Mar. 06, 2024
“REVELATION”
CHAPTER 2:1-29
The church of Jesus Christ was founded on the testimony of His personal deity, Jesus said:
Matthew 16:18 “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Jesus could speak prophetically of the future destiny of the Church because He intended to see to it personally that the Church He established would be protected. Nowhere is this seen more clearly than in John’s heavenly vision.
These seven letters have a direct message to the local churches in John’s day. He was writing to churches that he knew about, he had been to these churches, he knew their conditions.
These churches were within forty or fifty miles of each other, forming an arc along a heavily traveled road in Asia Minor or modern day Turkey.
- The Church of Ephesus- The Apostolic Church- A.D. 30-100
Revelation 2:1-7- the careless church
Commendation- Rev. 2:2-3 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars. And you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.”
vs.6 “You hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”
Condemnation- Rev. 2:4 “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”
Counsel- Rev. 2:5 “Remember therefore from where you have fallen, repent and do the first works…”
Challenge- Rev. 2:7 “…To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”
Ephesus- is considered by Bible scholars to have been one of the finest and largest in New Testament times.
It was started by the apostle Paul at the end of his second missionary journey. Acts 18:19 “And he came to Ephesus, and left them there, but he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.”
The church was taken over by Timothy in about AD 65, followed, according to tradition by the apostle John.
The name Ephesus means “desired one”.
Acts 19:10 “And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.”
A working church-Christ commended them for their faithful works of Christian service.
Matthew 10:39 “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
A separated church- “I know you cannot tolerate wicked men” vs.2
A pure church- “you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not..” vs.2
An enduring church- “you have persevered …” vs.3
An autonomous church- “you hate the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.” vs.6 “Nicolaitans” means to conquer, overthrow the people the laity.
Christ’s condemnation- “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” vs.4
Christ’s counsel- Three things vs.5
- Remember from where you have fallen
- Repent of coldness and indifference.
- Do the first works. Matthew 7:16, John 14:15
Christ’s challenge- vs.7 “Hear what the spirit says” James 1:22
I believe one of the best ways for believers to retain their first love is to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Col. 3:16), by reading, studying and memorizing it on a daily basis.
2. The Church of Smyrna- The Persecuted Church- A.D. 100-313
In Greek, Smyrna means “bitter” a translation of the Hebrew “mor” for which we get myrrh-the incense used to preserve corpses.
Revelation 2:8-11 “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: 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. 10Do 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. 11“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.”
Commendation- vs.9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty, but you are rich…”
Condemnation- Not one word.
Counsel- vs.10 “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer… be faithful until death.”
Challenge- vs.11 “…He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”
This period of church history is probably the greatest time of persecution the Church has ever known.
Christ’s commendation- this is the shortest of all of Christ’s messages. One of the greatest commendation to this church is the fact that He does not condemn them.
They were afflicted- Blasphemed by those who say they are Jews.
The ungodly church- the synagogue of Satan.
Christ’s counsel- “do not be afraid” and “”be faithful” even unto death. Philippians 4:19, Rev. 20:6, Matthew 6:20
Christ’s challenge- “hear what the Spirit says to the churches”, a challenge to overcome. We have a personal promise that we will never be hurt by the second death, describes in Rev. 20:14-15.
3. The Church of Pergamum- The Indulged Church- A.D. 313-590
Revelation 2:12-17 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 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. 14But I have a few things against you, because you have there 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. 15Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. 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.”
-the compromising church.
Commendation- vs.13 “you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith…
Condemnation- vs.14,15 “But I have a few things against you, because you hold to the doctrine of Balaam,… and the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.”
Counsel- vs.16 “Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.”
Challenge- vs.17 “… to him that 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.”
The Indulged Church Age:
Pergamum was the capital city of Asia. It was a city given over to the worship of many Greek idols. Two of the most prominent were Bacchus-the god of revelry and Asclepius-the god of healing.
Doctrine of Balaam- Numbers 22-31- In short Balaam tried for filthy lucre’s sake to prophesy a curse against Israel.
Revelation 2:14 “Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.”
So Pergamum was faithful to theological doctrine, but they did not remain separated from the world.
Doctrine of the Nicolaitans- which is the doctrine of a strong ecclesiastical hierarchy ruling over the laity.
Christ’s counsel to this church-repent or be judged by the Word of God. vs.16
Christ’s challenge- vs.17 “him that overcomes”
The Hidden manna- manna is heavenly food sent by God to the children of Israel in the desert. It represents spiritual food provided by God in His Word. Philippians 4:19
The White Stone- white in the Bible refers to the righteousness of God.
Romans 5:1
4. The Church at Thyatira- The Pagan Church 590-1517 (the Dark Ages)
Revelation 2:18-29 “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: 19“I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 20Nevertheless 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. 21And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23I 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. 24“Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 25But hold fast what you have till I come. 26And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—27‘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; 28and I will give him the morning star. 29“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
- the corrupted church
Commendation- vs.19 “I know your works, your love, and service, and faith, and your patience, and your works, and the last to be more than the first.”
Condemnation-vs.20 “You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess.
Counsel- vs.25 “only hold on to what you have until I come.”
Challenge-vs.26-28 “To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations-He will rule them with an iron scepter, he will dash them to pieces like pottery- just as I received authority from my Father. I will give him the morning star.”
“Thyatira” comes from two words meaning “sacrifice” and “continual”, so they don’t believe Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice, which He is. So this leads to works salvation.
Christ’s Commendation:
“deeds”- faithful in serving Jesus as a result of receiving Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
“love”- a love for God and for others.
“faith”- in God
“service”-means ministry
“perseverance”- endurance, being faithful.
“now doing more than you did at first”
Christ’s Condemnation:
Her judgement- vs.22-24
Christ’s Counsel- was directed to the faithful individuals within that church who rejected the false doctrines. vs.25
Christ’s Challenge- “to him who overcometh and keepeth my works to the end” vs.25
They will be:
- He will give such a one a position of leadership and authority during the millennial age.
- I will also give them the morning star- Revelation 22:16
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