Angels of The Seven Churches

Each church had a specific angel who was the guardian of the church’s performance. These angels had many functions due to which the church could be run in the best way in society; however, there is some debate about these angels which we are going to examine in detail.

Were They Angels or Humans?

People have different viewpoints about these angels; some say these are the angels who are placed to protect the church. Just as a person has a specific angel and this angel is assigned by God to protect that person, in the same way every church has an angel whose task is to protect the church from internal and external attacks and corruption. In the same way, some people say that these angels are not actually angels, but are human beings. Actually, in the Greek language, angels are taken to mean human beings, so it may be that this angel’s name was used to refer to humans.

According to Henry Alford, these angels are actually angels who are the guardians of the church. However, Epiphanius said that these angels are not actually angels because the priests of the church are also called by the name of Angel. It can also be proved that this name of angels has been used for humans because angels cannot be said to have been working with all their heart and good intentions before, but now they have forgotten their former love. Angels don’t do that because God made angels to never make mistakes, only humans can make mistakes.

Another discussion also confirms that the word angel used in the Bible is actually used for human beings. Because it uses the word you and your, as a singular name. So it is aimed at the person who was the pastor of that church. However, some people say that it is actually an angel because they are threatened with punishment because when a sinful man dies, the angel associated with him is punished first. So it is possible that this is a reference to the original angels. An example of this is that when Israel’s sins were brought to destruction, Israel’s Garden Angel, Michael, was the first to be punished.

The biggest evidence that proves that the word angel is not used for real angels but for humans is that angels are given direct teachings and orders by God, so why did God say to John and through him Send messages to the angels. God could tell the angels directly? Therefore it is proved that the word angel used in John’s epistles does not refer to actual angels but to humans. And in Greek, the word angel means human.

Role of Angels

These angels are reserved for each church so that they can provide spiritual training for their respective churches. The work of these Angels is to instruct the church in the right way and teach them so that their faith can be strengthened. In addition, the work of these Angels is to comfort and explain them in difficulties so that they act with courage. And face difficulties head on. If careless work is done in the churches, it is the work of these angels to deliver the message of punishment, and if the church does good work and diligently conveys the right message to the people, then the work of these angels is to deliver the message of rewards from God to the people. Overall, the work of these angels is to provide spiritual training and reminders to the churches.

7 Churches And Their Angels

In John’s epistles he wrote to the angels of the seven churches and told them that God had sent them messages and that they should follow them.

Church of Ephesus

Ephesus was a city known for its trade. The church there, with its hard work and effort, brought the right message to the people and fought against the false teachers. On this they were appraised that they had done a great work, but they did not have the same spirit of faith and love as they used to do before. Therefore, they should bring back the love and work hard to convey God’s message to the people. If they do this, they will have eternal life, otherwise they will be removed from their appointed place.

Reference

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands: “I know your works, your toil and your endurance. I know that you cannot tolerate evildoers; you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not and have found them to be false. I also know that you are enduring and bearing up for the sake of my name and that you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember, then, from where you have fallen; repent and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this is to your credit: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers, I will give permission to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God. (Revelation 2:1-7)

Church of Smyrna

Smyrna was a very rich area but it was against Christianity, due to which the churches there faced a lot of difficulties, but despite these difficulties, they did not let their faith weaken and persevered. God then gave them the good news that they will be rewarded for their faithfulness and steadfastness, but there are tests for them and they must meet these tests in order to be given eternal life and saved from punishment.

Reference

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of the First and the Last, who was dead and came to life: “I know your affliction and your poverty, even though you are rich. I know the slander on the part of those who say that they are Jews and are not but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Beware, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have affliction. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Whoever conquers will not be harmed by the second death. (Revelation 2:8-11)

Church of Pergamum

There was a lot of idolatry in the area where the church of Pergamum was located. Nevertheless, this church continued to preach Christianity and kept its faith strong. There were also many people who turned to idolatry, so God gave the message to the angel of Pergamum to stand firm in their faith because there is a trial for them and those who turned to idolatry, stay away from them. If they also go towards idolatry, then they will be given the wrath of God. However, those who remain steadfast and continue to walk on the straight path will soon be eased and rewarded.

Reference

“And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword: “I know where you are living, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you are holding fast to my name, and you did not deny your faith in me even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan lives. But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel, so that they would eat food sacrificed to idols and engage in sexual immorality. So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent, then. If not, I will come to you soon and wage war against them with the sword of my mouth. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it. (Revelation 2:12-17)

Church of Thyatira

The angel of Thyatira was told by God that they were very steadfast in faith, because of which they were given the good news that if they remained steadfast in this way, they would be blessed more. However, some people had started following Jezebel’s teachings. God said if these people continue to do so, they will be punished, but good people will be rewarded for their good deeds.

Reference

“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze: “I know your works: your love, faith, service, and endurance. I know that your latest works are greater than the first. But I have this against you: you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet and is teaching and beguiling my servants to engage in sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.  Beware, I am throwing her on a bed, and those who commit adultery with her I am throwing into great distress, unless they repent of her doings, and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am the one who searches minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you as your works deserve. But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call ‘the deep things of Satan,’ to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden; only hold fast to what you have until I come. To everyone who conquers and continues to do my works to the end, I will give authority over the nations,to rule them with an iron scepter, as when clay pots are shattered— “even as I also received authority from my Father. To the one who conquers I will also give the morning star. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. (Revelation 2:18-29)

Church of Sardis

God said about the church in Sardis that people worship God outwardly but their hearts are not directed toward God. God gave a message to the angel of Sardis that if they continued to do so, they would be punished suddenly. If they start walking on the straight path of God and keep faith in God outwardly as well as inwardly, they will be honored by wearing white clothes.

Reference

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works; you have a name of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up and strengthen what remains and is on the point of death, for I have not found your works perfect in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard; obey it and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. Yet you have still a few persons in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes; they will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. If you conquer, you will be clothed like them in white robes, and I will not erase your name from the book of life; I will confess your name before my Father and before his angels. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” (Revelation 3:1-6)

Church of Philadelphia

The church in Philadelphia was given good news by God and it was also said that those people are very strong in faith and God gave them comfort that they will be given an eternal place because of the strength of their faith. They will be richly rewarded, the only condition being that they always keep their faith strong and remain steadfast in the path of God.

Reference

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the Holy One, the True One, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens: “I know your works. Look, I have set before you an open door that no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not but are lying—I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. Because you have kept my word of endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming soon; hold fast to what you have, so that no one takes away your crown. If you conquer, I will make you a pillar in the temple of my God; you will never go out of it. I will write on you the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem that comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. (Revelation 3:7-13)

Church of Laodicea

Regarding the church of Laodicea, God told them that their faith was not warm, but Luke warmed. Some of them were inclined towards God while some actions were against their God. They believed in God but did not fully believe and their faith was weakened. Due to which God told them to show warmth in their faith and correct their deeds, otherwise they will be punished. If they strengthen their faith, then God will give them a very high position.

Reference

“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the origin of God’s creation: “I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. For you say, ‘I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.’ You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Therefore I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich, and white robes to clothe yourself and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. I reprove and discipline those whom I love. Be earnest, therefore, and repent. Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you with me. To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” (Revelation 3:14-22)

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The purpose of these messages from God to these seven churches was to tell them about their deeds and to inform them of the reward and punishment. May those who are steadfast be encouraged and those who are prone to sin be warned so that they may turn to the path of God.