as we move into chapter two, and then three, it is necessary to look into the history and...
TRANSCRIPT
REVELATION
CHAPTER 2
As we move into Chapter two, and then three, it is necessary
to look into the history and
circumstances of each city,
Verse 1
as a whole, so that we may better understand the
circumstances of each church and the message that
they are receiving.
It will become evident that the
cities were largely pagan and that the churches consisted of converted Jews
and pagans.
The Epistles tell us that there was much
dissension between the formerly Jewish Christians
and the formerly pagan Christians and that both were persecuted by both the pagans, who usually
held the positions of authority, and also by the
unconverted Jews.
A study of relativistic pagan society reveals a
life of brutal drudgery and a
hopelessness for any thing better -
EVER!
This was only relieved by the
"RELIGIOUS" celebrations which
involved much drunken
debauchery, fornication and licentiousness.
This was the only relief in a life devoid of hope for purpose, fulfillment and joy.
This was/is the empty space in anyone's soul that can only be filled by the Spirit of God,
the Father, the Almighty.
The pagans resisted conversion because of their misunderstanding of the message of the
apostles which led them to disdain the perceived
aceticness of Christianity for the
''JOY'' of their pagan religious party-times.
All of the seven churches in
Chapter 2 & 3 were actual churches of John's day.
In what is to come, Christ lays bare the true state
of each individual church and this state can be
seen in the churches of history and in the state
of the churches of today.
We gain this understanding from the
fact that only seven churches were selected from the multitude that
existed in John's time and by the fact that, at the
close of each letter, there is a statement that the
Holy Spirit is speaking to the churches.
As we encounter the number seven applied to these churches we tend to focus on the
fact that seven is symbolic of
perfection, yet we will find that these
churches are far from perfect.
Seven is also a metaphor for
completion and, in considering the flaws of these churches, we find that Yehovah has
provided a ''COMPLETE'' list of
the sins of His people.
In our day this means that if
repentance isn't accomplished by
us, Revelation will be accomplished by
Yehovah.
We might also consider how
many of these sins fall into the
unpardonable category because they stem from
unbelief.
In each of these epistles we will
observe:
(A) That Christ always
describes himself by a characteristic suited to the circumstances of
each particular church regardless of whether the message promises
encouragement or terror.
(B)each epistle is directed to the angel or messenger of the church. These would
likely be the pastors because they are the mouth of God for the congregation.
Once again we see that revelation was written to be understood by all and to be
declared publically.
(C)each epistle is concluded with a promise of eternal glory and happiness for
victorious believers and a solemn call to every reader and hearer to
seriously learn and apply the contents of these letters to their lives.
Ephesus, the "LOVELESS"
church, would metaphorically represent the
church times up to 100AD.
verses 1-7, are a letter of
warning to the Church in the
city of Ephesus (which means "DESIRABLE").
Under Caesar Augustus, Ephesus became the capitol
of the Roman province of Asia,
which is presently the western portion
of Turkey.
It was known to be the
residence of John both
before and after his
internments on Patmos.
It is the city of the Seat of Diana (aka
Artemis), the "MOTHER OF THE
GODS". The Temple of Diana
was built in 480BC.
Christianity came to the city with Paul,
Aquila and Priscilla, as per Acts 18:18-19 & 19:10. Timothy had
charge of the church for a time according to
1 Timothy 1:3.
After this, the church became
the responsibility of John, upon his release from
Patmos.
The Revelation context of the
warning is about its
character of being a loveless church.
Is a clear indication that it is Jesus who is talking and taking action.
Verse 1
Is an indication that the faith formerly
held by this church, and the evangelism and works that faith had generated, have
been judged and approved by Christ.
Verse 2
Jesus commends them for carefully
discerning the lies and evil
deeds of false teachers and
rejecting them.
Is a commendation for patiently bearing
persecution for their faith and carrying on regardless. The word "FAINTED" means to grow weary and give
up.
Verse 3
Is a condemnation # for an intentional act of rebellion
against the faith (Jer 2:2 & Eze
16:8) and, thus, against Jesus.
Verse 4
Eph1:15-16, shows that some 30 years
before this time, this church was
commended for the strength of its love for Christ and their
fellow man.
This would indicate that this
congregation had turned inward, not
only against society but also
against each other.
In doing this, they have
turned away from the Great
Commission and it author.
This would mean that their righteous works
had faltered and failed and so their love for Jesus and His Gospel and even each other, had dried up entirely, hence the "LOVELESS"
comment.
Similarly, this could also mean that this
congregation had been distracted by the busyness of the
activities of the world around them to the
point that their ardent love for Jesus had
cooled due to neglect.
In our lives, we need to consider if our own love for the Lord has lost
its initial passion, if we too have been distracted by the busyness of the
world
perhaps a busyness that
Satan has strewn in our path for
just that reason.
Is a call to remember who they were those 30 years ago and to return to that state of affairs quickly before Jesus
removes their candlestick #,
extinguishing their light unto the world.
Verse 5
The verbs "REMEMBER", "REPENT" and "DO" are
the "first things" involved in re-birth and entering into the work
of the Great Commission, and in this
sense this warning takes the form of commandments.
Now that we know what the
candlestick represents, we can
see the seriousness of the
error and the warning.
Now that we know what the
candlestick represents, we can
see the seriousness of the
error and the warning.
This denunciation began to unfold
during the persecutions of the
emperors Decius Gallus and Valerian
and was completed to the letter by the Saracens and the
Turks.
The place has long been an uninhabited
ruin.
In our present day this could be taken as "DEPRIVE THEE OF
GOSPEL LIGHT": Bibles that are unread, Lord's
Days not kept, ministers not listened to, communions not
observed, liberties abused rather than
valued.
(see commentary on
Nicolaitans)(See Acts 6:5)
Verse 6
”And the saying pleased the whole multitude:
and they chose Stephen, a man full of
faith and of Holy Ghost, and Philip, and
Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and
Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:”
This hearing admonition is
repeated seven times in
Revelation.
Verse 7
The future tense indicates
the rewards still available for adequate repentance.
This tree of life is the one in
Eden and which will be found anew in the
New Jerusalem.
In this we see a direct challenge to the
temple of Artemis, which was a refuge
for criminals, because Jesus is saying that
He is the only effective refuge from
our sinfulness.
Of particular note is the
observation that Jesus is speaking yet He is saying
that the Holy Spirit is
speaking.
Just as the Bible repeatedly states that
God the Heavenly Father and Jesus are One, here we are finding that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are
One. We have confirmation from the mouth of our Lord and Saviour that the Holy
Trinity is a reality.
(Verses 8-11)Are a letter to the church at Smyrna.
(Myrrh means sweet-smelling). "THE PERSECUTED
CHURCH". It is a seaport city about 35
miles north of Ephesus and is called
Izmir today.
The city was one of many that were a
center of the imperial cult
(emperor worship) and it was also a
shrine to the goddess
"NEMESIS".
This Greek goddess was also know as
"RHAMNOUS" which is the spirit of divine
retribution, especially to those
who succumb to "HUBRIS": the
arrogance of the gods.
GREEK GODDESS KNOWN AS:
RHAMNOUS
This was a vengeful and remorseless goddess. The
Greek root word means "TO
RENDER WHAT IS DUE".
The Romans used the Latin name ''INVIDIA" for this goddess and
that word implies "LOOKING AT WITH AN
EVIL EYE" as in "TO LOOK AGAINST, TO
LOOK AT IN A HOSTILE MANNER".
It also implies "ENVY" which is
one of Christianity's
seven deadly sins (Pro 6:16; Gal
5:19-21).
We might want to give substantial reflection to
what we are encountering in this because God the Father Almighty does nothing by chance -
including choosing this particular church as an
example to all, for every day, given what we now
know.
The early church father Polycarp, a disciple of John, was
martyred here.
Under the Emperor Diocletian, the
church as a whole, endured the 10 days (prophetic
years - v10) spoken of in Daniel,
especially in light of 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.”
This occurred from 303-313AD
and totally ended when Constantine
became a "CHRISTIAN".
This church is commended for being a persecuted church and this would make it a metaphor for the church of Jesus Christ in the times of 100-
313AD.
This church is notable for the fact that there is no reproof in
the letter.
Is an unmistakeable indication that it is Jesus who is speaking.
Verse 8
Tells us that Jesus has judged# the
faith, and the works that faith has generated, and found them
acceptable.
Verse 9
While they were poor in outward
circumstances and in spirit, they were
rich in faith and thus were heirs to God's kingdom and
glory.
There is also mention of those who call
themselves "JEWS BUT ARE NOT", rather, they
are Jews who have rejected Christ, or possibly apostate
Christians who were also referred to as Jews
by the pagans.
Formerly pagan Christians were also erroneously called Jews. ''CHRISTIANS WHO ARE NOT'' are something we have
become very familiar with.
Obviously, they would/do gather in the synagogues of Satan as they were not God's people
and thus the house is not Yehovah's
either.
Equally so, there are ''CHURCHES'' that are churches of Satan for the same reason.
The fact that Jesus calls the Jews this
is also a foreshadowing of
the upcoming permanent split
between the Jews and Christians.
Tells the people of this church not to fear the
upcoming tribulations as Jesus would be
with them.
Chapters 10 & 11
There were specifics given as to these
tribulations and the time frame of 10 prophetic days
(years) and that there would be great
reward for all who stood-fast to Him.
The second death is always
Hell (also James 1:1-12).
Salvation is a free gift to the worthy, those who accept
Jesus as Lord, Master and
Saviour,
but the rewards spoken of here and elsewhere in the Bible are earned by
the quality of our service to the LORD God through works and the enduring
of tribulation for the faith. These rewards are
also spoken of in scripture as "CROWNS".
A letter to the "COMPROMISING
CHURCH", the church at Pergamum
(meaning elevation or to lift up the self over
the divine), also known as Pergamos.
(Verses 12-17)
It was located about 45 miles
north of Smyrna.
It had one of the finest libraries of antiquity and was the place where
parchment (writing material made of animal skins) was
first used.
At one time, it was the capitol of the
Roman province of Asia. It was the location of the
Temple of Zeus and the Babylonian
Priesthood.
This priesthood was driven out of Babylon by the Medo-Persians and they took with them the Palladium
Stone, the Dagon vestments, the title Pontifex Maximus (the bridge between
Heaven and Earth),
the keys (subsequently claimed by the
popes to be Peter's keys to the
leadership of the church) and miter
of office.
The last pontiff king of
Pergamum, Attalus III,
bequeathed the title and
vestments to Rome in 133BC.
In 378AD, the Emperor Gratian refused the title and office and it
was subsequently seized by
Damascus, the Bishop of Rome.
Esubeus, a heretical "CHURCH FATHER"
who later lived here, re-wrote parts of the
Bible under the direction of the pope, to diminish Christ to
equality with the pagan gods.
Metaphorically, this would place events like those described here of Pergamum,
between 313-583AD in church history, a
period of compromise and corruption.
Consider again that the
foundation of all unpardonable sin is unbelief in the known nature of
Yehovah.
In knowing and believing Yehovah,
there is NO possibility of denying or
compromising one's faith. A knowing person just wouldn't have the
nerve.
unmistakeably describes the speaker as Jesus.
This city was one of few that had
been granted the "RIGHT OF THE
SWORD" by Rome.
Verse 12
This meant that the civic leaders could sentence
criminals to death by the
sword and carry out the sentence.
Christians who refused to
compromise with paganism often met this fate.
Jesus showing up with a sword would
be a direct challenge to the authorities and their presumed right to judge Christians.
Jesus is clearly stating that only
He has the authority to
judge# Christians.
Jesus makes positive mention of a martyr named An'tipas (the name means anti-
pontiff and we need to think about that) who
died either at the imperial cult temple or
the temple of Zeus.
Verse 13
Given the relativistic flexibility of the pagans, the one temple may have
served both deities.
again refers to the deeds of the Nicolaitans and
Baalamites.
Verse 14-15
Jesus condemns the church as a
whole for its acceptance of the
teachings of Balaam and the
corruption prevalent in the
church because of it.
In 2 Peter 2:15-16 and Jude 11, this
points to false teachers who do their deeds for
fame and fortune, a sin readily
observed in this day.
From our knowledge of
events recorded in this letter, we
come to realize that COMPROMISE
is regarded by Jesus as A GREAT
EVIL!
COMPROMISE can only lead to spiritual
fornication.
COMPROMISE is an unpardonable sin
because its foundation is unbelief regarding
Yehovah.
The sin they taught was
COMPROMISE with pagan traditions,
especially the eating of foods
sacrificed to idols.
This is the spiritual
fornication that God
condemns# so severely.
We have had a look at the massive pollution of
Christianity, at the hands of Constantine
and the CC, when pagan traditions were
adopted/blended in to the reality of Jesus
Christ and His ministry.
This was nothing other than blatant
compromise. Symbolically, it is
the sowing of mixed spiritual
seed (Lev 19:19).
This seems to be especially so in the CC
timings of the Sabbath(Isa 56:6-7), the Nativity and the
Crucifixion.Deu 12:1-4 is an unmistakeable
prohibition of such practices.
This is much more clearly stated in
the Hebrew scripture: ''YOU
SHALL NOT WORSHIP
YEHOVAH YOUR GOD IN SUCH
WAYS.''
We need to carefully study the full context
of this event to understand the power of its condemnation of
adopting pagan practices into the worship Yehovah
Almighty.
We need to carefully consider how totally unacceptable this is to Him. We are not looking at a trivial sin, this is a major
offense to Our Heavenly Father.
I don't think I would care for Jesus to be
hating what I was up to, yet, just as in that
time, people today don't seem to be considering the consequences.
They lack adequate fear of the LORD
God Almighty.
is a call for sincere repentance to
occur quickly, the rewards of
accomplishing this and the
consequences of not doing so.
Verse 16-17
Jesus warns the Baalamites that
He will wage war against
them with the sword of God's
Holy Word.
The "HIDDEN MANNA", which was the manna
hidden within the Arc of the
Covenant as a memorial to the
time in the wilderness,
as it is spoken of here refers to the
sufficiency of Jesus Christ for all of a
believers needs, just as manna was
sufficient for the needs of the Hebrews
in the desert.
In many societies, then
and now, voting is often done with coloured
stones.
A black one signified death and/or rejection
while a white stone reflected
innocence and/or acceptance.
Such a stone was often used as an
invitation to a special feast: in this instance the
end times wedding banquet with Christ
(Rev 19:7-9/Matt 22:11-13).
Coloured amulets worn around the
wrist or neck signified
belonging to a particular group
or person.
Those fortunate enough to
receive a white stone from
Christ receive a reward beyond
measure.
The "ENGRAVING OF A NAME" refers to the Hebrew custom of
engraving the names of the tribes of Israel upon the stones worn on the shoulders and breast of
the high priest (Exo 28:10-11).
The "NAME THAT NO MAN KNOWETH..."
refers to the nature and value of that
"NEW NAME" (child of God) which the Lord
bestows upon all who love Him (Gen 32:28;
1 Jn 3:1)
are the message to the "CORRUPT CHURCH", the
church at Thyatira, meaning: "THE SWEET SAVOUR OF LABOUR;
SACRIFICE AND CONTRITION" which is a Satanic teaching that
works alone bring salvation.
Verses 18-29
This concept is spoken to directly in v19 "AND THE LAST TO BE MORE THAN THE FIRST" because the
church had come to supplant salvation by
faith alone with salvation by works - as is
found in many liberal imitation churches today.
The city was noted for its many trade guilds and for its wool cloth and
dyeing industries, in particular the royal colours of
purple and crimson
(the official colours of the
Catholic Church through the Middle Ages) made from
madder roots.
It was also known for the "BURNISHED
BRONZE" metal (a special alloy of copper and an unusual silvery
zinc that was only ever produced in this
city) often used to describe the luminous
quality of Christ.
The first Christian convert here was Lydia (Acts 16:14-15), a merchant of purple linens.
It was the site of the temple of Apollo, which
also had an altar to many female goddesses, who was a sun god
the round communion wafers
of the Catholic Church are
identical to those used by pagans
when communing with the Egyptian
sun god Osiris,
but all sun gods are the same sun
god and worshiped basically the same
way, pointing to the common origin
of Nimrod.
The city was located about 35 miles south
east of Pergamum.
is a confirmation that it is Jesus
who is speaking. The ''EYES LIKE UNTO A FLAME
OF FIRE'' denote judgement.
Verse 18
The ''FEET ARE LIKE FINE BRASS''
denotes steadfastness and
a ''CAN'T BE MOVED FROM HIS POSITION''
attitude. Fixed like a statue.
is confirmation that our
Trinitarian God is all knowing -
omniscient.
Verse 19
Their former faith was judged and
found to be sound but that no longer matters because a serious fault has
been found. Salvation possibly
lost.
The ''LAST BECOMING MORE THAN THE FIRST'' is once again pointing out the tendency to
focus more on works and the busyness of the
world than on the faith which alone saves us.That saving faith then
produces works.
to ''SUFFER'' in this sense means ''TO TOLERATE''.
Verse 20
In this instance the condemnation is for tolerating the false
teachings of this false ''PROPHET''. Yeshua does not seem to be
happy about such things.
indicates that even false
teachers are given a limited time to repent.
Verse 21
Hopefully, within any given
''CHURCH'', there will be at least a single voice of
protest and that voice is ignored at the false teacher's
peril.
we have heard the expression
''YOU HAVE MADE YOUR
BED, NOW LIE IN IT!''. Here
we are!
Verse 22
The false teacher and her followers are in
the same trouble and under the same
condemnation. The only escape is
immediate repentance.
The children spoken of are
those who follow this
Jezebel (in this context - a
mother harlot).
Verse 23
In the context of the historical church, the
children are the apostate
denominations of the apostate
mother church (RCC).
The word "REINS" used
here relates to the mind -
"THAT WHICH CONTROLS".
Jesus is going to punish those
who follow false teachers
such as Jezebel, just as He will punish
her.
This, again, is an appropriate place to
consider the prohibition of Deu 12:4. Yehovah is
highly specific as to how, and where, He is
worshipped.
speaks of a split in this
church which is essentially a battle within the church
between God and Satan.
Verse 24
This is a battle that is going on within churches
even today.
The "DEPTHS OF SATAN", meaning the deep things of Satan
spoken of in this verse, is found in the occult practices and
initiation rites of secret societies even
into this day.
Like many present day false teachers offering up "THE DEEP THINGS
OF CHRISTIANITY", they are actually offering up
the deep things of Satan using Christian words and thoughts
(wolf in sheep's clothing?).
These deep things of Satan are the depths of occultism in practice. Jesus promises those
who reject such things that there will be no additional burdens
(tribulations) placed upon them, which is an
indication of the Rapture.
speaks of the second coming and
the need to hold fast to the true
doctrine of Christianity until
then, as well as the rewards for doing
so.
Verse 25 - 26
To the members of the church who do
persevere in the face of temptation and
persecution, and who judge all according to their works and act
accordingly,
Jesus offers to share the right to rule the nations
with Him (Ps 2:9; Isa
14:12).
speaks of how Jesus will be dealing with# the
apostate - the violence and anger involved in cleaning house with
such a tool as a rod of iron
(Ps 2:8-9).
Verse 27
Peter tells us that when
Jesus returns He will clean
His own house first
(1 Pet 4:17).
The imitation churches might
want to meditate on this.
This is an action similar
to Jesus clearing the
temple during His ministry on
earth.
is most probably a reference to
Jesus being the light of the
world, as this is often a reference to Jesus Himself.
Verse 28-29
When we evangelize and live lives that
reflect Christ, we become a light
unto the world as well.
Jesus' anger was because of the
church accepting the teachings of Balim through
compromise with the pagans.(Rev 2:6).
Often this compromise was not necessarily willing but was
more an indication of the
weakness of their faith.
They lacked the understanding of the Gospel required to be strong and stand fast
and so they compromised to stop the congregational infighting and the persecution from
without.
We continue to see this in this day when
people who know that false teaching is
occurring yet they refuse to stand up and be counted for
Christ - just to avoid the controversy.
PARALLEL HISTORY
In AD 451, the Catholic Church
held the "Council of Ephesus" at which
time the title of "Mother of God"
was bestowed upon Mary.
We can never lose sight of the FACT that God pre-existed Mary.
Her role, while magnificent, was only as the mother of the human incarnation of the Son of God, our
Emanuel, Jesus Christ.
He pre-existed with God the Father, Mary was never totally and
completely Jesus' mother. The Catholic title is errant. Their worship of her is an abomination.(Exo
20:1-5)
REFLECTIONS:
No church on earth is without its flaws,
errors and weaknesses. Far too many have
glaring iniquities and false teachers.
Perfection commences in Heaven but the
striving for perfection should
be a life long vocation.
It is a wondrous state of affairs, and a greater
mercy, that Jesus Christ communicates His
warnings, directions, and encouragements to all who call themselves
Christian, whether pastor or congregant.
We have just seen this in
Revelation and the warnings remain just as
valid in this day.
Jesus' own characteristics, which we are to emulate, and His parables, teachings and commandments of the
Gospels and Revelation, which we are to learn
from and adapt to, answer exactly every question a seeker will
encounter.
Jesus has a critical and
divine acquaintance
with each seeker and
their concerns.
Jesus immediately takes kind and loving notice of the graces,
services and sufferings for His sake and how diligently His followers oppose what
is evil and perform what is good.
Graciously, Jesus dwells among those
who are truly His and those who are
diligently seeking Him; and He supports, furnishes and directs
those who are His ministers;
He begins and assists all that
concerns them in time and eternity; and He lives for
them as their risen and exalted Redeemer.
With tender compassion Jesus reminds us of the
deviations and irregularities in our beliefs and faith and He unfailingly calls
each of us to repentance and
reformation.
May God grant to all the wisdom
and determination to heed the call!
The multitude of promises Jesus has
made to all who would but listen, encourages all to faithfully wrestle
against every known sin in themselves
and in others.
Spiritual and Heavenly are the
delights He bestows upon those who heed and sure is
their security from eternal damnation.
If only we remain faithful to Christ,
infinite is the glory, acceptance, pleasure,
excellence in endeavour, and power over evil
opposers, that will be our reward.
For those who refuse to heed the warnings of Jesus, awful are the threats He has made
and tremendous are His judgements upon
imposters, hypocritical professors and
obstinate sinners!
No boast of deep and devilish
understanding, no power in deceiving His people nor in
the persecution of His people - no power at all -
can screen the perpetrators of
these things from the righteous and
destructive judgement of Jesus
Christ.
Now is the time for every soul on earth to hear and to fear and to do
no more evil.