Revelation 2

Chapter 2 THE LORD OF THE CHURCH THE OF JESUS CHRIST - CHURCH. CH.2-3

A. His church at Ephesus. 2:1-7 B. His church at Smyrna. 2:8-11 C. His church at Pergamos. 2:12-17 D. His church at Thyatira. 2:18-29

I. Ch.2-3 is Christ’ s last Scriptural words to His Church. (It’ s not Matt.Ch.28 or Acts Ch.1)

II. The messages of Christ to the churches are built upon:

1. The Counsellor

2. The Commendation

3. The Chastening

4. The Counsel

5. The Challenge.

III. The 3-fold application of the messages to the 7 churches:

1. Local application - They were real churches and their different messages were applied to the addressed church.
2. Historic application - They are prophecy of Church history and their different messages can be applied to specific Church periods.
3. Personal application - They are individual received by the Church of all ages and their messages can be applied of all churches and believers.

IV. In the historic application - Prophecy, this following observation is worth noticing:

1. The 3 first letters are connected and the 4 last letters is connected to each other.

2. In the 3 first letters the sentence “ He who has an ear …” is mentioned before the promise and in the 4 last letters “ He who has an ear …” is mentioned after the promise.

V. The difference between the churches:

1. The 1st and 7th church is in much Danger, 2nd and 6th church is much Dedicated,

2. 3 + 4 + 5 churches have both good and bad sides. International Bible School - 26 - International Bible School 2:1

3. The 2nd and 6th church only good is spoken about them, the 7th church only bad is spoken about them.

4. The 2nd and 6th church are not told to repent while the five other churches are told to repent.

VI. To all the 7 churches Jesus reveals some of the characteristics about Himself as seen in the first chapter.

VII. Jesus warns 5 of these 7 churches:

The inscription on the cathedral in Lubeck, Germany states: Thus speaketh Christ our Lord to us:

Ye call Me Master and obey Me not. Ye call Me Light and see Me not. Ye call Me Way and walk Me not. Ye call Me Life and choose Me not. Ye call Me Wise and follow Me not. Ye call Me Fair and love Me not. Ye call Me Rich and ask Me not. Ye call Me Eternal and seek Me not. Ye call Me Noble and serve Me not. Ye call Me Gracious and trust Me not. Ye call Me Might and honour Me not. Ye call Me Just and fear Me not. If I condemn you, blame Me not.

Revelation 2:1-7

A. Letter to Ephesus. 2:1-7 - The bridal Church I. Church period - Year 30 - 100 A.D. The Apostolic age.

A. The period of the apostolic ministry, the Church is being grounded and established in Christ and in Scripture. (The New Testament is written in this period to establish the Church)

B. The apostolic ministries spread the word in the world.

C. The period ends when the last of the 12 apostles dies.

II. Connection to the 7 churches of Paul: Ephesians (Christ and the Church)

III. Connection to the 7 parables of Jesus: The sower. Matt. 13:1-9, 18-23 The early Church sowed the first seeds in the ground. IV. People connected to the Church.

A. Paul wrote to the Ephesians about 35 years earlier and had been preaching and teaching in the city for about 3 years. Acts 18:19-21; 19; 1.Cor.16:8 B. Timothy was the Pastor of the church for a season. 1.Tim.1:3 C. The apostle John was the Pastor of the church for a season before his exile to Patmos.

D. Perhaps that is the reason why this church is first among the seven because it had all the reasons to have matured.

V. Ephesus means either darling, maiden of chose or desirable.

A. To the epistle of the Ephesians the Lord spoke about the Church being His betrothed 1:4 and the Church being His coming wife. 5:22-32

B. In Revelation 2:1-7 He speaks about His “ right hand” , “ walks” , “ golden lampstands” , “ work and labour” , “ perseverance and patience” , “ name” “ first love” , “ to eat” , “ paradise” . All the things involved in a marriage.

VI. EPHESUS.

A. Was the chief city of the Roman province of Asia and was a commercial, cultural, political, and religious centre.

B. It was called “ The vanity fair of Asia” ; she called herself “ The first city of Asia” and “ The queen of Asia” , it was also called “ The Metropolis of Asia” . . C. It had one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world - The temple Diana, which was the largest Greek temple ever constructed.

D. The population where about 250.000 thousands.

V.1 a) The Counsellor -

I. The Ephesians knew that Jesus was seating at the right hand of the Father Eph.1:20, now they are also told that He holds the 7 angels in His right hand.

II. The Ephesians knew that Jesus was the centre of the Church Eph.1:10, 22-23 now they are told that He walks in the midst of the churches.

III. 6 times the Ephesians were told to walk right Eph. 2:10; 4:1, 17; 5:2, 6, 15, now Jesus says He walks among them. He also reveals it because of the warning of removing the lampstand. v.5

IV. The Ephesians knew that they ought to be a shining lampstand in the world Eph. 1:17-18; 5:8-14, now they are told they are.

V.2-3 b) The Commendation - I. Dedication - Christ knew their Works and Withstanding. Jesus knows the motives behind all works and all believers’ works will be judged accordingly. Matt.6:2,5; 1.Cor.3:8-15; Heb.4:11-13 II. In all the 7 letters Jesus begins with “ I know your works” after the introduction about Himself.

III. Discernment -

They had Withstood the Wicked - (Evil action) just as they were exhorted in Eph. 6:11, 13, 16 IV. They had Withstood the Wolves - (False teaching) Paul had taught the believers about true apostles Eph.2:20; 3:5; 4:11; Acts 20:29-3, now they are commended for it. 2.Cor.11:13-15; Matt.7:15, 21-23 V. Devotion - They had Perseverance and Patience.

VI. The Ephesians knew about how great the name of Christ is Eph.1:21 and they laboured for Jesus.

VII. They were not Weary in Works and Withstanding.

V.4 c) The Chastening - I.

A. The Ephesians had been told about God’ s love for them and about love Eph.1:4; 3:17-4:2; 5:2; 6:23, they didn’ t continue in this former exhortation but had left their first love. Eph.1:15 B. The motion where no longer an emotion. 1.Cor.13:1-3 C. Paul’ s ministry were moved by Christ’ s love, his emotion resulted in a motion. 2.Cor.5:14 II. The difference between Lost and Left: Lost means to loose something we would like to keep, Left means to forsake something.

III. They had not left all love, but their first intense love. IV. Work should never be a substitute for fellowshipping with the Lord. V.5 d) The Counsel - I. The 3 steps to Renew their first love:

1. Remember. (Go back) Luke 15:17-18

2. Repent. (Turn around)

3. Repeat. (Go forward)

“ First love” is the first works not the first emotions or thrill. 1.John 5:2 II. If these 3 steps were not taken then Jesus would Respond - React by Removal. Not removal from the book of life, but existence as church.

III. The church of Ephesus has been gone for centuries, there is no local church in Ephesus nor within miles from the city.

IV. A church that has left their first Love for Christ will loose their Light in the world.

V.6 e) The Commendation - I. They hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans.

II. “ Nico” means to conquer and “ Laitans” means laity - Conquer the laity.

A. Perhaps they were people that exercised strong oppressing leadership, they oppressed the laity.

B. The Nicolaitans dominated rather than served.

C. Perhaps some of these were the false apostles!

D. Mark 10:42-25; John 13:14; 1.Peter 5:3; 3.John 9 III. The Church fathers says concerning the Nicolaitans:

A. Irenaeus says it is a sect founded by Nicolas of Antioch. (One of the seven deacons of Acts 6:5)

B. Tertullian says the sect was Gnostics (Basically: knowledge saves) and believed in immoral practises to be free.

C. Clement of Alexandria says they were unbridled and excessive in their lusts.

IV. In 2:15 the deed has become a doctrine. V.7 f) The Challenge - I. Those who has spiritual desire to hear the voice of the Spirit will be Attentive to the words and Act on it. Matt.13:9 II. In ch.2 and 3 Jesus says these words 7 times, at the end of every letter to each church. In the gospels Jesus is also recorded 7 times to have said these words. Matt.11:15; 13:9, 43; Mark 4:9, 23; Luke 8:8; 14:35 III. There is one difference between the words in Revelation and in the gospels:

In Revelation it’ s singular “ a ear” in the gospels plural “ ears” , its perhaps referring to more attentive hearing in Revelation.

IV. To him who overcomes, who does not loose faith. 1.John 5:4-5 If they do one thing He will do two things:

A. Give them eternal life.

1. Jesus is the eternal life for all believers. John 5:47-58
2. The Ephesians had been told about the life of God Eph.4:18, now they are exhorted to overcome to remain in that life.

B. To be in the midst of paradise.

1. The tree was in the midst of paradise and they would be allowed to be in the midst of His paradise. Gen.2:9; 2:Cor.12:2-4

2. The tree of life is a real tree. Rev.22:2, 14 C. Perhaps Proverbs reveals to us how this tree will manifest in a believer.

3. Wisdom. Prov.3:18

4. Righteousness. Prov.11:30

5. Hope. Prov.13:12

6. Controlled speech. Prov.15:4 D. Jesus was walking in their midst, now they are invited to be the midst of His paradise.

E. The words in this letter begins with midst v.1 and ends with midst. v.7

Revelation 2:8-11

B. Letter to Smyrna. 2:8-11 - The persecuted Church I. Church period - Year 100 - 313 A.D. The Persecuted age.

During this period of the Church it was heavily persecuted and they battled sects and false doctrine.

II. Connection to the 7 churches of Paul: Philippians (Joy through persecution)

III. Connection to the 7 parables of Jesus: The wheat and the tares. Matt. 13:24-30 IV. Smyrna means bitter and myrrh, myrrh was used to embalm the dead and given to Jesus on the cross.

V. The shortest letter of all seven, Jesus knew that suffering people do not need many words but short and comforting words.

VI. SMYRNA.

A. Was placed about 40 miles from Ephesus.

B. It was the centre of science and medicine.

C. Romans called it “ The beauty of Asia” and ‘ The city of life and strength” , the Greek called Smyrna the “ The crown of Asia minor” .

D. In the late first century the city had a population of 100.000 thousand people.

E. Today it is called Izmir with a population of about 200.000 thousand people.

V.8 a) The Counsellor -

I. Jesus reveals Himself as the First and the Last because the church was dying for Him - It’ s all about Him.

II. Jesus reveals Himself as the One who was dead and came to life, to give this persecuted church hope of eternal life. V.9 b) The Commendation - I. 4 things Jesus knows about them:

1. Works - Perhaps works of love and of the Gospel.
2. Tribulation - Sufferings for the Gospel. 3. Poverty - Material poor but they were spiritual rich.

Perhaps the people of the city resisted Christians and restricted their work opportunities.

4. Blasphemy - Religious Jews who blasphemed (slandered) because of their believe in Christ, the Jews are called the synagogue of Satan because of their rejection of Christ. Rom.2:28-29; John 8:31-47 V.10 c) The Counsel - I. 3 challenges of Jesus concerning their upcoming sufferings:

A. This verse begins with a command “do not fear” and ends with a promise “the crown of life”

B. Prediction - “ About to suffer”

C. Person - The devil will be behind it.

D. Purpose - God will be testing you.

E. Persecution -

1. Will last 10 days, some sees it as 10 actual days others as 10 years or periods, the 10 actually days are most preferably. John 16:33
2. Tribulation (Gr.thlipsis) means pressure, like when grapes are pressured to obtain their juice.

F. Be faithful until death -

1. Christ was faithful until death v.2:8 and they should too. James 1:12
2. The crown of life is possibly the experience of the fullness of life. John 10:10 3. Because of their faithful duty some city administrators, rulers, and priests of Smyrna received a crown of leaves every year. V.11 d) The Challenge - I. Those who has spiritual desire to hear the voice of the Spirit will be Attentive to the words and Act on it. Matt.13:9 II. To him who overcomes, who does not loose faith. 1.John 5:4-5 III. The 2nd death is the lake of fire. Rev.20:14-15 IV. He who is born once will die twice, he who is born twice will die once.

Revelation 2:12-17

C. Letter to Pergamos. 2:12-17 - The compromising Church I. Church period - Year 313 - 590 A.D. The Imperial age.

Constantine in 313 A.D. signed the Edict of Toleration that granted freedom to all Christians, it was fashionable to be a Christian for the Gentiles, the Church became worldly and the world churchy so that no difference between the two could be seen.

II. Connection to the 7 churches of Paul: Corinthians (The worldly church)

III. Connection to the 7 parables of Jesus: The mustard seed. Matt. 13:31-32 IV. “ Per” means perverse or mixture, “ Gamos” means marriage - Perverse marriage.

It also means the parchment (Pergamena) perhaps because of its huge library.

V. .

A. Was the Roman capital and political city of Asia.

B. Placed about 75 miles from Ephesus.

C. It had one of the finest libraries in its time that contained 200.000 volumes.

D. Today Pergamos is called Bergama.

E. The population of Pergamos was about 120.000 thousand people.

V.12 a) The Counsellor - I. Jesus reveals Himself as the One having the two-edged sword because of the perversity of the church, He reveals Himself as the disciplining One. II. Jesus has a two-edged sword (Gr.hromphaia) coming out of His mouth.

Roman officials who had the right to carry this sword (Gr.hromphaia) had the power of life and death concerning capital offences.

III. Pergamum was a city that Rome had given this rare power of capital punishment. The Christians in Pergamum were reminded that though they lived under such a privilege, they were citizens of another kingdom, of Christ who has such a sword (Gr.hromphaia) in His mouth.

V.13 b) The Commendation - I. 4 things Jesus knows about them:

1. Works - Perhaps their works of love and of the gospel.

2. Dwelling - Satan’ s throne is perhaps referring to:

A. The emperor worship of which Pergamos was the centre.

B. The seat of Pergamos as the capital of Rome in Asia.

C. The reference to the giant altar of Zeus on the acropolis.

D. The aesculapium, which was a complex of buildings, devoted to the god of healing.

E. Because of the Roman judicial role they played in their region of judging the Christians.

3. Steadfastness - They continued in Christ and didn’ t deny His name.

4. Confession - They confessed His faith and didn’ t deny it.

II. Antipas was a martyr and his name rarely appears in any historical record, but Jesus knew about this anonymous believer. John 10:3; 2.Tim.2:19 V.14-15c) The Chastening - I. 2 things Jesus has against them:

1. The doctrine of Balaam.

2. The doctrine of the Nicolaitans II. Balaam, the false prophet of the Old Testament Num. Ch.22-25 is referred to 3 times in N.T.

3. The way of Balaam: Covetousness. 2.Pet. 2:15

4. The error of Balaam: Cursing Israel. Jude 11

5. The doctrine of Balaam: Corrupting God’ s people. Rev. 2:14 III. Balaam sat a stumbling block before Israel in 2 ways: Num.25:1; 31:16

6. By causing them to Compromise to eat things sacrificed to idols.

7. By causing them to Commit sexual immorality.

IV. Perhaps some Christians of Pergamos joined the pagan festivals, which included sexual immorality with the pagan priestess and eating of their offerings that was offered to their gods.

V. The Nicolaitans

A. “ Nico” means to conquer and “ Laitans” means laity - Conquer the laity.

B. What was Deeds in Ephesus 2:6 had now become Doctrine in Pergamos.

C. Perhaps they were people that exercised strong oppressing leadership, they oppressed the laity - Perhaps these were the false apostles!

D. They believed in Christian liberty to do all kinds of sins.

V.16 d) The Counsel - I. Repent - Their Responsibility were to Rebuke these 2 wrong doctrines.

II. Return - If they didn’ t Rebuke them (Those in error) then the Lord would come Rapidly upon the church. Notice “ you” and “ them”

III. Rebuke - The Lord’ s Righteous Word would Rebuke the people in error.

IV. The lesson is that the Lord wants the leaders to deal with wrong doctrines or He would do what they failed to do. 1.Cor.11:31 V. The Angel withstood Balaam with a sword Num.22:22-3, Jesus is about to release the sword of His mouth.

V.17 e) The Challenge - I. Those who has spiritual desire to hear the voice of the Spirit will be Attentive to the words and Act on it. Matt.13:9 II. To him who overcomes, who does not loose faith. 1.John 5:4-5 III. Manna is a type of Christ who is the true bread from heaven. John 6:31-35 Manna was the food God gave the Israelites 12,500 mornings. The manna was hidden in the ark and now it is hidden in Christ. Ex.Ch.16; Heb.9:4 IV. Instead of eating idolatrous food from table of the pagan priestess, they would eat manna at the heavenly banquet. Rev.19:9 V. The judges in their days had a black and white stone, the black meant condemnation and the white meant not guilty.

VI. A new name that describes perfectly the characteristic of our personality.

No one knows the full meaning of the name except the one it applies too. Isaiah 62:2; 65:15

Revelation 2:18-29

D. Letter to Thyatira. 2:18-29 - The Corrupt Church I. Church period - Year 590 A.D. to the Tribulation. The Roman Catholic age.

A. The Church became corrupted by the Roman bishops that claimed authority over the Church. B. The Bible was chained to the pulpits and was forbidden in understandable language. C. Tradition and church authorities were placed above the Bible. D. Many Bible believing Christians were killed by church authorities.

E. The Church period presently exits as the Roman Catholic church and will continue into the great tribulation period.

II. Connection to the 7 churches of Paul: Galatians (By grace and not the works of the law)

III. Connection to the 7 parables of Jesus: The leaven. Matt. 13:33 IV. Thyatira means continual sacrifice. V. Thyatira was the smallest city of the seven churches but the church that received the longest letter.

VI. .

A. Placed about 45 miles from Pergamos.

B. Was famous for its textiles (Especially Purple dyed textiles). Acts 16:14 V.18 a) The Counsellor -

I. Jesus refers to Himself as the Son of God because He is exemplifying the faithfulness He had as a Son to the Father and the promise He received afterward. 2:27

II. Jesus with His eyes like flames of fire had seen their Progress in good and their Permission of evil. 2:23

III. Jesus with His feet like brass was about to judge the evildoers of the church. 2:22-23

V.19 b) The Commendation - I. The Lord with His flames as fire had seen 5 good things in the church

1. Works - Action.

2. Love - Affection.

3. Service - Aid.

4. Faith - Assurance.

5. Patience - Await.

II. Of these 5 only one had continued to grow - Works.

In the Encouragement is also a hidden Exhortation - The other 4 had decreased.

V.20-23c) The Chastening - V.20 I. The few things Jesus had against the church - They ALLOWED.

They didn’ t stop, hinder or rebuke Jezebel. Allowance is silent Acceptance. II. The woman Jezebel could be her real name, or the name that Jesus gives to a group of people or a person, to describe their character and work.

III. Jezebel was a woman that caused sexual immorality and idolatry in Israel during the time of the prophet Elijah - She led Israel away from God. 1.Kings 16:28-19:21; 21:1-29; 2.Kings 9:22-37 IV. In Thyatira Jezebel’ s METHOD was being involved in:

A. Ministerial Discipleship -

1. Instructive speech - Teaching. 2:20

2. Inspirational speech - Prophetic. 2:20

B. Moral Decay -

1. Seduction of the Servants of God - Her teaching and prophetic was false and was used as means to seduce.

2. Sexual immorality - Fornication, adultery and kinds of sexual uncleanness.

3. Sacrificial Sharing - They ate of the sacrifices that was offered to idols perhaps as a way of receiving spiritual blessing.

V. Jezebel was perhaps involved influencing the church in local trading, this trading could not be possible without participating in its pagan idol worship and immorality.

VI. Jesus calls her false Ministerial Discipleship and Moral Decay for a Doctrine and the Depths of Satan. 2:24

V.21 I. The feet like fine brass 2:18, Jesus is judging the involved.

II. Mercy went before judgment, He gave her time to repent.

III. Time (Gr.chronos) means a space of time, interval and delay. IV. Even such an erroneous and deceitful woman received mercy before judgment.

V.22 I. 3 different judgments.

II. Disease - Jezebel’ s judgment is sickness.

III. Distress - Her followers had yet a change to repent, if they didn’ t great tribulation would be the judgment.

IV. Death - Her children would be killed, her physical or spiritual offspring.

V.23 I. Research - The eyes like the flames of fire 2:18, is here made known as eyes that searches the hearts and minds

II. Reward - He only gives judgment according to their works. Gal.6:8; Jer.17:10 V.24-25d) The Counsel - V.24 I. Not all were following Jezebel, there were a rest.

II. These had not Used this Erroneous Doctrine and had not Understood this Evil Depth.

V.25 I. Hold fast what you have - Is referring to their works, the only thing wherein they had increased

II. Hold fast (Gr.krateo) means to use strength, to seize and to retain.

Like a military group in battle they had to maintain ground.

III. How long! Until He comes

V.26-29e) The Challenge - V.26 I. He who overcomes, who does not loose faith. 1.John 5:4-5 II. The increasing works 2:19 is called here “ My works” III. They should hold fast and keep His works until He comes and until the end. IV. Keep (Gr.tereo) means to watch and to guard.

V. If they remained on their ground like a military group then they would reign with Christ during the millennium.

V.27 I. A reference to Psalms 2:9 where it refers to the reign of Christ during the millennium.

II. People and nations will be subdued and disciplined into subjection to Christ during the millennium. Zech.14:16-19 III. Christians will reign with Christ during the millennium. Luke 19:11-27; 1.Cor.6:2; Rev.3:21; 20:4 IV. The rod is a symbol of authority, even as Aaron’ s rod budded and revealed his selection and authority as high priest. This rod was laid in the ark and is perhaps referred to again.

V.28 I. The morning star is Venus, it appears in the night sky just before the dawn of a new day.

II. Jesus refers to Himself as the Morning Star. Rev.22:16 III. It’ s referring to the glory and light of the new day that Christ brings at His coming. 2.Pet.1:19 IV. Israel is waiting for the Sun of righteousness Malachi 4:2, the church for the Morning Star. Revelation 22:16

V.29 Those who has spiritual desire to hear the voice of the Spirit will be Attentive to the words and Act on it. Matt.13:9