Christ as Head of the 7 Churches of Revelation

Revelation chapters 2 & 3 contain messages written for and sent to the 7 Churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.

50. Each receives its own short, personalized message from the head of the Church, the resurrected Jesus Christ.
50. Each message follows a pattern of noting their accomplishments, their faults or shortcomings, their trials, and they are reminded of the glorious outcome for those who overcome and persevere.
50. At the start of each message He mentions one or two things about Himself which relate to His role as head of the Church. This serves to remind them that what the messenger brings to them is actually from Him

Most of these attributes of Christ are mentioned in Revelation 1:10-20. These verses serve as an introduction to the letters written to the churches and in certain cases adds some insight to what the symbols mean.

SPS: Let’s look into these attributes of the risen Christ and consider how they relate to His present role as the living head of the Church… actively working within His Church!

What Do These 7 Churches Represent?

On a superficial level each of these Churches was a real congregation of God's people in the Asia Minor provinces of the eastern Roman empire. Yet, the presentation of the Churches has a symbolic or typo-logical meaning as well.

50. Some make a strong case that the 2,000 year history of the Church of God can be roughly divided into 7 eras with unique characteristics that correlate to history.
50. Some view the 7 Churches as representing 7 types of attitudes, or 7 types of challenges faced by God's Church, on and off, for the past 2 millennium.  

I am not going to try to make the case for any of these views as the best way to understand these messages. Today, we are going to limit ourselves to the statements Christ makes about Himself at the head of each section.

He Holds The 7 Stars in His Right Hand - Revelation 2:1

These are the 7 angels/messengers of the 7 Churches [Rev 1:20]. the literal meaning of the word aggelos is messenger. Most of the time aggelos refers to supernatural beings like cherubim or seraphim. But aggelos can also be used of human beings sent on a “mission” by God.

For example, John the Baptist is the aggelos of God… the disciples John sent to enquire about Jesus are aggelos… the seventy disciples sent forth by Jesus are aggelos.

Each message to the 7 churches begins with a command to the “the angel of the Church” to write something down [and presumably to ensure that its delivered]. Whether human or supernatural messengers their role is to relay the messages to the Church, from Christ who is the head.

He holds the messengers in His right hand … a phrase indicating they represent His authority within the Church. The bible speaks of Christ as seated on the right hand of the Father with authority delegated to Him from the Father. So, Christ delegates responsibility to subordinates within His Church.

He Walks Among The 7 Lamp stands - Revelation 2:1

This is an allusion back to the lamps that are within the tabernacle Exodus 25:31-32,37-40. The tabernacle and its furnishings are a representation of the throne room of God Hebrews 8:5. The 7 lamps are the 7 Churches on display before the throne of God… He has His eye on them!

The 7 lamps in Revelation are separate whereas in the OT tabernacle they are not. With Israel, the assembly of God was contained within one nation. The NT Church of God is composed of many nations and peoples made one through His holy spirit. Christ, who is our high priest, walking around among the lamps like the high priest who ministered before God in the tabernacles and later the temple.

Christ is not to be thought of a dead savior hanging on a cross. Christ should be thought of as raised from the dead and actively at work as our high priest.  Yes the atonement for sin was made once for all… but the work of preparing a people goes on.

Hebrews 2:17, 4:15-16, 7:23-25 Romans 8:34 He is actively interceding on our behalf when we get into trouble 1 John 2:1.

The First and Last, Raised From the Dead - Revelation 2:8

Revelation 1:8 the head of the Church is beyond time. For us the future is unknown, the past is largely forgotten, the present is murky and hard to fully understand what is really going on. The living Christ can see the past and the future which allows Him to completely understand the present moment.

Isaiah 41:4 He is able to control events so that they move toward the promised outcome.

Romans 8:27-28 His intercession moves events for our good. This gives meaning and purpose to suffering.

Genesis 50:20 Joseph could see this in hindsight… God knew it all along.

Who died and came to life again - He came in the flesh, died in the flesh and was raised to life to show what is possible for human beings. Therefore, we can have confidence in God’s desire and power to raise us from the dead - to free those who all their lives were in slavery to their fear of death.

Notice that the Church of Smyrna was facing persecution unto death. The attributes of Christ mentioned here are to give meaning and purpose to their suffering… and encourage perseverance.

He Wields the Sharp 2 Edged Sword - Revelation 2:12

This sharp 2-edged sword is the bible. As the head of the Church He has given us this written word as an objective guide for governance, and spiritual growth. Christ works with His Church through the word.

Notice that the Church of Pergamos’ struggle was to overcome false teachings! The doctrinal problems were the doctrine of Balaam, the doctrine of the Nicoliatans. These are different forms of false teaching… but they both lead to the same bad end… disobedience. One of the chief functions of bible is to motivate, and direct us into obedience Hebrews 4:11-13.

When the bible speaks of the grace and patience of God… it is not so we feel better about ourselves… it is so that we have time and opportunity to repent. The sharp 2-edged sword is shared with us so we might judge ourselves now [and overcome] so we need not be judged later by Christ [and punished].

If we don’t actively do it… He will Revelation 2:16. While we are still in the flesh whatever correction we receive based on God’s word is for our own good… God disciplines the child He loves. The child who isn’t disciplined would be a neglected child.

Note: When Christ returns He will judge the earth based on this same word 2 Thessalonians 2:8, Revelation 19:15

Eyes Like Fire & Feet Like Brass - Revelation 2:18

Notice that the Thyatira Church is warned about judgment; punishment of death or reward for acts.

Jesus Christ is able to intercede for us as high priest with special insight into the human condition… He’s shared our weakness, temptation, and suffering. However, its equally important to realize that having gone through the human experience He is well equipped to act as righteous judge… aware of your weaknesses… but also aware of what human beings are capable of… specifically in regard to overcoming, enduring, and repenting Revelation 2:23.

The imagery is: eyes like flaming fire and feet like white hot metal… which are descriptions of Jesus’ glorified state. White hot fire is like the energy of everlasting life itself emanating from God… but fire  also signifies the potential for permanent destruction that judgment and condemnation can lead to.

At present the risen Christ is actively engaged as judge over the Church of God. When Christ returns He will assume the role of judge over all the kingdoms and inhabitants of the earth.

At present, His eyes are upon the Church of God… searching the mind and heart… and preparing a reward for each of us that is appropriate for how we have worked with the instruction, testing, opportunities, and trials presented to us Revelation 2:26 [that reward should be considered primarily in terms of responsibilities granted when we are seated alongside Christ when He administers the rule of God on earth].

The 7 Spirits & 7 Stars - Revelation 3:1

We’ve encountered the 7 Stars before… now we are introduced to the 7 spirits. Are these seraphim, and cherubim? But if the messengers to the churches are seraphim or cherubim then wouldn’t that be redundant? What else might these 7 spirits be?

Revelation 4:5 these 7 spirits are connected to the 7 lamps, which are the 7 Churches… interesting but also redundant.

Revelation 5:6 here the 7 spirits are attributes of the lamb of God… also spoken of as 7 eyes that go forth into the earth and report back to God… a process of information and exhortation going forth and feedback on results come back.

A vice-president doesn’t just gather reports and present them to the CEO… the vice president comments on the information, gives context, gives an evaluation. So it is with Christ the head of the church before the throne of the Father.

These 7 spirits could be characteristics of Christ that guide how He judges and how He intercedes on our behalf Isaiah 11:1-4. Whether we are being instructed or corrected it is with the righteous character of Christ.

Holy & True, Holding The Key of David - Revelation 3:7

That Jesus Christ is holy an true are self evident statements… but the reference to the “key of David” is a riddle to be solved.

Isaiah 22:22 this is the verse being referenced. The “key of David” here is an actual key kept by the steward of the king’s palace. In this prophecy of Isaiah the key is taken from Shebna and given to Eliakim. Shebna is proud and arrogant whereas Eliakim is reliable and dedicated to the welfare of the  subjects of the kingdom.

In history Shebna was a real person who served Hezekiah, king of Judah. Eliakim was also a real person but within the prophecy Eliakim is understood as a foreshadow of the Messiah.

As the keeper of the keys Christ gives us access to things we would otherwise not have access to. This could be opportunities in this life, it could be knowledge or prophetic understanding, it could be access to the Father, and it could be access to eternal life. As head of the Church He controls the access to all these things… they all pass through Him.

Within the courts of the Davidic kings the key was also a visible sign of authority. As head of the Church, the living Christ delegates authority, roles, and responsibilities within His Church Matthew 16:18-19.

The Church does not have the authority to change the laws of God, but does have some authority to determine how they are administered in different settings [for example, tithing, observance of the festivals]. The primary application of this authority is in forgiveness and judging disputes between members Matthew 18:18.

The Amen, the Faithful & True Witness - Revelation 3:14

As head of the Church .. you can trust Christ in all things and in every way [He is faithful]… What He has told you is true and the promises you hold on to are a sure thing [He is the true witness]. The all-powerful God of creation will not be diverted from the goal… which is to bring many brothers and sisters into their inheritance in the family of God Philippians 1:6.

He is the “Amen” which is a way we as individuals express our “let it be so” at the end of prayer. It is also used by Jesus as a preface to teaching, in most places its translated “truly I say to you”. For human beings it’s an expression of our agreement with God, and our submission to His will 2 Corinthians 1:20.

Notice that the Laodicean Church is losing their way, overcome by the cares of the world. Christ could just let them continue to drift off into oblivion. He could just focus His energy on those who are really “with the program”… but He doesn’t want any to slip through His hands. He intends to open their eyes through allowing them to enter into trial and tribulation Revelation 3:19.

Summary: the letters to the 7 Churches contain reminders of how Christ is actively at work within the Church… supreme in authority, actively interceding, instructing and cleansing from all impurity, judging in mercy and righteousness, holding on to us with power and love.