The appraisal of each church by the Lord contains mostly the same elements but specifically dealing with the issue of each church.

Each appraisal contains

A description of Jesus as the head of each church.
A description of condition or situation in the church
A recommendation, remedy or call for repentance for each church,
A reward for the church if it obeys the Lord and
An invitation to any individual in the church

Ephesus – The Church That Left Their First Love: Revelation 2:1–7 1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Description of the Lord Jesus, Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks. Each description of the Lord is taken from the first vision John had of Jesus back in chapter 1. This description shows Jesus as the one who has the authority over the churches and pastors.

The Description of the churches is, in most cases, both positive and negative only two churches have no negative attributes and only two have no positive ones. Jesus says to Ephesus, “I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:  And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

This was a hardworking, involved, active church. It did not tolerate evil, or false teachers, it was strong and enduring for the name of Christ. This was a busy church, standing for truth and standing strong in the midst of trial.

And yet there was something that the Lord needed to correct, and it was not a minor issue. “Nevertheless, he says, “I have somewhat against thee, because you have left your first love.”

Ephesus the most important city in the region, with the most important church had left their first love. First love here means first in order of priority. The first love of a church is Jesus Christ and Ephesus had fallen out of love with their Savior and Lord.

The Lord now tells the church, “5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. This church had to do two things, it had to “Remember and repent, in order to do the first works. Get back in love with Jesus and to the reason they were saved, baptized and joined together as a church.  

If they respond to the Lord’s invitation then he says, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcomes, I will give the reward of eating of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”

This invitation from Christ is to any individual within the church who will respond to the word given by the Spirit and begin to bring a change in the church. All of the rewards to the churches and the individual in the church who would respond are always reminders of what awaits them in heaven. Here it is to eat of the tree of life, in the midst of the paradise of God. The tree that once stood in Eden and one day will stand again in heaven.

Jesus says this will be given to him that overcomes, to him that conquers. That title of overcomer is not something that super Christians can accomplish. John had earlier defined an overcomer in 1 John 5:4–5 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

We have become so engrossed in the work of the Lord that we have forgotten the Lord of the work. - A. W. Tozer

Pergamum: The Worldly Polluted Church - Revelation 2:12–17 12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Jesus is now described as, “he which hath the sharp sword with two edges.” He holds judgment over the church. From the very start his assessment of the Pergamos church is negative.

He does tell them that they still honor his name and have not denied his name. They do honor Jesus name, in spite of their surroundings. They have not denied the faith, even in the face of death and martyrdom.

But this church which once stood strong even when confronted by death, has now opened itself to the teachings of Balaam and also allowed in their membership those which believe like the Nicolaitans. Balaam was an OT prophet who set Israel on the path to compromise with the idolatrous nations around them, and Nicolatianism is a word that means "Rule over the laity" in other words these were people who were spiritual elitists, they believed they had superior ability or spiritual insight and therefore they should rule over others in the church.

Jesus tells them to “Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”

If they repent then He will, “give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” Without going into detail for sake of time, again these rewards to the overcomer centers on Jesus and our reward in heaven.

A Pergamos church is one which has allowed the world to mix or even define its worship of Jesus. This is a church which has usurped local church authority, with elitists either inside the church or boards, conventions, or presbyteries outside the local church now ruling in the place of Jesus Christ through each person within the church membership.

Let me give you some more quotes for Tozer who was well know as a critic of the modern church even though the church he criticized was over 50 years ago.

Evangelical Christianity is now tragically below the New Testament standard. Worldliness is an accepted part of our way of life. Our religious mood is social instead of spiritual. We have lost the art of worship. We are not producing saints. Our models are successful business men, celebrated athletes and theatrical personalities.

Christianity is so entangled with the world that millions never guess how radically they have missed the New Testament pattern. Compromise is everywhere. The world is whitewashed just enough to pass inspection by blind men posing as believers.

The Church has sprung a leak and the world is leaking into the Church. – A. W. Tozer

Thyatira: The Church Of Compromised Morals - Revelation 2:18–29 18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; 19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. 25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. 26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Jesus is seen as the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;” This shows Jesus as holy, pure and worthy to judge his church.

Thyratria is a working church, it is a church that exemplifies charity, service for the Lord, and faith in the Lord. They are doing more now than they were doing when first founded.

But, there is a serious problem of immorality, you allow that woman Jezebel, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

Jezebel in the Old Testament was a prophetess of Baal, she brought the worst form of paganism and sexual immorality into the nation of Israel, this Jezebel was bringing paganism and sexual sin into the Lord’s church.

Once again the Lord tells the church to repent. And his punishment is extremely harsh, “ I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, and I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

For those who still faithful in this polluted church, Jesus tells them to hold fast to the good that they still have. And if they do, he will give them power over the nations and give them the morning star. This of course is another name for Jesus. The reward is more of Jesus.

Sardis: The Dead, Dying Church - Revelation 3:1–6 1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

To Sardis, Jesus presents himself as, “he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars. This shows Jesus as having complete and absolute power over this church

The church at Sardis has no qualities that the Lord can commend. It is truly the dying church. Jesus tells them, “1b. .I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2  Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

They had a reputation, or perhaps a high opinion of themselves but the truth was that they were actually a dead church, incomplete and imperfect before God.

He tells them to hold fast to what remains and repent. And if not he will come like a thief and they will not see Him coming in sudden judgment. Interestingly the city had been conquered twice before while they slept, and now the church was in the same situation.

For the few names even in Sardis, which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy…the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. The undefiled ones will walk with Christ in white, (a symbol of righteousness.) The overcomers will not have their name blotted from the book of Life and Christ will confess their name before God and the angels.

Laodiceans: The Lukewarm Church - Revelation 3:14–22 14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 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. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

To the Laodicean church Jesus is, “the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;” He is the final word, the faithful and true witness and the causative force or creation itself.

The church he describes, as lukewarm and he warns them he will spit them in disgust out of his mouth, away from himself. The church sees itself as rich and needed nothing but Jesus sees them as wretched, miserable, poor blind and naked. Once again just like Sardis there is nothing positive, nothing good that the Lord can commend the church for. This not too bad and not so good, lukewarm church had a false sense of their worth, but Jesus says they are utterly wretched, poverty stricken and blind to their own nakedness.

The remedy Jesus tells them was to buy gold tried in the fire from Christ. This description signifies suffering and sacrifice on behalf of Jesus.  White raiment speaks of purity and righteousness.  Eye salve speaks of healing and spiritual sight.  When they were rebuked they must repent.

Jesus invitation to this, one of the worst churches, is his most personal and passionate. “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.  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.