Revelation Two.

 

The Revelation of Christ.

Revelation Two.

 

1.    JESUS DICTATES LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES.
Revelation 2:1-3:22.

 

The seven letters are contained in two chapters of Revelation. Each letter shares a common structure with the others. The church is selected and described, and an aspect of Jesus’ description is provided along with the statement of a desired response to Jesus as He has just revealed Himself.

Some have taken these churches of Asia Minor as symbols marking the course of church history. Such an interpretation is forced, however. We know that these seven churches did exist in the first century, and there is reason to believe that each is characterized accurately in the seven letters.

At the same time, we can find points of comparison with churches today. Certainly, the words of Jesus to the seven churches of Asia contain many insights which we can and are to apply to ourselves today.

 

1^ST CHURCH: TO THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS. Revelation 2:17.

          “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 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.”

 

Ephesus was one of the churches founded by the apostle Paul. Politically, Ephesus was the seat of the provincial Roman governor and bore the title of the “Supreme Capital of Asia.” Ephesus was also the centre of the cult of the goddess Artemis (Diana). Pilgrims from all over the Mediterranean world undertake a journey there to see the magnificent temple, which served as a bank and often financed the projects of kings.

Under Paul’s ministry, multitudes of citizens turned to the Lord (Acts 19). The Christians publicly burned occult books, and the revival was so great that it threatened the income of those who made their living selling religious idols. A strong and energetic church had been established, and from the Revelation letter to Ephesus the church remained strong and vital.

For thirty to forty years the Christians in Ephesus had persevered and remained patient, labouring for the sake of Jesus’ name and had not become weary Revelation 2:3 “And you have persevered and have patience and have laboured for My name's sake and have not become weary.”

“These things say He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks during the seven golden lampstands: “I know your works, your labour, 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; and you have persevered and have patience and have laboured for My name’s sake and have not become weary.

Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have lost your first love. Remember therefore where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. But this you have that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life which is during the Paradise of God.”

 

A. “He who holds the seven stars in His right hand,” Revelation 2:1.

          “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, these things say He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands.”

 

In this letter Jesus presents Himself as sovereign over the seven churches (stars). Jesus is Lord over the church, a theme Paul developed in his epistle to the Ephesians. Christ as Head of the church not only directs and guides, but He also protects and empowers. His authority is something that this church and every church must acknowledge, and to which it must submit.

 

B. “I know your works,” Revelation 2:2-3.

“I know your works, your labour, 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; and you have persevered and have patience and have laboured for My name's sake and have not become weary.”

 

The church has remained faithful and active since its founding. Jesus notes especially that the believers “cannot bear those who are evil” and that they have “tested those who say they are apostles and are not.” Most believe that “those who are evil” are the false apostles mentioned immediately afterward.

It is unlikely that the evil men claimed to be apostles in the sense that the Twelve or Paul were apostles. The New Testament also applies the title “apostle” to travelling teachers and missionaries who travelled from church to church, Romans 16:7 “Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.”

And it is this sense in which those who troubled the Ephesians presented themselves as apostles. But Ephesians were not deceived and remained doctrinally pure. Interestingly, some fifteen years after John’s death, the church father Ignatius wrote to the church at Ephesus and commended them for refusing to provide a “home” to heresy!

 

C. You have left your first love, Revelation 2:4-5.

“Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”

While an outstanding church in many ways Jesus had “this against” the church at Ephesus.

Commentators differ on what that first love was, whether love for the brethren within the community (Ephesians 1:15; 3:17-18) or love for the Lord. Either may be correct, or both may be in view. The solution the problem of lost love, however, is clearly stated in three vital points:

1.    Remember.

2.    Repent.

3.    Go.

This pattern is helpful for us to use in self-examination.

Do we remember what it was like when we first came to know Christ?

Do we recall the excitement and glow of discovery?

And does our heartbeat with the same passion now?

Repent is a simple word, like the military command “about face.” It does not mean be sorry for past sins or for our present spiritual state. It does mean change! Reverse course. Then we will do our former works, and our present works, motivated by pure love (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).

The threat to remove the Ephesians lampstand is a serious one. Without love, a church is doomed to fall into dead accepted belief or purposeless activity. No such church will last long.

 

D. “This you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans,” Revelation 2:6.

          “But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”

 

The identity, beliefs, and practices of the Nicolaitans remain a mystery. Eusebius in his Ecclesiastical History indicates that this group existed for only a short time.

 

E. “What the Spirit says to the churches,” Revelation 2:7.

          “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is during the Paradise of God.”

 

The promise made to “him who overcomes” is for all the churches, not just the Ephesians. This and the promises to the other churches are addressed to end times, having to do with the eternal state as described in Revelation 21 and 22.

Thus, eating from “the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God” is parallels to eating from “the tree of life” in Revelation 22:2.

There is a future for the people of God. And that future is not limited to this tiny planet or by an individual’s brief span of years here. That future is unlimited, to be lived and enjoyed in the Paradise of God.

 

2^ND CHURCH: TO THE CHURCH IN SMYRNA. Revelation 2:8-11.

 

The city of Smyrna, about forty miles north of Ephesus, was noted as the birthplace of the epic poet Homer. It was also a centre of emperor worship and had been given the favour by the Roman Senate of building the first temple to honour the Emperor Tiberius.

Under the Emperor Domitian (a.d. 81–96), who exiled John to Patmos, emperor worship became compulsory. Once each year a citizen had to appear before representatives of the emperor and burn incense on the altar to the god Caesar, after which the citizen received a certificate.

Some sixty years after Revelation was written, the church father Polycarp was burned alive for refusing to make this offering. Eusebius quotes the martyr as saying, “Eighty-six years have I served Christ, and he has never done me wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?”

The active persecution of Christians in this city of some 200,000 is reflected in Jesus’ words to the angel of the church of Sardis. This is the one church about which Christ has no criticism.

“These things say the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: “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. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”

 

A. “The First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life,” Revelation 2:8.

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, “These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life.”

 

Death was the penalty for those who refused to worship the emperor. But Christ was dead and came to life. He conquered death and had a word for those who are in danger of dying for His sake.

 

B. “Those who say they are Jews,” Revelation 2:9.

          “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.”

Apparently, the Jewish population of Smyrna earnestly betrayed to the authorities Christians who did not have their certificates. The Jews had many human rights in the Roman Empire, and one of those would have been exemption from offering sacrifices to the emperor. But the Jewish faith was a recognized religion, and Christianity was classified as an unlawful faith. There was no freedom for Christians.

The Jewish lack of sympathy toward Christians follows a pattern seen often in Acts. Those Jews who did not welcome the gospel message became increasingly hostile to Christians and started persecutions (see for example Acts 13:45, 50 and 14:19).

In writing that the Jews in Smyrna “say they are Jews and are not,” Christ reminds us that those who were the blood line seed of Abraham were not necessarily His spiritual descendants,

Romans 2:28 “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.”

Romans 9:6 “But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel.”

Rather than following in the path of Abraham they follow in the footsteps of Satan, who was behind the persecution in Smyrna, John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”

 

C. “Be faithful unto death,” Revelation 2:10-11.

          “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”

 

Jesus warns the church at Smyrna of coming persecution. The reference to “ten days” seems best understood as an Aramaic expression indicating an undetermined but relatively short period of time. During this burst of persecution some Christians were to be imprisoned and others would suffer.

But Christ holds out a hope on which they can depend. Although death may claim some of the faithful, Christ will give them “the crown of life.”

While believers are subject to biological death, they “shall not be hurt by the second death.”

A phrase used in Revelation to indicate an eternity of separation from God in hell:

 

Revelation 20:14 “Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”

 

Revelation 21:8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

 

3^RD CHURCH: TO THE ANGEL OF THE CHURCH IN PERGAMOS. Revelation 2:12-17.

 

Pergamos was a prominent city in the first century, a contender to Ephesus and Smyrna. It boasted a library of some 200,000 volumes and several famous temples. One of its major religions was the worship of Asclepius, the god of healing, and many came to that city in hopes of being restored to health.

These things say He who has the sharp two-edged sword: “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.

But I have a few things against you because you have, they are those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Thus, you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 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.”

 

A. “He who has the sharp two-edged sword,” Revelation 2:12.   

“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write,

          These things say He who has the sharp two-edged sword.”

 

The title here goes back to a messianic passage in Isaiah, specifically Isaiah 49:2

    “And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword.

    In the shadow of His hand, He has hidden Me,

    And made Me a polished shaft.

    In His quiver He has hidden Me.”

 There and here the sword is the Word of God, Ephesians 6:17

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

There is another interesting historical note here. Pergamos possessed a rare power, seldom granted to cities: the power of capital punishment, which was represented by the sword.

How much greater the power of the Word of God and Him who utters it, for His sword is doubled-edged, able to create as well as to destroy!

 

B. Where you dwell; where Satan’s throne is, Revelation 2:13.   

“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.”

 

As a centre for pagan worship and a stronghold of Satan, Pergamos was a difficult place for Christians to live. Yet the believers had been faithful “even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr.” We know nothing of Antipas beyond this reference. But how good to know that God knows our name even when we have been forgotten by others.

 

C. “I have a few things against you,” Revelation 2:14-15.

          “But I have a few things against you because you have, they are those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Thus, you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.”

 

Jesus specially mentions the “doctrine of Balaam” and also the “doctrine of the Nicolaitans.” While the Christians in Pergamos had stood up against external pressures, their doctrine was being corrupted from within. Interestingly, the name Balaam can mean “conquer the people,” as does the title Nicolaitans.

The seer Balaam had been hired by King Balak to curse the Israelites during the Exodus period. When he failed and learned of God’s intention to bless them, Balaam advised the pagan king to set a “honey trap.”

Young women should set up tents outside the Israelite camp, to seduce Israelite men and then lead them into idolatry. The plot succeeded, and God punished His people with a plague, but did not destroy them as Balak had hoped.

As many first-century pagan rites involved immorality as well as the worship of idols, the reference undoubtedly fit the situation in Pergamos. It is likely that some of the Christians in Pergamos were deeply involved in pagan worship and sexual immorality.

 

D. “Repent, or else I will come to you quickly,” Revelation 2:16.

          “Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.”

 

Jesus called for a radical change in the permissive attitude that the church seems to have adopted toward the sinning Christians. Thus, the whole church is called on to repent. If the believers there fail to purify the church, Jesus “will fight against them (those sinning) with the sword of My mouth.”

Discipline of brothers and sisters who sin openly and by habit is the responsibility of the local congregation. If the church fails to discipline, Christ will intervene, and the result will be much more painful,

 

Revelation 2:21-22

“And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed, I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.”

 

E. “To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat,” Revelation 2:17.

          “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 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.”

 

Jesus mentions two gifts that are to be given to those who remain faithful to Him.

 

1. The hidden manna.

The festival foods provided at feasts held to honour pagan gods were tempting. Their presentation and their aroma, as well as their taste, appealed to the senses. But the spiritual food on which believers are to feast is hidden; it cannot be seen or savoured by the senses. Yet that manna sustains us spiritually.

 

2. The white stone.

The meaning of the white stone is uncertain. Different coloured stones sometimes served as tickets to events, and in the criminal trials white stones were often cast as “innocent” votes, while black stones were votes of “guilty.” Whatever the reference, the white stone here was an indication of innocence and an invitation to enter God’s presence.

A new name. Commentators suggest that the new name written on the white stone is a name of Christ. In the ancient world the names of demons or deities were thought to give the person who knew them occult power.

If the gift Jesus offers the overcomers of Pergamos is a name of His “which no one knows except him who receives it,” the white stone not only symbolizes access to God but also a promise by Christ to be available to those who are faithful. Through His power they can overcome every challenge.

 

4^TH CHRUCH: TO THE ANGEL OF THE CHURCH IN THYATIRA. Revelation 2:18-24.

 

Thyatira was a working city, specializing in trade in wool, linen, clothing, leatherwork, and bronzes. As was typical in the first century, each occupation had its guild (labour union), which honoured its own patron deity.

The guilds sponsored feasts and festivals, paid for the burial of members, and in general served as the centre of a member’s social life as well as a source of political influence.

The letter to the Christians at Thyatira is the longest of the seven letters to churches.

“These things say the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.

Nevertheless, I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.

Indeed, I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searched the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

“Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who has not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. But hold fast to what you have till I come. And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations:

“He shall rule them with a rod of iron,

They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels,” as I also have received from My Father; and I will give him the morning star.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

 

 

 

 

A. “The Son of God,” Revelation 2:18.

          “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, and His feet like fine brass.”

The image presented here of eyes like blazing fire and feet like burnished bronze emphasize judgment, which is a dominant theme in this fourth letter.

 

B. “I know your works,” Revelation 2:19.

          “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.”

 

The commendation section in this letter is very brief. It is clear that the Christians have grown in loving service and patience. But there are serious problems at Thyatira.

 

C. “Nevertheless I have a few things against you,” Revelation 2:20-23.

          Nevertheless, I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.

And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed, I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.”

 

The problems in the church grow from the influence of a false prophetess symbolically identified as “Jezebel.”

The Old Testament Jezebel was the pagan wife of King Ahab of Israel. She was committed to stamping out the worship of Yahweh and replacing Israel’s ancient faith with the worship of her own deity.

Like her namesake, the Jezebel of Revelation promoted false teaching and a wicked lifestyle and had gained great local influence. Commentators disagree whether this Jezebel is a literal woman or if she stands for a clique of false prophets in the church. Her “children” are her followers.

Jezebel’s characteristic sins (verse 20). Like the Nicolaitans whose influence was felt in other churches, Jezebel’s teaching involved both sexual immorality and sharing in feasts dedicated to idols.

Her refusal to repent (verse 21). Christ had patiently given Jezebel time to repent of her sexual immorality, but His grace was rejected. This suggests that Jezebel may have been a believer who had wilfully gone her own way and influenced others to follow her.

The refusal to repent and change is as serious an offence now as it was then and is sure to be followed by severe discipline.

I will cast her into a sickbed (verse 23). This language suggests that Jezebel is an individual rather than a group. Christ also says that he will bring great tribulation on those who “commit adultery with her” (follow her ways and teaching).

The phrase “unless they repent” again suggests those who have turned aside after Jezebel are believers who have either foolishly or wilfully lost their bearings. However, a failure to repent now will lead to swift and severe judgment.

I will kill her children with death (verse 23). The judgment that will strike members of the Jezebel party will be so startling that “all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts.”

What happened after the letter to Thyatira was delivered? Did the followers of Jezebel repent? Or did some devastating judgment sweep away those who followed her, filling the other churches in Asia with awe?

Church history does not record the answer. But the image of Christ with penetrating, burning eyes and glowing bronze feet reminds us that when God rebukes us, it is not only right to repent. It is safer.

 

A. “Now to you . . . who do not have this doctrine,” Revelation 2:24.

 

Christ’s sole command in this letter is directed to those who have not been led astray by Jezebel. The only command Jesus gives them is to “hold fast what you have till I come.”

There are times when it takes all our energy simply to hold fast to what we have. This is true for individuals as well as for the little group of faithful Christians at Thyatira. When this happens, looking forward to Christ’s return provides hope and strength.

 

B. “I will give him power over the nations,” Revelation 2:26-27.

“And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations. He shall rule them with a rod of iron; they shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels, as I also have received from My Father.”

 

There is a fascinating contrast here between the present weakened condition of Christians who have only enough strength to “hold on” and the reward of power over the nations.

This promise is to be fulfilled after Jesus returns, as indicated by the quote from Psalm 2.

Where the Messiah is portrayed as ruling earth with a rod of iron. One day the persecuted will rule, and the persecutors will be humbled. What an encouragement for those who suffer unjustly now!

 

C. “I will give him the morning star,” Revelation 2:28-29.   

“And I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

 

Jesus identifies a second reward for the overcomers in Thyatira. The nature of this promise is also debated. Some see it as symbolic of resurrection. Others link it with Peter’s likeness of Christ’s return to the rising of the morning star, 2 Peter 1:19

“And so, we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”

In any case, the return of Christ marks the beginning of blessings for the faithful who have been so hard pressed.