In The Revelation of Jesus Christ, seven churches are addressed:
The Loveless Church
Rev 2:2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;
The Persecuted Church
:9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
The Compromising Church
:13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
The Corrupt Church
:19 “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.
The Dead Church
3:1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,
‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.
The Faithful Church
:8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name
The Lukewarm Church
:15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
Jesus Christ in this revelation is described (1:14): “His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire”. When addressing one of the above churches (The Corrupt Church), He is once again described in this manner: “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire”. In each of these churches, Jesus gives promises to “He that overcomes”:
-He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.
-To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.
-To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.
-And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations.
-He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
-He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. 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 out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.
-To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
Those who were found in each church were told of their opportunity to overcome the situation they found themselves in. In one particular church, the corrupt church, Jesus is described with eyes like a flame of fire. This particular church had many positive works of love (agape), service, faith, and patience yet it was dealing with the corrupt nature. The spirit of Jezebel is mentioned as a problem in this church. She was known for her persecution of the Remnant of Grace in the days of Elijah (1 Kings 18:4; 19:14). Jezebel’s goal is to derail the anointing associated with the 3rd Baptism of Love (by fire). This spirit of Jezebel will use compromise, envy, strife, idolatry, and other means to distract those who are called to be overcomers. Jezebel’s spirit is a usurper of authority. The 3rd Baptism is the culmination of authority given be the One whose eyes are like a flame of fire:
Rev. 19:12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.
Jesus Christ’s return was connected to those in the fourth church dealing with the Jezebel spirit. His Baptism of Love by fire will remove any corruption or chaff and their works of love, service, faith, and patience will be rewarded. What condition are your “works” in?
The Spirit of the Lord
The Seven Spirits of God were distributed to the Seven Churches. These Seven Spirits mentioned in Rev. 1:4 are listed in Isaiah 11:2. These correlate with the seven churches as follows:
Church Spirit Given Reward Ephesus Spirit of the Lord Tree of Life Smyrna Understanding
Crown of Life Pergamos Counsel White Stone Thyatira Knowledge Morning Star Sardis Wisdom White Clothes Philadelphia Strength (Might) Pillar in Temple Laodicea Fear of the Lord Sit in Throne