Remember: 1:19: Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.
The book of Revelation is the only book in the Bible that contains an inspired outline of the contents.
Revelation 2—3: “what is now”, refers to the present, John’s present.
Revelations 4-22: “what will take place later”, the future.
There are seven churches spoke to in Revelation. John is writing to real people, about real situations, both past, present and future. Seven is really important in the book of Revelation, it is the number of divine completion. [See blog bonus for the seven in Revelation.]
Keep in mind that the churches in Asia Minor were facing persecution and it was important that they be in right relationship with the Lord and each other.
They are pictured as seven separate lampstands, each giving light in a dark world (Philippians. 2:15; Matthew. 5:14–16).
The darker the day, the greater the light must shine; unfortunately situations existed in at least five of these churches that required correction if their lights were to shine brightly.
The promise of Jesus Christ’s coming should be a motivation for obedience and consecration (Revelation 1:3, 7; 2:5, 25; 3:3, 11; 22:7, 12, 20; see also 1 John 1:1–33).
No believer should study prophecy merely to satisfy his curiosity. When Daniel and John received God’s revelations of the future, both fell down as dead men (Daniel 10:7–10; Revelation 1:17). They were overwhelmed!
We need to approach this book as wonderers and worshippers.
When you look at a church you may not discern its true health. The church we think is “rich” may turn out to be poor in God’s sight (Rev. 3:17), while the “poor” church is actually rich (Rev. 2:9).
Only the Head of the church, Jesus Christ, can accurately inspect each church and know its true condition, because He sees the internals, not only the externals (Rev. 2:23b). In these special messages to the seven churches in Asia Minor, the Lord gave each church an “MRI” of its condition. But He intended for all the churches to read these messages and benefit from them. (Note the plural “churches” in Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22.) This letter would have been read out to all the seven churches it is addressed to.
But the Lord was also speaking to individuals, and this is where you and I come in. “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Rev 2:29).
Ephesus, the Careless Church (2:1–7)
Each of the seven messages begins with a personal description or designation of Jesus Christ taken from the vision of Christ given in Revelation 1. (In the caseof Ephesus, see Rev. 1:12, 16, 20.)
Revelation 2:1: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.
Remember, Revelation is about revealing Jesus and the first thing that is said to this church is who He is! He is in charge of the angels (stars) and the churches.
- The Commendation (2–3, 6).
Rev. 2: 2-3;6: I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary…6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
2: “your hard work”. This was a good deeds church. But it had reached burnout. The word for word means to “toil to the point of exhaustion”.
The Ephesian Christians paid a price to serve the Lord. They were strong and stable church “persevered and have endured”. They kept going
when the going was tough.
The Ephesian church was a no nonsense church that held to firm doctrine (the Apostles’ teaching). Paul had warned the Ephesian elders that false teachers would come in from the outside and even arise from within the church (Acts 20:28–31), and John had instructed them to “try the spirits” (1 John 4:1–6; see also 2 Cor. 11:1–4, 12–15).
Ephesian Christians separated themselves not only from false doctrine but also from false deeds (Rev. 2:6). The word Nicolaitan means “to conquer or destroy.” The had their origins with a deacon in the church in Jerusalem!
They believed that no laws governed their behaviour
They adopted pagan ways, such as eating food offered to idols and sexual sins
They perverted grace
They replaced liberty with license
They taught Israel to sin
We shall meet this dangerous sect again when we study the message to the church at Pergamos.
So Ephesus has a great church. If you were looking for a church, you’d probably pick them.
- The Crunch (v. 4).
4: Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.
This busy, separated, sacrificing church really suffered from “heart trouble”—they had
abandoned their first love!
Their best qualities were not motivated by a love for Christ. (Compare 1 Thess. 1:3: We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.)
What we do for the Lord is important, but so is why we do it!
Warren Wiersbe: “Labor is no substitute for love; neither is purity a substitute for passion. The church must have both if it is to please Him.”
By reading Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians, you discover at least twenty references to love. But the Ephesian church had fallen and was not living up to its heavenly position in Christ (Rev. 2:5). It is only as we love Christ fervently that we can serve Him faithfully.
- The Correction (vv. 5–7).
2: 5-7: Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favour: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
“First love” can be restored if we follow the three instructions Christ gave.
Remember: what you have lost
Repent: turn back to Jesus
Repeat: do what you did at first, the basics of the Christian life.
Revelation 2:7 makes it clear that individual believers within the church may be true to the Lord, no matter what others may do.
In these seven messages, the “overcomers” or the “victorious” are not a “spiritual elite,” but rather the true believers whose faith has given them victory (1John 5:4–5).
The church of Ephesus was the “careless church,” made up of careless believers who neglected their love for Christ. Are we guilty of the same neglect?
Smyrna, the Crowned Church (2:8–11)
The name Smyrna means “bitter” and is related to theword myrrh. The city remains a functioning community today called Izmir in Turkey. The assembly at Smyrna was persecuted for the faith, which explains why the Lord emphasised His death and resurrection as He opened His message
2:8: “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.
Jesus identifies with His persecuted church.
- The Commendation (v. 9).
2:9: I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan
The church at Smyrna was not having an easy time of it! The members were persecuted, probably because they refused to compromise and say, “Caesar is Lord.”
Refusing to acknowledge Caesar as Lord would certainly be excluded from the guilds. This would mean unemployment and poverty. The word used here for poverty means “abject poverty, possessing absolutely nothing.”
But they were rich! They lived for eternal values that would never change, riches that could never be taken away (2 Cor. 6:10; 8:9).
In fact, their suffering for Christ only increased their riches.
They were also persecute by the Jews locally. 9b: “…I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” It is not the this is some strange name for a witches coven, but a strong rebuke to those wh have rejected Messiah.
- The Correction (9-11)
No ‘crunch words’ are given to the congregation in Smyrna! They may not have enjoyed the approval of men, but they certainly received the praise of God.
But Jesus does tell them tougher times are coming, and in this there is a correction!
2:9-11: Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. 11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.
Fear was at their door a risked overrunning them. He assured them that He knew the devil’s plans and was in complete control of the situation. Some of the
believers would be imprisoned and tried as traitors to Rome. Yet their tribulation would not be long; to the Bible, ten days signifies “a brief time” not necessary a literal ten days (Gen. 24:55; Acts 25:6).
The important thing was faithfulness, standing true to Christ no matter what the government might threaten to do.
The “victor’s crown” is the winner’s crown awarded at the annual athletic games. Smyrna was a key participant in the games, so this promise would be especially meaningful to believers living there.
Because they had trusted Him, they were overcomers—victors in the race of faith (Heb. 12:1–3)—and, as overcomers, they had nothing to fear.
Even if they were martyred, they would be ushered into glory, wearing crowns! They would never face the awful judgment of the second death, which is the lake of fire (Rev. 20:14; 21:8).
It costs to be a dedicated Christian, in some places more than others. As end time pressures increase, persecution will also increase, and God’s people need to be ready (1 Peter 4:12ff.).
Pergamos, the Compromising Church (2:12–17)
The name Pergamos means “married,” reminding us that each local church is “engaged to Christ” and must be kept pure (2 Cor. 11:1–4).Called “the greatest city in Asia Minor,” Pergamos had the first temple dedicated to Caesar and was a massive promoter of the imperial cult. This is probably what is meant by “Satan’s throne” in Revelation 2:13.
- The Commendation (v. 13).
2:13: I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.
Like their brothers and sisters in Smyrna, the believers in Pergamos had suffered persecution, and one of their men had died for the faith.
In spite of intense suffering, this church had remained true to God. They refused to drop incense on the altar and say, “Caesar is Lord.” The Lord’s description of Himself (These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.” Rev. 2:12) would surely encourage the people, for the sword was also the symbol of the Roman proconsul.
It was more important that the church fear Christ’s sword than the Roman sword (Rev. 2:16).
- The Crunch (vv. 14–15).
2:14-15: Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. 15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
Despite their courageous stand against persecution, the believers in Pergamos were not faultless before the Lord.
Satan had not been able to destroy them by coming as the roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8), but he was making inroads as the deceiving serpent. A group of infiltrators called “Nicolaitans,” whom we met already at Ephesus (Rev. 2:6), had entrenched themselves in the church.
The name means “to rule the people/conquor or retry.” What they taught is called “the
teaching of Balaam” (Rev. 2:14). The Hebrew name Balaam also means “lord of the people” and is probably synonymous with Nicolaitans. This group of professed believers taught to control the people and them astray.
Why Balaam (Numbers 22-25), basically used his gift to earn money from King Balak.
Why did this bit of ancient history apply to the believers at Pergamos? Because a group in that church said, “There is nothing wrong with being friendly to Rome. What harm is there in putting a pinch of incense on the altar and affirming your loyalty to Caesar?”
Antipas (13) - a member of the church -refused to compromise and was martyred, but others took the “easy way” and cooperated with Rome.
The Lord accused the Christians in Pergamos of sinning, of committing “spiritual fornication” (14: KJV) by saying, “Caesar is Lord.” Of course, this compromise protected them from Roman persecution, but it most them their testimony and their crown.
Don’t fall into the trap of achieving personal advancement by ungodly compromise.
- The Correction (vv. 16–17).
2:16-17: Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.Antipas had felt the sword of Rome, but the church at Pergamos would feel the sword of Christ—the Word (Heb. 4:12)—if they did not repent.
This is not a reference to our Lord’s return but to a present judgment that comes to a church when it is disobedient to the Word of God.
The Lord had introduced Himself as “who has the sharp, double-edged sword (Rev. 2:12), so the church could not have been ignorant of its danger.
As with the previous churches, the closing prhase is to the individual: “Whoever has ears… to the one who is victorious” (Rev. 2:17).
Hidden manna: (17b): God fed the Israelites with manna during their wilderness travels, and a pot of the manna was placed in the ark of the covenant (Ex. 16:32–36; Heb. 9:4). Instead of eating “things sacrificed to idols” (Rev. 2:14), the believers in
Pergamos needed to feast on God’s holy food, the bread of life found in Jesus Christ through the Word (Matt. 4:4; John 6:32ff.).
White stone: In those days, a white stone was put into a vessel by a judge to vote acquittal for a person on trial. It was also used like a “ticket” to gain admission to a feast.
Both would certainly apply to the believer in a spiritual sense: they have been declared righteous through faith in Christ, and he feasts with Christ today (Rev. 3:20) and will feast with Him in glory (Rev. 19:6–9).
Thyatira, the Corrupted Church (2:18–29)
The longest message was sent to the church in the smallest city! Thyatira was a military town as well as a commercial centre.The city boasted a special temple to Apollo, the “sun god,” which explains why the Lord introduced Himself as: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. (19) The “the Son of God” title is only use here in Revelation.
John had to deliver a message of severe warning and judgment to this congregation, which explains the description of the Lord’s eyes and feet.
- The Commendation (v. 19).
19: I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.
The believers in Thyatira were a busy lot! They were involved in sacrificial ministry for the sake of others.
What’s more, their works were increasing and characterised by faith, love, and patience; so the church was not guilty of mere “religious activity.”
- The Crunch (vv. 20–23)
No amount of loving and sacrificial works can compensate for tolerance of evil.
2: 20-23: Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.
The church was permitting a false prophetess to influence the people and lead them into compromise.
It is not likely that this woman was actually called “Jezebel,” since such an infamous name would not be given to a child. The name is symbolic: Jezebel was the idolatrous queen who enticed Israel to add Baal worship to their religious ceremonies (see 1 Kings 16—19). The seductive teaching of Jezebel was similar to the “doctrine of Balaam” that the Lord condemned in the church of Pergamos (Rev. 2:14).
Contrast the churches at Ephesusand Thyatira. The Ephesian church was weakening in its love, yet faithful to judge false teachers; while the people in the assembly at Thyatira were growing in their love, but too tolerant of false doctrine. Both extremes must be avoided in the church.
“Speaking the truth in love” is the biblical balance (Eph. 4:15). Unloving orthodoxy and loving compromise are both hateful to God.
Not only was the church at Thyatira tolerant of evil, but it was proud and unwilling to repent. The Lord gave the false prophetess time to repent, yet she refused. Now He was giving her followers opportunity to repent. His eyes of fire had searched out their
thoughts and motives, jugdement will come to them
- The Correction (vv. 24–29).
Not everyone in the church was unfaithful to the Lord, and He had a special word for them.
2:24-29: Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, 25 except to hold on to what you have until I come.’
26 To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— 27 that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’ — just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will also give that one the morning star. 29 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
They had separated themselves from the false doctrine and compromising practices of Jezebel and her followers.
25: Hold on! The Lord had no special demands to make; He simply wanted them to be strong in their resistance to evil.
25: “Till I come” refers to Christ’s return for His people, at which time He will reward them for their faithfulness (see Rev. 3:3; 16:15; 22:7, 17, 20). This is the first mention in Revelation of the Lord’s coming for: The rapture (see 1 Thess. 4:13–18).
In contrast, the reference in Revelation 1:7 is to Christ’s return to earth in judgment, to defeat His enemies and establish His kingdom (see Rev. 19:11ff.).
The believers in Thyatira are promised authority over the nations, which probably refers to the fact that God’s people will live and reign with Christ (see Rev. 20:4). When the Lord sets up His kingdom on earth, it will be a righteous kingdom with perfect justice. He will rule with a rod of iron (Ps. 2:8–9).
Morning star: Jesus Christ is “the Bright and Morning Star” (Rev. 22:16). The promise in Revelation 2:28 suggests that God’s people shall be so closely identified with Christ that He will “belong” to them!
Wrapping this up:
God’s exhortation to these churches (except Smyrna) is, “Repent! Change your minds!”It is not only lost sinners who need to repent, but also disobedient Christians. If we do not repent and deal with sin in our lives and in our churches, the Lord may judge us and remove our lampstand (Rev. 2:5).
How tragic it is when a local church gradually abandons the faith and loses its witness for Christ!
“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches!”
———————
Blog Bonus:
Seven and Seven and More Sevens:
The number seven is important in this book because it signifies fullness and completeness. In Revelation, God tells us how He is going to complete His great work and usher in His eternal kingdom.
There are seven “beatitudes” or blessings in Revelation:
- 1:3: Blessed is the one who reads aloud
- 14:13: Blessed are the those who die in the Lord
- 16:15: Blessed is the one who stays awake and alert
- 19:9: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb
- 20:6: Blessed are those who are holy and share in the first resurrection
- 22:7: Blessed is the one who keeps the words of prophecy in this scroll
- 22:14: Blessed are those who wash their robes (with Jesus’ blood)
In Revelation, you will find:
- seven seals (5:1),
- seven trumpets (8:6),
- seven bowls (16:1),
- seven stars (1:16),
- and seven lamp stands (1:12, 20).
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