What are the seven churches of Revelation?
The seven churches are seven real congregations in the Roman province of Asia that the risen Christ addressed by name through John: "send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea" (Rev 1:11). Each received its own letter in Revelation 2 and 3.
What the text states
From his exile on Patmos, John was told to write "unto the seven churches which are in Asia" and to name them: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea (Rev 1:11). These were real cities on a real circuit in what is now western Turkey. Christ is seen walking among seven golden candlesticks, and He gives the picture its meaning: "the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches" (Rev 1:20). Each church then receives a letter from Him (Revelation 2 and 3), naming what He commends, what He holds against it, and what He calls it to. The letters are His own assessment of His own churches, in His own words.
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Verified. Every scripture quotation on this page has been checked word-for-word against the King James text. Last reviewed 2026-10-07.
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