Joanne B. Holstein is a Becker Bible Studies teacher and author of Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians. She has received her Master of Science degree in Psychology/Christian Counseling with honors from Liberty University. She is well-known as a counselor to Christian faithful who are struggling with tremendous burden in these difficult times. She is a leading authority on the history of development of the Christian churches and the practices and beliefs of world religions and cults.
The church in Philadelphians were actively teaching and preaching Christ’s gospel. Jesus Rebuke and admonished the church of Philadelphia. The message to the church in Philadelphia again speaks of a synagogue of Satan who claim to be Jews but are not, whose members will in the end bow down before John’s listeners
The church in Sardis has a reputation that they are alive but they are dead. Those that overcometh, shall be clothed in white raiment; and not blot his name out of the book of life, but Jesus will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Jesus says that he knows the deeds of those in the church in Thyatira. Jesus is aware of the labors of love the believers in Thyatira have shown to God and to their neighbors. Their works included love and faith and service as well as endurance. The last works were greater than their first works.
The church in Pergamene believers were surrounded by pagan worship, Yet they held fast to Christ’s name and did not deny Him during difficult times.They held the teachings of Balaam which is false teachings and conduct within the church.
Smyrna was a Roman province of Asia, it was on the Aegean shore of what is now Asiatic Turkey. Today Smyrna is Izmir in Turkey and is the second largest city in Asiatic Turkey.
ohn was instructed to write the letter unto the angel of the church of Ephesus saying; “These things said he that hold the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks. (Revelation 2:1).
Jesus revealed himself to John and then instructed him to write to the seven churches. Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and has made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.