I'm not a Bible scholar, nor do I know the entire Bible from cover-to-end, but I do however like to think I know the Bible pretty well. However, when it comes to the seven churches in Revelation (chapters 2 and 3), I am totally lost. I have no clue who or what the seven churches are.

I realize the seven churches were seven real churches that existed in Asia Minor during the early New Testament era. But do they still hold a message for us, today? Do they represent seven types of churches that can be found today? Or do they represent seven different ages of God's true church that can be tracked through history books?

I am lead to believe they represent seven different church ages. Ephesus is the first era, because Simon Peter tested Simon Pater (Simon Magus from Acts 8:9-24) and found the apostle to be a liar. This fulfills Ephesus prophecy. Many mistake Simon Peter as the first pope, but it was actually Simon Pater who was the first pope.

I learned the above information from David C. Pack, the pastor over the Restored Church of God. Mr. Pack teaches the church he pastors is the seventh and final church era of God's one true church. Could this be true?
The Restored Church of God is a splinter church from the Worldwide Church of God, whom Herbert W. Armstrong was pastor over. Armstrong's influence on Christian forums is phenomenal! Anytime you see someone say things like, "The Plain Truth about,..." or "The Real Truth about,..." you can bet they have been reading Mr. Armstrong's books.

Not being judgmental to this site, (maybe I am wrong) but I see lots of Mr. Armstrong's influences creeping onto the forums. "When is someone born again? What is the true gospel? Who is the true Jesus? Should we keep the Sabbath? Do the saved go to heaven? God's holy days or pagan holidays?" - all these things were preached by Mr. Armstrong, and they are still continuing to be taught online through pastors like David C. Pack. Again, not saying everyone who believes these ideas got them from the Church of God splinter churches, but I am willing to guess some people at least did. (As I know I have certainly learned a lot from pastors like Mr. Pack.)

But anyways, back to the the seven churches. Can someone tell me who they are? I am considering joining the Restored Church of God, as Mr. Pack's argument for who the seven churches are is quite good. (You can go the Restored Church of God's main website to read his book, "Where is the True Church?" for free online.)

The reason I really need to know, is because joining a church like the Restored Church of God would completely change my life. God has given me two complete chapters on the seven churches, and sadly I have no clue who the churches are. I really need to know! Can anyone please help me out?

Thank you for taking the time read all of this!
God bless you all!~
-Joseph

each of the churches has an angel. which should be same as pastor as the word can be translated to either one.
so i'm pretty sure they we're real churches who either do not exist anymore or at least the pastor (angel) has changed.

in bible the apostoles wrote many letters to churches and i think the one's in revelation are similar churches.

i haven't done any historical study of it though.

i don't think the churches it self can really exist today as the people has passed away
and as people change the faith change and so does beliefs and doctrines.

we have bible though so the church you should be looking for is biblical spirit filled church.

What Jari said........

The Churches are long gone. They were located in Asia Minor, Modern day Turkey.

Armstrong was a deluded cult leader who didn't even believe in the salvation in Jesus Christ. You better avoid his teachings and his apostate followers like "Pastor Pack". They will split Hell wide open on the way down. You have been warned ... take heed.

Google his name and his "church". You will find he was a drunkard,a liar and a false prophet ... "by their fruits you will know them"


My friend find yourself a good bible believing Baptist church that teaches sound and biblical doctrine like salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. I will pray for you.

The seven churches are long gone so no connection there.

I listened to David for about an hour, and all I heard was him putting down other denominations. Pentecostals, were attacked the most, but he did make his rounds to the others.

He does not believe in Eternal Hell, He does not believe in the Trinity which might be a sacred cow being killed for some.

His constant affirmation about his Church being the one out of millions as being right though did not set well with me. That brother has a wrong spirit about him.

It's not being right all the time that counts, its the Heart, and spirit your speaking from, and I did not sense any anointing teaching on this man, and sensed a very wrong spirit about him.

This is my personal opinion, and I am not the judge.

Jesus Is Lord.

While these were real churches of the period, and no doubt God was speaking to them at the time, I tend to think the 7 seven churches are an allegory to the churches of today. I think probably every church in the world is one of these 7 churches. Interestingly enough, there were only 2 of the 7 that he didn't have anything against.

Those seven churches are models of the kinds of problems churches down the centuries, right up until today, have had/are having. That's why those messages are in the Book of Revelation. It's relevant right until the end of the age. Jesus is calling His Church to repentance before He returns.

You can easily plug several modern church denominations into those positions. The Laodicean church includes churches the Pentecostals that push the prosperity gospel or the affluent Evangelical mega-churches that assume since they've got so much they must be in right standing with God.

The Church of Thyatira clearly describes what has become of the Catholic church.

The Church of Ephesus? Perhaps the Baptists who have become spiritually dead and are going through the motions.

Study the descriptions. Is your church there? Those letters are very, very relevant today.

Originally Posted by ByGraceAlone

Those seven churches are models of the kinds of problems churches down the centuries, right up until today, have had/are having. That's why those messages are in the Book of Revelation. It's relevant right until the end of the age. Jesus is calling His Church to repentance before He returns.

You can easily plug several modern church denominations into those positions. The Laodicean church includes churches the Pentecostals that push the prosperity gospel or the affluent Evangelical mega-churches that assume since they've got so much they must be in right standing with God.

The Church of Thyatira clearly describes what has become of the Catholic church.

The Church of Ephesus? Perhaps the Baptists who have become spiritually dead and are going through the motions.

Study the descriptions. Is your church there? Those letters are very, very relevant today.

Thanks to everyone who replied to this thread!
Ok, how about the Philadelphia church? Would they be the Jehovah Witnesses? After all, they are the church that would not deny God's name; Jehovah. Right?

Would Smyrna be the missionary church?

Yahweh is actually the proper Hebrew name.
יְהֹוָה=Yhvh,these are silent letters so God's name is technically unpronounceable.

The pronunciation Jehovah was unknown until 1520, when it was introduced by Galatinus; but it was contested by Le Mercier, J. Drusius, and L. Capellus, as against grammatical and historical propriety.

I think denying God's name means something else.