The seven churches of Revelation
The seven churches of Revelation are Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea, all in Asia (Revelation 1:11). Revelation 2-3 holds a short letter to each one, with praise, correction, or both, and a promise "to him that overcometh."
John is told, "What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia." The seven golden candlesticks he saw are the seven churches, and the seven stars are their angels (Revelation 1:20).
Each letter follows the same outline: a description of Christ, often drawn from the vision in chapter 1, I know thy works, praise or rebuke, a warning or encouragement, and a promise. Every letter includes the call, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."
The seven churches in the order of Revelation
Ephesus
Praised for labour, patience and testing false apostles, and for hating the deeds of the Nicolaitanes. Rebuke: "thou hast left thy first love." Promise: "to eat of the tree of life."
Revelation 2:1-7
Smyrna
Poor, "but thou art rich," and facing prison and tribulation ten days. No rebuke. "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life"; the overcomer "shall not be hurt of the second death."
Revelation 2:8-11
Pergamos
Dwelling "where Satan's seat is," yet holding fast his name, even when Antipas was slain. Rebuke: some held the doctrine of Balaam and of the Nicolaitanes. Promise: "the hidden manna" and a white stone with a new name.
Revelation 2:12-17
Thyatira
Praised for charity, service, faith and patience, with "the last to be more than the first." Rebuke: it suffered "that woman Jezebel" to teach and seduce. Promise: "power over the nations" and "the morning star."
Revelation 2:18-29
Sardis
"Thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead." Told to be watchful and repent. A few have not defiled their garments, and the overcomer shall be "clothed in white raiment" and kept in the book of life.
Philadelphia
"I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it." No rebuke; it has "a little strength" and kept his word. Promise: a pillar in the temple of my God, with the name of new Jerusalem.
Laodicea
No praise. "Because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." Then: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock." Promise: "to sit with me in my throne."
Which churches were not rebuked
Smyrna and Philadelphia receive no rebuke. Laodicea receives no praise at all. Sardis is told it is dead, though "Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments."
How Christians read the seven letters
The letters were sent to real congregations in the Roman province of Asia, in what is now western Turkey. Christians have also read them as messages for churches in every age, since each closes with what the Spirit says "unto the churches," plural. Some traditions also see the seven as stages of church history; others do not, and this page takes no side.
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.
Revelation 1:11 · KJV
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Common questions
What are the 7 churches in Revelation in order?
Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. This is the order of Revelation 1:11 and of the letters in chapters 2 and 3.
Which church in Revelation is the lukewarm church?
Laodicea. Jesus says "thou art neither cold nor hot" and warns, "I will spue thee out of my mouth" (Revelation 3:15-16).
Where were the seven churches located?
The text says they were "in Asia," meaning the Roman province of Asia, which is in western Turkey today. Ephesus is the best known; Paul also wrote a letter to the Ephesians.
Who are the angels of the seven churches?
Revelation 1:20 says "The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches." Christians differ on whether these are heavenly angels or human messengers or leaders of each church.
Is Behold, I stand at the door, and knock written to unbelievers?
In context it is written to the church of the Laodiceans (Revelation 3:14-20). Many Christians also use it as an invitation to anyone who hears his voice.
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