1:4 (A) What is the significance of the seven churches in Asia John addresses here?
1:4 (A) What is the significance of the seven churches in Asia John addresses here?
The significance of these churches is that while they were actual churches which existed at that time, they are also representative of all churches in all ages (cp Re 1:11 with Re 2:1-7; 2:8-11; 2:12-17; 2:18-29; 3:1-6; 3:7-13; 3:14-22).
The spiritual condition of these churches is representative of the spiritual condition of all local churches down through the ages.
These letters are to be interpreted as not only applying for that generation, but as having an ongoing application for all generations, including ours.
Their relevance for today is what they reveal about how churches can stagnate spiritually, fall into error, accept false teaching, tolerate immorality, idolatry and heresies, lose their zeal for God and adapt to the anti-God elements of the corrupt world system.
They are not hearing what the spirit is saying to them. But churches are people - individual Christians formed into a body - and God holds them individually responsible for their own salvation (cp Mt 6:19-20; Lk 13:23-27; Jn 6:27; Php 2:12-13; 1Ti 6:17-19; 2Pe 1:5-11; Jude 1:3).
The letters to the seven churches is a warning to every individual Christian which they must heed in order to be saved. They must continually examine their beliefs and activities and ensure that they conform to what Christ expects of His church (cp 1Cor 9:24-27; 10:12; 11:27-29; 2Cor 13:5).
Jesus has undertaken to only save those individuals who repent and overcome the evil in their midst (cp Rev 2:5, 7).
Jesus is addressing the church at Ephesus here (cp Re 3:16-17). Here it is the church at Pergamos (cp Re 2:22, 25-26).
Here the church at Thyatira (cp Re 3:3-5). Here the church at Sardis (cp Re 3:18-21). Finally, the church at Laodicea. The church at Smyrna does not have to repent of anything; they only have to remain faithful (cp Re 2:10-11). And the church at Philadelphia only has to "hold fast to that which they have" (cp Re 3:11-12).
We should note here also that the church at Philadelphia is the only church that will escape the great tribulation (cp Re 3:10-11). The word from here means out of. This clearly proves a pre-tribulation "rapture" of the church. It will not go through any part of the tribulation period whatsoever.
Those who belong to this church will be kept out of the tribulation completely (For a more detailed study on the church at Philadelphia see comments on Jn 13:34-35, 1 Jn 2:7, Rev 3:7-13. For more detailed studies on the churches at Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis and Laodicea see comments on Rev 2:1-7, 2:8-11, 2:12-17, 2:18-29, 3:1-6 and 3:14-22).
(B) What do the seven spirits here represent?
(cp also Re 3:1; 4:5; 5:6). Most bible commentators agree that the word seven in those scriptures denotes spiritual perfection and completeness. The seven spirits represent the fullness of the spirit in the life and ministry of Jesus (cp Isa 11:1-2; 42:1-4; 48:16; 61:1-3 with Mt 3:16; Jn 3:34; Ac 10:38; Col 2:9).