< Mosiah 25 >
v. 23 And now there were seven churches in the land of Zarahemla. And it came to pass that whosoever were desirous to take upon them the name of Christ, or of God, they did join the churches of God;
Seven churches here and there, seven churches everywhere
John wrote to the seven churches in Revelation. The book opens explicitly with this:
“John to the seven churches which are in Asia…”
— Revelation 1:4
And again:
“Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches…”
— Revelation 1:11
The messages in Revelation chapters 2–3are:
Seven churches here and there, seven churches everywhere
John wrote to the seven churches in Revelation. The book opens explicitly with this:
“John to the seven churches which are in Asia…”
— Revelation 1:4
And again:
“Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches…”
— Revelation 1:11
The messages in Revelation chapters 2–3are:
- Addressed to seven real, historical churches in Asia Minor: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea
- The symbolic meaning of seven is one of completeness or perfection, meaning this was a comprehensive guide to the churches regarding their spiritual health and challenges. Each one of John's churches had a trait that represented the type of believer there (IE Ephesus was love, Smyrna was perfection, Laodiceas was lukewarmness).