| Church | Commendations | Criticisms | Blessed Statement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ephesus Rev 2:1-7 |
Hardworking, patient, intolerant of evil, tested false apostles, persevered | Abandoned their first love | To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God (Rev 2:7). |
| Smyrna Rev 2:8-11 |
Faithful amid tribulation, poverty (but rich in faith), endured persecution | None | He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death (Rev 2:11). |
| Pergamos Rev 2:12-17 |
Held fast to Christ’s name, faithful despite dwelling where Satan’s throne is | Some held to Balaam’s doctrine (idolatry, immorality); Nicolaitan teachings | To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it (Rev 2:17). |
| Thyatira Rev 2:18-29 |
Works, love, faith, service, patience, increasing deeds | Tolerated Jezebel (false prophetess promoting immorality and idolatry) | He that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star (Rev 2:26-28). |
| Sardis Rev 3:1-6 |
A few faithful individuals | Spiritually dead, incomplete works | He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels (Rev 3:5). |
| Philadelphia Rev 3:7-13 |
Kept Christ’s word, not denied His name, faithful with little strength | None | Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name (Rev 3:12). |
| Laodicea Rev 3:14-22 |
None | Lukewarm, self-sufficient, spiritually blind/poor | To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne (Rev 3:21). |