THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA

History reviewed and examined in the light of the Revelation

Cliff Sabroe 

EPHESUS

Revelation 2:1-7

            Of all of the seven churches of Asian mentioned in the Revelation there is more information in the New Testament concerning this city then any other of the 7 churches.   As a great center it was sought by the Apostle Paul, who founded the church and labored there more than three years (see Acts, chapter 18), and afterwards addressed to it the Epistle to the Ephesians. At a later period heplaced Timothy there and addressed two epistles to him. All early church tradition declares that John from about A. D. 70 made this city his home until his death. (Johnson)

            Ephesus’ preeminence was most likely because it was the capital city of the Roman province in Asia.  “Ephesus was built near the sea, in the valley of the Cayster, under the shadows of Coressus and Prion. In the time of Paul it was the metropolis of the province of Asia” (Vincent).  Ephesus was known for its accessibility; “With an artificial harbor accessible to the largest ships, and rivaling the harbor at Miletus, standing at the entrance of the valley which reaches far into the interior of Asia Minor, and connected by highways with the chief cities of the province, Ephesus was the most easily accessible city in Asia, both by land and sea” (ISBE).

            During the time of the writing of the New Testament Ephesus was a large center for idol worship.  It’s idolatry is also noted as being evil in the New Testament, Acts 19:35 says “And when the townclerk had quieted the multitude, he saith, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there who knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of the great Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?” (ASV).

            For being that it was such a prominent city its history is sketchy, the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia  makes these observations concerning the history of the city.

                        Though the early history of the city is obscure, it seems that at different                              times it was in the hands of the Carians, the Leleges and Ionians; in the early historical period it was one of a league of twelve Ionfan cities. In 560 bc it came into the possession of the Lydians; 3 years later, in 557, it was taken by the Persians; and during the following years the Greeks and Persians were constantly disputing for its possession. Finally, Alexander the Great took it; and at his death it fell to Lysimachus, who gave it thename of Arsinoe, from his second wife. Upon the death of Attalus II (Philadelphus), king of Pergamos, it was bequeathed to the Roman  Empire; and in 190, when the Roman province of Asia was formed, it    became a part of it.

            From the Revelation itself we learn that the problem with the church in Ephesus was that they stood for the truth, identified false teachers and they do not tolerate evil men. However, they are rebuked for having “left their first love”.  The lesson from this for us is that even though you may know the truth and stand for the truth, if your heart is not involved and you have left your first love, meaning you have left Christ. If  you have left Christ, ultimately he will leave you, and that is a fate that we do not want a part of.   

Revelation 2:8-11

            Smyrna is a city with a long history.  The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia gives a reader an abundance of information concerning the ancient history of the city of Smyrna.  It states: “The city seems to have been taken from the Lelages by the Aeolian Greeks about 1100 BC; there still remain traces of the cyclopean masonry of that early time. In 688 BC it passed into the possession of the Ionian Greeks and was made one of the cities of the Ionian confederacy, but in 627 BC it was taken by the Lydians” (Orr).  After being taken by the Lydians, in the years following 301-291bc “Lysimachus entirely rebuilt it on a new site to the Southwest of the earlier cities, and surrounded it by a wall. Standing, as it did, upon a good harbor, at the head of one of the chief highways to the interior, it early became a great trading-center and the chief port for the export trade”(Orr).  There is some conflict between scholars on when the city was rebuilt.  The ISBE says that it was rebuilt by Lysimachus, but Vincent states: “The original city was destroyed about b.c. 627, and was deserted and in ruins for four hundred years. Alexander the Great contemplated its restoration, and his design was carried out after his death” (Vincent).  Even though the scholars do not agree on all of the details about the ancient history of the city of Smyrna, one can agree that the city does at least have a long record in history of the events concerning it .

            During the time of the writing of the Revelation, Smyrna was thriving. “In Roman times, Smyrna was considered the most brilliant city of Asia Minor, successfully rivaling Pergamos and Ephesus. Its streets were wide and paved. Its system of coinage was old, and now about the city coins of every period are found. It was celebrated for its schools of science and medicine, and for its handsome buildings” (Orr). And as the Bible records in Revelation there was some problems with the Jews there.  A.T Robertson notes that there were “many Jews hostile to Christianity who later join in the martyrdom of Polycarp, poor church (rich in grace) which receives only praise from Christ” (Robertson).  Those of Catholic background believe that “Polycarp was the first bishop of its church, which suffered much from persecution” (Vincent).  If he was the “bishop” or not is not important to the discussion, but it is important to note that “he was said to have suffered martyrdom in the stadium of the city, a.d. 166” (Vincent).

            There is not a significant mentioning of Smyrna in other New Testament writings.  However the teaching that is given to the church in Revelation 2:10 is a promise for Christians of all times and shows the theme of the Revelation. “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life”.

 PERGAMOS

Revelation 2:12-17

            Pergamos is the proper name for the term Pergamum.  Pergamos is a city “in a north-easterly direction from Smyrna in the Caicus Valley, some fifty-five miles away, in Mysia” (Robertson).  The city was built on a lofty hill that was located in its valley.  “Two of the tributaries of the Caicus were the Selinus and the Kteios. The former of these rivers flowed through the city; the latter ran along its walls. On the hill between these two streams the first city stood, and there also stood the acropolis, the chief temples, and theaters of the later city” (Orr).

            The city has a long history.  “The early people of the town were descendants of Greek colonists, and as early as 420 BC they struck coins of their own. Lysimachus, who possessed the town, deposited there 9,000 talents of gold. Upon his death, Philetaerus (283-263 BC) used this wealth to found the independent Greek dynasty of the Attalid kings. The first of this dynasty to bear the title of king was Attalus I (241-197 BC), a nephew of Philetaerus, and not only did he adorn the city with beautiful buildings until it became the most wonderful city of the East, but he added to his kingdom the countries of Mysia, Lydia, Caria, Pamphylia and Phrygia. Eumenes II (197-159 BC) was the most illustrious king of the dynasty, and during his reign the city reached its greatest height. Art and literature were encouraged, and in the city was a library of 200,000 volumes which later Antony gave to Cleopatra” (Orr). Because of the art and literature that is found within the city, it gained a reputation of great authority.  Ramsay called it the “royal city”. 

            There is no other information concerning Pergamum in other New Testament passages.  However the Revelation does give us insight into the idolatry that was going on their.  Jesus says: “But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there some that hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication” (Revelation 2:14).  History also agrees with the account of idol worship in the city.

                        It contained a celebrated and much-frequented temple of Aesculapius,  who was worshipped in the form of a living serpent fed in the temple. Hence Aesculapius was called the God of Pergamum, and on the coins struck by the town he often appears with a rod encircled by a serpent. The great glory of the city was the Nicephorium, a grove of great beauty containing an assemblage of temples. The city has been described as a sort  of union of a pagan cathedral-city, a university-town, and a royal residence, embellished during a succession of years by kings who all had a   passion for expenditure and ample means of gratifying it” (Vincent).

       Jesus’ instruction for the church in Pergamum is applicable for us today .  Jesus told them to “repent”.  When we find ourselves serving other God’s there is only one thing to do for spiritual survival, and that is to repent. 

 THYATIRA

Revelation 2:18-29

            “Thyatira was a wealthy town in the northern part of Lydia of the Roman province of Asia, on the river Lycus. It stood so near to the borders of Mysia, that some of the early writers have regarded it as belonging to that country” (Orr).  Although there is history recorded regarding the city of Thyatira the early history is not well known. History does record that it was refounded by Seleucus Nicator (301-281 BC) it was a small, insignificant town. It stood on none of the Greek trade routes, but upon the lesser road between Pergamos and Sardis, and derived its wealth from the Lycus valley in which it rapidly became a commercial center, but never a metropolis.

            The name “Thyatira” means “the castle of Thya.” “Before the time of Nicator the place was regarded as a holy city, for there stood the temple of the ancient Lydian sun-god, Tyrimnos; about it games were held in his honor. Upon the early coins of Thyatira this Asiatic god is represented as a horseman, bearing a double-headed battle-ax, similar to those represented on the sculptures of the Hittites. A goddess associated with him was Boreatene, a deity of less importance” (Orr).   “The city contained a number of corporate guilds, as potters, tanners, weavers, robe-makers, and dyers. It was from Thyatira that Lydia the purple-seller of Philippi came” (Vincent).

            The most well-known information concerning the city of Thyatira is that which is found in the book of Acts. “Thyatira has been mentioned in Acts, chapter 16 as the home of Lydia, who was converted at Philippi. It is likely that the church began when she and her household returned” (Johnson).

            In the Revelation the church is Thyatira is rebuked for there association with Jezebel. Revelation 2:20-22 states:

                        But I have this against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess; and she teacheth and seduceth my servants tocommit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time that she should repent; and she willeth not to repent of her fornication. Behold, I cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery  with her into great tribulation, except they repent of her works.

            Even though the church there is rebuked for their toleration of Jezebel, the Lord does make mention of what they are doing right.  The example in 2:19 is an example of growth and the movement from small to greater works. This example is one that all churches of all time would benefit from. 

SARDIS

Revelation 3:1-6

            Sardis is a prominent city of the ancient world.  Its history dates back hundreds of years before Christ.  “Sardis was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia, one of the provinces of Asia Minor, and was situated at the foot of Mount Tmolus, in a fine plain watered by the river Pactolus, famous for its golden sands. It was the capital where the celebrated Croesus, proverbial for his wealth, reigned” (Barnes).  Croesus was the king of the city when it was taken by Cyrus in 546bc.  Sardis is located “Some thirty miles south-east of Thyatira” (Robertson).  The city was conquered a second time by Alexander the Great, and later conquered a third time by Antiochus the Great.  “In the time of Tiberius it was desolated by an earthquake, together with eleven or twelve other important cities of Asia, and the calamity was increased by a pestilence” (Vincent).

            The city of Sardis is a place of great commerce.  “Sardis was in very early times an important commercial city. Pliny says that the art of dyeing wool was invented there, and it was the entrepôt of the dyed woolen manufactures, carpets, etc., the raw material for which was furnished by the flocks of Phrygia. It was also the place where the metal electrum was procured. Gold was found in the bed of the Pactolus. Silver and gold coins are said to have been first minted there, and it was at one time known as a slave-mart” (Vincent).

            While Sardis was a successful commercial city it lost a lot of its wealth do to a large nation disaster.  “In 17 AD, when it was destroyed by an earthquake, the Roman emperor Tiberius remitted the taxes of the people and rebuilt the city, and in his honor the citizens of that and of neighboring towns erected a large monument, but Sardis never recovered its former importance” (Orr).  This is what the city is recovering from in the time of the writing of the Revelation.  At one time Sardis was an alive city full of commerece and wealth.  But at this time the city had not recovered and now appear to be dead and that is why the Bible illustrates to them, “I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and thou art dead” (Revelation 3:1).  There is no reference in any other New Testament passages, it very well might be because in the time of the writing of the New Testament, Sardis as a city and as a church was not alive, but dead.  It has been recorded throughout history the dead state of the city. “The city is now a heap of ruins. In 1850 no human being found a dwelling there” (Vincent).

 PHILADELPHIA

Revelation 3:7-13

            Philedelphia is near the city of Sardis in the region of Asia Minor.  It is “Seventy-five miles southeast of Sardis. The second city in Lydia. The adjacent region was celebrated as a wine-growing district, and its coins bore the head of Bacchus and the figure of a Bacchante. The population included Jews, Jewish Christians, and converts from heathenism” (Vincent).  The city does not have a long colorful history as many of the other cities that are mentioned in the Revelation. “Philadelphia is not so ancient as many of the other cities of Asia Minor, for it was founded after 189 BC on one of the highways which led to the interior” (Orr).  The name Philadelphia  “was given to it in honor of Attalus II, because of his loyalty to his elder brother, Eumenes II, king of Lydia. Still another name of the city was Decapolis, because it was considered as one of the ten cities of the plain. A third name which it bore during the 1st century. AD was Neo-kaisaria; it appears upon the coins struck during that period” (Orr).

            The city was plagued with a major earthquake during the reign of Tiberius.  It was however quickly rebuilt.  The cities more colorful history takes place in the last 1000 years. “Frederick Barbarossa entered it while on his crusade in 1190. Twice, in 1306 and 1324, it was besieged by the Seljuk Turks, but it retained its independence until after 1390, when it was captured by the combined forces of the Turks and Byzantines. In 1403 Tamerlane captured it, and, it is said, built about it a wall of the corpses of his victims” (Orr).

            This city is not mentioned outside of the Revelation, but the descriptions in Revelation can give insight to the city.  Chapter 3 makes mention of the ways of the Jews.  “The chief opposition to the faithful little church is from the Jews” (Robertson).

However the church is spoken highly of by the Lord, but he does reproof them in a few ways.  Matthew Henry eloquently describes the church in Philadelphia this way: “The church in Philadelphia is commended; yet with a gentle reproof. Although Christ accepts a little strength, yet believers must not rest satisfied in a little, but strive to grow in grace, to be strong in faith, giving glory to God. Christ can discover this his favour to his people, so that their enemies shall be forced to acknowledge it….Christ promises preserving grace in the most trying times, as the reward of past faithfulness; To him that hath shall be given. Those who keep the gospel in a time of peace, shall be kept by Christ in an hour of temptation; and the same Divine grace that has made them fruitful in times of peace, will make them faithful in times of persecution. Christ promises a glorious reward to the victorious believer” (Henry).

            Not to many lessons can come from the city of Philadelphia itself.  But many lessons can be learned from the statements from our lord concerning the Church therein. 

“Because thou didst keep the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of trial, that hour which is to come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no one take thy crown” (Revelation 3:10-11).

 LAODICEA

Revelation 3:14-22

            Laodicea is a city in the region of Lydia near the river of Lycus.  “Forty miles south-east of Philadelphia and some forty miles east of Ephesus” (Robertson) .  The name Laodicea has a interesting history and can give some insight into the attitudes of the time. “Laodicea means justice of the people. As Laodicea was a common name among the ladies of the royal house of the Seleucidae, the name was given to several cities in Syria and Asia Minor” (Vincent).  The name Laodicea was common but this city in particular was unique, it was “Distinguished from several other cities of that name by the appellation Ad Lycum, it was founded by Antiochus II (261-246 BC) of Syria, who named it for his wife Laodike, and who populated it with Syrians and with Jews who were transplanted from Babylonia to the cities of Phrygia and Lydia” (Banks 1836). 

            The history and formation of the city of Laodicea is speckled with many names of prominent historical figures.  “It had born successively the names of Diospolis and Rhoas, and was named Laodicea when refounded by Antiochus Theos, b.c. 261-246. It was situated on a group of hills between two tributaries of the Lycus - the Asopus and the Caprus. Towards the end of the Roman Republic, and under the first emperors, it became one of the most important and flourishing cities of Asia Minor” (Vincent).

            During the time of the Revelation Laodicea had became a prominent city.  “Though Laodicea stood on the great highway at the junction of several important routes, it was a place of little consequence until the Roman province of Asia was formed in 190 BC. It then suddenly became a great and wealthy center of industry, famous specially for the fine black wool of its sheep and for the Phrygian powder for the eyes, which was manufactured there. In the vicinity was the temple of Men Karou and a renowned school of medicine. In the year 60 AD, the city was almost entirely destroyed by an earthquake, but so wealthy were its citizens that they rejected the proffered aid of Rome, and quickly rebuilt it at their own expense. It was a city of great wealth, with extensive banking operations” (Banks 1836).

            There is not a large amount of other information directly concerning the city of Laodicea in the New Testament.  In Colossians 4:16 it states “And when this epistle hath been read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye also read the epistle from Laodicea” (ASV).  Most likely this letter to the Laodiceans is our Epistle to the Ephesians and by studying that epistle we can learn a lot about the people that would make up the church in this interesting city. 

            Even though the majority of the New Testament does not make reference to the city of Laodicea the description as found in the book of Revelation itself.  The church referred to as being “lukewarm” and it can be assumed that lukewarm would be a description that the people in Laodicea would be familiar with.