There are theological disputes about the messages to the seven churches and its destination. Some beliefs are that these messages to the seven churches were only for the churches of Asia Minor, while others saying that it was for the church and its future growth (weakness and strength)
Definitely, I considered these messages to be a command initially given to the past churches of the first century, and that could be understood according to the words given to the deliverer that says,
“What thou seest write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches that are in Asia: unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamus, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.” (Revelation 1:11)
I used the word “initially,” because the writer uses three phrases that suggested three prophetic periods (eras). These three phrases are as follows:-
- “Hast seen” (Present state – present perfect tense.) – Could be looked at as past tense as well)
- “which are” (present tense in plural form)
- “shall be hereafter” (Future – adverb or noun)
These three phrases indicated that the messages served not only for the time that existed then, but also for the future. Revelation 1:3 also indicates a prophetic declaration that says,
“The word of this prophecy… for the time is at hand.”
In that it says “the time is at hand”, it is so natural to acknowledge that the complete prophetic analogy of the Book of Revelation is a mystery of that which is to take place.
This vision serves as a spiritual warning to Yahweh’s CHURCH, and as a token to enable us (The Church) to get ready for what is ahead. Bear in mind that the entire Book of Revelation is a warning that encourages us to keep our lamps burning that we will be able to stand up for Christ and keep steadfast.
The writer, as commanded, gives his attention to the churches in Asia Minor at that time, and it is clear seeing that the voice named all seven churches, and more importantly state their domain as in Asia minor. Obviously, the churches themselves were not spiritual, as the Almighty wanted, so the letter serves as a warning initially to all “seven churches”.
The Prophetic Images of John’s vision
As John had heard the voice, he turned to see the person that spoke, and he saw the features as follows:-
- “seven golden candlesticks”
- “one like the Son of man”
- “in His right hand seven stars”
- “out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword”
There were other details that John bears witness, but let us concentrate on these four detailed images mentioned above for the moment.
All features in Fig. 1 shown above gave representations of the Church bonded by the Spirit of Christ, which John bears witness. The revelation according to the “Book of John”, specifically indicated that the “image like unto the Son of man in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks,” was the Divine of the oracle for the seven churches.
Son of Man is Christ
Christ spoke of Himself as the “Son of man” (John 6:62, 63); therefore, it is no doubt that this “Son of man in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks” is the Messiah. John referred to the ancient glory of Christ by saying,
“His head and his hairs were like wool, as white as snow” (Revelation 1:14).
Comparing Daniel 7:13, 14 with John 5:22, 23, we could come to the understanding that the Son of man, standing before the Ancient of days, was Christ who received dominion and glory.
The Sharp Two Edged Sword
The phrase “sharp two-edged sword” described Christ spiritual method of destroying His adversaries. Such destruction would carry out through the power of His Word, especially through the Church’s administration. In general, any two-edged object would be able to cut from any angles, and in addition, the adjective word “sharp” shows its meaning of precise destruction. The Scripture in many ways used this phrase as a means of demonstrating the power of the Word of Yahweh, and with it the intent thereof.
Some noted phrases are as follows:-
- Isaiah 49:2 says, “He had made my mouth like a sharp sword:”
- Ephesians 6:17 says, “and the sword of the Spirit ,which is the word of God:”
- Hebrew 4:12 says, “for the Word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of souls and spirit…”
- Revelation 19:15 says, and out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations…”
Christ’s Apocalyptic Warning to the Church
Christ, after showing Himself unto John, indicated that this apocalyptic message is not only for the physical churches of Asia during the first century, but also for the Church of Yahweh during the hour of patience and trials of this world. Christ elaborated by saying,
“Write these things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter” (Revelation 1:19).
Therefore, I will say that the revelation was a warning for the existing Church in John’s era and continued through the ages until the time memorial where the Church would show its maturity. In any event, as I speak, we (the Church) are far from that moment of perfection.
Christ wanted His Church ready, so He allowed John to deliver the “mystery” pointing to the stages and growth of the Church. One must take a keen observation of the word “mystery” used in Revelation 1:20 (KJV). The word (mystery) relates to something not easily understood (or not shown), and in this context indicated that the seven churches of ASIA were allegorically indicating the Church’s mystical movement.
The Book of The Revelation disclosed the mysteries of the “seven stars” and the “seven golden candlesticks” to the messenger, which says,
“the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and the seven candlesticks are the seven churches” (Revelation 1: 20).
Christ’s revelation of the seven stars represent the angels of the seven churches, but how does this relates according to the Scripture?
Firstly, man are a little lower than the angels, as the angels completely set themselves to honor and serve Yahweh (God), but man served vanity instead of Yahweh. Man cares (Greed of vanity) for the things of this world, but Yahweh’s angels thought of ways how to please Him.
Although angels are superior to humankind, yet, according to the oracle of divine power, they labour along with humanity within this earthly vessels where they are servants ministering to people desiring the blessing and inheritance of the father.
Hebrew 1:14 says,
“are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.”
Therefore, according to Hebrew 4, the Son of Man in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks represents all seven spirits ushered and monitored by Yeshuah the Christ. These seven angels (seven stars) of the churches are ministering spirits sent from the Elohim to watch over the Church, guiding it along the journey of its perfection. These angelic spirits would admonish the Church, and elaborate on its spiritual weaknesses during the seven movements (i.e. the era of the seven churches). During the process of the seven stages of the Church, spiritual guidance does not necessarily comes from a specific physical being, but the Holy Spirit (the comforter) that was promised to us, which can act through any one at a given time. Christ Spirit would guides us by the seven boundaries of the oracle sent to warn and guide us along the way to perfection.
Revelation 4:5 also indicates that the “seven lamps burning before the throne, are the seven Spirits of God.” The strong representation of this mystery continues in chapter 5, which says
“And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts … stood a lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth.”
Therefore, in all indications, these seven candlesticks (churches) are the mystical manifestation of Christ’s glory, while the seven spirits are the spirits of the comforter (Christ) promised to guide us (the Church) on this journey to perfection.
It is obvious why this message became a mystery, seeing that after John had being warned to go to the churches of Asia, the following words used was an illustrative command of the Church and its mystery. One should consider that the continued work set out for the saints was to meet a specific goal, and that goal was seeking the Almighty, becoming one in His purpose.
Paul’s words in the book of Ephesians says,
“he gave some, apostles: and some. prophets; and some, evangelist; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfection of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, …that we henceforth be no more children… and carried about with every wind of doctrine, …” (Ephesians 4:11-14)
Paul continued his epistle by saying,
“for the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of god….. because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of god” (Romans 8:19,21).
The apostle Paul was not merely speaking about the creation itself, but the Church of God being perfected with such a redemption.
Some Symbolical Representations of the Seven Churches.
- Stone
The Almighty had declared to the Prophet Zechariah’s (an high priest) being a representative of the Church. The Elohim made reference of Joshua as “my servant the branch.” This reference indicates Joshua as a typical example of Christ.
Zechariah 3:9 says,
“for behold the stone I have laid before Joshua; upon the one stone shall be seven eyes... In that day …shall he call every man under the vine and under the fig tree.”
The Scripture, as to the “stone” having “seven eyes”, were referring to the seven spirits (seven angels) of the Almighty embedded as (in) ONE STONE (the Church). The phrase “under the vine and fig tree” simply denotes gathering for one purpose, which is to worship the DIVINE in unity.
Simon Barjona, seeing the great way of the ONENESS, had received glorification due to a particular response that he had given to a question asked by the Messiah. Christ’s respond by saying,
“Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it to you but my Father which is in heaven. And I say … That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church…” (Matthew 16:16-19).
Some theologians and religious intellectuals referred to the name Petros (a Greek word meaning a stone) as a translation for the word Cephas (Peter). Therefore, many believed that Christ named him Peter (Cephas), as he would be the first person (overseer) and builder of the Church.
It is without a doubt that Christ, after giving Simon the name Peter, refred ntom this rock, but does the rock in establishment meant the Church only ?
In 1st Peter 2:4-8, the apostle wrote to the brethren scattered abroad (Galatia, Pontus, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia) about Christ’s “coming as a lively stones” which was a comparative reference to Daniel chapter 2. 1st Peter 2:5 also endorsed the Church as a lively stone that built upon a spiritual house, and that house is the House of Christ that seeks perfection according to His will.
Peter’s answer was the subject, and that is the main building block as pertaining to the infrastructure of the Church. “Thou hart the Christ”, was a typical way to endorse the doctrine, as many did not believed he (The Christ) came in the flesh.
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels…received up into glory. (KJV) 1 Timothy 3:16
Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; (KJV) Hebrews 5:7
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not…is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist... (KJV) 1 John 4:2-3
For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. (KJV) 2 John 1:7
- The Golden Candlesticks and Lamp-stand
“And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep,” (Zechariah 4:1)
“And said unto me, what seest thou? and I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:” (Zechariah 4:2)
“And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.” (Zechariah 4:3)
It is amazing how the El Shaddai (The Almighty) shows His proven words to His people, and how the simple apocalyptic representation of the churches had shown, as far as from the building of the Tabernacle, by the Prophet Moses. Moses, with direct orders, made sure that the seven golden candlesticks were placed in the north of the tabernacle. North represents Babylon, and Babylon represents the entire world. Therefore, these seven golden candlesticks represent the churches and its eras (movement and growth), not only in Asia Minor.
It was of necessity to rebuild the tabernacle, during the eleventh month (Sebat) of the second year reign of Darius. Zechariah encouraged the high priest Joshua, and Zerubbabel governor of Judah, to start the rebuilding of the tabernacle to the Elohim, Yahweh (Zechariah 4:9). The idea was a rebuilding the Temple as it was in its former glory, seeing that the present state of the Tabernacle is of no comparison. The Scripture says,
“Who among you that saw this house in her former glory?”… (Haggai 2:3).
The prophet gives representation of the seven lamps as the “eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the earth.” (Zechariah 4:10). The glorious form of the seven lamps (churches) and the candlesticks (lamp-stand that is Christ) represent the Most High. Moses himself initiated this pattern, by placing these candlesticks within the Tabernacle to represent the Elohim, and it continues as a sacred bliss by the apostle, as a token, in representing the seven churches…
It’s clear according to the revelation given to John that the seven messages represent the warning for the churches, where in this warning should encourage spiritual clothing with complete harmony and perfection as the body of Christ. We are to prepare ourselves for that day when He would return to judge the Church, first and foremost.
To note, we all should then analyze that the oil surely represent His Word. Wherein we would be of great blessings if we would only yield to the call. SELAH…
BOOK OF REVELATION UNVEILED -SEVEN CHURCHES PERSPECTIVE 
The lively stone is the spiritual church of the Almighty, this is the same stone spoken in Daniel 2;44.
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