The raising of the Church of Overcomers. 

1. Ephesus – The Solid Yet Loveless Church

Revelation 2:3-4 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

Commended: Strong doctrine, endurance.

Rebuked: Left their first love.

Call: Repent and return to intimacy with Christ.

Promise: Access to the Tree of Life—a reward for renewed passion, not mere survival.

2. Smyrna – The Rescued Church

Revelation 2:10 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Commended: Faithfulness under persecution.

No rebuke—only encouragement.

Call: Be faithful unto death.

Promise: The Crown of Life, a reward (not salvation) for enduring love in trials.

3. Pergamum – The Intimate Yet Compromised Church

Revelation 2:16-17 16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’

Commended: Loyal even where Satan’s throne is.

Rebuked: Tolerance of false teaching.

Call: Repent and resist compromise.

Promise: Hidden manna (intimacy) and a white stone (personal approval and new name).

4. Thyatira – The Shining Church with Hidden Sin

Revelation 2:25-29 25 Only hold fast what you have until I come. 26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, 27 and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Commended: Love, faith, service, growing works.

Rebuked: Tolerance of Jezebel—spiritual seduction.

Call: Hold fast; resist seduction.

Promise: Authority over nations and the Morning Star—symbolizing intimacy with Christ and Kingdom glory shining through them.

5. Sardis – The Honoring Church

Some scholars understand that the 7 churches should be divided into two groups. The first four churches Ephesus, Pergamum, Smyrna and Thyatira, are often seen as churches that are no longer present in a significant way today or represent the early to medieval church ages. They are sometimes associated with corruption, persecution, or compromise (except Smyrna).

The second group, the last three churches, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, are seen as churches that continue until the return of Christ.

Sardis – The Reformation Church, with incomplete reform.

Philadelphia – Faithful remnant, united, missionary and favored church.

Laodicea – Apostate, modern, liberal or self-reliant church.

Let’s dive in.

Sardis was once a symbol of wealth and military might. The city was known for its fortress-like acropolis and its production of textiles and dyes, particularly a distinctive red dye. 

Revelation 3:1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.

(Revelation 1:4) “Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before His throne.”

Isaiah 11:2 prophecy is commonly associated with the sevenfold manifestation of the Holy Spirit:

“And the 1. Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the 2. Spirit of wisdom and 3. understanding, the 4. Spirit of counsel and 5. might, the 6. Spirit of knowledge and the 7.fear of the Lord.” (Isaiah 11:2)

The seven stars represent the angels (messengers) of the seven churches. They are held in Christ’s right hand. Jesus has sovereign control and protective authority over the churches. Many people think that the church is under man's power and control, but that is a wrong belief. 

(Revelation 1:20) “As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.”

a. Wake up 

Revelation 3:1-4 “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. 

Sardis settled into spiritual apathy. It is a Spiritual stagnation, maybe because of cultural conformity and religious formalism.

It is time to wake up.

Luke 21:34-36 34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

The rebuke over Sardis is more severe than most others. There is no praise for the church as a whole. Only a remnant is commended. 

The incomplete works of Sardis can only be completed by the Spirit of God in us. 

(Philippians 1:6, ESV) “And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

The fixing of the Spirit is by reminding us.  

…Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent.

The image of the thief serves not as a condemnation but as a caution of an unexpected catch. It represents the rapture- Christ’s return for His overcoming bride. This event can either bring a joyful surprise or act as a trap.

Matthew 24:42-44 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

will confess his name

b. Let Jesus speak your name.

Revelation 3:5-6 5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

The overcomer receives eternal public recognition:

Luke 12:8 (ESV)“Everyone who acknowledges Me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God.”

Reflect on everyone who has faithfully served the Lord; due to their loyal work for Christ, He will recognize throughout eternity that the love, commitment, and dedication of these Overcomers have enabled many to find a place in heaven. I don’t know about you, but being recognized by someone significant brings a form of glory and satisfaction that nothing in this world can match.

6.Philadelphia – The completely owned Church

Philadelphia—its very name means “brotherly love.” It was a small city strategically placed along a major Roman trade route in Asia Minor, a gateway city. Unlike most other churches, Philadelphia receives no rebuke from the risen Christ—only commendation and promises.

Revelation 3:7 7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘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.

To this church, Jesus is not a historical fidure. He is the Holy One, the True One”, titles drawn from the Old Testament Yahweh language. For us, Jesus is divine. He is God with The Father and the Spirit.

(Isaiah 43:15, ESV). “I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.”

a.The most powerful key

 Jesus comes with the key of David. He opens and no one will shut. He shuts and no one opens.

Matthew 18:18-20 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

He is entrusting us with Key. 

Matthew 16:18-19 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

The church now has the chance to open the gates of heaven and close the gates of hell. It's time to preach, share, and invite everyone to enter. The door to God is open.

Revelation 3:8 8 “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

The church had little strength—that’s what He says. There is not much worldly power or influence. Maybe that’s how you sometimes feel—insignificant, weak, unknown. But it does not matter to be used by Jesus. He wants to use you. That is why you are working where you are. That is why you are in this specific school. Let’s go.

b.Unashamedly loved

Revelation 3:9 9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.

There is no greater glory than to brag about God's love and favor on your life. 

Romans 8:33-35 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

May you learn to boast about God’s goodness and favor in your life. As much suffering and trials there is out there, in us, the father delights. 

(Psalm 35:27, ESV) “Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, ‘Great is the Lord, who delights in the welfare of His servant!’”

This is the most explicit statement of God delighting in the welfare (Hebrew: shalom) of His servant. The term shalom includes peace, completeness, safety, and prosperity—not mere absence of trouble but full flourishing.

(Zephaniah 3:17, ESV) “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing.”

c. A pillar in the temple

Revelation 3:10-13 10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. 11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. 12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

The promise of three names written on the overcomer—God’s name, the name of the city of God (the New Jerusalem), and Christ’s new name—represents three affirmations of identity and reward. 

To bear God’s name is to be marked as one who belongs forever to the Father; 

To receive the name of the New Jerusalem is to be granted a permanent place in the eternal Kingdom as a citizen of the heavenly city; 

To receive Christ’s new name is to enter into a unique and honored relationship with our risen Lord, a distinction reserved for who walk as overcome through His.

Romans 8:32-37 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;

we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

7. Laodicea – The most loved Church

Revelation 3:14-16 14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.

15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

You open the letter to Laodicea and wonder, where is love there?

Laodicea was a wealthy, influential city in Asia Minor—today's modern-day Turkey. A booming banking industry—Laodicea was so wealthy that when an earthquake destroyed the city in AD 60, it refused financial help from Rome. They rebuilt it themselves. It was known for fine black wool—exported widely, a symbol of fashion and pride. It was home to a famous medical school, known especially for a healing eye salve that brought sight to many.

But the city had one glaring issue: its water supply. Unlike its neighbors—Colossae, with its cold, refreshing springs, and Hierapolis, known for its hot healing waters—Laodicea’s water was lukewarm by the time it reached the city. Neither hot nor cold, it was unpleasant to drink. It made people gag.

Jesus wasn’t speaking about their temperature—He was speaking about their spiritual uselessness.

“You are not cold and refreshing, nor hot and healing. You are lukewarm—and I am about to spit you out of My mouth.”

That’s not the voice of a stranger. That is the voice of a Savior grieved by the apathy of His people.

1. Because He loves us, we can buy blessings with His grace

Revelation 3:17-19 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

He loves you. He loves the prodigal. He loves the backslidden. He loves the cold of heart. He is calling you again.

The issue with autonomy that depends on natural elements is that when those elements are disrupted by an earthquake or other instability, it can completely alter your behavior. You may lose your temper, feel stressed, and let anxiety take control. However, through Christ, God desires to reshape your reality now, allowing you to prepare for the future.

Whenever there is an opportunity for purchase mentioned in the Bible, it signifies an invitation to discover His grace.

(Isaiah 55:1–2, ESV) “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?”

(Revelation 21:6, ESV) “To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.”

(Proverbs 23:23, ESV) “Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.”

James 1:5–6 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.”

The sole element of "price" or "effort" involved, solely encompasses the act of faith. It involves the humility to ask. It's about approaching him and simply making the request. All other costs have already been covered.

Revelation 3:20-22 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”Christ is not threatening to throw the Laodiceans into hell—He’s warning them that their spiritual apathy will result in loss of fellowship, loss of fruitfulness, and ultimately loss of reward.

This is not an evangelistic appeal to unbelievers (as commonly misunderstood) but a call to renewed fellowship with believers.

It time to share meal, have intimacy with the Lord again. He wants you to know you are accepted

John 14:23 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

But the invitation remains open:

“Open the door. Let Me in. Fellowship with Me again. And if you overcome, I will share My throne with you.”

Overcomer, hear what The Spirit Says

The common phrases are for all the church are :

"the one who conquers"

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”

It is time to listen to the Spirit. By half of the book of Revelation we see that appeal again. In Revelation 13:9

(Revelation 13:9, ESV) “If anyone has an ear, let him hear:”

It is a very different context. This verse is addressed during the Great Tribulation. The Seven Seals are opened, and the Seven Trumpets are blown. The Beast, the Anti-Christ, has risen.

Now, the phrase “what the Spirit says to the churches” is not there. Why? Because the Church of Overcomers was no longer on earth at that point.

Now is the time to hear the voice of the Spirit. Now.

2 Corinthians 6:2 “For He says, ‘In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

Hebrews 3:7-8 7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says,

“Today, if you hear his voice,

8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,