Rev 2:2 I know thy
works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how
thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou
hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are
not, and hast found them liars:
Rev 2:3 And hast
borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake
hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
First, the church
is given a seven part commendation, it was commended
for its: 1) Works, 2) Labor, 3) Patience, 4) Stand
against evil, 5) Stand against false Apostles, 6)
Long suffering, 7) Endurance. The Lord says all
these things are great and I commend you , but...
Rev 2:4
Nevertheless I have [somewhat] against thee, because
thou hast left thy first love.
Rev 2:5 Remember
therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent,
and do the first works; or else I will come unto
thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of
his place, except thou repent.
You have left your
first love. Remember when we first met, how much you
loved me and longed to be with me. Now I hardly ever
hear from you except when your in trouble. I so long
to be the first in your life again. I will never
leave you nor forsake you, please come back to me, I
miss our long talks and intimate fellowship. I want
to bless you, I want the best for, you are the apple
of my eye. If you do not seek me, if you do not ask
me for guidance, how can I work through you? The
name Ephesus, means 'maiden of choice; darling'.
Rev 2:6 But this
thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the
Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
Last, comes the
exhortation, they are exhorted for their hate of the
deeds of the Nicolaitans, which he, the Lord also
hates. Note, it's the deeds that are hated, not the
Nicolaitans themselves. The Nicolaitans, was a
Gnostic sect founded by Nicolas of Antioch, known
for their unbridled and excessive lusts.
Rev 2:7 He that
hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto
the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to
eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of
the paradise of God.
Final note, where
is Ephesus today? Where's their lampstand today?
Ephesus is over six miles from the sea, what was
once one of the greatest seaports in the ancient
world, is now unapproachable by sea. What once was
the key city in Asia is now in desolation.
Rev 2:8 And unto
the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These
things saith the first and the last, which was dead,
and is alive;
Today Smyrna is
called Izmir, and it's the third largest city on
Turkey. Smyrna has an excellent harbor and exports
tobacco, grapes, figs, cotton, olives and olive oil.
Smyrna was inhabited by the Asiatic Leleges until
about 3,000 B.C., after that according to Herodotus,
the area fell into the hands of the Ionians from
Colophon. Thus, beginning the Smyrna's most glorious
phase in history. During this period the poet Homer
was born, lived and died in Smyrna. Three centuries
of greatness ended with the attack of the Lydians.
In the 4th
century, on orders from Alexander the Great, Smyrna
was built into a strong, well planned city, the most
beautiful in Ionia. It became known as "The Flower
of Ionia", and prospered into one of the greatest
cities of that time. Smyrna came under the control
of the Romans in 27 B.C., and it became known as the
most beautiful city in the world. Over the years
Smyrna was demolished by several earthquakes and
rebuilt, but never attained it's former glory.
Ancient Smyrna was
known for its many temples and splendid buildings.
It became the center of pagan worship, with the
temples of Zeus, Apollo, Aphrodite, Aesculapius,
Cybele, Poseidon and Demeter. The name "Smyrna"
comes from the Greek word "Smurna" from Hebrew root
that is translated "myrrh".
Myrrh is a bitter
gum and costly perfume which exudes from a certain
tree or shrub in Arabia and Ethiopia, or is obtained
by incisions made in the bark: as an antiseptic it
was used for embalming. It was also an ingredient in
perfume (Ps 45:8), prominent in Song of Solomon,
etc. It was also an ingredient in holy anointing oil
for priests (Ex 30:23) and the purification of women
(Esther 2:12). It was used in embalm-ing (Jn 19:39)
and was a gift of the Magi at Christ?s birth (Mt
2:11): Gold = royalty, Frankincense = deity,
priesthood, Myrrh = suffering, death. In Jesus?
Second Coming gold and frankincense are offered, but
NO myrrh (Isa 60:6) since his death is now behind
him?but it was offered to Christ at cross (Mk
15:23). The body of Jesus was embalmed by Joseph &
Nicodemus (Jn 19:39-40). Myrrh yields fragrance by
being crushed. Note the "death" theme throughout
this letter.
Rev 2:9 I know thy
works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art
rich) and [I know] the blasphemy of them which say
they are Jews, and are not, but [are] the synagogue
of Satan.
Commendation: I
know your works, and tribulation. This period for
the church was a time of oppression, affliction and
distress. I know your works, nothing is hidden from
me, I know your poverty, how you were persecuted
through confiscation. I know your persecution by
those 'religious men', men that claimed to be Jews,
but were not. In the midst of much affliction is
easy to think that God has forgotten all about you,
but I know, I've been there, done that, says Jesus.
Rev 2:10 Fear none
of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the
devil shall cast [some] of you into prison, that ye
may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten
days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give
thee a crown of life.
"Fear none of
those things which thou shalt suffer": Diseases
brought back from the Parthian wars devastated much
of Rome; inundation from the Tiber put much of the
grain storehouses under water; famine and pestilence
followed. The Christians were a convenient scape-goat
and Christianity became a crime...
"10 days":
Nero (54-68): Paul
beheaded; Peter crucified upside down.
Domitian (95-96):
John exiled.
Trajan (104-117):
Ignatius burned at the stake.
Marcus Aurelius
(161-180): Polycarp martyred.
Septimus Severus
(200-211): He killed Irenaeus.
Maximinus
(235-237): He killed Ursula and Hippolytus.
Decius (249-251);
Valerian (257-260); Aurelian, (270-275);
Diocletian
(303-313); The Worst of all!
Ten total: 250
years!
In Fox?s Book of
Martyrs: Five million believers died for Christ
during this period.
Rev 2:11 He that
hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto
the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt
of the second death.
Note: there is no
criticism this is a promise for overcomers; in the
context, for those who will over come the threat and
fact of violence from Satan; they shall never be
hurt by the second death - which is hell, the lake
of fire (Revelation 20:14; 21:8); death is conquered
for these overcomers
Rev 2:12 And to
the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These
things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two
edges;
History:
[Pergamos is the
feminine form; Pergamum is the neuter form of the
name; both were used.] Pergamos was located 70 miles
north of Smyrna. Smyrna was the great commercial
center; Ephesus, the great political center;
Pergamos, the great religious center. Its early
history is obscure; there are evidences that it was
occupied during the stone and bronze ages, but prior
to Alexander the Great, Pergamos was little more
than a castle on top of a hill. Pergamos is about 18
miles from the sea, about 80 miles north of Smyrna.
The present city of Bergama has a population of only
20,000 (vs. almost 200,000 of old). Zeus is said to
have been born there. The great altar stood on a
foundation 125 ft by 115 ft, over 50 ft high, set in
a colonnaded enclosure (Satan's throne? Rev 2:13).
Rev 2:13 I know
thy works, and where thou dwellest, [even] where
Satan's seat [is]: and thou holdest fast my name,
and hast not denied my faith, even in those days
wherein Antipas [was] my faithful martyr, who was
slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
What does it mean
that they lived where Satan's throne is? In some
sense, Pergamos was a stronghold of Satanic power.
What made it such a stronghold? There are diverse
views: perhaps because it was a pagan religious
center (especially of "Asclepios Soter" [savior]),
or because it had a huge throne-like altar of Zeus,
or because it inherited Babylonian priests (although
this is tough to prove conclusively), or because it
was the political center of a government which
demanded worship. Despite the fact they live in such
a difficult place, they are holding fast in a
difficult setting (hold fast . . . did not deny My
faith) . Jesus praises them because they did not
deny His faith; we must take great pains that the
faith we hold on to is the faith (in this sense, the
body of doctrine) that comes from Jesus. One
specific man, named Antipas (the name means "Against
All") receives a precious title (faithful martyr), a
title which was held by Jesus also
(Revelation 1:5) - he is a truly Christ-like man.
Rev 2:14 But I
have a few things against thee, because thou hast
there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who
taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the
children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto
idols, and to commit fornication.
"Doctrine of
Balaam" (Rev 2:14), spiritual un-chastity; marriage
with the world. "Way of Balaam" (2 Peter 2:15) , a
hireling = making a "market" for his gift. "Error of
Balaam" (Jude 11). Balaam was hired by the enemies
of the People of God to curse them; warned not to by
God (Num 22:12). Not satisfied with this
(sufficient) answer, he makes further request to go,
given permission but not allowed to utter anything
but blessings (Moses? summary, Deut. 23:4,5).
Deprived of rewards promised by Balak, King of Moab,
Balaam?s covetous heart conceived an evil thought:
If he could counsel the women of Midian and Moab to
tempt the Israelites and cause them to sin, God
would have to punish His people: Balak?s purpose
would then be served, and Balaam would be rich. The
seduction worked (Num. 25:2,3; Num. 31:16), but
Balaam had not counted on God?s grace.
What is the
doctrine of Balaam? Balaam is a prototype of all
corrupt teachers; he combined the sins of immorality
and idolatry to please Balak, the king of Moab,
because he could not curse Israel directly (see
Numbers 22-24; 31:1-16) The Doctrine of Balaam (Rev.
2:14). Balaam took the way of Cain, lived riotously
afterward, but perished miserably with the enemies
of God at last (Josh 13:22). "The error of Balaam
for hire" (Jude 6, 11). Sacrificing of eternal
riches for temporal gain. Lust for the "pleasures of
sin for a season"; greed for the "treasures of
Egypt" (Heb 11:25; Mark 8:36). Cf. Demas: "having
loved this present world" (2 Tim 4:10). Also,
natural reasoning = supposed a righteous God had to
curse the evident immorality in Israel.
"Fornication": 1 Cor 10:20,21,25-29 2 Cor 6:14,16.
"Stumbling block": Acts 15; 1 Cor 10:25-29.
Balaam's name
derives from the word Baal, it means to conquer the
people, you will see the name baal about 63 times in
the Bible referring to the kind of Pagan worship
that we are going to read about next. What is the
doctrine of Balaam? This story can be found in the
book of Numbers starting in chapter 22. Balaam was a
prophet of God, that also new about pagan beliefs
and practices. Israel was coming through the land of
the Moabites, and king Balac knew that no one could
go against God's people, and the king feared the
Israelites. King Balac made the mistake of believing
that prophets have the power of God. He believed
that whatever a prophet says happens. It seems like
the charismatic movement of today has the same
belief. So King Balac hires Balaam to use this power
of prophecy against the Israelites. Balaam knows he
doesn't have this kind of power so he asks god "can
I go prophesy against Israel"? God tells Balaam
"No". Balaam then goes to King Balac and says to him
"God says no, I can not prophecy against Israel",
Balac offers Balaam more money and you know God is
just holding out so Balaam can make some big bucks,
right? Balaam goes to God again with the same
request, again God says no. Balaam returns to king
Balac again with the same reply of God's refusal, so
the King once again offers Balaam more money. Balaam
asks God again and this time God is angry and he
tells him to go and prophecy.
Did you know that
sometimes you can pray and pray and pray about
something and God will finally say "ok" it doesn't
mean God's blessing is on what you prayed for. It
just means He knows you aren't listening anyway, so
he is going to let you do it and fall on your face.
It's like asking God "God can I commit adultery"? If
we were interested in hearing what God wants, the
prayer would be answered the first time. But we are
interested in what we want, so we ask and ask and
ask until God says ok do it, but don't be fooled
your prayer is not blessed, and you are getting the
results you want through your own power or the power
of satan. A person who can't get what they want
usually delves into manipulation or witchcraft to
get what they want.
Rev 2:15 So hast
thou also them that hold the doctrine of the
Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
What is the
doctrine of the Nicolaitans? The title has an
emphasis on presumptuous authority, and hierarchical
separatism, which was mixed with immorality and a
Gnostic type religion (as was previously mentioned
in verse 6, the letter to Ephesus). The name
Nikao-laos literally means "to conquer the people".
The rebuke is not only of these specific groups
(those who hold the doctrines of Balaam and those
who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, but of the
church who allows them to continue in their midst
(you have there those . . . you have those). This is
a church soft on doctrine and living, adopting a
"live and let live" attitude within the church .What
Satan couldn't accomplish by persecution (many did
hold fast, like Antipas), he was accomplishing with
deception -- using first violence, then alliance. A
difficult environment never justifies compromise; it
is easy for a church in such difficulty to justify
this compromise in the name of "we need all the help
we can get" - but no church needs that kind of help.
Rev 2:16 Repent;
or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will
fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Exhortation:
Repent! What Jesus wants them to do: Repent! The
simple word repent is worthy of our notice; five of
the seven churches are commanded to repent, yet this
is all too often a missing word among Christians.
Unless they do repent, they will have to deal with
the Jesus of the two-edged sword; judgment will
begin at the house of God. We may also find the
implication that Jesus will first come against them
with His Word; His means of correction often begins
by confronting us with His Word.
1 John 1:9, the
"Christian's Bar of Soap."
Rev 2:17 He that
hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto
the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to
eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white
stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no
man knoweth saving he that receiveth [it].
This is a word to
everyone who will hear it; each one of us must guard
against compromise, especially in the name of "being
nice". The promise of reward to overcomers, The one
who overcomes this spirit of accommodation to false
teaching and living will be given hidden manna:
God's perfect provision; the true bread from heaven
(John 6:41) . The use of a white stone had many
associations in that day; it could be a ticket to a
banquet, a sign of friendship, an evidence of being
counted, or as a sign of acquittal in a court of
law. What ever its exact meaning is, at the least,
here it is used as an assurance of blessing .What is
the new, secret name promised? Is it God's name, or
is it the believer's name? It is probably the
believer's new name, and the name itself is likely
more important than the stone itself . The
revelation of this new, secret name has an emphasis
on intimacy; on knowledge as in a relationship
(after the pattern of the use of pet names in a
marriage) .
Rev 2:18 And unto
the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These
things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like
unto a flame of fire, and his feet [are] like fine
brass;
Background
history: Thyatira was the smallest and least
important of the seven cities; it had no notable
presence of political or religious persecution. But,
it was notable as a commercial and business center,
with many active trade guilds each having their own
"sponsor god". The road from Istanbul to Izmir runs
through the small and unattractive town of Akhisar
(population: 30,000) which now occupies the site
where once stood the important military city of
Thyatira. In New Testament times, the city stood at
the junction of three main roads leading to Pergamos,
Sardis, and Smyrna.
It was originally
a Lydian town bearing the name of Pelopia, then
Semiramis, and then Euhippia. It was taken by the
Persians and then Alexander, and is ultimately
passed to the possession of Lysimachus, one of
Alexander?s four generals. In 301 B.C., however,
Lysimachus was defeated by his rival Seleucus I (Nicator)
and it thus became part of Syria. The city was
converted into a frontier fortress to guard the way
to Pergamos.
Growing in
commercial importance, Thyatira became a well-known
center for trade guilds. Membership in these was
compulsory and essential if one was to pursue a
trade. These were well- organized corporate bodies,
providing specific benefits and taking actions to
protect their interests, often owning considerable
property. Each guild was under the patronage of some
pagan deity, and all proceedings and feasts
commenced with paying homage to the patron god or
goddess. The dilemma of the Christian tradesman
continues in our own day: Is it necessary for the
believer to participate in the production of films,
plays, books, or music which have an essential
appeal to the flesh? It is a choice between Christ
or the world.
Thyatira was known
for its dyes particularly its purple (which was
scarlet rather than purple, derived from the
madder-root which is prolific in the area.
(Alternatives also included the murex, a shellfish
from whose throat a drop of dye could be extracted.)
Cf. Lydia, a wealthy sales rep for Thyatira dwelling
in Philippi (Acts 16:14,15). Thyatira portrays the
medieval papacy from 600 to 1500 A.D. The dream to
establish and enforce the pretensions of the Roman
church constitute the major part of the history of
the Middle Ages. The Chaldean priest who interpreted
the esoteric doctrines of the Babylonian mysteries
was called Peter (i.e. "the interpreter"). He wore
an insignia of the two keys of Janus and Cybele,
which still appear on the Papal arms as symbols of
spiritual authority. The danger to the church at
Thyratira did not arise from the persecutions of
imperial Rome nor from the animosity of Jewish
attitudes. It arose from within the church
itself all the more serious and dangerous to deal
with.
Rev 2:19 I know
thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and
thy patience, and thy works; and the last [to be]
more than the first.
Commendation: "I
know thy works...": He loves us so much He can't
take His eyes off us! He is always fully informed on
our actions and conditions.
"works..love..faith..service..faith..patience..works":
Jesus names six positives...and tells them they are
improving!
Rev 2:20
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee,
because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which
calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce
my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things
sacrificed unto idols.
Criticism:
"...thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth
herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my
servants to commit fornication, and to eat things
sacrificed unto idols": The chief sin of this
church which was fatal simply consisted of failing
to raise a protest against this woman, who claimed
to be a prophetess, who led them into idolatrous
doctrines and practices.
Jezebel was the
daughter of Eth-Baal, King of Sidon, Priest of
Astarte, the murderer of his predecessor, Pheles,
whom he killed to seize the throne. She married King
Ahab to seal a profitable trade alliance between
Israel and Phoenicia. ["Reasonable compromise"] A
worshipper of Baal and Astarte (originated in
Babylon), she and King Ahab usher in the worst
period in OT (1 Kgs 16:30 33). She seeks to
exterminate prophets of YHWH (1 Kgs 18:13). The
queen is running things; of all the women seen in
the Old Testament, none was more cunning or more
daring or more unscrupulous...she obtained lands
through "inquisition." Read the incident of Naboth's
Vineyard (1 Kgs 21). A vivid picture of the medieval
church for a thousand-year period, including the
Dark Ages.
Why was she called
Jezebel? Jezebel was a real person who was the
daughter of king Ethbaal, the high priest of the
Babylonian mysteries in the Zidonianite kingdom; He
married her off to a wicked king of Israel named
Ahab. He is a wicked king and according to law he
was never supposed to marry a pagan priestess, she
was temple prostitute. The kings of Israel were
supposed to marry virgin girls. But no, he is
marrying a prostitute that had been a part of that
wicked temple, and she loved those pleasures. And
when she came into Israel she brought all of that
paganism with her. She set up temples of Baal, and
started up children sacrifices to Baal, and little
girls were put up as prostitutes in the temples,
these people were child molesters and murderers.
When the prophet Elijah took a sword and slew all
450 of them, he was only doing what King Ahab should
have done. Any man that committed idolatry,
prostituted a girl or murdered a baby had the death
sentence on his head. But it was ritualized and
embraced by jezebel and she polluted the whole
nation of Israel.
Israel at this
time was divided into two nations, upper or northern
Israel was called Israel and lower Israel was called
Judah. This wicked woman's daughter married the king
of Judah and they brought that same stuff there, and
because of what she did the northern tribes became
the lost tribes and were scattered by the Assyrians
which took them away. And because of what she did
the southern kingdom ended up spending 70 years in
Babylonian captivity. This woman was pollution and
she was a Babylonian priestess. God wants you to
understand that in the middle of Thyatira there is
this Jezebel who claims to be a prophetess of God.
Rome does claim
this that she is the only true church, she is the
spokesman, the pope is infallible. But when you
begin to study Rome you will find out that the heart
of Catholicism is none other than Babylonian
worship, in the Pergamos age we saw how paganism got
into Rome through the Pergamos church. How Julius
Caesar asked to be Miximum Pontifex in 33 BC which
made him the God king of the Babylonian worship
system, which had passed from Caesar to Caesar. And
in 376 AD because of Christian influence Emperor
Gratan refused to wear the pagan crown, and it laid
for two years until Bishop Demascus the Bishop of
Bishops in Rome said I want to wear the crown. And
in the 378 AD the head of the Christian church in
Rome became the world wide head of the pagan
mysteries and those mysteries became mixed and
interspersed with Christian doctrine until you can't
hardly tell them apart.
The Thyatira name
means continual sacrifice and we have established
that this name comes from continual pagan mass. One
of the things Jezebel introduced. She teaches the
people to eat things sacrificed unto idols. What do
we eat in worship? Bread and wine. If the Lord
instituted this in the Bible how can it become
corrupted and become a thing sacrificed to idols? If
it is a piece of bread, it is not alive at all, your
not sacrificing something to an idol. It has to be a
living thing and you have to kill it in the presence
of an idol, so how do you do that? Our sins are in
our spirit and our mind and the moment that you tell
me that the bread is Christ and it is alive and I
begin to worship it, I am worshiping an idol in my
hand in front of the presence of other idols
standing there. And when I eat the thing in my mind
it is alive, but I can tell you that I have never
ate anything that did not die during the process
eating it. So in my mind I will be eating a living
sacrifice in the presence of an idol and that is
spiritual fornication, and I will tell you why.
Rev 2:21 And I
gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she
repented not.
Rev 2:22 Behold, I
will cast her into a bed, and them that commit
adultery with her into great tribulation, except
they repent of their deeds.
Rev 2:23 And I
will kill her children with death; and all the
churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the
reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of
you according to your works.
Rev 2:24 But unto
you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as
have not this doctrine, and which have not known the
depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you
none other burden.
What Jesus wants
the Christian in Thyatira to do: repent and hold
fast. Those in the "Jezebel" group are committing
adultery; this probably has the sense of both
spiritual adultery and sexual adultery. God promises
to chasten them (cast her into a sickbed, and those
who commit adultery with her into great tribulation
. . . I will kill her children with death), with the
goal of bringing them to repentance and restoration;
but also with the purpose of glorifying Himself (all
the churches shall know that I am He who searches
the minds and hearts). But to the faithful in
Thyatira, God simply says hold fast! They must not
stop doing what is good. But to "Jezebel" and her
party, there is no other word than repent; that
comes before anything else.
Rev 2:25 But that
which ye have [already] hold fast till I come.
Rev 2:26 And he
that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end,
to him will I give power over the nations:
Rev 2:27 And he
shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels
of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as
I received of my Father.
Rev 2:28 And I
will give him the morning star.
Rev 2:29 He that
hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto
the churches.
A promise of
reward to he who overcomes. To the one who overcomes
the threat of this corruption in the church, Jesus
offers a share in the Messianic kingdom; and He also
offers to them, the greatest of all rewards: Himself
(He is the Morning Star, as in Revelation 22:16) The
Spirit warns all who practice or permit such
corruption in the churches; we must allow the
searching judgment and purity of Jesus to confront
all such corruption in our midst.
Note: In the first
three letters, the promise to the overcomer is after
"He that hath..."; in the last four, the promise to
overcomer is inside the letter... In the first three
epistles the church was viewed as still capable of
repenting; in the last four it was apparent that
only a remnant described as the overcomer would hear
and repent. Also, only last four include explicit
promises of Jesus Second Coming.
