The Letters to the Churches

The Letters to the Churches

This is a very brief discussion about the letters to the churches in the early chapters of Revelation. It is not intended as a deep study. It is simply my current way of thinking about the meaning of these letters.

The “Letters to the Churches” in Revelation are written to the angels (or messengers) of the various “churches” (assemblies). Because they are clearly and consistently addressed this way, we cannot read them to be commentary on individual believers.

I see each of these letters as calling out problems in the churches. In them, Jesus expresses the consequences of rejecting Christ and following other forms of teaching that amount to idolatry and self-righteousness. He advocates that those practicing these things should repent.

Having done that, He goes on to explain the benefits in store for those who trust Him (those who overcome). This imagery is used in other places:

John 16:33 (NASB 2020)

33 These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

1 John 5:4–5 (NASB 2020)

4 For whoever has been born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith.

5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Repentance is called for in the case of everyone who has not placed their faith in Jesus for righteousness. The word used in the Revelation letters is metanoeo and it means changing your mind.

3340. μετανοέω metanoeō; from 3326 and 3539; to change one’s mind or purpose:—repent(26), repented(5), repents(3).

3341. μετάνοια metanoia; from 3340; change of mind, repentance:—repentance(22).

Robert L. Thomas, in New American Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek Dictionaries : Updated Edition (Anaheim: Foundation Publications, Inc., 1998).

So my view of these letters is very simple. Those within any Christian assembly or gathering (church) who believe and/or teach anything other than the unadulterated gospel of the grace of God through Jesus Christ are in danger of hell and need to repent. All those within any Christian assembly who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ for righteousness are overcomers and can look forward to their inheritance in Christ.