The seven letters to the seven churches in the second and third chapters of Revelation have been interpreted to mean some very different things. Many believe that each city's church represents a different kind of church that exists today. Some believe that each church represents a specific period in Church history. Some simply believe that they were churches, and nothing more. To me, the seven churches represent the complete church on Earth, the Una Sancta. I don't think they necessarily each represent a different kind of church, or a phase of church history. However, the number seven is used quite frequently in scripture to connote completeness. There is no reason to think otherwise here. If we look at the seven promises to the seven churches, this becomes even more obvious.
In each of the seven letters, Jesus makes a specific promise to "the one who conquers" (ESV, RSV, NRSV - Most others translate 'conquers' as 'overcomes'). Although it is tempting, and common, for us to try to interpret this as Jesus expecting us to be the one's conquering, this is not necessarily the case. The Greek word here used for conquer, or overcome, (νικωντι - nikao) is one that John uses more than any other new testament writer. When used by John, it nearly always refers, at least in part, to Christ's victory over sin, death and Satan. This is first seen in John 16:33, in which Jesus claims to be the one who has overcome the world, and in so doing brings peace. This obviously refers to Christ's work to overcome sin, and overcoming sin is the only way in which true peace is granted to us.
The idea of Christians overcoming through Christ is central to John's first epistle. In 1John 4:4, John tells us that we to have overcome the world and every evil spirit, even the anti-Christ. It is not by our own power, but as John says "for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." This though is made even more explicit in 1John 5:4-5. The Apostle says that all who have been born of God, that is those who have been granted faith, have overcome the world by their faith. It is most obvious that the one who truly overcomes, the one who truly conquers is none-other than God himself.
Thus, when reading these seven letters, and specifically the seven promises to him who overcomes, we should not worry that we will not overcome or that we will not conquer. Christ has conquered, and because of his victory, we too shall be the ones who overcome. "Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5:5)
This message of overcoming or conquering is the central message of the book of Revelation. In these letters to the churches Jesus, through John, makes seven promises which are in fact the entire promise of salvation.
To eat of the tree of life is salvation. To not be hurt by the second death is salvation. (Rev 2:7) To be given food (mannna) from God , and a new name, that of an adopted son is salvation. (Rev 2:17) To be given authority over the nations is salvation. (Rev 2:26-27) To be clothed in white garments, have one's name in the book of life, and be confessed by Jesus himself to the Father is salvation. (Rev 3:5) To be a pillar in the temple of God (read "the church") and have God's name written on you is salvation. (Rev 3:12) To sit with Christ on his throne is salvation. (Rev 3:21)
All of these seven promises make up the complete promise of salvation, promised to the entire church. The book of Revelation is a grand picture of the ongoing battle between God and Satan. And the primary purpose of these letters is to show the readers what the stakes of this battle are. God and Satan are fighting over you and me. The complete promise of salvation will go to him who ultimately conquers. Now that the stage has been set, and the stakes have been made known, the book of Revelation becomes a great comfort in seeing the lamb who conquers. We know the stakes, and we know who will conquer. in Rev 5:5, we are explicitly told that the "Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered." In Rev 6:2, we see our Saviour riding on a white horse "and he came out conquering, and to conquer." The forces of evil will have some victories, and not all will be save from them, they will seem to have won at times (Rev 11:7, Rev 13:7). But in the end, there is only one, the Lamb of God - Jesus Christ, who will conquer all (Rev 17:4). Yet, even in our weakness, we will share in His conquering, we have a part in it because, by our faith we have been made sons of God (Rev 12:11, Rev 15:2, Rev 21:7).
In the book of Revelation, we see the promises of salvation, and we see Jesus Christ our God and Savior conquering the foes to win those promises for the entire church. Amidst all the amazing prophecy and wild imagery, there is nothing more important to take note of, nothing more central and obvious to see, than the fact that Jesus will conquer, and only because of His victory, will we receive the promises of salvation.
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