In Revelation 2 through 3, we find the letters to the seven churches. Some people might want to skip these letters and move on to the exciting parts of Revelation, where the dramatic events of the last days are described. However, skipping these letters is a big mistake. The church is placed by Jesus in the world to guide and shape human history. Jesus calls the church the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:14) and “the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13). The Apostle Paul refers to it as “the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15 KJV). The church has a special mission and is expected to influence the world greatly. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to these letters, where Jesus gives corrections, encouragement, and guidance on how the church should live and make an impact The Church of Ephesus The Church That Lost Its Love.
Why Only Seven Churches?
When we read these letters, we must ask: “Why are there only seven churches and why were these specific churches chosen?” The answer is that these seven churches are representative. These are carefully chosen to represent different types of churches. At the time John wrote these letters, there were many other churches in the province of Asia, but only these seven were selected by Jesus. They weren’t necessarily the most famous churches, but they were chosen because they represent different conditions that can be found in the church throughout its history, from beginning to end.
Seven Types of Churches Throughout History
There are seven types of churches that exist during different periods in the church’s history. Every church that truly follows Jesus can be identified with one of these seven types at some point in its history. A church may change from one type to another depending on whether it repents or disobeys. However, each church will always fit somewhere in this seven-fold pattern Istanbul Tours Guide.
The Letters as a Preview of Church History
Many experts have pointed out that these letters also give us a preview of the entire history of the church, from its beginning to its end. The key word that suggests this is found in Revelation 1:3, where the whole book is called a “prophecy”. This prophecy includes Chapters 2 and 3, not just the rest of the book. The number seven is significant, as it symbolizes completeness. These letters, therefore, are a preview of the church’s journey throughout history, as it goes through different stages of growth and development.
