There is perhaps no book in the Bible that engenders more debate and speculation than the book of Revelation. To understand the proper context of Revelation requires us to identify the seven churches in chapters two and three and the time frame in which those churches are addressed.
Putting Revelation In Its Place
The introduction in the first chapter sets the stage not only for the letters to the seven churches, but also for the entire book. Four important truths in the first chapter of Revelation identify the context of the book.
John writes that he is revealing Jesus Christ.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Revelation 1:1
It is important to note that the Christ that John reveals is the Christ of prophecy.
And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. Revelation 1:13-16
The title, “Son of Man,” is used of Christ only in connection with His reign in an earthly kingdom. That title is used over 70 times in the four gospels but never used by Paul. In addition, the physical description of Christ in Revelation parallels the prophetic vision of Daniel.
Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. Daniel 10:5,6
The Christ that John reveals will establish the long prophesied kingdom for Israel. John presents a kingdom view of Christ. This coincides with John seeing the vision “on the Lord’s Day.”
I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Revelation 1:10
This is not inferring that John received his revelation on Sunday. Rather, it identifies the time frame of John’s revelation as the Day of the Lord that the prophets foretold.
Christ revealed Himself to John. This gives another indication of the context of the book. John is an apostle to the circumcision, the nation Israel.
And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. Galatians 2:9
Since John’s ministry was not to the Gentiles but to the circumcision, this is the group of people to whom he is writing. The message of Revelation is not targeted to Gentiles but to Israel. This truth is born out as we continue through the first chapter of Revelation.
And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Revelation 1:6
What group of people in Scripture is destined to be a kingdom of priests?
Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. Exodus 19:5,6
Israel, not the Gentile nations is destined to be a kingdom of priests. John and the people to whom he writes are that kingdom of priests of which Moses wrote in the book of Exodus.
The messages to the churches are written to the angels of the churches.
The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. Revelation 1:20
Unlike Paul’s epistles, addressed directly to the saints in the churches, John’s letters are addressed to the angels of the churches. Angels have a special relationship and ministry to Israel. In the prophecy given to Daniel for Israel, Michael the archangel is referred to as “your” [Israel’s] prince. And in Hebrews angels are referred to as ministering spirits for Israel.
But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince. Daniel 10:21
But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? Hebrews 1:13,14
The role of the Church the Body of Christ both now and in the future is to minister to angels, not be ministered to by angels.
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, Ephesians 3:10
Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? I Corinthians 6:3
John’s letters addressed to the angels of the churches are another indication of the Jewish nature of those assemblies.
We see from the details in the first chapter of Revelation that the seven churches, as well as the entire book of Revelation are Jewish in nature. The time frame in which the events of Revelation are carried out is the time immediately preceding the establishment of Israel’s earthly kingdom. The seven churches of Revelation are not Body of Christ Churches in the Dispensation of Grace. They are Jewish Kingdom Churches that will exist in the tribulation. This truth is confirmed in the letters to each of those churches.
The Kingdom Message to Ephesus
The first church to which John writes is the church at Ephesus.
Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Revelation 2:1-7
Paul, like John, wrote to a church at Ephesus. The contrast in their letters shows they are not writing to the same group of people, but rather two different churches in Ephesus.
John’s letter is to the angel of the Kingdom Church at Ephesus while Paul writes directly to the saints in the Body of Christ Church at Ephesus.
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: Ephesians 1:1
John’s letter focuses on the works of the Kingdom Church at Ephesus while Paul focuses on the grace of God bestowed on the Body of Christ Church at Ephesus.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8,9
There are at least two additional indications in John’s letter to Ephesus that it is a church that will exist in the end time as the establishment of the kingdom approaches. John speaks of the patience of the Ephesian church and trying those who say they are apostles and are not. Both of these are references to the tribulation, a time when Israel will have to patiently endure God’s chastening and be on the lookout for false apostles leading up to the false Christ.
Christ prepared His apostles for this deception and endurance in His earthly ministry.
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. . . . And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. . . . But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. . . . For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Matthew 24:3-5,11,13,24
The prophet Isaiah warned Israel of the time when they would have to endure God’s chastening.
LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them. . . . Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. Isaiah 26:16,20
These references are more than just general warnings of deception and suffering. They refer to a specific time in the future when the antichrist will be revealed, deceive many, and be used by the Lord to punish Israel. We cannot take John’s message to the church at Ephesus as doctrine for the Body of Christ.
The Kingdom Message to Smyrna
The second church to which John writes is the church at Smyrna.
And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. Revelation 2:8-11
John’s message to Smyrna is written to the angel of the church from Christ in His kingdom glory and focuses immediately on the works of that church.
Two key elements of the message to Smyrna are “poverty” and “tribulation.” Again, Christ’s warning and instruction to His apostles during His earthly ministry shows the proper context for these events.
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. . . . For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. Matthew 24:9-13,21,22
When John talks about Smyrna going through tribulation, he refers to the Great Tribulation, the Time of Jacob’s Trouble. It is because of this time of testing that those in Smyrna experience poverty.
And he [the false prophet] causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. Revelation 13:16-18
In the tribulation period members of the church at Smyrna will not buy or sell without the mark of the beast. The believing remnant in Smyrna and all the other churches that do not take that mark will suffer poverty because of it.
The references that John uses in his message to the angel of the church at Smyrna identify it as a kingdom church in the tribulation.
The Kingdom Message to Pergamos
The third church to which John writes is the church at Pergmos.
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. Revelation 2:12-17
John’s message to Pergamos is written to the angel of the church from Christ in His kingdom glory and focuses immediately on the works of that church.
The reference to Satan’s seat determines the proper context of the church at Pergamos. In Scripture a “seat” is often a reference to the authority of a ruler. This is the case in Pergamos. John writes to Pergamos about a time when Satan’s authority is represented literally on the earth by antichrist.
And the beast [antichrist] which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. Revelation 13:1
Apparently Pergamos is the location of the central government of antichrist. This places the church at Pergamos in the tribulation.
The reward of hidden manna to him that overcomes is another indication of the proper context of Pergamos.
And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. Revelation 12:13,14
Just as God fed Israel in the wilderness in the Old Testament, he will do so again in the tribulation. Israel, pursued by antichrist will flee into the wilderness where God feeds them for the last three and a half years of tribulation. This truth also explains the prayer that Christ gave to His apostles, “give us this day our daily bread.” This prayer will be used by Israel to endure the suffering of the tribulation.
The references that John uses in his message to the angel of the church at Pergamos clearly identify it as a kingdom church in the tribulation.