Rev. 2-3 - The Seven Churches of Revelation

The Seven Churches of Revelation 2-3

Ephesus (Rev. 2:1-7)

1. Compliment – You work hard, endure persecution, call out false teachers, and disagree with the Nicolaitans who promote Gnosticism. (2, 3, 6)
2. Complaint – Your love for God and others has taken a back seat to doctrinal purity. (4)
3. Warning – Repent or lose your opportunity to be a lampstand. (5)
4. Promise – Those showing love while doing this purifying work will be rewarded with eternal life. (7)
5. The Point - Doctrinal accuracy and works of service cannot make up for an unloving heart. 

 Smyrna (Rev. 2:8-11)

1. Compliment - You are financially poor, but spiritually rich. (9)
2. Complaint - Not really towards the church, but towards the devilish people outside the church, who were slandering them.  (9)
3. Warning - Persecution is coming. Endure it. (10) 
4. Promise - Be faithful to death, and I will award you a victor's crown. (10)
5. The Point - Right-standing Christians must remain faithful in persecution.

 Pergamum (Rev. 2:12-17)

1. Compliment - You have remained faithful to Christ in an evil place. (13)
2. Complaint - You Christians don't participate, but you tolerate the teaching of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. (14-15)
3. Warning - Repent and be intolerant of such false teachers, or they will die. (16)
4. Promise - Be victorious in this cleansing work, and I will reward you. (17)
5. The Point - Tolerance of sin can cause you to lose loved ones and put you in danger of the discipline of Christ.

 Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29)

1. Compliment - You are growing in good deeds, love, faith, service, and perseverance. (19)
2. Complaint - You tolerate and follow a false teacher who is leading believers to sin. (20)
3. Warning - I am going to punish her and all of her followers. (21-23)
4. Promise - If you are victorious in dealing with her and continue to grow spiritually, you will rule in my Millennial Kingdom with my authority and my glory. (26-28) 
5. The Point - Tolerance of false teaching can negate the rewards for spiritual growth.

 Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6)

1. Compliment - You have a reputation in the community for doing good works for the Lord. (1)
2. Complaint - You are close to completely dying without finishing your job. (1-2)
3. Warning - Repent, remember your calling church, and wake up!  Or I will end you myself. (3)
4. Promise - If you are victorious in this, I will dress you in white, you will live with the assurance of my salvation, and I will present you to my Father and His angels in Heaven. (5) 
5. The Point - Believers need to work for the glory of the Lord. 

 Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13)

1. Compliment - Despite being weak, you have kept God's commands, His name, and done good works. (8)
2. Complaint - Your deeds were weakening. (8)
3. Warning - I will make your slanderous enemies bow before you and testify that I love you. (9)
4. Promise - If you remain faithful, you will receive rewards. (12)
5. The Point - Persevere and remain faithful all the way until the end. It will be worth it. 

 Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22)

1. Compliment - There is no compliment here.
2. Complaint(s) – 
   • You are lukewarm, and it makes me sick. (15-16)
   • You are rich but ignorantly arrogant. (17)
   • Despite all I have given you, you are still poor, naked, and blind. (18)
3. Warning - Repent, or I will discipline and rebuke you. (19-20)
4. Promise - If you repent, you will rule with me. (21)
5. The Point - Quit playing around! Repent or get punished: believers in discipline and unbelievers in Hell.