REVELATION---2
JESUS’ LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES.
WHY these SEVEN churches?
WHO are these SEVEN churches?
The letters to the seven churches share a similar structure.
They each feature:
An address to a particular congregation
An introduction of Jesus
A statement regarding the condition of the church
A verdict from Jesus regarding the condition of the church
A command from Jesus to the church
A general exhortation to all Christians
A promise of reward
We can see the INTERNAL/SPIRITUAL state of EACH of these seven churches -- and in the process RECOGNIZE the state of our own walk with the Jesus -- by looking AT what Jesus has to say to each church in each section.
Revelation 2:1
1st LETTER IS TO THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS:
The BACKGROUND/CHARACTER of the city of Ephesus.
Verse 1 speaks TO the angel…”
As Revelation 1:20 told us, this “ANGEL” IS THE PASTOR of the church at Ephesus. But the letter isn’t written just to the representative, but to the ENTIRE church. Here is a bit of background on Ephesus during John’s day.
Ephesus was a famous city in the ancient world, with an equally famous church. Ephesus was the city where Paul ministered for three years (Acts 19:1; Acts 10; Acts 20:31). It was the city where Aquilla and Priscilla, with Apollos ministered (Acts 18:24-28). It was the city where Paul’s close associate Timothy (1 Timothy 1:3) ministered. And according to strong and consistent church historical traditions, the Apostle John himself ministered there.
Ephesus was ALSO world-famous as a religious, cultural, and economic center of the region. Ephesus had the notable temple of Diana, who was a fertility goddess worshipped with immoral sex. The Temple of Artemis was also a major treasury and bank of the ancient world, where merchants, kings, and even cities made deposits, and where their money would THEY BELIEVED be kept safe under the protection of deity.
Ephesus was ALSO a stronghold of Satan. Here many evil things both superstitious and satanic were practiced. Books containing formulas for sorcery and other ungodly and forbidden arts were plentiful in that city.
Verse 1... Jesus describes HIMSELF to the church of Ephesus:
“These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:”
These images are taken from John’s vision of Jesus in Revelation 1. They emphasize the AUTHORITY of Jesus in the Church (He holds the seven stars) and His immediate presence in the Church (He walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands). This introduction stresses that Jesus IS central to the church.
“HOLDS”: Jesus HAS these churches, and holds them securely. The churches BELONG to Jesus, not the leaders of the churches or to the people of the churches. Jesus holds them.
Verses 2-3 tells us Jesus tells them what HE KNOWS about the Christians.
“I know your works, your labor, 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 labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.”
“I know your works:” Jesus looks at His church, and He knows what is going on. It is NO mystery to Him. There may be sin or corruption HIDDEN in a congregation, but it IS NOT hidden to Jesus. He would say the same thing to us today, both as individuals and as a congregation: I know your works.
“Your works, your labor, your patience:” Jesus knows what this church is doing right. They work hard for the Lord and they have godly endurance. In this sense, the church was rock-solid.
“You cannot bear those who are evil:” The Ephesian church also pursued doctrinal purity. Paul warned the Ephesians in Acts 20:29-31: “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.” From this commendation of Jesus, we know that the Ephesians took Paul’s warning seriously.
“You have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary:” Also, the Ephesian church continued doing these things, without becoming weary. They showed a godly perseverance that we should imitate. By all outward appearances, this was a SOLID church that worked hard, had great outreach, and protected the integrity of the gospel.
Verse 4 says…what Jesus has AGAINST the church at Ephesus.
“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”
“Nevertheless I have this against you:” Jesus begins with a sobering word - NEVERTHELESS, which means “despite all that. Nevertheless means that all the good in the Ephesian church did NOT cancel out the bad Jesus is about to describe.
“You have left your first love:” Despite all the good in the Ephesian church, there is something seriously wrong. They have LEFT --- not LOST -- their first love.
The distinction between leaving and losing IS important. Something can be lost by accident, but leaving is a deliberate act, though it may not happen suddenly. As well, when we lose something we don’t know where to find it, but when we leave something, we know where to find it.
What love did they leave?
As Christians, we are told to love God and to love one another. Did they leave their love for God? Did they leave their love for one another? Probably BOTH, because the two loves go together. You can’t say you love God and not love His family, and you can’t really love His family without loving Him first, AMEN?
The Ephesian church was a WORKING church. Sometimes a focus on working for Jesus will eclipse a love relationship with Him. We can put what we do for Jesus before WHO we are IN Him. We can leave Jesus in the temple, just as the parents of Jesus did (Luke 2:45-46).
The Ephesians church was a doctrinally pure church. There is a definite, sure difference in their relationship with Jesus. Things aren’t as they USED to be. But the newness should transition into a depth that makes our love of Jesus STRONGER.
Verses 5-6 says… What Jesus wants the church at Ephesus to do.
“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. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”
“REMEMBER:” The first step in restoration for the Ephesian church is for them to REMEMBER. This means remembering where they used to be in their love for the Lord and for one another.
When the Prodigal Son was in the pigpen, the first step in restoration was REMEMBERING what life was like back in his father’s home (Luke 16:17-19). This is always the first step in getting back to where we SHOULD be with the Lord.
“REPENT:” This is not a command to feel sorry, BUT to change your direction, to go a different way.
“Do the first works:” This means that they must go back to the basics, to the very first things they did when you first fell in love with Jesus. These are the things that we NEVER grow beyond.
OKAY, you say, so what ARE our FIRST works?
Remember how you used to spend time in His Word?
Remember how you used to pray?
Remember the joy in getting together with other Christians?
Remember how excited you were about telling others about Jesus?
We might say that Satan has done a masterful job in creating a sense of general dissatisfaction with these first works.
HOW?
THINK ABOUT IT…Christians will run after almost every NEW, strange “method” or “program” for growth and stability. Our shortened attention spans make us easily “bored” with the TRUE excitement of knowing and loving Jesus. Sometimes we QUIT the one-on-one love walk…for BIG BANG things. Jesus says get BACK to our close one-on-one relationship/love with Him.
“Or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place:” Jesus gives them a stern warning. Unless they repent, He will remove their light and His presence. When their lampstand is removed, they MAY continue as an organization, but NO longer as a true church of Jesus Christ. It will be the church of Ichabod, where the glory has departed as in (1 Samuel 4:21).
Apparently, at least in the SHORT term, the Ephesians heeded this warning. In the early second century (not too long after John wrote), Ignatius praised the love and the doctrinal purity of the Ephesians.
From what Ignatius wrote, it seems that the Ephesians returned to their first love without compromising doctrinal purity. That isn’t always an easy balance to keep, but the Ephesians apparently kept it, at least for a time.
“But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate:” Jesus -- probably so the Ephesians would not be overly discouraged -- gives this church another commendation here. They are complimented because they hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans. But who are the Nicolaitans and what were their deeds?
The doctrine of the Nicolaitans is also condemned in Revelation 2:15, and in that passage is related to immorality and idolatry.
SO WHO WERE THE NICOLAITANES?
They were the followers of Nicolas who lead lives of unrestrained indulgence. The character of these men is plainly pointed out in the Apocalypse of John, for teaching that it did NOT matter that they practiced adultery, and ate things sacrificed to idols. In other words, The Nicolaitans, like all deceivers which come from the body of Christ, claimed “not that they were destroying Christianity, but that they were presenting a NEW improved and modernized version of it.”
The NICOLAITANES OF TODAY ARE NOW CALLED THE NEW AGE CHURCH…WHO ARE INTO GONGS, BELLS, NAMASTE, SCIENTOLOGY, BEING SLAIN IN THE SPIRIT, LAUGHING UNCONTROLLABLY, SEEING & READING ANGEL AURAS, JUMPING UP DURING SERMONS TO SPEAK IN TONGUES, RUNNING THE AISLES, SHAKING, ROLLING, GYRATING AS PROOF OF BEING “IN THE SPIRIT,” NONE OF WHICH IS IN THE BIBLE…AND NONE OF WHICH JESUS EVER EXHIBITED NOR DID THE DISCIPLES/APOSTLES IN THE BIBLE. AS WELL AS TAKING THE BIBLE PIECEMEAL AND MODERNIZING AND IMPROVING UPON IT….BECAUSE THE BIBLE IS OLD, OUTDATED, NO LONGER RELEVANT OR GERMAINE TO THE MODERN, INTELLIGENT, & TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED WORLD TODAY.
WE NEED TO REMEMBER THAT THE TRIUNE GOD DOES NOT CHANGE. HIS WORD WAS RELEVANT IN EDEN AND IT IS PERFECT, RELEVANT & UNDERSTANDABLE TODAY WHEN WE SEEK JESUS, AMEN?
“Which I also hate:” These are powerful words, in that they come from Jesus who is so rich in love. We learn that the God of love hates sin, and wants His people to also hate sin.
Verse 7 is a general exhortation to all whom will hear.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
“He who has an ear:” This qualifies everyone - or at least everyone who will listen. This letter was not only written to the church at Ephesus in the Apostle John’s day. It is written to all Christians throughout the centuries. AMEN?
“Let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches:” Each one of these SEVEN letters apply to ALL churches. We must hear what the Spirit says to the churches -- not just to ONE church. These letters - each of them - were meant to speak to EACH of us.
Verse 7b tells us… The promise of a reward.
“To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”
“To him who overcomes:” Jesus makes this promise to him who overcomes -- but what does this overcomer overcome? We usually think of overcoming in dramatic terms of overcoming sin and in spiritual warfare, but here Jesus IS speaking to overcoming the COLDNESS of their hearts and lack of love marked by the leaving of their first love.
“I will give to eat from the tree of life:” The promise for these overcomers is a restoration, and eternal life, through walking in Jesus’ redeeming love.
“In the midst of the Paradise of God:” Originally, the word Paradise meant “a garden of delight.” Eventually, it came to mean “the place where God lives.” Where God is, that is Paradise!
2nd LETTER TO THE CHURCH OF SMYRNA
BACKGROUND on SMYRNA: Smyrna was a large, beautiful, and proud city. It was a center of learning and culture, and was proud of its standing as a city. Smyrna was an outstandingly beautiful city. It claimed to be the ‘Glory of Asia.’
Smyrna was a rich city. Smyrna was a great trade city that stood at the end of the road which served the valley of the river Hermus, and all the trade of that valley flowed into its markets and found an outlet through its harbor. It had a specially rich trade in wines. Smyrna, like Ephesus, was a city of wealth and commercial greatness.
We also know from history that it was a city deeply committed to idolatry and the worship of the Roman Emperor. On one famous street in Smyrna, called the “Golden Street,” stood magnificent temples to Cybele, Apollo, Asklepios, Aphrodite, and a great temple to Zeus. But the worship of those pagan gods was dying out. The real focus was on the worship of the Roman Emperor.
Smyrna was a leading city in the Roman cult of Emperor worship.
The Roman Emperor Domitian (81-96 a.d.) was the first to demand worship under the title “Lord” from the people of the Roman Empire as a test of political loyalty. According to ancient church history, under the reign of Domitian that John was banished to the Island of Patmos where he received this vision.
“All that the Christians had to do was to burn that pinch of incense, & say, ‘Caesar is Lord,’ receive their certificate, and go away and worship as they pleased.
But that is precisely what the Christians would NOT do. They would give NO MAN the name of Lord; that name they would keep for Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ ALONE.
Jesus describes Himself to the church at Smyrna.
“These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:”
“The First and the Last:” Jesus chose this title from His initial appearance to John (Revelation 1:11; 1:17) to speak of His ETERNAL character. The First and the Last are titles that belong ONLY to the Lord, Yahweh, according to Isaiah 41:4; 44:6, and 48:12.
“Who was dead, and came to life:” Jesus chose this title from His initial appearance to John (Revelation 1:18) to REMIND the Christians in Smyrna that they serve the RISEN Lord, victorious over death. Death could not hold Jesus, and it cannot hold His people. Did you know, the name Smyrna comes from the word myrrh, a sweet-smelling perfume used in embalming dead bodies.
Verse 9 tells us what Jesus knows about the Christians in Smyrna.
“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.”
“I know your works:” Jesus knew the works of the church in Ephesus also (Revelation 2:2). In Smyrna, Jesus also knew their works, tribulation, and poverty. He knows these hardships both in the sense that He saw what happened to them, and in the sense that He knew their hardships by His OWN personal experience.
“POVERTY:” According to history, Smyrna was a prosperous city. Yet the Christians there were VERY poor.
WHY?
The Christians of Smyrna knew poverty because they were robbed and fired from jobs in persecution for the gospel. Early Christians joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven (Hebrews 10:34). This kind of economic persecution was one important reason why Christians were poor in Smyrna. Even today, this is a common form of persecution against Christians.
“I know the blasphemy:” Jesus knew the abuse these Christians endured at the hands of “religious” men, those who say they are Jews and are not.
Historically, there was a large and hostile community of Jews in Smyrna. But this tells us that a true Jew is one who trusts God and believes in Jesus Christ in Philippians 3:3. Others may be Jews ethnically -- which still has its place before God -- but they are NOT Jews spiritually before God.
In midst of this kind of affliction, it is easy to think God has forgotten. But Jesus knows. Jesus forgets NOTHING.
Verse 9 tells us what Jesus thinks about the church in Smyrna.
“But you are rich.”
“RICH:” Every outward circumstance said that the Christians in Smyrna were poor, even destitute. But Jesus saw through the circumstances to see that they are really rich. Rich is what Jesus thought of them, and if Jesus considered them rich, then they WERE rich.
In contrast, the Christians at Laodicea thought they were rich, but they were really poor (Revelation 3:17). Laodicea was a poor rich church. Smyrna was a rich poor church. Better to be a rich poor church than a poor rich church, AMEN?
“And poverty (but you are rich):” The contrast between material poverty and spiritual riches of the Christians in Smyrna reminds us that there is nothing inherently spiritual in being rich. Although, there is also nothing inherently spiritual in poverty either.
Material riches are an obstacle to the Kingdom of God, an obstacle that some do not overcome in Mark 10:23-25. There is nothing wrong with having money; the trouble is that money so easily “HAS & CONTROLS” us.
The church at Smyrna was also rich in leadership. One of the pastors of that church was named Polycarp. He was one of the Apostle John’s disciples, and served at Smyrna until 155 a.d. when he died as a martyr.
Verse 10 tells us what Jesus wants the Christians in Smyrna to do.
“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.”
“DO NOT FEAR:” Literally, this is better translated “stop being afraid.” The Christians in Smyrna suffered under persecution, and they were afraid. Sometimes we think that Christians who endure persecution are almost super-human, and we sometimes don’t appreciate the depths of fear they struggle with. There were things which they were about to suffer, and Jesus wanted them ready to stand against those things.
“The devil is about to throw some of you into prison:” Here, Jesus describes the nature of the persecution that would come against the Christians in Smyrna. Apparently, they would be imprisoned, and for a specific period of time (you will have tribulation ten days).
Being thrown into prison WAS severe persecution. In that day, prison was never used to rehabilitate someone, and rarely used to punish someone. Normally, you were thrown into prison as you awaited trial and execution.
“You will have tribulation ten days:” Biblical teachers of the Book of Revelation have long debated the meaning of these ten days. However, there is no compelling reason to believe it means anything other than ten days of severe persecution, with an emphasis on the idea that it is a LIMITED time.
“That you may be tested:” If this attack came from the devil, then why couldn’t these Christians in Smyrna just rebuke Satan, and stop the attack? Because God had a purpose in their suffering, and so He allowed it. God uses suffering to purify (1 Peter 1:6-7), to make us like Jesus (Romans 8:17), and to makes us truly witnesses of Him.
The Christians in Smyrna WERE tested, but they passed the test. This church, compared to the other six, has NO EVIL spoken against it. Only this church among the seven survives today, and it has survived through centuries of Roman and Muslim persecution.
God is interested in testing us also. We may not suffer for Jesus like the Christians in Smyrna, but we can have their same heart. We may never die a martyr’s death, but we can all live a martyr’s life. But many Christians avoid persecution of ANY KIND by conforming so much to the world that they are no longer distinctively Christians. This wasn’t the case with the Christians in Smyrna. They were tested and they passed the test.
“Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life:” What Jesus says to this church is important, but what He doesn’t say is also important. Jesus doesn’t have NOT ONE SINGLE word of rebuke or correction for the Christians in Smyrna.
The promise of a crown would be especially meaningful for the Christians of Smyrna. The city of Smyrna had a “crown” of beautiful buildings at the top of Mt. Pagos. In Smyrna, worshippers of pagan gods wore crowns. In that culture, good citizens and victorious athletes received crowns.
But our Jesus promises a special crown -- the crown of life.
Verse 11 says… “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Though the Spirit has something to say to us through every one of the churches, this letter to the Christians in Smyrna may apply least of all to modern, western Christians. To this point, we simply don’t face the kind of persecution the Christians in Smyrna experienced. Polycarp was a remarkable example of both the persecution and the courage of early Christians.
One day as he prayed in his room, Polycarp had a vision of his pillow engulfed in flames. He knew what God said to him, and calmly told his companions “I see that I must be burnt at the stake.”
Meanwhile, the chief of police issued a warrant for his arrest. Towards evening, the police chief and a band of soldiers came to the old farmhouse. When the soldiers found him, they were embarrassed to see that they had come to arrest such an old, frail man. But they reluctantly put him on a donkey and walked him back to the city of Smyrna.
On the way to the city, the police chief and other government officials tried to persuade Polycarp to offer a pinch of incense before a statue of Caesar and simply say “Caesar is Lord.” That’s all he had to do, and he would be off the hook. They pleaded with him to do it, and escape the dreadful penalties. At first Polycarp was silent, but then he calmly gave them his firm answer: NO. The police chief was now angry & pushed him out of his carriage and onto the hard ground. Polycarp, bruised but resolute, got up and walked the rest of the way to the arena.
I truly believe this is WHAT people saved during the Tribulation will be told. “Just take the mark, then go about your way. You can buy, sell, eat, live in peace…what do you care about a mark. It does not have to mean anything to you. You can still worship your Jesus and live too. Save yourself….take the mark.
The horrid games at the arena had already begun in earnest. A large, bloodthirsty mob had gathered to see Christians tortured and killed. One Christian named Quintis had boldly proclaimed himself a follower of Jesus and said he was willing to be martyred. But when he saw the vicious animals in the arena, he lost courage and agreed to burn that pinch of incense to Caesar as Lord. But another young man named Germanicus didn’t back down. He marched out and faced the lions, and died an agonizing death for his Lord Jesus Christ. Ten other Christians gave their lives that day, but the mob was unsatisfied. They cried out, “Away with the atheists who do not worship our gods!” To them, Christians were atheists because they did not recognize the traditional gods of Rome and Greece. Finally, the crowd started chanting “Bring out Polycarp.”
When Polycarp brought his tired body into the arena, he and the other Christians heard a voice from heaven that said, “Be strong.” As he stood before the proconsul, they tried one more time to get him to renounce Jesus. The proconsul told Polycarp to agree with the crowd and shout out “Away with the atheists!” Polycarp looked sternly at the bloodthirsty mob, waved his hand towards them and said, “Away with those atheists!” The proconsul persisted. “Take the oath and revile Christ and I’ll set you free!” Polycarp answered, “For eighty-six years I’ve served Jesus; how dare I now revile my King?” The proconsul finally gave up, and announced to the crowd the crime of the accused: “Polycarp has confessed that he is a Christian.”
The crowd shouted, “let the lions loose.” But the animals had already been put away. The crowd then demanded that Polycarp be burnt. The old man remembered the dream about the burning pillow, and took courage in God. He said to his executioners, “It is well. I fear not the fire that burns for a season and after a while is quenched. Why do you delay? Come, do your will.”
They arranged a great pile of wood, and set up a pole in the middle. As they tied Polycarp to the pole, he prayed: “I thank You that You have graciously thought me worthy of this day and of this hour, that I may receive a portion in the number of the martyrs, in the cup of Your Christ.” After he prayed and gave thanks to God, they set the wood ablaze. A great wall of flame shot up to the sky, but it NEVER touched Polycarp. God had set a hedge of protection between him and the fire. Seeing that he would not burn, the executioner, in a furious rage, stabbed the old man with a long spear. Immediately, streams of blood gushed from his body and seemed to extinguish the fire. When this happened, witnesses say they saw a dove fly up from the smoke into heaven. At the very same moment, a church leader in Rome named Iraenus, said he heard God say to him, “Polycarp is dead.” God called his servant home.
But the day of martyrs is definitely not past. All over the world, Christians face persecution, especially in Asia, Eastern Europe, and in the Muslim world. Some people estimate that more Christians have suffered for their faith and have been martyred in the 20th Century than in ALL previous centuries combined. But THAT never makes the headlines…the suffering/persecution of Christians.
Verse 11b tells us the promise of a reward.
“He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”
This is a promise for OVERCOMERS. This promises is for those who overcome the threat and/or presence of persecution. We might say that we overcome by our close association with Jesus, who is the ultimate overcomer. As Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
“Shall not be hurt by the second death:” The second death is hell, & then the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14 and 21:8). Though Satan has threatened and attacked their life, Jesus promises His overcomers that death is conquered FOR them.
3rd LETTER TO THE CHURCH OF PERGAMOS
BACKGROUND ON the character/city of Pergamos.
Pergamos was the political capital of the Roman Province of Asia the Less. When John wrote, Pergamos had been the capital city of the region for more than three hundred years. The city was a noted center for culture and education, having one of the great libraries of the ancient world, with more than 200,000 volumes.
Pergamos was also extremely religious, NOT Christian. It had temples to the Greek and Roman gods Dionysus, Athena, Demeter, and Zeus. It also had three temples dedicated to the worship of the Roman Emperor. Pergamos was especially known as a center for the worship of the deity known as Asclepios. Represented by a serpent, Asclepios was the god of healing and knowledge. There was a medical school at his temple in Pergamos. Because of the famous temple to the Roman god of healing, sick and diseased people from all over the Roman Empire flocked to Pergamos for relief.
Verse 12 tell us Jesus describes Himself to the church at Pergamos.
“These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:”
“He who has the sharp two-edged sword:” In Revelation 1:16, John said of Jesus out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword. Now, Jesus “shows” this two-edged sword to the Christians in Pergamos.
“Sharp two-edged sword:” This reminds us of the passage in Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Jesus will use this sharp two-edged sword to make some separation among the Christians in Pergamos.
Verse 13 tells us what Jesus KNOWS about the church at Pergamos.
“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.”
“I know your works:” Jesus has said this to EACH church. It is true of each one of us. He KNOWS our works, even if there isn’t much to know.
“And where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is:”
What does it mean that they lived where Satan’s throne is? In many ways, Pergamos was a stronghold of Satanic power.
What made it such a stronghold? There are many different opinions. Some believe it is because Pergamos was a center of pagan religion, especially of “Asclepios Soter” or “Asclepios Savior. Some believe it was because Pergamos had a huge throne-like altar dedicated to the Roman god Zeus. Some believe it was because Pergamos was a center for the ancient Babylonian priesthood. Others believe it was because Pergamos was the political center of the worship-demanding Roman government.
“And you hold fast to My name:” Despite the fact they live in such a difficult city, the Christians of Pergamos hold fast to their faith in Jesus (hold fast to My name . . . did not deny My faith).
“Did not deny My faith:” Jesus praises the Christians of Pergamos because they did not deny His faith. It is always important to make sure that the faith we hold on to is the faith that belongs to Jesus.
Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you: One specific man among the Christians of Pergamos received a precious title (faithful martyr). This same title is held by Jesus also (Revelation 1:5). Antipas was a man who followed Jesus, who was like Jesus.
Antipas is one of the great anonymous heroes of the Bible. History tells us nothing about him except for here, but our Jesus SEES & TAKES NOTICE of ALL those who belong to him, though the world overlooks them.
Antipas lived where Satan’s throne was. Yet he stood against the attacks and the evil around him. He fulfilled the meaning of his name, because Antipas means “Against All.”
Verses 14-15 tell us what Jesus has against the Christians in Pergamos.
“But 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. Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.”
“I have a few things against you:” The Christians in Pergamos were rightly praised for holding fast to the name of Jesus, and keeping his faith. At the same time, their difficult environment did NOT excuse the few things Jesus had against them.
“You have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam:”
What is the doctrine of Balaam?
Balaam was a prototype of all corrupt teachers. According to Numbers 22-24 and 31, Balaam combined the sins of immorality and idolatry to please Balak, the king of Moab, because he could not curse Israel directly.
When Balaam counseled Balak, he taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel. The stumbling block was connected with idolatry (to eat things sacrificed to idols) and sexual immorality. If the church in Pergamos has those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, it shows they have tendencies towards both idolatry and immorality.
Sexual immorality, adultery, bestiality, homosexuality, & pedofilia marked the WHOLE culture of the ancient Roman Empire. It was simply taken for granted, and the person who lived by Biblical standards of purity was considered strange.
“You also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans:” In Revelation 2:6, Jesus praised the Ephesian Christians because they hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans. But the Nicolaitans also have their doctrine, and some among the Christians held the doctrine of the Nicolaitans.
“You have those there . . . you also have those:” The rebuke is not only against those who hold the doctrines of Balaam and those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. The rebuke is also against those in the church who ALLOW THEM to continue such practices WITHIN their church.
The Christians of Pergamos were like the Christians of Corinth as Paul wrote to them in 1 Corinthians 5:1-9. They were too “tolerant” and “accepting” of false doctrines and immoral living, and Jesus had to rebuke them. Satan couldn’t accomplish much by persecution, because many did hold fast, like Antipas. So Satan tried to accomplish his goals by using deception; first he used violence, then he used alliance.
Verse 16 tells us what Jesus wants the church at Pergamos to do.
“Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.”
“REPENT:” The simple word repent stands out. FIVE of the SEVEN churches are commanded to repent. Repent is a command that applies to Christians, not only to those who first come to Jesus.
“Or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth:” Unless they do repent, the Christians of Pergamos will face the Jesus who has the two-edged sword.
Judgment will BEGIN AT/IN the house of God (1 Peter 4:17).
“The sword of My mouth:” When Jesus comes against the Christians of Pergamos, He will confront them with His Word.
Verse 17 tell us a general exhortation to all whom will hear.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
“He who has an ear:” The danger of false teaching and immoral conduct still faces the church today. But so does the danger of allowing false teaching and immorality, as was the problem with the Christians in Pergamos.
Verse 17b tells us the promise of a reward.
“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.”
“To him who overcomes:” The one who overcomes this spirit of accommodation to false teaching and living will receive hidden manna. This is God’s perfect provision, the true bread from heaven (John 6:41).
“And I will give him a white stone:” In the ancient world, a white stone could be a ticket to a banquet, a sign of friendship, evidence of having been counted, or as a sign of acquittal in a court of law. Jesus may have any one of these meanings in mind, but at the very least we know that it has the assurance of BLESSINGS.
“And on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it:” What is the meaning of this new, secret name promised to him who overcomes? Is it God’s name, or is it the believer’s name? This is probably the believer’s new name, and the name itself is probably more important than the stone itself.
Another is simply the assurance it gives of our heavenly destination. Your name is there, waiting for you. It is as if your “reservation” in heaven is made.
4th LETTER TO THE CHURCH OF THYATIRA
BACKGROUND ON character of the city of Thyatira.
Thyatira was the smallest and least important of the seven cities Jesus addresses in Revelation 2 and 3. In history, we have no record that the Christians of Thyatira suffered any significant political or religious persecution.
But Thyatira was an important center of business and trade. It had many active trade guilds, each having their own patron deity from the Greek and Roman pantheon of gods.
Acts 16:14-15 mentions Lydia of Thyatira, who was a seller of purple cloth from the city of Thyatira. “Thyatira was famous for the manufacture of a purple dye, and numerous references are found in secular literature of the period to the trade guilds which manufactured cloth.
Verse 18b says…Jesus describes Himself to the church at Thyatira.
“These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:”
“These things says the Son of God:” Jesus first describes Himself with a title that emphasizes His deity. In Jewish thought, to be the son of a thing meant you had the nature of that thing. The sons of the sorceress (Isaiah 57:3) had the nature of the sorceress. The sons of thunder (Mark 3:17) had a nature like thunder. So the Son of God has the divine nature, the nature of God.
“Who has eyes like a flame of fire:” Jesus chooses this description of Himself from the presentation in Revelation 1:14 to emphasize the idea that His eyes look with ALL-SEEING, penetrating judgment.
“His feet like fine brass:” Jesus chose this description of Himself from Revelation 1:15 to emphasize His purity, because brass is pure, and highly refined in the fire. It also emphasizes His steadfastness, because brass was the strongest known metal in the ancient world, and feet like fine brass would be strong and unmovable.
Verse 19 tell us what Jesus knows about the Christians in Thyatira.
“I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.”
“I know your works:” Thyatira was the least significant city among the seven cities Jesus addressed. Yet they were NOT hidden to Jesus. Like each one of the churches, Jesus says to the church at Thyatira I know your works.
“Love, service, faith, and your patience:” In many ways, the church at Thyatira was a model church. They had four great essential qualities. They had love, both for the Lord and for one another. They knew service, and had faith and patience worth mentioning.
“As for your works, the last are more than the first:” This is another compliment to the church at Thyatira. Not only do they have these works, but they have them in INCREASING measure - they are growing in love, service, faith, and patience.
Verses 20-21 says what Jesus has against the church at Thyatira.
“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.”
“NEVERTHELESS:” Despite all the good Jesus sees in the church at Thyatira, there are significant problems. The problems are big enough for Jesus to say nevertheless, which means “despite all the good, I have a few things against you.”
“Because you allow that woman Jezebel:” The center of the corruption at the church at Thyatira is a woman Jesus calls Jezebel. This may not have been her literal name, but a “title” that clearly represents a self-styled/self-proclaimed prophetess within the church, after the pattern of Jezebel in the Old Testament (1 Kings 16-21 and 2 Kings 9:30-37).
The name Jezebel had a powerful association. If we called someone a “Judas” or a “Hitler” its visual was strong. No one wants to be a Judas or a Hitler. It’s also a strong thing to call this woman Jezebel. “She was one of the most evil characters of the Old Testament, who attempted to combine the worship of Israel with the worship of the idol Baal . . . Jezebel herself had a most unenviable record of evil.
“Who calls herself a prophetess:” This “Jezebel” at the church of Thyatira wasn’t really a prophetess, she only CLAIMED to be one. Yet, it seems that the Christians there RECEIVED her as a prophetess, and that’s why Jesus gives them this warning.
Jesus said this would happen in Matthew 24:11: “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.” Those words were first spoken with a view to the end times, but there have always been those who call themselves prophets/prophetesses in the church, but are NOT from/of Jesus Christ.
“To teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols:” Here, Jesus describes the specific sin of this woman “Jezebel.” Mainly, she was an immoral and ungodly influence on others, and led others into sin. Jezebel led others into immorality and idolatry.
The draw to the guilds and their meetings was powerful. “No merchant or trader could hope to prosper or make money unless he was a member of his trade guild.” Nonetheless, Christians were expected to stand in the face of this kind of pressure. One ancient Christian named Tertullian wrote about Christians who made their living in trades connected to pagan idolatry. A painter might find work in pagan temples or a sculptor might be hired to make a statue of a pagan god. They would justify this by saying, “This is my living, and I must live.” Tertullian replied Vivere ergo habes? “Must you live?”
“My servants:” This shows how terrible Jezebel’s sin was. She corrupted the servants of Jesus, and they belong to Him. Jesus said, “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.” (Mark 9:42)
Jesus also reveals a link to the work of Jezebel and false doctrine: this doctrine . . . the depths of Satan, as they say (Revelation 2:24). It seems that this Jezebel led others in the church at Thyatira to discover depths of Satan.
How could Christians ever fall for the depths of Satan? Perhaps the deceptive reasoning went this way: “To effectively confront Satan, you must enter his strongholds, and learn his depths in order to conquer him.” People use similar reasoning in misguided spiritual warfare today. They FORGET Jesus says to FLEE from evil.
“And I gave her time to repent . . . and she did not repent:” Jesus’ greatest accusation is that this “Jezebel” did not repent. She apparently rejects the work of the Holy Spirit in her heart, calling her to repentance.
In these words we see both the mercy and judgment of our Lord. Time to repent shows mercy.
God gives us time to repent, we should deal with others the same way. And she did not repent speaks to the judgment of God. God gives time to repent, but it is not an UNLIMITED time. There is a time when God says, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever.” (Genesis 6:3). This means that when God gives us time to repent, we must take advantage of that time.
“Because you allow:” This shows the sin of the church of Thyatira. On the outside, they were a model church, showing works, love, service, faith, and patience. Yet there was significant corruption INSIDE the church. The sin of the church was that they ALLOWED this corruption.
VERSE 22-25 tells us what Jesus wants the church at Thyatira to do.
“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. 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. But hold fast what you have till I come.”
“I will cast her into a sickbed:” Before Jesus tells the Christians in Thyatira what they must do, He first tells them what He will do. Jesus will chastise this Jezebel, and cast her into a sickbed, along with those who commit adultery with her.
The reference to adultery is important. It speaks of both literal, sexual adultery and spiritual adultery. When these Christians honored other gods, they were unfaithful to the Lord who saved them. For this reason, the figure of a sickbed is fitting. They were guilty of adultery, both sexual and spiritual. It is as if Jesus says, “You love an unclean bed. Here, I will give you one, and cast you into a sickbed.”
What was the sickbed? It could simply be an image of affliction. Or, it could be literal sickness that Jesus would allow in the lives of Jezebel and her followers as chastisement. We know from passages such as 1 Corinthians 11:30 that God can use sickness as a way to chastise us when we are in sin.
“Unless they repent of their deeds:” Jesus reveals the purpose for this chastening. First, it is to draw them to repent of their deeds. They wouldn’t listen to Jesus before, so He has to speak “louder” through a sickbed. Second, it is to give an example of holiness to other churches: and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts.
Minds and hearts is literally “hearts and kidneys.” In the mind of the ancient Jews, the heart was the place of intellect, and the kidneys were the place of emotion. Jesus says, “I know your every thought and your every feeling.”
“I will kill her children with death:” Those that do not repent, will spend eternity in The Lake Of Fire.
“Hold fast what you have till I come:” There WERE many faithful, uncompromising Christians in Thyatira. To them, Jesus simply says hold fast! They must not stop doing what is good. They must not become distracted or discouraged from what Jesus wants them to be and to do.
“Jesus also tells them how long to hold fast:” till I come. We are to “hang in there” and stand strong for Jesus until He comes. It’s only then that the battle will be over.
Verses 26-28 tells us the promise of a reward.
“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 overcomes, and keeps My works until the end:” Even when there is the immoral and idolatrous influence of a Jezebel, Christians can overcome and keep Jesus’ works until the end. We must not become overly discouraged at immorality and idolatry around us, even among Christians. God’s work will still go on through His overcomers.
“To him I will give power over the nations:” Jesus promised that His people would reign with Him. Here, there is a special promise to those who overcome the threat of immorality and idolatry. To them, Jesus offers a share in His own kingdom.
“He shall rule them with a rod of iron:” This quotation from Psalm 2 speaks of the authority of the Messiah when He rules over the earth. In that day, righteousness will be enforced, and those who rebel against Jesus will be dashed to pieces like a clay pot hit with an iron bar. Jesus includes this here to give hope to the faithful Christians of Thyatira, who felt overwhelmed by the immorality and idolatry all around them. Jesus reminds them “You’re on My winning team.”
“I will give him the morning star:” Jesus offers them a reward greater than the kingdom. He offers them the reward of Himself, because He is the Morning Star (Revelation 22:16).
Verse 29 tells us a general exhortation to all whom will hear.
“He who has an ear:” This is a letter that applies to everyone. It applies to those who are like Jezebel, who lead others into sin. It applies to those who follow the teaching of a Jezebel, and follow others into sin. It applies to those who permit a Jezebel to work her wickedness. And it applies to the faithful who must hold fast.
So WHAT does Jesus WANT us to SEE, to KNOW, & to UNDERSTAND about HIM & HIS CHURCHES in Revelation 2?
1. YOU ARE MINE.
2. I KNOW ALL ABOUT YOU….GOOD AND BAD.
3. I SEE YOU…..GOOD AND BAD.
4. I LOVE YOU…..ANYWAY.
5. CHANGE, REPENT, &/OR STAY STRONG.
6. RETURN TO ME.
7. I AM COMING BACK FOR YOU….BE READY!