Here are the two introduction narratives for chapters 2 and 3 of the book of Revelation commentary. The first is written as though it was written directly by God Himself, while the second, Introduction to chapters 2 and 3 are my introduction before discussing in detail all the individual verses within the chapters. These two narratives should give you a very good understanding of how I have interpreted the book of Revelation and God's presentation on His 7 churches. By the way, if you study Revelation, God does use this same method for most of the book....
For example: In chapter 1 God will reveal Himself in 3 ways but there is only One God,
Regarding His church, there is only one church but He reveals it in 7 different facets,
He reveals the 4 different methods the little horn of Daniel 7 and 8 will conduct over the course of the 1000 years (beginning in 500 AD to the end of time) as 4 different horses. There is only one little horn but God reveals him to us in 4 different ways that he will used against His church during the different periods of the churches.
He will also provide us with 6 different ways that He will warn us though the Trumpets - He will taylor each trumper warning to those churches so we can see His warning for the transgression found in the church,
He will also give us the bowl judgements in 7 ways but there really is only going to be one final judgement... But He gives us a judgement as if it was for one of the churches only. In reality He is breaking apart the transgressions of man separately so we can see each of them clearly.
This method that God is using is found also in Daniel... God also provides and uses the same symbols that originate in Daniel, but just as important is that He uses this kind of separating His message to use in multiples so we can see them in more of a cellular level. Thus, it is critical to understand not only the unique symbols in Daniel but God's method of presenting them....
To my Beloved Church,
The seven churches
Let us begin with something you already know and hold dear: the mystery of the Trinity. I am one God, yet I have chosen to reveal Myself in three distinct ways. As the Father, I am the Creator, the origin of all things. As the Son, I walked among you, offering My life for your salvation. As the Holy Spirit, I dwell within you, guiding and empowering you. These three revelations are not separate, but unified, each revealing a facet of who I am and how I work among you. Through the Trinity, you see the fullness of My nature—different expressions of the same God, all working toward one purpose: your redemption and relationship with Me.
Now, I will use a similar approach to reveal the fullness of My one church. Just as I have presented Myself in three ways, I will now present My church in seven ways. Though there is only one church, I have chosen to speak to you as though there were seven. This is not to divide you, but to help you see the breadth and depth of what I have called you to be. Each message to the seven churches reveals a unique facet of My church: its strengths, its struggles, its promises, and its path back to Me.
In Ephesus, I show a church that values truth and perseverance but has grown cold in love. In Smyrna, a church that suffers yet remains faithful. In Pergamum, a church that stands firm in faith but compromises with the world. In Thyatira, a church that grows in service yet tolerates corruption. In Sardis, a church that looks alive but is spiritually dead. In Philadelphia, a church that is small in strength but great in faithfulness. And in Laodicea, a church that is lukewarm and self-reliant, needing to return to Me.
Each message carries commendations for what you do well, rebukes for where you fall short, and promises for those who overcome. Each message also reveals an aspect of who I am—the One who holds the seven stars, the First and the Last, the One with the sharp two-edged sword, the Son of God who searches hearts and minds, the One who holds the seven spirits, the One who is holy and true, and the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness.
This is My method, My way of teaching you about My church and Myself. By addressing you in these seven ways, I illuminate every possible situation you might face—as a church, as a community, and as individuals. No matter your circumstances, you will find yourself reflected in these messages. You will see My vision for what you can be, My correction for where you have gone astray, and My promise of what awaits if you hold fast to Me.
I want you to understand that these messages are not just for seven ancient congregations. They are for My one church throughout all time. They are for every church, every believer, every heart that seeks to follow Me. By presenting My church as though it were seven, I reveal the full spectrum of what it means to be My people. Just as a single beam of light refracts into seven colors through a prism, so My words to the churches refract to show the fullness of My truth. Yet, when you see these colors, remember that they are all part of the same light—the same church—called to shine brightly in the world.
Through this approach, I am showing you Myself, My identity, and the identity of My church. I want each of you to understand how My church should be: a place of love, truth, endurance, purity, life, faithfulness, and reliance on Me. I want each of you to know how to recognize My church and to see the way into it. The way is through Me—through the One who walks among the lampstands, the One who holds the stars, the One who knocks at the door of your heart.
So listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. Reflect on these messages, not as separate letters to distant places, but as My love letter to My one church—to
you. Each word is meant to draw you closer to Me, to help you grow in faith and love, and to prepare you for the day when My church will shine in all its glory, united as one under My name, and I am with you always.
With eternal love,
The One who calls you to be My church
Introduction to chapters 2-3
the seven churches
The letters to the seven churches in Revelation (chapters 2–3) follow a consistent and thoughtful structure, emphasizing Jesus’ care, authority, and intimate knowledge of His people. Each letter begins with a personal address to the "angel" of the church, symbolizing either a spiritual representative, the church’s collective identity, or its leadership. This opening affirms that the message comes directly from Jesus, setting the tone for what follows. Jesus introduces Himself uniquely in each letter, drawing from the powerful imagery in Revelation 1. These descriptions, such as “the one who holds the seven stars” (Ephesus) or “the First and the Last” (Smyrna), are tailored to the challenges or strengths of each church, reminding them of His authority, presence, and role as Lord and Judge.
Most letters include a commendation where Jesus acknowledges the church’s faithfulness, perseverance, or good deeds. For example, He praises Smyrna for enduring suffering and Philadelphia for their faithful endurance. However, Jesus also offers rebukes to five of the seven churches, addressing issues like losing their first love (Ephesus), tolerating false teachings (Pergamum and Thyatira), spiritual deadness (Sardis), or lukewarm complacency (Laodicea). These criticisms are direct and meant to bring the churches to repentance, emphasizing both Jesus’ righteousness and His desire for their spiritual restoration.
Each letter includes a call to action, urging the churches to repent, return to their first works, or hold fast to what they have. Alongside these commands, Jesus provides warnings about the consequences of failing to change, such as the removal of their lampstand or judgment against sin. However, each letter also ends with a promise to those who overcome. These promises, like eating from the tree of life (Ephesus) or receiving the crown of life (Smyrna), point to the eternal rewards and hope found in Christ. Finally, Jesus concludes each message with the exhortation: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
This makes the messages timeless, inviting all believers—not just the original recipients—to reflect and apply these lessons.
The structure of these letters reveals Jesus’ deep love and concern for His church. He provides encouragement and hope, while also calling for accountability and faithfulness. The consistency of this format highlights that every church is seen, known, and addressed by Christ Himself. It’s a reminder that His guidance is as relevant for us today as it was for the early church, offering both comfort and challenge in our walk with Him.
