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In seventeenth century England,  when the King James Bible was translated,  candles were generally used for lighting purposes.  Because of this fact, the translators chose the word candlesticks for Rev 2:12 and other verses.  In fact,  in the historic Middle East candles were not used.  Instead LAMPSTANDS which burned olive oil with a wick were used.  Clearly a better word would be lampstands, for our Lord Himself revealed this in His parable of the ten virgins Mat 25:1-13.

Moses was commanded by God to make a lampstand of pure gold Ex 25:31-40 which was placed in the tabernacle and later in the temple.  This lampstand had a central lamp and three more lamps on each side,  making a total of seven lamps.  Pure, golden olive oil was burned with linen wicks to provide light.  Pure olive oil has long been a symbol for God's holy spirit of power.  It is this spirit that empowers us to obey God and let the example of our light shine,  just like the burning oil lamp.  If we run out of this spiritual oil our light will begin to flicker and die Mat 25:8.  Let us also remember that the two olive branches who stand by the Lord of the whole earth, empty the golden oil out of themselves into the seven lampstands Zec 4:2-3 and Zec 4:11-14,  thus by God's power,  infusing the seven churches with the holy spirit and reviving them.

In Rev 1:20 we are told that the seven lamps are the seven churches,  thus implying that their lights are shining as an example for the whole world Mat 5:14.  The term candle,  completely obscures the reality,  that their light can only shine because of the presence of the holy spirit, which is only given to those who obey God Acts 5:32.  The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches.  Each one over a specific church, helping Christ with that church.

It is the unfortunate habit of some to pick only those scriptures that appear complimentary or positive and apply those words to themselves.  Saying,  in their arrogant pride,  that there are no criticisms of themselves in God's word.  This is especially true of the messages to the seven churches,  everyone thinks that they are Philadelphian and no one considers whether any of the other messages might be helpful to themselves.  ALL scripture was written for our profit and instruction 2 Ti 3:16-17, Rom 15:4 and 1 Cor 10:6.  Let us therefore honestly read these messages and ask ourselves if they apply to us.

EPHESUS
Rev 2:1-7

You are hard working, patient and loyal. You cannot bear evil and you test those who claim authority from God,  rejecting those who are not teaching consistently with God's word.  You acknowledge God's name, His authority as paramount.  You hate the deeds of the Nicolaitanes (conquerers of the people, those who like to be in authority themselves, bullies, tyrants ) which Christ also hates. You have left your first love and no longer do your first works.  You have grown weary of well doing.

Have we grown weary, tired, complacent?  Do we no longer LOVE the truth enough to seek it out?  Are we now willing to let others lead us about,  because we have lost the desire to find out for ourselves?  Do we no longer question WHAT WE ARE TOLD?  No longer comparing men's words to the word of God?  Are we content to be followers of men and no longer be the followers of God only?  Have we forgotten our LOVE for God and His truth?

Examine ourselves brethren, for if any of this is true about us,  we need to REPENT or Christ will come upon us quickly and put out our light.  He will REJECT us.  Verse 5 shows that the EPHESUS church will exist at the coming of Christ!

SMYRNA
Rev 2:8-11

You have many good works but suffer in physical poverty,  through many tribulations.  You shall suffer many things including persecutions and martyrdoms.  Fear not,  for you are rich in Godly things.  If you remain faithful,  you will receive a crown of life.There is no criticism here, only encouragement to remain faithful.

PERGAMOS
Rev 2:12-17

You live in the place where satan dwells, yet you hold fast to my name (my authority) and have not denied my faith, even when some were martyred.You have some who; have the doctrine of Balaam (selling out for reward),  You have some who commit fornication, physically and spiritually (the sin of disloyalty),  You have some who eat things sacrificed to idols (allow persons or things to come between them and God,  physically consuming unclean things and spiritually taking in unclean thoughts and false doctrines,  instead of the pure word of God.),  And, some who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes  (dominating others), which Christ hates.REPENT or I will come unto thee quickly and fight against those who do these things.Verse 16 shows that the church of PERGAMOS will exist at the coming of Christ!

THYATIRA
Rev 2:18-29

You have works, charity, service, faith and patience and your works increase over time.You permit Jezabel to seduce my servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols.I will cast those who commit adultery with her (who are disloyal to ME) into great tribulation if they do not repent.  To the faithful, I say, hold fast till I come Rev 2:25.Verse 25 shows that THYATIRA will be present when Christ returns!

SARDIS
Rev 3:1-6

You have a name and you exist,  but you are ready to die.  Remember the things of God, hold fast to them and repent.  Watch for ME, or I will come upon thee suddenly and catch you by surprise.Verse 3 shows that SARDIS will be present when Christ comes!

PHILADELPHIA
Rev 3:7-13

I know thy works.  You have kept my word (my commandments) and have not denied my name (my authority).  You have some strength and have kept my word patiently.  Hold fast and let no man take your crown (deceive you).I will keep you from the hour of trial and I will make you a permanent pillar in the temple of my God (a pillar is able to stand alone, if necessary, it stands firmly upon the foundation of God's word Eph 2:20 and is strong enough to bear some of the weight of the structure).  Pillars are also scattered throughout the whole temple structure, perhaps indicating that those faithful people are scattered individuals instead of in one corporate body. It should be noted however, that this church was united together in Philadelphia in the first century  and it appears that it would be necessary for them to be united at the end to be kept from the hour of trial. I will write upon you the name of my God and the name of the city of my God (you shall be given  authority as God's representative and  the authority of the capitol city, for you have proven that you may be trusted to be loyal to God).  An open door has been given you (giving you direct access to God, for your obedient and repentant attitude, of always putting GOD FIRST in ALL THINGS).Verse 10 shows that PHILADELPHIA will be present when Christ comes!

LAODICEA
Rev 3:14-22

You are lukewarm, you think that you are spiritually rich and have need of nothing.  You know it all, no one can tell you anything.  Because you are utterly self-righteous, Christ will vomit you out of His body. I will chasten you because I love you and if you REPENT I will forgive you.  Buy gold tried in the fire (get wisdom through tribulation), get white raiment (by repentance for white raiment is the righteousness of the saints Rev 19:8) and anoint your eyes that you may see.  (seek the oil of the holy spirit to open your eyes to understanding of the things of God) For you ARE BLIND AND DO NOT REALIZE HOW TRUELY SPIRITUALLY POOR YOU REALLY ARE.Verse 18 and 19 speaking of severe correction and trial speaks of the great tribulation and the presence of LAODICEA at the return of Christ! 

If we let the bible interpret itself, we see that, all seven churches existed at the same time.  That the messages to all seven churches were given at the same time.  And, at least six of the seven churches are specifically mentioned as being present at the return of Christ.  Clearly ALL seven churches exist at the same time.  Zec 4:11-14  also shows us that the two annointed ones empty oil into all seven churches at the same time.  Finally, ALL SEVEN branches of the lampstand were burning at the same time in the temple, showing that the lights of ALL SEVEN churches were shining together, at the same time.

Each of these churches has different strengths, weaknesses and attitudes, it is possible that a particular church attitude dominates during a specific time, but all seven churches still exist together.  In this way all seven churches could co-exist and yet, one dominate church could give way to another dominate attitude over time.  Again, All seven churches exist together, but there is room for each church to have it's time, as well.

Since all seven churches exist at the end time, it is especially important that each of us examine ourselves honestly and correct ourselves, when necessary, before God must correct us Himself. We must make certain that we are filled with the holy oil, given to those who obey God Acts 5:32 so that our light may shine brightly Mat 5:16.

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