How many churches did John write to in the book of Revelations?
John was well aware of the seven main continents of the earth, and gave the term “churches” as those who gather and belong to a group of people of the same belief and faith. By using the terms of his day relative to Asia and some of its cities, John hid (with divine purpose) the knowledge he had of the other continents outside of the known world in his time. The symbolism of “seven” represents the seven main continents of the entire earth, and throughout Revelation continually symbolizes all the people of the earth. The New Testament editors knew little to nothing of any continents other than the region they occupied or legends of more distant places; therefore, they transcribed John’s allegory and presented it as a revelation relevant to the Christian churches known by them at that time, having no idea that the revelation was meant for the latter days when world geography would include seven main continents. The intent of John’s message is for everyone upon all the continents and isle
As others say, 7. I take the place of the churches, Asia Minor, as a metaphor and consider that the book of Revelation (the vision given to John) is more for people of today than people 2000 years ago. Asia Minor is metaphor for the whole earth and so consider that God recognizes 7 churches, not 1. Augustine left out that in the third church addressed, Satan has a seat, and that in the fourth church, only part of it is false having been infected with the false prophetess of Jezebel and failing to take the opportunity for repentance that was given. The other half that did repent, Jesus tells them that they who have resisted Satan are fine and to hold on to what they have until he returns. And to the fifth church, it is the church that is dead in some translations, but that church’s prophet who is said to be dead in other translations.
