Summary: Letters to the 7 Churches

Combined notes from Bible study with Dr. Chuck Missler & Pastor Mark Driscoll


Overall Summary
Fundamentalist in Ephesus: All head, no heart
Persecuted in Smyrna: Faithful, no matter what
Apostate in Pergamum: Good deeds, bad doctrine
Progressive in Thyatira: More tolerant than God
Dead in Sardis: Stopped caring or trying
Missional in Philadelphia: Didn't give up or give in


Prophetic
Ephesus: The Apostolic Church
Smyrna: The Persecuted Church
Pergamos: The Married Church
Thyatira: The Medieval Church
Sardis: The Denominational Church
Philadelphia: The Missionary Church
Laodicea: The Apostate Church


Application to All Churches
Ephesus: Be devoted in the heart; do not just focus on doctrine
Smyrna: Endure persecution (stand fast against satanic opposition)
Pergamos: Stand fast against the world (avoid spiritual compromise)
Thyatira: Abhor pagan churches
Sardis: Be watchful and diligent
Philadelphia: Keep up with the missionary outreach
Laodicea: Do not compromise beliefs because of prosperity


Personal Applications
Ephesus: Do not neglect priorities (eyes on the King, not on the King’s tasks)
Smyrna: Stand fast against satanic opposition
Pergamos: Avoid worldly compromise
Thyatira: Abhor pagan practices
Sardis: Be watchful and diligent
Philadelphia: Maintain loyal ambassadorship
Laodicea: Repent and be committed


Overcomer’s Promises
1 John 5:4-5 defines the overcomers: “…for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”


Ephesus: Eat of Tree of Life
Smyrna: Not hurt of 2nd death
Pergamos: Manna, Stone, Name
Thyatira: Power over nations
Sardis: Walk with Him in white; Name not blotted out
Philadelphia: Pillar in temple, name of God, name of His city, a new name
Laodicea: Sit with Him in His throne