VARIOUS INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES

The Various Interpretation of the Letters to the Seven Churches

At least three interpretations have been advanced as to the explana­tion of the churches. Sometimes these interpretations are set forth as mutually exclusive, but this need not necessarily be true. The best solution seems to be that these three merge into a threefold meaning in order to bring out the fullness of message, and this alone is an adequate view.

The First Interpretation is That the Seven Letters Were Written to Seven Historical Churches

           The Statement of the Scriptures Support This Conclusion
              Rev. 1:4 "The seven churches which are in Asia"
              Rev. 1:11 "The seven churches which are in Asia'
              Rev. 1:12 "Seven golden candlesticks. . ." (13)
              Rev. 1:20 "The seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches."

These Seven Churches are Already in Existence as John Writes

           These churches are said to exist ("are" 4, 11).
         They are located in the province of Asia in Asia Minor ("in Asia" 4, 11).
       They consist of congregations located in seven cities

(Chs. 1:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14).

        The letters are therefore sent to these cities (1:11).

Some of These Congregations are Named in Other Scriptures

The church in Ephesus is clearly set forth in the book of Ephesians.
The church in Laodicea is referred to in Colossians 4:16.

Early church history bears witness to the existence of these churches, and archeology confirms this testimony.
The writings of the church fathers contain references to all these churches, and archeology has been able to confirm this testimony at every point along the way.