What are the seven churches of Revelation?
The seven churches of Revelation are seven literal, historical congregations in Asia Minor: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, to whom John was told to send the book.
When Jesus appeared to John in his opening vision, He stood among seven golden candlesticks holding seven stars, and He explained the meaning of these symbols directly: "The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches" (Revelation 1:20). John was told, "What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea" (Revelation 1:11). These seven congregations were real, functioning churches in Asia Minor at the time the book was written, complete with pastors and members. Some of them, such as Ephesus, had even been established through the ministry of the apostle Paul.
Revelation chapters 2 and 3 record what is called "the things which are," meaning the spiritual condition of each of these seven churches as God saw them at that time: their works, their strengths, their failures, and His instruction to each one about how to respond. Ephesus, for example, had labored faithfully and endured much but had left its first love and was called to repent and return to its first works. Thyatira was commended for its charity, service, faith, and patience, yet was corrected for tolerating the teaching and seduction of a false prophetess called Jezebel. Sardis had a name for being alive but was actually dead in its works, though a few there had not defiled their garments.
It is important to hold that these seven churches are literal, not symbolic representations of something beyond themselves. Some teachers claim they picture seven dispensations of the Church age, as if each church stood for a different era the Body of Christ would pass through in history. This is described as an improper and unfounded stretch. The spiritual conditions found in these churches, whether good or bad, are simply character traits that can appear in any generation of the Church, not markers of a set historical timeline.
So in short, the seven churches of Revelation are Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea: seven actual congregations in Asia Minor whose spiritual conditions Jesus evaluated, and whose message stands as a picture of the kinds of works, faithfulness, and failure that can be found in the Church in any age.
The scriptures
Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; 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.
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 Nicolaitanes, 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.
And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
From the books
This answer is drawn from these passages in the Mary Banks Faith Library.