Seven Churches in Revelation

Revelation 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and 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. [kjv]

λεγουσης ο βλεπεις γραψον εις βιβλιον και πεμψον ταις επτα εκκλησιαις εις εφεσον και εις σμυρναν και εις περγαμον και εις θυατειρα και εις σαρδεις και εις φιλαδελφειαν και εις λαοδικειαν [gnt]

In Revelation, John acts as a messenger telling us what Jesus says. The first few chapters are (short) letters to the Seven Churches in Revelation. Each is in a city in what is today Asia Minor.

Revelation 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and 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. [kjv]

λεγουσης ο βλεπεις γραψον εις βιβλιον και πεμψον ταις επτα εκκλησιαις εις εφεσον και εις σμυρναν και εις περγαμον και εις θυατειρα και εις σαρδεις και εις φιλαδελφειαν και εις λαοδικειαν [gnt]

The seven letters to the seven churches of Revelation were written, from Jesus through John, to actual churches in Asia Minor (western Turkey today).

1. City: Ephesus
2. City: Smyrna/Izmir
3. Pergamum/Pergamus
4. Thyatira
5: Sardus
6. Philadelphia : Revelation 3:10 Word play in Philadelphia
7. Laodicea

Revelation 1:11

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KJV: Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and 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.

Greek: λεγουσης εγω ειμι το α και το ω ο πρωτος και ο εσχατος και ο βλεπεις γραψον εις βιβλιον και πεμψον ταις επτα εκκλησιαις ταις εν ασια εις εις εφεσον και εις σμυρναν και εις περγαμον και εις θυατειρα και εις σαρδεις και εις φιλαδελφειαν και εις λαοδικειαν

Greek Ephesus is today called "Efes".
Greek Smyrna is today called "Izmir".
Greek Thyateira is today called "Akhisar".
Greek Sardis is today called "Sart".
Greek Philadelphia is today called "Alaşehir".
Greek Laodicea is today called "Denizli".

Ephesus was a Greek city an the west coast of what is today Turkey. The Turkish name is "Efes".

Ephesus had a long history in Greek philosophy, science, mathematics, etc. Paul writes to Ephesus (and Timothy, bishop of Ephesus) using ideas that would resonate with them.

More: City: Ephesus

In Revelation, to the apostate church at Laodicea, where Jesus has to knock on the door because he is not allowed in, we have the following verse.

Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. [kjv]

3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. [kjv]

More: Seeking damages from zealous jealousy

Revelation 3:19

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KJV: As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Greek: εγω οσους εαν φιλω ελεγχω και παιδευω ζηλωσον ζηλευε ουν και μετανοησον

Wycliffe: Y repreue, and chastise whom Y loue; therfor sue thou goode men, and do penaunce.

Tyndale: As many as I love I rebuke and chasten. Be fervent therfore and repet.

Revelation 3:20

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KJV: Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Greek: ιδου εστηκα επι την θυραν και κρουω εαν τις ακουση της φωνης μου και ανοιξη την θυραν εισελευσομαι προς αυτον και δειπνησω μετ αυτου και αυτος μετ εμου