The Demons of the Seven Churches

The first part of Johns vision in Revelation 1: 1–10, is addressed to the seven churches. When reading about these churches we must keep in mind that they represent the character of the seven churches. They are seven different conditions of the church, seven ministry types, seven groups of people that have seven different personalities or attitudes and mindsets toward Christ. These seven churches represent seven continents or in other words, the entire world’s spiritual condition is established in one of these seven dispositions. Jesus is speaking to the “spirits” of these churches, which He has something against all but one (Philadelphia). The fact that these are spirits, suggest they are angels that influence these churches, the fact that Jesus has something against them, is to say these spirits, or angels, are NOT in good standing with the Lord. This is to say that these are demonic spirits influencing the churches in the wrong direction, with the exception of Philadelphia.

You “personally” and specifically fall into one of these seven churches, or attitudes at any given time in your life.

• Ephesus — Loveless Church (Revelation 2:1–7)
• Smyrna — Persecuted Church (Revelation 2:8–11)
• Pergamos — Over Tolerant Church (Revelation 2:12–17)
• Thyatira — Compromising Church (Revelation 2:12–17)
• Sardis — Sleeping Church (Revelation 3:1–6)
• Philadelphia — Genuine Church (Revelation 3:7–13)
• Laodicea — Luke Warm Church (Revelation 3:14–22)

“John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne” Revelation 1:4

The book of Revelation is written to the seven churches located in Asia Minor (Modern Turkey). The seven churches represent the world at large, the condition of the church and more specifically the individual attitudes and behavior of people towards Christ.

The seven churches are in a specific physical location in Asia Minor, meaning they are not a figure of speech, but actually located in what would be modern Turkey. At the time of John’s writing, it was referred to as Asia Minor. Each church has a Spirit that governs it. As a result, each church finds itself in a particular condition that is judged by Jesus Himself. Despite their condition, these spirits in these churches are what make up the Church at large. The attitudes of these churches have a warning and a consequential judgment, which means you can change your attitude.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7