Bible Readings — Bible Questions Answered
The Seven Churches
To whom was the book dedicated? BR-ASI9 201.5
“John to the seven churches which are in Asia.” Revelation 1:4. BR-ASI9 201.6
What were the names of these seven churches? BR-ASI9 201.7
“What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.” Revelation 1:11. BR-ASI9 201.8
Note.—These seven churches, and the messages addressed to them, apply to seven periods or states of the church reaching from the first to the Second Advent of Christ. BR-ASI9 201.9
Their good qualities and their defects are pointed out, with admonitions, exhortations, and warnings suitable for each, all of which are also applicable to individual Christian experience. BR-ASI9 201.10
By what title is the first state of the church distinguished? BR-ASI9 202.1
“Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write.” Revelation 2:1. BR-ASI9 202.2
Note.—Ephesus fitly symbolizes the character and condition of the church in its first state, when its members received the doctrine of Christ in its purity, and enjoyed the benefits and blessings of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This applies to the first century, or during the lifetime of the apostles. (See Uriah Smith, The Prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation, pp. 361-368.) BR-ASI9 202.3
After commending this church for their good works, what charge did the Lord bring against them? BR-ASI9 202.4
“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works.” Revelation 2:4, 5. BR-ASI9 202.5
Note.—The “first love” is the love of the truth, and the desire of making it known to others. The “first works” are the fruit of this love. BR-ASI9 202.6
What name is given to the second state of the church? BR-ASI9 202.7
“Unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write.” Revelation 2:8. BR-ASI9 202.8
Note.—The meaning of Smyrna is “myrrh,” or sweet-smelling incense, and applies to the period of time when many of the saints of God suffered martyrdom under pagan Rome during the second, third, and early fourth centuries. BR-ASI9 202.9
How is the closing period of tribulation of the church during this time referred to? BR-ASI9 202.10
“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Revelation 2:10. BR-ASI9 202.11
Note.—The most severe of the persecutions under pagan Rome began under the emperor Diocletian, and continued from A.D. 303 to 313, a period of ten prophetic days. BR-ASI9 202.12
What name is given to the third state of the church? BR-ASI9 202.13
“To the angel of the church in Pergamos write.” Revelation 2:12. BR-ASI9 202.14
Note.—Pergamos, which was built on a lofty hill, fitly represents that period following Constantine’s conversion to the setting up of the Papacy with its seat of authority in Rome. During this period the church, which formerly “had not where to lay its head, is raised to sovereign authority in the state, enters into the prerogatives of the pagan priesthood, grows rich and powerful.” But at the same time, “received into her bosom vast deposits of foreign material from the world and from heathenism.”—Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, vol. 3 (Scribner’s, 1902 ed.), p. 5. BR-ASI9 202.15
Among the heathen rites and ceremonies previously introduced into the Christian religion, was the heathen festival, Sunday (sun’s day), then established by law, resulting in the first day of the week taking the place of the Sabbath of the Bible. BR-ASI9 203.1
How was the faithfulness of this church commended? BR-ASI9 203.2
“I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast My name, and hast not denied My faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.” Revelation 2:13. BR-ASI9 203.3
Note.—There is good reason to believe that “Antipas” refers to a class of persons rather than an individual; for no reliable information concerning such a person is now to be found in any authentic early church history. BR-ASI9 203.4
What title was given to the fourth state of the church? BR-ASI9 203.5
“Unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write.” Revelation 2:18. BR-ASI9 203.6
Note.—Thyatira symbolizes the condition of God’s people during the long, dark period of papal supremacy and persecution connected with the 1260-year prophecy. During that time millions of the saints of God were put to death in the most cruel manner. Christ referred to this time in Matthew 24:21, 22. BR-ASI9 203.7
What promise did God leave for these persecuted ones? BR-ASI9 203.8
“But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of My Father.” Revelation 2:25-27. BR-ASI9 203.9
By what name is the fifth state of the church addressed? BR-ASI9 203.10
“Unto the angel of the church in Sardis write.” Revelation 3:1. BR-ASI9 203.11
Note.—Sardis was admonished to “be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain.” Revelation 3:2. At that time the great tribulation of the people of God was at an end, but it was only as a result of the Reformation that any of God’s people were left remaining. (See Matthew 24:21, 22.) The Sardis church represents the reformed churches in the early nineteenth century. BR-ASI9 203.12
What endearing title is given the sixth church? BR-ASI9 204.1
“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write.” Revelation 3:7. BR-ASI9 204.2
Note.—Philadelphia means brotherly love, and may be thought of as applying to the church during the Advent awakening and up to the opening of “the hour of His judgment” in 1844. BR-ASI9 204.3
What words to this church show the Second Advent near? BR-ASI9 204.4
“Behold, I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” Revelation 3:11. BR-ASI9 204.5
What is Christ’s message to the last church? BR-ASI9 204.6
“Unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; . . . I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot. . . . Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; . . . I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed. . . . As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:14-19. BR-ASI9 204.7
Note.—Laodicea signifies the judging of the people, or, according to Cruden, a just people. This church exists in the time of the judgment and the proclamation of the final warning messages preceding Christ’s second coming. (See Revelation 14:6-16.) This is a time of great profession, with but little vital godliness and true piety. BR-ASI9 204.8