The book Revelation sits as the last book of the New Testament, the last scripture of the Holy Bible. So many believe it to be a mystery, but as I explained last week, it is the revelation of Jesus Christ. The unveiling of all the mystery. Indeed, it expounds and explains all the former prophecies, perfecting complimenting and completing so we might know the hope that lies before us. Just as the entirety of Scripture, it begins and ends with Jesus Christ. Here in chapter one Jesus stands amid 7 lampstands, holding 7 stars in His hands. He has a two-edged sword coming forth from His mouth representing the truth concerning the power of the word of God which He is. So why is this portrait of Jesus Christ Amid the Lampstands so Important?
John has been told to transcribe this revelation of Jesus Christ for all His servants. Who are His servants? All those who would come to serve Him out of love and devotion for Him. This is a letter to help us know Him, to know His peace as we await and anticipate His return. He did not want us to be unaware of the events to come. Yet, John was to write of the things that were, the things that are, and the things that would come. First was spoken of the things that were, as God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit always were, are and will forever be the one true God represented in three beings or essences. He addresses the seven churches in Asia with first a greeting.
Greetings to the Seven Churches of Asia
I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, saying, “Write on a scroll what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.” Revelation 1: 10-11 (NASB)
Often, we hear people debate over the terminology, “The Lord’s Day” as to whether this was a Saturday or a Sunday. But truly should not every day be the Lord’s day with our being in the Spirit?
Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And after turning I saw seven golden lampstands; and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and wrapped around the chest with a golden sash. Revelation 1:12-13 (NASB)
Notice he turned to see the voice. Did he recognize the voice as that of His Savior? So many years since His ascension, could it be Him?
A Vision of Jesus Christ Amid the Lampstands
His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. His feet were like burnished bronze when it has been heated to a glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength. Revelation 1:14-16 (NASB)
John had seen Jesus on the Mount of Olives in His transfigured glorious body. He had witnessed the ascension of Jesus Christ and awaited His return. Of everyone, John knew of Jesus as the Word and understood the significance of that fact.
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 NKJV
Still when John saw Him…he fell at His feet.
When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. Revelation 1:17-18 (NASB)
I am the first and the last. The one who died and is now living. You know me John as I am your source of life eternal. But I also carry the keys to death and Hades.
But as For the Churches, I Have Much to Say
Therefore, write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things. 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: 19-20 (NASB)
Jesus now begins the letters to the churches. These were churches that were present at this time and John would deliver the letters to them. It also represents the various churches in history through the church ages. This is very similar to the prophecies in the Old Testament that had an immediate message, a later message and many which are yet to occur. These letters which are presented in Chapters 2 and 3 are for we the church. Then the church does not appear again until near the end. Why? Because we are not present for the tribulation period.
Enoch was taken out before the flood. Lot was taken out of Sodom and Gomorrah before it’s destruction. Further evidence is in the teaching of Jesus, the writings of Paul, and the prophets. But we will discuss this further next week.
For now, let us consider the letters to the churches.
“Chapters 2 and 3 contain seven letters to the seven literal, local churches mentioned in Chapter 1. Second, they are letters to seven individuals within the seven churches. Third, they are messages applicable to all churches in all ages, for the seven churches picture seven periods or stages, of church history. “[1]
Jesus Christ Amid the Lampstands
As the church, we are to be the light to the world. It is the operation of the church and each individual Christian to be spread the light of the gospel for all to see.
Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 4:1-6 (ESV)
These local churches were present in what would be modern day Turkey.
Jesus Christ Amid the Lampstands to the Church of Ephesus
“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:
‘I know your deeds and your labor and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil people, and you have put those who call themselves apostles to the test, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured on account of My name, and have not become weary.Revelation 2:1-4
So, they were a hard working church, persevering the trauma that came their way. One of the earliest churches established by Paul and taught deep theology as one recalls the letter to the Ephesians. They studied and labored to keep out false doctrines. They hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans.
“Who were the Nicolaitans and what was it about them that angered Almighty God? The word comes from two Greek terms that means ‘victory over the laity’ a religious dictatorship that allowed little or no freedom to its members.[2]
And their Error?
But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore, remember from where you have fallen, and repent, and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and I will remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. But you have this, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will grant to eat from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.’ Revelation 1:5-7 (NASB)
We still have these churches today in which the leaders mandate rules that are not mandated by the Scriptures. Yet, the church of Ephesus once very strong did die as they lost sight of their first love for Jesus and began just going through the motions. Mohammedanism swept through and destroyed the church of Ephesus.
Jesus Christ Amid the Lampstands to the Church of Smyrna
“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this
‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the slander by those who say they are Jews, and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.’ Revelation 2:8-11 (NASB)
How gently Jesus forewarned them of the persecutions that would come due to their faithfulness. He began with “I am the first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life.” I am your eternal life.
The Smyrna period of church history takes us from 100 A.D. to 312 A.D. These people probably suffered the greatest persecution in all Christianity. Their works faithfully performed in the name of Jesus brought great tribulation and poverty, materially. However, great riches were laid up for them in heaven. In addition, their relentless, dedicated efforts brought the Word of God to the Entire Romqn Empire. During the second and third centuries the Smyrna church members were fed to the lions at Rome while multitudes cheered. Church history informs us that five million may have been martyred during this time.[3]
Jesus Christ Amid the Lampstands to the Church of Pergamum
“And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write:
The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this:
‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is; and you hold firmly to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. Revelation 2: 12-13 (NASB)
But I have a few things against you, because you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality. So you too, have some who in the same way hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will wage war against them with the sword of My mouth.The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows except the one who receives it.’ Revelation 2: 14-17 (NASB)
Who was Balaam?
If you recall from the Old Testament, Balaam was a soothsayer who had the donkey who listened to God more than Balaam. He was not allowed to curse the Israeli people, but ultimately told the Balak the King opposing Israel to seduce them with idols and beautiful women. This worked to draw the Israelites into sin and it was the same as this church allowing sexual perversion and idolatry to reside. Furthermore, they entertained the Nicolaitans allowing them to flourish
The church period represented best is from 312 AD to 606 AD. This period was filled with materialism, self-indulgence and worldliness. Although we see this occurring still in some of the churches.
Jesus Christ Amid the Lampstands to the Church of Thyatira
“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write:
The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and feet like burnished bronze, says this:
‘I know your deeds, and your love and faith, and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first. Revelation 2:18-19
They were growing and doing so well, but then they became tolerant to allowing evil to sift in.
But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her sexual immorality.Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. And I will kill her children with plague, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds. Revelation 2:20-23 (NASB)
Queen Jezebel was the evilest of queens who tried to kill Elijah. She led her husband King Ahab and the nation into Baal worship and the worship of Ashtereth all related to idolatry, child sacrifice, and sexual prostitution of all kinds.
However, this is grace for all who listen and heed God’s warning.
But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them—I place no other burden on you. Nevertheless what you have, hold firmly until I come. The one who overcomes, and the one who keeps My deeds until the end, I will give him authority over the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are shattered, as I also have received authority from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ Revelation 2:24–29 (NASB)
In church history this 606 AD to 1520 AD
Jesus Christ Amid the Lampstands to the Church of Sardis
“To the angel of the church in Sardis write:
He who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars, says this:
‘I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, and yet you are dead. Be constantly alert, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Then if you are not alert, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you.
But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. The one who overcomes will be clothed the same way, in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ Revelation 3:1-6 (NASB).
Jesus Christ Amid the Lampstands to the Church of Philadelphia
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this:
‘I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have followed My word, and have not denied My name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and make them know that I have loved you. Because you have kept My word of perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of the testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who live on the earth.
I am coming quickly; hold firmly to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The one who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and 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 new name. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ Revelation 3: 7-13 (NASB)
Jesus Christ Amid the Lampstands to the Church of Laodicea
“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Origin of the creation of God, says this:
‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot.So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have no need of anything,” and you do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to apply to your eyes so that you may see.
Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.The one who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat with My Father on His throne. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” Revelation 3:14-22
[1] Van Impe, Revelation Revealed, Jack Van Impe Ministries, Troy, MI, 1982; page 26
[2] Van Impe, page 30
[3] Van Impe, 31
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2025
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