Known as the loveless church, was located at a major harbour on the Aegean Sea and housed one of the seven wonders of the ancient world (a temple to Artemis).

Founded by Paul, this was the most prominent church in Asia Minor and the 4th largest city in the Roman world. There was widespread slavery, prostitution and idol worship throughout city and gladiator fights were held in 10.000 seat stadium.

The home of Homer and the temple of Athena, was a beautiful, bustling seaport. In the second century A.D., Rome martyred Polycarp, its bishop.

There was no rebuke for this persecuted church. Although they were continually under physical hardship, the people of Smyrna were promised that they would not be hurt by the second death. They were encouraged to stay faithful, even when facing physical death.

This is the location of Rome's provincial capital, was a major cultural hub that housed a library rivaling the famed Alexandrian library.

This church was also known as the tolerant church. Although they refused to deny Christ, they allowed sin like idols, immorality, cults and heresies to remain among them.

The church of Thyatira had love, faith and good works. They were even patient people who were eager to grow. Where they fell short was their doctrine, which was infiltrated by idolatry, sexual sin and pagan traditions.

Almost all of the people in the church of Sardis had fallen asleep spiritually, except for a small remnant of believers. The Dead Church was encouraged to kindle and revive any small bit of faith they had left.

Known as the "Gateway to the East, was renowned for its grapes, textiles, and leather goods.

Philadelphia did well. There was no rebuke for this church of faith. They kept the name of Jesus and never denied it. There is a promise in the kingdom of heaven for these Christians.

Laodicea lay in Phrygia’s Lycus Valley, ten miles west of Colosse and six miles south of Hierapolis. Pagan worship, especially of Zeus but also of numerous other deities flourished there.

We know from Acts 13:14–50 and 14:15 that a significant Jewish community lived in and around Laodicea. However, they seem to have blended into Greek culture in many respects. We know this because, by the third century, illustrations on some coins had mixed together Jewish and pagan versions of the Flood stories.

Laodicea boasted great resources, but had a poor water supply. Ancient sources state that it was full of sediment, and excavation of the city’s terra cotta pipes reveal thick lime deposits, which suggest heavy contamination. Because Laodicea had to pipe in its water, it grew lukewarm by the time of its arrival.

The point of lukewarm water is simply that it is disgusting, in contrast to the more directly useful “hot” and “cold” water.

Jesus thus finds the church in Laodicea to be other than what he desires  (Isa. 5:2–6).

In today’s English, he is telling the self-satisfied church in Laodicea: “I want water that will refresh me, but you remind me instead of the water you always complain about.”

Revelation 3:14-22