The Seven Churches of Revelation, Part 1

The Seven “Churches” of Revelation

Part 1, Ages, Attitudes or “Churches” (Assemblies)?

Menorah

Chapter 26 Preview: Many opinions exist concerning what the “seven churches” of Revelation 2-3 represent. Some claim that they represent seven “attitudes” present during the entire “Church Age”. Others claim that they are seven consecutive historic periods or “eras” of “God’s Church*”. Does the internal evidence in the Book of Revelation, concerning these “seven churches”, support these interpretations? Could they actually be seven Assemblies of people comprising the entire Congregation of God’s people alive today? Was the Book of Revelation meant to be understood? I submit that understanding the nature of the “seven churches” may become a life and death matter during the coming years.

Three Popular Interpretations

I have summarized the most common explanations of the “seven churches” into three theories. We’ll start with the “eras” and “attitudes”.

INDEX

Theory #1: The politically correct belief is that these seven represent all of Christianity down thru the ages, culminating in the end-time. This theory maintains that there are seven broad “attitudes” which comprise every brand of the Christian “faith”. The warnings and promises are for anyone, at any time, who thinks of himself as a Christian.

Theory #2: A narrower interpretation is that the “seven churches” represent seven uninterrupted “eras” of Father’s true Assembly of believers extending from the time of Peter to the end of the age. This is a form of the “Apostolic succession” teaching of the Catholic Church. Adherents to this teaching often have a Papal like adoration for their own “Vicar of Christ”, whatever they may call him (or her). The theory maintains that today is the “Laodicean era” and that the other six “churches” are all but deceased.

Theory #3: There is also the “preterits” explanation that these “seven churches” existed historically and that the warnings are totally irrelevant to us today, as is, they would claim, almost every other prophecy. I dont care to even comment on that notion.

[The word “church*” is directly derived from the name of the pagan goddess Circe. Yet the original English form of the word “church” is of no concern to most people.]

The first two theories are quite similar with the exception of how exclusivistic the theorist is. If you believe that “all roads lead to heaven”, then Theory #1 is the explanation for you. On the other hand, if you believe that only those people who accept the teachings of your favorite guru (and his alleged or actual predecessors and successors) are true disciples, then Theory #2 is for you. Theory #2 appeals to total exclusivists so much because they can view the “seven churches” as history rather than prophecy—despite their placement in the KEY book of end time prophecy! In this way they can still believe that their organization has always existed under the control of one “church government”. The idea that “the Way” can exist in seven differing forms at the same time is anathema to them.

The first man to suggest the idea of church eras was a 13th Century Catholic monk named Joachim of Fiore*). Later, Nicholas of Lyra was the first to suggest actual dates. The Catholic Church eventually rejected Joachim’s theory, but a form of it later resurfaced with some of the Protestant Reformers. Most of the “era” proponents have associated themselves with “the church of the Laodiceans”, the last supposed “era”, and taught that Yeshua’ (Jesus*) return was imminent. Of course constant revisions of the end time schedule of events need to be made as each new generation of “end time Apostles” come on the scene.

The “church eras” theory was promoted by Ellen G. White, “prophetess” of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, and the idea is preserved in her writings. She taught that the Adventists were the last era of God’s true church. In the last century, Herbert Armstrong taught that the Worldwide Church of God was the “Philadelphia era”, because the benefits package was much better that that of Laodicea. Of course he had to teach that the final “era” would come and go in an extremely short period of time. Others have stepped forward in recent years to “bear the burden” of being end time “Elijah’s” presiding over either the “Philadelphia era” or the “Laodicean era”.

Attitudes or Works?

James 2:26 Just as the body without the spirit is dead; faith without works is also dead. —The Testimony of Yeshua, Gabriel Version (GV)

Some people, particularly those who may see problems with the eras approach, latch onto the “seven different attitudes” approach, saying that there are seven distinct types of people with distinctive “attitudes” within God’s one Assembly. They see this as the condition of the body of Yeshua since its inception. Actually, there are only two “attitudes” at work in the end time congregations—good ones and bad ones. Most of the “seven churches” have both attitudes present. However, that is not the issue. There are two paramount factors addressed in this prophecy—“works” and “heresy” [being divided into sects is literally heresy]. Most of the world’s churches teach that good “works” are not a factor in salvation. Try telling that to these Assemblies!

Revelation 2:2 I know your works, your toil, your patience, and that you cant endure the wicked. You’ve tested those who say they are envoys, and arent; and you’ve found them to be liars. GV

Revelation 2:5 So remember the position you have fallen from; and make amends. Do the former works, because unless you make amends for your sins, I WILL COME TO YOU QUICKLY, and I will remove your menorah from its location. GV

Revelation 2:9 I know your works, and your suffering, and your destitution, yet you are rich; despite the blasphemy coming from those who say that they are Jews, who arent, but are of the cabal [1] of Satan. GV

Revelation 2:13 “I know your , and where you live—where Satan’s throne is; and that you hold firmly to My name. You didnt deny the My faith, in the days when My faithful witness, who was slain among you, was made a spectacle of where Satan dwells. GV

Revelation 2:19 “I know your works, love, faith, service, your patience; and that your latter works are superior to the former. GV

Revelation 2:23 I will destroy Her children with death; and ALL THE ASSEMBLIES WILL KNOW [1] that I am the One who searches the innermost thoughts and minds; and I will compensate each of you commensurate with your works. GV

[1] There goes the eras theory.

Revelation 2:26 To anyone who is victorious, persevering in My works to the end, to him will I give authority, over the nations; GV

Revelation 3:1 To the Messenger of the Assembly in Sardis, write, “He who has the seven spirits of Yehovah, and the seven stars, says these things: I know your works, you have name recognition as being alive, but you are dead. GV

Revelation 3:8 I know your works. I have set before you an open door, that no one can shut; because you have a little strength; and you’ve kept My Word, and havent denied My name! GV

Revelation 3:15 ‘I know your works, that you are neither hot, or cold. I wish that you were either cold or hot. GV

To be justified before God we must do the works of God and also have faith, as He admonished the seven “lamps”. Neither faith nor works alone is sufficient in itself.

James 2:22 Dont you see that his faith was aided by his works; and that by works his faith was perfected? GV

James 2:24 So you see that people are declared to be righteous by works, and not by faithfulness alone. GV

An Unembellished Explanation

A literal view is that these prophecies are for the end of the age. Specifically, there will be seven different ecclesiastical groups, most of which will have factions or splinters (1 Corinthians 11:19), each a lamp segment of the true congregation of God at the end of the age. The circumstances that these seven branches of the “lampstand” (Hebrew: menorah) find themselves in are a true example of history repeating itself. These “lamps” have strengths and weaknesses that correlate to the conditions of seven local contemporary Assemblies that John was familiar with.

Let’s take a close look at the word of God on the subject. The purpose of the Book of Revelation is revealed in the very first verse of the book—it is to show us what to expect!

Revelation 1:1 THE Revelation of Yeshua the Messiah, that Yehovah gave to Him to show to His servants—things that must of necessity, in due time, appear in history. He made these things known by sending His Messenger [1] to His servant John. GV

The phrase “must occur quickly” is translated as “shortly come to pass” in the KJV, which implies that God is running late. What “must occur quickly” are all of the events in the book which describes the Day of the Lord. The “quickly” aspect is that once these events begin to occur then the events will be as surreal as an action movie.

The book of Daniel was sealed—eluding a comprehensive understanding until the final generation of this age:

Daniel 12:4 But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run back and forth, and knowledge shall be increased. WEB

However the Book of Revelation was intended to be understood from the time that it was written. Notice:

Revelation 22:10 Then he told me, “Dont seal the words of this document of prophecy, because the time is near. GV

I believe that John literally “traveled in time” to the very end of this age and saw Yeshua walking in the midst of His seven lamps.

Revelation 2:1 To the Messenger of the Assembly in Ephesus write, “These are the things that He who holds everything, including the seven stars in His right hand, says, the One who walks among the seven menorahs of gold. GV

The perspective that John was “viewing” this prophesy from was reflecting back on the Great Tribulation from within the time frame of the Day of the Lord. This is an important distinction because the fireworks dont really get going until after the Great Tribulation!

Matthew 24:29 29 Immediately after the time of Tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon wont shed her light, and shooting stars will fall from the sky, and the inherent power of the Heavens will be shaken. GV

When a symbolic term is used infrequently it usually means the same thing consistently—especially within the same book. Notice that “menorahs” (“lampstands”) represent the “Seven [Ecclesias]” by definition:

Revelation 1:20 This is the mystery about the seven stars that you saw in My right hand, and the seven menorahs of gold. Those seven stars are the spirit Messengers of the seven Assemblies; and the seven lights of the menorah are the seven Assemblies”.

Are They Churches?

John Calvin

John Calvin insisted on using the word “church” (instead of using “Ecclesia” or “Assembly” or “Congregation”) in his version of the Geneva Bible. Others such as William Tyndale, refused to substitute a completely different word of Greek origin—“kirche/church” for “Ecclesia”: see “church” in Webster’s Dictionary}. Tyndale’s Bible correctly renders “Ecclesia” as “Congregation” rather than “church” where the Greek so-called “New Testament” passages use “Ecclesia”. This is perhaps the primary reasons why the Church (of England) had him killed! The term “church” implies both “an edifice” as well as “acknowledging” ... “ecclesiastical authority”—the trademarks of corporate or hierarchical church governments that seek to deprive you of your free moral agency (and your cash)!

For a very detailed study of the origin of the word “church” you really need to read about the pagan Goddess Circe, Daughter of the Sun. Anatomy of a Church (by Earnest Martin)

Circe

Since the word “ecclesia” is rendered into English as both “congregation” and “assembly”, I would like to comment on the usages of these terms.

According to Webster’s Dictionary, an “Assembly” is a gathering in a single geographic location, “in the same place”, whereas “congregation”, while often used synonymously with “Assembly” would be more useful in describing, as Webster says, the “Christian church” on a planetary scale. In order to maintain a meaningful distinction, I prefer that distinction—to describe God’s entire “Ecclesia” as the “Congregation”. Going beyond Webster’s definition—when referring to any one of the seven end time lamps of the menorah, we might refer to it as an “Assembly” with local area members of that Assembly being referred to as “Local Assemblies”.

Seven Messages to Seven Ecclesias

There are seven examples of a Messenger delivering a message to “His servants” by a revelation to the Apostle John (Revelation 1:1). Does the phrase “To the angel of the church of Ephesus” or the phrase “the angel of the church of_____” (any of the other six Assemblies) truly mean angels?

Angelos, the word usually translated as angel, is a word taken directly out of the Greek. One reason that spirit Messenger is used so much in my writings is because “angel” has strictly come to mean a spirit composed female being with wings, in our society—a concept taken right out of paganism. The literal translation of angelos is “a messenger, envoy, one who is sent”. In Greek, it can mean anyone, such as the human representitives of the seven “churches” of Revelation 2-3, or the mail carrier. “Angel” in Aramaic and Hebrew also means messenger. Messenger is capitalized in the Gabriel Version (GV) and The Word of Elohim, Gabriel Version (WE) when a spirit Massenger is referenced. The references to demons as “angels” has been retained because I like the distinction. See What are Angels?

So the question is: Would Yeshua convey a message to seven angels via John? That makes no sense because God resides with the angels. God would no more send messages to His angels, via John, than He would use the U.S. Post Office! The context indicates that Yeshua is delivering messages to people—human messengers—of the last generation of “the Way”!

Are these “messengers” Apostles? A commonly held opinion of the meaning of the term “Apostle” is a servant of Yeshua who had to have seen Him in person in the first century.

An Apostle is defined here in the Greek and here in the Hebrew.

The literal understanding of the word “envoy” or “delegate” or messenger”, rather than some winged creature as indicated by the following passage concerning the Ephesus Assembly:

Ephesus

Revelation 2:2 I know your works, your toil, your patience, and that you cant endure the wicked. You’ve tested those who say they are envoys [apostles], and arent; and you’ve found them to be liars. GV

Here we find an Assembly with men claiming to be Apostles. The prophecy indicates that this Assembly will test these imposters to see if they are really Apostles, not based upon their having seen Yeshua, but rather based on the things that they are saying. In Ephesus their “servants” are proven to be liars. However, the implication is that there could be men at the close of the age with the zeal and power of the original twelve, but that they must be tested by what they are saying. I doubt that true Apostles would even apply the term to themselves, because of the baggage that has been added to the term by liars over the centuries. Nevertheless, there are seven end time “messengers”.

I believe that the Two Witnesses will come from two of the Seven Assemblies. John specifically referred to Zechariah’s prophecy concerning the otherwise unique symbols of “two olive trees” and two (of the seven) “lamps” or “menorahs”, and compared it to the end time events that he was witnessing. Without going into detail here, the Revelation account correlates the circumstances of Zerubbabel and Joshua rebuilding the second temple of God to the Two Witnesses building a third temple!

Revelation 11:1-4 A reed was given to me, John, like a rod; and the Messenger stood, saying, “Get up, and measure the Temple [1] of Yehovah, and the altar, and those who worship there. 2 But leave out the court that is outside of the Temple, and dont measure it; because it is given to the other nations; and they will trample the dedicated city underfoot for forty-two months. 3 I will commission My Two Witnesses; and they will prophesy one thousand and two-hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. 4 These are the two olive trees, and the two menorahs [2] that stand before Yehovah of the earth. GV

[1] John is measuring the end time third Temple, just prior to the Two Witnesses commission (v.3). The measuring of the temple is described 29 times in Ezekiel 40-42. This would explain the previous verse: “John, you must prophesy again before many nations, and peoples, and princes, and kings”.

[2] This is a reference to Zechariah 4, verse 11 in particular, equating the seven branched Hebrew menorah with the Greek luchnia. Both are usually translated as “candle sticks” or “lamp stands”.

Zechariah 4:1-14 The angel who talked with me came again, and wakened me, as a man who is wakened out of his sleep. 2 He said to me, “What do you see?” I said, “I have seen, and behold, a lampstand all of gold, with its bowl on the top of it, and its seven lamps thereon; there are seven pipes to each of the lamps, which are on the top of it; 3 and two olive trees by it, one on the right side of the bowl, and the other on the left side of it.” 4 I answered and spoke to the angel who talked with me, saying, “What are these, my lord?” 5 Then the angel who talked with me answered me, “Dont you know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” 6 Then he answered and spoke to me, saying, “This is the word of [Yehovah] to Zerubbabel, saying, ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says [Yehovah] of Armies. 7 Who are you, great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you are a plain; and he will bring out the capstone with shouts of ‘Grace, grace, to it!’” 8 Moreover the word of [Yehovah] came to me, saying, 9 “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house. His hands shall also finish it; and you will know that [Yehovah] of Armies has sent me to you. 10 Indeed, who despises the day of small things? For these seven shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. These are the eyes of [Yehovah], which run back and forth through the whole earth.” 11 Then I asked him, “What are these two olive trees on the right side of the lampstand and on the left side of it?” 12 I asked him the second time, “What are these two olive branches, which are beside the two golden spouts, that pour the golden oil out of themselves?” 13 He answered me, “Dont you know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” 14 Then he said, “These are the Two Anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” WEB

Notice that some members of all Seven Assemblies will “rejoice” when one like Zerubbabel takes the plumb line in hand! The Book of Revelation was written expressly to inform the Seven Assemblies, that will witness the Apocalypse, about what would be happening to His spiritual body, the entire Congregation, in it’s final generation. Yeshua himself testified to this:

Revelation 1:9-11 I John, your Friend, and your participant in the tribulation and suffering [9] that are ours in Yeshua the Messiah, was on the island called Patmos, because of the Words of Aloha, and because of the Testimony of Yeshua the Messiah. 10 I was in the spirit realm on Yehovahs day [8]; and I heard behind me a loud voice, like a trumpet, that said, 11 “Write what you are seeing in a book, and send it to the seven Assemblies: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea”. GV

Why are there only Seven Assemblies mentioned in Revelation? Everyone knows that there are hundreds of sects claiming to represent God. I believe that the simple answer is revealed within Revelation itself! The phrase “the Testimony of Yeshua” is used five times in the Bible and every instance is in the Book of Revelation. We see below that the “offspring” of God are those who “obey the Commandments of Yehovah, AND have the Testimony of Yeshua”. Now for my biased statement: I believe that only people commemorating the Seventh Day Sabbath are truly obeying the Commandments. This drastically reduces the number of contenders for the seven. (This is not to imply that “Sunday Christians” wont be “excused”—indeed many will be, as explained in The Called, the Culled, and the Excused.)

Revelation 12:17 The dragon was provoked to anger against the woman; and he went to war against her remaining survivors, who obey the Commandments of Yehovah, AND have the Testimony of Yeshua. GV

Revelation 19:10 I fell at his feet, to worship him. But he told me, “See that you dont do that; because I also serve Yehovah, I’m your brother who also adheres to the Testimony [or “written statements”] of Yeshua. Worship Yehovah; because the Testimony of Yeshua is the spirit, revealing prophecies”. GV

The “the Testimony of Yeshua” is every instruction that Yeshua gave us, not simply what He told John, as is explained in the introduction to the Gabriel Version (GV) of the Testimony of Yeshua!

It is worth noting that the word “testimony”, in Greek Bible verses, is derived from the Greek word that is also translated as “martyr” (marturia).... This is a message worth dying for!

Could it be that the essential “testimony” worth dying for also involves understanding the “prophecy” given by Yeshua to the Assemblies? Perhaps so.

Revelation 2:7 To anyone listening, listen to what the spirit says to the Assemblies. GV

Revelation 2:11 To anyone listening, listen to what the spirit says to the Assemblies. GV

Revelation 2:17 To anyone listening, listen to what the spirit says to the Assemblies. GV

Revelation 2:29 To anyone listening, listen to what the spirit says to the Assemblies. GV

Revelation 3:6 To anyone listening, listen to what the spirit says to the Assemblies. GV

Revelation 3:13 To anyone listening, listen to what the spirit says to the Assemblies. GV

Revelation 3:22 To anyone listening, listen to what the spirit says to the Assemblies. GV

Biblical repetition is for emphasis!

It is evident that all of the self proclaimed “one true churches” will, by the end of the age, be aware of the other organizations that God is working with. Perhaps they will not, however, agree on which Assembly is Thyatira, etc. for a time.

God says to Thyatira that:

Revelation 2:23 I will destroy Her [Jezebel’s] children with death; and ALL THE ASSEMBLIES WILL KNOW [1] [as a result] that I am the One who searches the innermost thoughts and minds; and I will compensate each of you commensurate with your works. GV

[1] There goes the church eras theory!

Yeshua concluded the Book of Revelation by again telling us who the book was addressed to:

Revelation 22:16 I, Yeshua, have sent My Messenger, to testify these things to you, before the Assemblies. I am the offspring of the family of David; and the brilliant Morning Star [1].

[1] Find out what “Morning Star” has to do with “Lucifer”!

The Bible unmistakably reveal that the Book of Revelation is addressed to the Seven Assemblies.

In Revelation Chapter 1, Yeshua was seen walking around the seven golden “menorahs” or “lampstands/candlesticks” (as most versions have it) that we are plainly told represent the Seven Assemblies (verse 20). These Seven Assemblies were on a mail route in Asia Minor, a province of the Roman Empire. These Assemblies existed in fairly close proximity to each other during the later ministry of the envoy John. Today this area is in Turkey. These seven small Assemblies died out centuries ago. That is indisputable, but have the prophecies already been fulfilled?

Has Yeshua Returned?

Did God carry out punishments on the seven ancient Assemblies that He said so much about? The only way that the prophecies concerning the Seven Assemblies could be fulfilled is if Yeshua has already returned and judged the world while we werent looking! All Seven Assemblies were given either a direct or indirect warning to be prepared for the return of Yeshua the Messiah! This alone rules out the possibility of “eras”.

The Warning to Ephesus:

Revelation 2:5 So remember the position you have fallen from; and make amends. Do the former works, because unless you make amends for your sins, I WILL COME TO YOU QUICKLY, and I will remove your menorah from its location. GV

We see here a direct reference to the return of Yeshua, and very soon. Altho this Assembly is not accused of false teachings, it is growing cold in spirit. Yeshua will threaten to “remove” the “menorah” of the messenger, or “angel”, of Ephesus unless he and those whom he represents “repent”.

To see some fantastic photos of ancient Ephesus click this link.

The Warning to Smyrna:

The Smyrna Assembly will be greatly persecuted. Some of the members will be martyrs. This is the time of the “fifth seal” during the Great Tribulation.

Revelation 2:9-10 I know your works, and your suffering, and your destitution, yet you are rich; despite the blasphemy coming from those who say that they are Jews, who arent, but are of the cabal of Satan. 10 Dont be terrified by any of the things you are to suffer! The Accuser will throw some of you into prison, and you will be tried; and you will experience tribulation for ten days. But be faithful til death, and I will give you the crown of Life [1]. GV

[1] Which of the seven gifts given to the Assemblies could you live without?

If Smyrna were an era then their “tribulation” would have to have lasted for about 300 years (their 1/7th of the last 2000 years). There have been various tribulations as long as there have been Saints. However, the focus here is on “those things which you are about to suffer”—a particular and noteworthy tribulation! What about the “ten days”? This could possibly refer to the ten days between the Day of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement of the next Jubilee year. The suffering will be over when the sins are fully atoned for.

To see some fantastic photos of ancient Smyrna click this link and scroll down to Izmir.

The Warning to Pergamos:

The references to “sword of My mouth” in Revelation correlates to Isaiah 49:1-12 (especially v.2) that is a prophecy about Yeshua, “The Redeemer of Israel, their Sacred One”, returning to save Israel. The implication is that this Assembly must repent or else be treated as the enemies of Israel will be.

Revelation 2:16 So amend your ways or I WILL COME TO YOU QUICKLY and war against you with the long sword of My mouth. GV

There are false teachers in the Pergamos Assembly who teach the “doctrine of Balaam” and “the doctrine of the Nicolaitans”*. Yeshua will destroy these teachers at His second coming unless those involved repent of teaching these false concepts. The knowledge of who the Nicolaitans are is so well exposed on the Web (thoI have never heard it explained in person) that I chose to only mention it here in passing.

Allegiance to any sect or denomination is literally “heresy”. In fact the Greek word for “heresy” and “sect” is one and the same! This is expounded on in Is Exclusivity “The Unpardonable Sin”?

1 Corinthians 11:18-19 First of all, when you gather together as an Assembly, I hear that there you are [already] divided; and this is destined to happen. 19 Of necessity there must be sects among you, so that the genuine can be distinguished from the counterfeit among you. GV

To see some fantastic pictures of ancient Pergamos click this link and scroll down to Bergama.

The Warning to Thyatira:

This is yet another “indisputable” reference to the return of “Yehovah AND His Messiah”.

Revelation 2:25 but, hold tightly onto what you have UNTIL I COME [1]. GV

[1] People of Thyatira will be here “UNTIL I COME”.

John told Thyatira to at least hang onto the meager truth that they have. Losing Biblical ground is inexcusable.

To see pictures from Thyatira try this link and scroll down to Akhisar.

The Warning to Sardis:

Yeshua also gave the Sardis Assembly a clear reference to His return.

Revelation 3:3 Remember the way you received and heard; and obey those teachings, and make amends. If you dont pay attention, I WILL COME TO YOU like a thieving false ‘minister’; and you wont know which annual time [1] I will come to you. GV

[1] While this word can be translated as simply “day” or “hour”, the first meaning of hora is “a certain definite time or season fixed by natural law and returning with the revolving year”. This is how the Scriptural calendar, anchored by the spring barley harvest, and visible new moons, is determined. Most of the important historical events (such as Passover and Pentecost of 31 AD) have occurred on these “annual times” just as the prophetic events will occur on Israel’s Sacred Days!

Yeshua told the Sardis Assembly that “if” they “dont pay attention” that He will come upon them like a thief. The implication is that they should be watching and shouldnt be overtaken by the “beginning of the end” by negligence. Wake up Sardis and “pay attention”!

1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 But you, Friends, arent in darkness, so that that Day will surprise you like a thieving false “minister”, 5 because you are all children of the light, and children of the day; you arent children of the night or children of darkness. 6 So let’s not sleep as everyone else does; but let’s stay awake and be sober. GV

To see pictures of ancient Sardis click this link and scroll down to Sardis.

The Letter to Philadelphia:

Revelation 3:10–11 Since you’ve guarded My truth steadfastly, I will guard you* from the Hour of Trial* that will come on the entire inhabited world, to test those who live on the earth. 11 I AM COMING QUICKLY! [1] Hold tightly onto what you have, so that no one takes your crown. GV

[1] From the perspective of the end time seven Assemblies—the successors of the prototypical Assemblies who first read this prophecy—once these prophesies begin to happen, He will return quickly.

This is a clear reference to God’s intervention in the affairs of the world. From the vantage point of John, in the 21st century, Yeshua is saying: “I am coming quickly”!

To see pictures from ancient Philadelphia click this link.

The Warning to Laodicea:

Revelation 3:20 I have been standing at the door! I am knocking; so if anyone hears My voice, and opens the door, I WILL COME in to them, and will dine with them, and they with Me. GV

The statement that “I will come” to those in Laodicea undoubtedly concerns Yeshua’s imminent return of.

This reminds me of a similar promise that John recorded in an earlier work:

John 14:23 Yeshua replied, “Anyone who loves Me, and regards My teachings; My Father will love, and WE WILL COME TO THEM [2], and make Our living quarters [“mansion”] with them! GV

We see from the verses quoted above that all Seven Assemblies will be warned about Yeshua’s return.

Often the five foolish virgins of Matthew 25:1-13 are said to be the Laodicean “church”. Yet the apparent root word of “foolish” (Strong’s 3474) is (Strong’s 3466), that would pertain to a mystery religion:

The Online Bible Greek Lexicon

1) hidden thing, secret, mystery

1a) generally mysteries, religious secrets, confided only to the initiated and not to ordinary mortals

1b) a hidden or secret thing, not obvious to the understanding

1c) a hidden purpose or counsel

1c1) secret will

1c1a) of men

1c1b) of God: the secret counsels which govern God in dealing with the righteous, which are hidden from ungodly and wicked men but plain to the godly

To see pictures of ancient Laodicea click this link.

David J. Smith

There is more evidence to demonstrate that the Seven Assemblies will all exist prior to, as well as during, the very end time. The history of today’s Sabbatarian Assemblies show that at least five of them are already in existence. However, Assemblies, beyond criticism, such as the Philadelphian Assemby or the Smyrna Assembly barely show up on the radar screen. They are undoubtedly assembling in living room groups in order to avoid “liars”, “Nicolaitans”, “Jezebel”, the “dead” and the “lukewarm”. Others will repent of the problems associated with the various sects and perhaps work with the better Assemblies. I expect that those in the Pergamos Assembly who do not “hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans” will follow the lead of a modern day “Antipas” “My faithful martyr”. (I was looking for a picture typifying the Great Tribulation and this one gets right to the point. Someone tell me if you have read this book. The picture is a link.)

An interesting assessment of the “made in the USA” Sabbatarian Congregations in Yeshua is found on the following link. It explains the origin of each of these groups and mentions some of the major differences between the groups: The first four are easily traced to a common origin. These groups now salt the entire earth as explained in Similarities and Differences Between Sabbatarian Churches*). Some of these probably collectively represent one of the Seven Lamps.

Among the Seven Assemblies we see a great deal of false teaching within the ranks of those calling themselves Yeshua’s Disciples. A commensurate great deal of repentance will be demanded by God. So being associated with a Sabbatarian group is not a safety net at all, in and of itself. We must all “work out our own salvation”. I would not say that all “Messianic Sabbatarian groups” are in some way associated with the Seven Assemblies. For example, there are “Sabbatarians” of every stripe who know the Ten Commandments, living on 40% of the earth’s surface who have never considered that God did not wait until man invented the International Dateline to determine when the Sabbath begins and ends. They are in reality keeping the sixth day! They may be as sincere, or even more so, than someone else in their same organization, living on the other side of the imaginary line who just happens to be keeping the Sabbath on the right day. I’m not certain how God will judge that. It is also apparent, from comparing “doctrine” to the scriptures that God is being extremely tolerant of the misguided tenets that are taught within His “nothing to brag about” Assemblies. But there must be a limit to how far the “testimony of Yeshua” (everything that Yeshua taught) can be stretched before it simply does not meet the minimum requirement. So does a Seventh Day Baptist, who happens to understand and keep the Sabbath (in the “right” time zone), meet the “testimony” requirement? On the plus side, that group does not cast people from their group for not agreeing with any particular sectarian “Statement of Beliefs”. Any “ministry”—and there are many—that would banish a brother for having personal convictions that differ from a “corporate dogma” is fulfilling the early stage of the following prophecy:

John 16:2-3 You will be excluded from their synagogues [1]; and far worse, the time will come when whoever kills you will believe that they are doing a sacred service for Yehovah. 3 They will do these things because they havent come to know either My Father or Me. GV

[1] or Congregations or “Assemblies”