Being a Full Account of the Seven Letters Sent by Our Lord
to the Seven Congregations of the Province of Asia Minor
Revelation II:I — III:XXII · c. AD XCVI · The Island of Patmos
Unto the seven churches which are in Asia — to Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea — so came the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks among the seven golden candlesticks. Seven congregations of the first century, each commended and rebuked, each called to account, each offered a promise of surpassing wonder to the one who overcomes. Their struggles were not of another age. Their failures are our own.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. — Revelation II:VII · Repeated in each of the seven letters
Seven letters. One message. For every age of the church.
A Full Register of
Each congregation received a letter of singular character — commended for its virtues, rebuked for its failures, called to repentance, and offered a promise of extraordinary grace to the one who overcomes.
| No. | Church | Modern City | Commendation | Rebuke | Promise to Overcomer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | EphesusThe Loveless Church | Selçuk | Sound Doctrine | Lost First Love | Tree of Life in Paradise |
| II | SmyrnaThe Persecuted Church | İzmir | Faithful in Suffering | None Given | Crown of Life |
| III | PergamumThe Compromising Church | Bergama | Holds Fast the Faith | False Teaching | Hidden Manna; White Stone |
| IV | ThyatiraThe Corrupt Church | Akhisar | Love & Service | Tolerates Jezebel | Authority; The Morning Star |
| V | SardisThe Dead Church | Sart | None Given | Spiritually Dead | White Garments; Book of Life |
| VI | PhiladelphiaThe Faithful Church | Alaşehir | Patient Endurance | None Given | Pillar in God's Temple |
| VII | LaodiceaThe Lukewarm Church | Denizli | None Given | Lukewarm | Seat on Christ's Throne |
In Their Own Words
An exposition of Christ's word to each congregation, together with the history of the city that received it and the ruins that remain today.
In-depth exposition of each letter — commendations, rebukes, the promises to overcomers, and the theological significance of Christ's self-descriptions to each congregation.
Enter the Study →The Roman province of Asia, the ancient trade route, the ruins that survive, and the remarkable ways each city's history illuminates its letter from Our Lord.
Read the History →All seven sites lie in western Turkey. A guide to visiting each — what survives, what may be seen, the best seasons, and suggested itineraries for a seven-day circuit.
Plan the Journey →Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Revelation III:XX · The Letter to Laodicea