're into automatic writing, or some occultic phenomenon.

It is debatable--almost any subject is, but it is highly likely that the letters are addressed to the specific historical, geographical cities/churches that they list. For me, that's the only thing that would make sense, and certainly does not prohibit my learning spiritual lessons from what was written to them.

Furthermore, we are warned about adding or subtracting from the explicit meaning of the book of Revelation. These were stated to be letters addressed to specific churches that existed at the time.

If we deny this, we are subtracting from the revelation, and adding our own private revelation to what is not stated to be a symbolic expression or code of some kind. Verboten!

Rev 1.19 “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches."

I thank you for your respectful and detailed response. I recognize you as very scholarly and respect your viewpoints. I will not express disagreement, but may I offer a few sincere observations...

I've never heard anyone just read Revelation without adding to or passing over something that was written. Anytime someone speaks, or writes, on the Revelation, they 'add to, or 'take away' from it. .. unless they just read it verbatim.

I added my thoughts in response to this inquiry based on my experience of reading this more than a hundred times without influence of opposing interpretations, and through much prayer and meditation on the words that were written.

The words are from the Spirit, therefore, cannot be fully understood by applying scientific tools and techniques, such as exegesis, or human logic.

Many state that these letters are solely for the gathering of God's faithful in those respective cities, in the first century. If that is so, they are history, and no longer prophetic. On the other hand, if they are indeed specific to the first century gatherings, should one expect to understand that only those who gathered in Sardis will receive the promise stated in 3:10? How do we, as current-day followers reconcile that without adding to or taking away from the Revelation? Should we ignore these letters, as they are not addressed to us?

Receiving wisdom and insight from God is still something He grants us. If not, none of us would understand the parables and visions He's given us to learn, (that haven't already been interpreted by Christ, Himself, in scripture.) At that point, we should remember what Jesus said about why He speaks in parables... Who they're meant for, and who they vet from understanding Spiritual truths.

Visions are, for lack of an easier definition, visual parables. They use common language and situations but have meanings that are hidden. They can only be understood via the Spirit.

I use exegesis in Scripture often, and do not disagree with the invaluable help such a science offers for using scripture to understand scripture; however, I set it aside for matters that can aptly use it. I still use my personal relationship with my God and Savior Jesus Christ to focus on spiritual communication, which lies beneath the obvious and visible words. That, I have learned from the Word.

I hope this response is received well and not mistaken for debate or with any unexpressed emotion. My intent was simply to open a door for consideration, of which you are not required to walk through.

 

[for_his_glory]

Rev 1:4-20

John turns around and sees seven golden candlesticks or as they are called lamp stands in the Old Testament that stood before the altar of the throne. In the center of these candlesticks there is one like unto the Son of man. The voice that John heard at first declared I am Alpha and Omega. John now turns around to see that which was speaking to him was Jesus. He was clothed in a garment down to his feet. The garment represents Gods righteousness that is the robe of our salvation that is found in Jesus who sits at the right hand of the Father judging and making intercession for us before the Father, as Satan stands accusing the brethren before Him, Isaiah 61:10; Revelation 12:10. Jesus is as our Savior redeemer in whom we find our salvation through faith in Him.

The golden girdle around his breast indicates his importance as he wears it high up on his breast just as the Levtical priest wore their Ephod around their breast, Exodus 28:1-38. The golden girdle means we are joined with Jesus in judgment as our names are carved out through faith and Gods righteousness found in us as we are joined together with Jesus as heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus that we too will suffer with him that we may be also glorified together, Romans 8:17.

The golden girdle is bound to the breast as it also resembles Gods love for us that nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Jesus our Lord, Romans 8:37-39. Jesus has paid the ultimate price for our sin that we may be accepted before him through repentance and confession of faith in him.

Jesus hair was white as wool or snow. This shows his purity and freedom from sin as he lived on this earth a sinless man, Isaiah1:18. Daniel calls him the Ancient of Days sitting on his seat during his vision, Daniel 7:9. His eyes were as a flame of fire as even the darkness of sin can not hide itself from being seen of the Lord. Only God knows the intents of the heart and what drives the heart to evil.

The feet of Jesus are described as fine brass as if they were burned in the fire of a furnace and his voice as the sound of many waters. When you put the description of Jesus feet and his voice together this is the great power and authority of God that works through Jesus as he instructs his Church. Fine brass is a refining fire and the sound of many waters is the power of his word.

The seven stars are the seven spirits of God the angels carry to the seven Churches. The spirit of the Lord that rest upon the Church, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear (respect) of the Lord, Isaiah 11:2 The messages these seven angels carry to the seven Churches in Asia are given in a sense of a two edge sword warning as one side of Gods word brings blessings and the other side brings judgment of disobedience.

​

 

[RandyK]

I thank you for your respectful and detailed response. I recognize you as very scholarly and respect your viewpoints. I will not express disagreement, but may I offer a few sincere observations...

I've never heard anyone just read Revelation without adding to or passing over something that was written. Anytime someone speaks, or writes, on the Revelation, they 'add to, or 'take away' from it. .. unless they just read it verbatim.

I added my thoughts in response to this inquiry based on my experience of reading this more than a hundred times without influence of opposing interpretations, and through much prayer and meditation on the words that were written.

The words are from the Spirit, therefore, cannot be fully understood by applying scientific tools and techniques, such as exegesis, or human logic.

Many state that these letters are solely for the gathering of God's faithful in those respective cities, in the first century. If that is so, they are history, and no longer prophetic. On the other hand, if they are indeed specific to the first century gatherings, should one expect to understand that only those who gathered in Sardis will receive the promise stated in 3:10? How do we, as current-day followers reconcile that without adding to or taking away from the Revelation? Should we ignore these letters, as they are not addressed to us?

Receiving wisdom and insight from God is still something He grants us. If not, none of us would understand the parables and visions He's given us to learn, (that haven't already been interpreted by Christ, Himself, in scripture.) At that point, we should remember what Jesus said about why He speaks in parables... Who they're meant for, and who they vet from understanding Spiritual truths.

Visions are, for lack of an easier definition, visual parables. They use common language and situations but have meanings that are hidden. They can only be understood via the Spirit.

I use exegesis in Scripture often, and do not disagree with the invaluable help such a science offers for using scripture to understand scripture; however, I set it aside for matters that can aptly use it. I still use my personal relationship with my God and Savior Jesus Christ to focus on spiritual communication, which lies beneath the obvious and visible words. That, I have learned from the Word.

I hope this response is received well and not mistaken for debate or with any unexpressed emotion. My intent was simply to open a door for consideration, of which you are not required to walk through.

Sometimes when I respond "firmly," I expect a measure of hostility and retaliation. You've surprised me with your apparent godliness and Christian love, or measured response.

I was aware that stating things as strongly as I did I didn't seem to leave much room for a friendly exchange of opinions. And that's because in my experience some Christians lean, in their Pentecostal/Charismatic background, on gnostic interpretations, as if every word of Scripture is to be broken apart, extracting some rich spiritual truth.

However, the way you've carefully worded this it appears this concern does not apply to you. I very much agree with you that intellectual/scholarly critiques have no value if the spiritual values are missed. We try to get a read on the background, making use of the work past Christian scholars have done, in order to properly perceive what the Scripture writers are saying. Then we can benefit from the spiritual value embedded in the words we are given.

I in no way believe that the letters to the 7 churches in the book of Revelation were "strictly for those 7 historical churches." My only thought was to preserve the context in which these lessons can be properly understood, and then applied to us by way of extension.

The very truths that applied to these 7 churches in Asia Minor can be applied to us in later history because the Holy Spirit knew we would experience the same things in the variety of ways being expressed. In fact, some feel that the Holy Spirit arranged it in such a way as to cover "all bases," so to speak, referring to the very changes that the Church has experienced in the progress of history.

The specific text you refer to, with respect to the church at Philadelphia, speaks of avoiding the "hour of trial coming upon the world." This is certainly arguable--not, however, whether the 7 historical churches were being addressed.

I think the "trial" took place in the time of the Philadelphian church. I can see why some wish to view the "hour of trial" as the eschatological reign of Antichrist, though that is not specifically identified as such. We can "agree to disagree" on this specific matter, with no concern on my part that you're diminishing the value of the prophecy overall.

So perhaps we're not disagreed at all on the more important matter that I was referencing, being concerned about those who wish to dismiss objective statements in order to read "spiritual truths" into them at the whim of the reader. In fact, I was for a short time in such a church/cult that practiced this kind of partition between objective truth and spiritual truth. Once this happens, there is no more basis to judge whether or not a "spiritual revelation" is valid.

Thank you for your kind words. I'm not a scholar--just an average pilgrim in search of many ways to please God, together with you, a fellow saint of God. No false humility here--just love for those who share with me in a great desire to serve the One who saved us.

 

[RandyK]

Rev 1:4-20

John turns around and sees seven golden candlesticks or as they are called lamp stands in the Old Testament that stood before the altar of the throne. In the center of these candlesticks there is one like unto the Son of man. The voice that John heard at first declared I am Alpha and Omega. John now turns around to see that which was speaking to him was Jesus. He was clothed in a garment down to his feet. The garment represents Gods righteousness that is the robe of our salvation that is found in Jesus who sits at the right hand of the Father judging and making intercession for us before the Father, as Satan stands accusing the brethren before Him, Isaiah 61:10; Revelation 12:10. Jesus is as our Savior redeemer in whom we find our salvation through faith in Him.

The golden girdle around his breast indicates his importance as he wears it high up on his breast just as the Levtical priest wore their Ephod around their breast, Exodus 28:1-38. The golden girdle means we are joined with Jesus in judgment as our names are carved out through faith and Gods righteousness found in us as we are joined together with Jesus as heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus that we too will suffer with him that we may be also glorified together, Romans 8:17.

The golden girdle is bound to the breast as it also resembles Gods love for us that nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Jesus our Lord, Romans 8:37-39. Jesus has paid the ultimate price for our sin that we may be accepted before him through repentance and confession of faith in him.

Jesus hair was white as wool or snow. This shows his purity and freedom from sin as he lived on this earth a sinless man, Isaiah1:18. Daniel calls him the Ancient of Days sitting on his seat during his vision, Daniel 7:9. His eyes were as a flame of fire as even the darkness of sin can not hide itself from being seen of the Lord. Only God knows the intents of the heart and what drives the heart to evil.

The feet of Jesus are described as fine brass as if they were burned in the fire of a furnace and his voice as the sound of many waters. When you put the description of Jesus feet and his voice together this is the great power and authority of God that works through Jesus as he instructs his Church. Fine brass is a refining fire and the sound of many waters is the power of his word.

The seven stars are the seven spirits of God the angels carry to the seven Churches. The spirit of the Lord that rest upon the Church, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear (respect) of the Lord, Isaiah 11:2 The messages these seven angels carry to the seven Churches in Asia are given in a sense of a two edge sword warning as one side of Gods word brings blessings and the other side brings judgment of disobedience.

​

Amen! This vision of the Son of Man seems to be associated with the Son of Man depicted in Dan 7, as you suggest. Before his descent to earth, to establish God's Kingdom here, he appears before the Ancient of Days. And I agree with you that there is a necessary association between God, the "Ancient of Days," and the "Son of Man," who brings His Kingdom to earth.

Dan 7.9 “As I looked,
“thrones were set in place,
and the Ancient of Days took his seat.
His clothing was as white as snow;
the hair of his head was white like wool.
His throne was flaming with fire,
and its wheels were all ablaze.
10 A river of fire was flowing,
coming out from before him.
Thousands upon thousands attended him;
ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.
The court was seated,
and the books were opened"...
13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed."

Note how this "Son of Man" in Daniel compares with the "Son of Man" in Revelation....

Rev 1.12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

Note how the portrait in Revelation utilizes the vision of Daniel together with other Scriptural portraits of God in His appearance. Jesus was dressed in white, pure and sinless. His feet were bronze, withstanding the fires of divine judgment. And his word held the same power as the Holy Spirit did when He moved upon the waters in the beginning and formed the earth.

This is a beautiful picture of Christ, who brings God's word into view in the NT era, preparing for the culmination of God's interests in heaven and on earth. The spiritual forces in heaven will conform to God's will, and the powers on earth that resist God's word will be defeated.

Thank you for drawing our attention to this wonderful picture. My primary interest here is to make the clear association between this picture in Rev 1 with the picture drawn in Dan 7, as it concerns the unfolding of the last days. It explains how the Kingdom of God will be established on earth, through preliminary judgments and ultimately by the coming of Christ himself in final world judgment.

 

[Indentured Servant]

Sometimes when I respond "firmly," I expect a measure of hostility and retaliation.

I did not perceive your response as firm, nor that it should be met with anything but appreciation that you openly shared your thoughts with respect.

(Oh, and thanks for the prompt... I wrote Sardis, but you realized I'd meant to say Philadelphia. )

I think many of us experience times when we're tempted to overreact to another's statements; however, I believe it's necessary to keep in mind that we profess Christ and it's much more important to keep that as an agreement.

Thanks for your thoughtful words.

 

[for_his_glory]

Amen! This vision of the Son of Man seems to be associated with the Son of Man depicted in Dan 7, as you suggest. Before his descent to earth, to establish God's Kingdom here, he appears before the Ancient of Days. And I agree with you that there is a necessary association between God, the "Ancient of Days," and the "Son of Man," who brings His Kingdom to earth.

Dan 7.9 “As I looked,
“thrones were set in place,
and the Ancient of Days took his seat.
His clothing was as white as snow;
the hair of his head was white like wool.
His throne was flaming with fire,
and its wheels were all ablaze.
10 A river of fire was flowing,
coming out from before him.
Thousands upon thousands attended him;
ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.
The court was seated,
and the books were opened"...
13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed."

Note how this "Son of Man" in Daniel compares with the "Son of Man" in Revelation....

Rev 1.12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

Note how the portrait in Revelation utilizes the vision of Daniel together with other Scriptural portraits of God in His appearance. Jesus was dressed in white, pure and sinless. His feet were bronze, withstanding the fires of divine judgment. And his word held the same power as the Holy Spirit did when He moved upon the waters in the beginning and formed the earth.

This is a beautiful picture of Christ, who brings God's word into view in the NT era, preparing for the culmination of God's interests in heaven and on earth. The spiritual forces in heaven will conform to God's will, and the powers on earth that resist God's word will be defeated.

Thank you for drawing our attention to this wonderful picture. My primary interest here is to make the clear association between this picture in Rev 1 with the picture drawn in Dan 7, as it concerns the unfolding of the last days. It explains how the Kingdom of God will be established on earth, through preliminary judgments and ultimately by the coming of Christ himself in final world judgment.

The OT reveals that of the NT and more so in Revelations. There is much cross referencing between the OT and NT to understand many things throughout the book of Revelations.

 

[for_his_glory]

The seven letters are not to physical locations of "church," or different stages, or eras, of the so-called "church.".

Then why are all the seven Churches in Asia listed in different places. It's not the building, but the gathering of the assembling of God in seven cities being the first Churches the Apostles traveled to.

 

[Fish153]

The 7 letters are written to (7) specific churches. These churches represent the state of the church (from Luke warm to on fire for God). They also represent (7) "ages" all the way to Laodicea which mirrors our age today. The church has gone from dedicated, to on fire, to luke warm over time. So, the 7 churches represent believers at ALL times, and the state of the church THROUGH TIME.

John 21 interestingly enough has (7) people on the boat. These 7 represent the personalities and types of believers through time also. 7 is the number of perfection or completion.

 

[locust]

I do enjoy the book Revelation i do especially appreciate learning who the locusts are in

Revelation 9:7​

shhhh ,let them keep guessing . if you know you know

 

[Indentured Servant]

Then why are all the seven Churches in Asia listed in different places. It's not the building, but the gathering of the assembling of God in seven cities being the first Churches the Apostles traveled to.

Our Lord uses real life settings for spiritual lessons. He also uses concrete events or places to provide a "shadow" of what's to come, or to understand.

I am always reminded that He speaks in parables, allegory, and symbols when communicating with us. Whether spoken or by way of visions, it's the same language.

Do we stop at reading what's on the 'surface,' or do we seek a deeper understanding consistent with, (not ours), but His method of communication?

I personally enjoy the exercise of reading how Old and New Testament visions and dreams were written and how He interpreted them for the prophets.

I seek this insight from Him. I ask for it. I don't fault anyone for only seeing the words and not spiritual allusion of a prophetic passage of Scripture. We each operate at our personal level of orientation with the spiritual realm.

Your inquiry is valid. To answer your question, I can offer this, as a starting point: There were seven cities mentioned, each has an identity, each an assembly. Can you consider that, from His point of view, the assemblies are also spiritual assemblies, and not necessarily a geographical location... Differentiated in the Spirit by whom He has distributed seven different manifestations of His Spirit, as spoken of in Scripture.

Do each of us have all manifestations of the Spirit? Not at all. We are each given, by our Lord, one or more "gifts," or manifestations of His Spirit.

Should each of us understand all the prophetic statements and images used? Again, no. However, we are encouraged by Paul in his letter to the Corinthians, to seek the gift of Prophecy. This is a manifestation of the Spirit of God, allowing us to understand prophetic and Spiritual matters.

 

[RandyK]

Our Lord uses real life settings for spiritual lessons. He also uses concrete events or places to provide a "shadow" of what's to come, or to understand.

I am always reminded that He speaks in parables, allegory, and symbols when communicating with us. Whether spoken or by way of visions, it's the same language.

Do we stop at reading what's on the 'surface,' or do we seek a deeper understanding consistent with, (not ours), but His method of communication?

I personally enjoy the exercise of reading how Old and New Testament visions and dreams were written and how He interpreted them for the prophets.

I seek this insight from Him. I ask for it. I don't fault anyone for only seeing the words and not spiritual allusion of a prophetic passage of Scripture. We each operate at our personal level of orientation with the spiritual realm.

Your inquiry is valid. To answer your question, I can offer this, as a starting point: There were seven cities mentioned, each has an identity, each an assembly. Can you consider that, from His point of view, the assemblies are also spiritual assemblies, and not necessarily a geographical location... Differentiated in the Spirit by whom He has distributed seven different manifestations of His Spirit, as spoken of in Scripture.

Do each of us have all manifestations of the Spirit? Not at all. We are each given, by our Lord, one or more "gifts," or manifestations of His Spirit.

Should each of us understand all the prophetic statements and images used? Again, no. However, we are encouraged by Paul in his letter to the Corinthians, to seek the gift of Prophecy. This is a manifestation of the Spirit of God, allowing us to understand prophetic and Spiritual matters.

You're coming, I think, very close to Gnosticism, or to Kabbalism. In order to avoid literal meanings, some religious groups try to insert "spiritual meanings" into literal items in order to read into the image whatever they, as so-called "prophets," wish to say.

Certainly, God uses symbolism. The Tabernacle was a reality with real uses in its own time. But it also symbolized final redemption that took place through Christ in the NT era. How specific the details of this building was! Clearly, there were reasons for every detail God required?

But when the Revelation indicates that 7 literal churches were being addressed, he did not say that the 7 churches were purely symbols of something else, marking the "allusion" more important than the specific objects. This is something you're saying, contrary to the guidelines given in the Revelation, that we should not "add" nor "subtract" anything in the book.

It's a warning I think we should take seriously. And it's not like I wish to be overly contentious with you. It's just that I don't want others to be shamed into thinking it is "less spiritual" to view things as literallly true, as opposed to some supposed "spiritual revelation" reserved for the initiated.

 

[locust]

the whole book is symbolism ,very little of it to be taken literally. and yet there is always someone

 

[for_his_glory]

Your inquiry is valid. To answer your question, I can offer this, as a starting point: There were seven cities mentioned, each has an identity, each an assembly. Can you consider that, from His point of view, the assemblies are also spiritual assemblies, and not necessarily a geographical location... Differentiated in the Spirit by whom He has distributed seven different manifestations of His Spirit, as spoken of in Scripture.

The seven Churches in Asia Minor were real, but yet each one given specific instructions that are even for today within the Church and also within each of us to show forth the seven Spirits of God.

Isa 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD

Rev 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne

These are the seven Spirits mentioned in both these verses given to the Church and also each individual that are God's own.

 

[for_his_glory]

I am always reminded that He speaks in parables, allegory, and symbols when communicating with us. Whether spoken or by way of visions, it's the same language.

Do we stop at reading what's on the 'surface,' or do we seek a deeper understanding consistent with, (not ours), but His method of communication?

God will never leave us clueless in what He wants us to learn, John 14:26. Yes, Jesus gave us parables, allegories and symbols, but has always given explanation of all throughout the scriptures, plus has spoken very literally when needed. If you are just reading the Bible like some kind of novel, then you are missing the Spiritual knowledge that it contains in every book from Genesis to Revelation.

The living word of God is our fountain of living water, our strength, our faith, our everything we need for instruction in righteousness and nourishment for our very soul. The seven Churches in Asia Minor, a providence of Roman rule in John's day, is the whole of all that are God's own with edification, correction that everyone of us need as we try our best to walk in the footsteps of Christ.

Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

 

[Indentured Servant]

The seven Churches in Asia Minor were real, but yet each one given specific instructions that are even for today within the Church and also within each of us to show forth the seven Spirits of God.

Isa 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD

Rev 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne

These are the seven Spirits mentioned in both these verses given to the Church and also each individual that are God's own.

Your statements and mine are not in contention with one another, based on what you just wrote. They may be speaking from different perspectives.

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

The seven letters are not to physical locations of "church," or different stages, or eras, of the so-called "church.".

I disagree. The seven churches are both seven types of churches and seven epoches in the church age, i.e. from the Pentecost in Act 2 to the return of Christ. And of course, a church means a call-out assembly of believers, not a denomination or a building. The key to understand what the seven churches are referring to lies within this line: "Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later." What apostle John had seen was in Jesus's ministry, the "now" is the church age all throughout history till the Great Tribulation, what will take place later is the millennial kingdom and New Jerusalem. In Rev. 4:1, John was taken up to heaven - “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” That's the "later" part. Until then, it's all the church age, and we're still living in it.