Revelation 2
Revelation 2:1-3:
“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “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; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. |
Ephesus was the New York of Asia Minor. The word Ephesus means “desirable.” The Church at Ephesus was desirable church.
|
Revelation 2: 4-5:
"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 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" |
In Revelation 2 is recorded Jesus' letter to the church of Ephesus. The letter commends the church's good points, such as their labor, patience, intolerance of those who worked evil, and their discernment of religious fraud. Nevertheless, said Jesus, "I have this against you, that you have lost your first love" (Rev. 2:4).
Some scholars say it's unclear whether the reference talks about their diminished love for God or their love for each other, but it's hard to read the Scriptures and not conclude that the two passions hang together. (SOURCE: Mark H Creech) |
In Revelation 2 is recorded Jesus' letter to the church of Ephesus. The letter commends the church's good points, such as their labor, patience, intolerance of those who worked evil, and their discernment of religious fraud. Nevertheless, said Jesus, "I have this against you, that you have lost your first love" (Rev. 2:4).
Some scholars say it's unclear whether the reference talks about their diminished love for God or their love for each other, but it's hard to read the Scriptures and not conclude that the two passions hang together. (SOURCE: Mark H Creech)
Some scholars say it's unclear whether the reference talks about their diminished love for God or their love for each other, but it's hard to read the Scriptures and not conclude that the two passions hang together. (SOURCE: Mark H Creech)
It is a great thing to have as much said in our commendation as was said concerning the church at Ephesus. Just read what "Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness," said of them—"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: and hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted." Oh, my dear brothers and sisters, we may feel devoutly thankful if we can humbly, but honestly say, that this commendation applies to us. Happy the man whose works are known and accepted of Christ. He is no idle Christian, he has practical godliness; he seeks by works of piety to obey God's whole law, by works of charity to manifest his love to the brotherhood, and by works of devotion to show his attachment to the cause of his Master. "I know thy works." Alas! some of you cannot get so far as that. Jesus Christ himself can bear no witness to your works, for you have not done any. You are Christians by profession, but you are not Christians as to your practice. I say again, happy is that man to whom Christ can say, "I know thy works." It is a commendation worth a world to have as much as that said of us. But further, Christ said, "and thy labour." This is more still. Many Christians have works, but only few Christians have labour. There were many preachers in Whitfield's day that had works, but Whitfield had labour. He toiled and travailed for souls. He was "in labours more abundant." Many were they in the apostle's days who did works for Christ; but pre-eminently the apostle Paul did labour for souls. It is not work merely, it is anxious work; it is casting forth the whole strength, and exercising all the energies for Christ. Could the Lord Jesus say as much as that of you—"I know thy labour?" No. He might say, "I know thy loitering; I know thy laziness; I know thy shirking of the work; I know thy boasting of what little thou dost; I know thine ambition to be thought something of, when thou art nothing." But ah! friends, it is more than most of us dare to hope that Christ could say, "I know thy labour."
But further, Christ says, "I know thy patience." Now there be some that labour, and they do it well. But what does hinder them? They only labour for a little season, and then they cease to work and begin to faint. But this church had laboured on for many years; it had thrown out all its energies—not in some spasmodic effort, but in a continual strain and unabated zeal for the glory of God. "I know thy patience." I say again, beloved, I tremble to think how few out of this congregation could win such praise as this. "I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil." The thorough hatred which the church had of evil doctrine, of evil practice, and its corresponding intense love for pure truth and pure practice—in that I trust some of us can bear a part. "And thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars." Here, too, I think some of us may hope to be clear. I know the difference between truth and error. Arminianism will never go down with us; the doctrine of men will not suit our taste. The husks, the bran, and the chaff, are not things that we can feed upon. And when we listen to those who preach another gospel, a holy anger burns within us, for we love the truth as it is in Jesus; and nothing but that will satisfy us. "And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted." They had borne persecutions, difficulties, hardships, embarrassments, and discouragements, yet had they never flagged, but always continued faithful. Who among us here present could lay claim to so much praise as this? What Sunday-school teacher have I here who could say, "I have laboured, and I have borne, and have had patience, and have not fainted." Ah, dear friends, if you can say it, it is more than I can. Often have I been ready to faint in the Master's work; and though I trust I have not been tired of it, yet there has sometimes been a longing to get from the work to the reward, and to go from the service of God, before I had fulfilled, as a hireling, my day. I am afraid we have not enough of patience, enough of labour, and enough of good works, to get even as much as this said of us. |
On the road of life, this critical “narrow gate,” called repentance, is an oft-needed path back to God for every single person. It is interesting that it is the identical gate we first used when we originally came to surrender and believe. The truth is that believers fall much more often than any of us would like to admit. But simple humility and confession is what God requires. He has already taken the punishment we deserved on the cross. When the tax collector said a simple one-sentence prayer of repentance, “God be merciful to me a sinner!” (Luke 18:13), Jesus said he was “justified.” It was also a one-sentence prayer that brought the thief on the cross the forgiveness and salvation he needed: “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom” (23:42). One sentence?! And Jesus responded, “today you will be with Me in Paradise” (v. 43). How simple God has made it for us. --Ed Rea
|
The Ephesians were vexed continually by false apostles and teachers, claiming to speak for God in the name of God. During the time of the apostles, it may have seemed an impossible task to discern true apostles from the false ones. However, the Ephesians would not let go with their death grip on the Word, and so comparing the words of these so-called apostles to the Word of God, they were able to weigh their words carefully against the Scriptures and found these imposters to be found wanting in the balance.
The Ephesian litmus test for the authenticity of an apostle is no different from ours today. We also have a strong and powerful defense to thwart the lies of Satan, brought by his agents disguised as servants of righteousness. (see 2 Corinthians 11:13-15). -Brandon Hanson |
It was the work of the priest to go into the holy place and to trim the seven-branched lamp of gold: see how our Great High Priest walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks: his work is not occasional, but constant. Wearing robes which are at once royal and priestly, he is seen lighting the holy lamps, pouring in the sacred oil, and removing impurities which would dim the light. Hence our Lord's fitness to deal with the churches, which are these golden lamp-stands, for no one knows so much about the lamps as the person whose constant work it is to watch them and trim them. No one knows the churches as Jesus does, for the care of all the churches daily comes upon him, he continually walks among them, and holds their ministers as stars in his right hand. His eyes are perpetually upon the churches, so that he knows their works, their sufferings, and their sins; and those eyes are as a flame of fire, so that he sees with a penetration, discernment, and accuracy to which no other can attain. We sometimes judge the condition of religion too leniently, or else we err on the other side, and judge too severely. Our eyes are dim with the word's smoke; but his eyes are as a flame of fire. He sees the churches through and through, and knows their true condition much better than they know themselves. The Lord Jesus Christ is a most careful observer of churches and of individuals; nothing is hid from his observant eye.
As he is the most careful observer, so he is the most candid. He is ever "the faithful and true witness." He loves much, and therefore he never judges harshly. He loves much, and therefore he always judges jealously. Jealousy is the sure attendant of such love as his. He will neither speak smooth words nor bitter words; but he will speak the truth—the truth in love, the truth as he himself perceives it, and as he would have us perceive it. Well may he say, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches," since his sayings are so true, so just, so weighty.
Certainly no observer can be so tender as the Son of God. Those lamps are very precious to him: it cost him his life to light them. "Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it." Every church is to our Lord a more sublime thing than a constellation in the heavens; as he is precious to his saints, so are they precious to him. He careth little for empires, kingdoms, or republics; but his heart is set on the kingdom of righteousness, of which his cross is the royal standard. He must reign until his foes are vanquished, and this is the great thought of his mind at this present, "From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool." He ceases not to watch over his church: his sacrifice is ended, but not his service in caring for the golden lamps. He has completed the redemption of his bride, but he continues her preservation. --Charles Spurgeon
As he is the most careful observer, so he is the most candid. He is ever "the faithful and true witness." He loves much, and therefore he never judges harshly. He loves much, and therefore he always judges jealously. Jealousy is the sure attendant of such love as his. He will neither speak smooth words nor bitter words; but he will speak the truth—the truth in love, the truth as he himself perceives it, and as he would have us perceive it. Well may he say, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches," since his sayings are so true, so just, so weighty.
Certainly no observer can be so tender as the Son of God. Those lamps are very precious to him: it cost him his life to light them. "Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it." Every church is to our Lord a more sublime thing than a constellation in the heavens; as he is precious to his saints, so are they precious to him. He careth little for empires, kingdoms, or republics; but his heart is set on the kingdom of righteousness, of which his cross is the royal standard. He must reign until his foes are vanquished, and this is the great thought of his mind at this present, "From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool." He ceases not to watch over his church: his sacrifice is ended, but not his service in caring for the golden lamps. He has completed the redemption of his bride, but he continues her preservation. --Charles Spurgeon
Revelation 2:5-6:
5 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. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. |
Hate is a necessary corollary to love. If we truly love good, we will hate evil. It is easy to see perverse hate as itself evil, but this should not cause us to denounce moral hatred. "Love" can be used in an evil way just as hate can. Man can also speak of the things of God in an evil and blasphemous way, but this does not make them any less holy.
|
Nicolaitan means "a follower of Nicolas." It comes from two Greek words, nikos and laos. Nikos means "conqueror" or "destroyer," and laos means "people." The original Nicolas was a conqueror or destroyer of the people! Some people believe that the original Nicolas was Nimrod—the original archrebel, who conquered the people and founded a man-made civilization within two centuries after the Flood (Genesis 10:8-12)! While he was alive, Nimrod put himself in the place of God, or as the biblical text puts it, "he was a mighty hunter before the LORD" (verse 9). When he died, his admirers continued to worship him as a divine hero. They called him "Baal," a name found throughout the Old Testament, meaning "master" or "lord." Nimrod also had other names. One, commonly used throughout Asia Minor, was "Santa" (see Lempriere's Classical Dictionary.) "Santa Claus" is but a shortened form of "Santa Nicholas" or "Saint Nicholas." Many unknowingly honor this Nicholas even in our day by by observing customs associated with December 25. Christmas originally was the Saturnalia or birthday of Nimrod. Of course, these customs handed down from ancient paganism have been renamed and made to appear innocent and good! Others think that the Nicolas mentioned in Revelation 2 is the man called "Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch," ordained a deacon early in the church's history in Acts 6:1-6. Writings of the time say he later came to follow Gnostic teachings and became an ascetic, and many followed his new doctrine. For further information on this Nicolas and his affect on the church, please see Nicolaitanism Today. |
Revelation 2:7:
7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” |
Ears to hear: The ability to understand spiritual things, the word of God and it's meaning. The ability to hear the truth of God's word, and not mans interpretation of it.
The spirit: The holy spirit (the thrid person of the trinity), and what He is speaking. The one who is victorious: Those who choose to belive in and follow Jesus. Tree of life: Originally in the garden of Eden, man had access to it, which was to have eternal life. When man sinned (fell) it changed and he lost access to it. To gain access to it now, one must believe in Jesus, His death and resurrection. The paradise of God: The location of heaven after Jesus’ victory on the cross, the abode of the righteous (followers of Jesus) who dwell with Jesus eternally. |
Revelation 2:8:
And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things said the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; |
Smyrna means “bitter.” The Church at Smyrna represents the persecuted church. After the death if the Apostles the church suffered more terrible persecutions than ever before. The church was a poor church from the standpoint of earthly goods but rich in the things of God.
With professors on the inside and persecuters on the outside they were encouraged to be faithful unto death and were promised a crown of unending life. There is a veiled prophecy of martyrdom for some of them contained in the expression “Ye shall have tribulation for ten days.: Ten is the number of completeness and hence they were warned of possible death for the cause of Christ. Polycarp was Bishop of Smyrna, and it is a well known fact that Polycarp suffered martyrdom. |
The Church at Smyrna resided in Smyrna, which comes from the Greek word for “myrrh.” Myrrh was the cities chief export and had multiple applications. Myrrh comes from a sap-like substance (resin) that comes out of cuts in the bark of certain trees. Myrrh was used to make medicines, fragrances, perfumes, as a fixative in cosmetics (i.e., with Ester, 2:12), and used for burials for embalming bodies. Myrrh was also used at Christ’s burial (John 19:39), being part of the 3 gifts that the wise men or Magi brought to Jesus to pay homage to the King, On a side note, the word “bitter” comes from the root word for myrrh, so there’s some irony in this word. - What Christian Want to Know
Revelation 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. |
In 1912 the Titanic went down in the Atlantic Ocean. Now it may just be folklore, but it was said that as the ship began to sink the band was playing "Nearer My God to Thee." The band members stuck to their post and went down to their death.
The Bible does not commend anyone anywhere for greatness or brilliance, but for faithfulness. (see Matt 25:21). Yes, there are crowns here and hereafter for the faithful Christian. |
"The Smyrna believers could have compromised with the Jews and pagans and saved their property and lives, but some things are more precious than life itself. Such Christians need no revival. They have the very essence of revival, loyalty to Christ at any cost." - Vance Havner
Revelation 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. |
"Second death" is an expression peculiar to this book only. Rev 20:6 says "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power..." And Rev 20:14: "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death." And then Rev 21:18 "But the fearful, the unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
The second death is the lake of fire. The lake of fire is endless separation from God, Holiness and Heaven. |
Jesus told the church how to keep from dying, saying, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death” (Rev 2:11). Of course we can hear the truth and not act upon it, but when Jesus says “let him hear” He means, let them hear and obey. It would make no sense for Jesus to simply make sure they hear the message. Hearing about a warning and not acting upon it means we didn’t really listen. We might hear, but we didn’t actually listen and heed His words. -What Christians Want to Know
Revelation 2:12:
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; |
The word "Pergamos" or "Pergamum" means "to elevate." It speaks of elevation as by marriage.
|
The city of Pergamum was located in the western part of Asia Minor. It was north of Smyrna and about twenty miles inland from the Aegean Sea. Tenney (p. 69) points out that Pergamum was both a political and religious center. It was the official capital of the province of Asia and a center of idol worship.
Jesus deals with the religious and political conditions in the city and the spiritual life of the church. He evaluates how they are doing in the midst of the conditions of the times. With regard to this city, Horton (p. 46) writes:
Pergamum at the time of John's vision was the capital of the Roman province of Asia. On the city's acropolis stood a great altar to Zeus, the chief Greek God. Nearby was an elegant temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. Outside the city wall was a shrine to the Greek god of medicine, Aesculapius, with his symbol in the form of serpent. Consequently, Jesus recognizes it as a place where Satan dwelt and had his "seat" (or "throne," as the Greek word is translated in other places in Revelation; see 3:21; 20:11; 22:3). For the city was a center for both idolatry and persecution of Christians. --Global Christian Center
Jesus deals with the religious and political conditions in the city and the spiritual life of the church. He evaluates how they are doing in the midst of the conditions of the times. With regard to this city, Horton (p. 46) writes:
Pergamum at the time of John's vision was the capital of the Roman province of Asia. On the city's acropolis stood a great altar to Zeus, the chief Greek God. Nearby was an elegant temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. Outside the city wall was a shrine to the Greek god of medicine, Aesculapius, with his symbol in the form of serpent. Consequently, Jesus recognizes it as a place where Satan dwelt and had his "seat" (or "throne," as the Greek word is translated in other places in Revelation; see 3:21; 20:11; 22:3). For the city was a center for both idolatry and persecution of Christians. --Global Christian Center
Revelation 2:14-20:
14 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. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. 17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’ “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 20 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. |
Balaam served God for profit and was among the first to advocate the marriage of saint with sinner, believer with unbeliever, Jews with Gentiles which is fornication. The story of how Balaam worked out his nefarious plans may be found in Numbers 25:1-9, Ungodly marriages destroyed God's people in Old Testament times, and it was done for worldly advantage and worldly profit.
They did not see the sin in their midst and quickly repent (hot to be obedient to Christ), nor did they see the sin in their midst and stubbornly resist repentance (cold in their obedience of Christ), instead they were unaware of their own sin (so unconcerned about their sin they didn’t make the effort to examine themselves (neither cold nor hot… lukewarm). Because of this the Lord declares that if they do not take action, He will reject them and their hypocritical worship.
|
Revelation 2:21-23:
21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 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. |
The bottom line was: Jezebel believed in God, but she didn’t trust in God. And without trust, it’s impossible to please God (Hebrews 1:6). She didn’t trust God to take care of her and her family if she got fired for obeying His first two commandments: “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me,” and “Thou shalt not make for yourselves an idol to worship.” Jezebel didn’t trust God to take care of her and her family if she got fired for obeying His seventh commandment: “Thou shalt not commit adultery.”Jezebel polluted sound teaching in the Thyatira church by teaching Christians that moral compromise is okay if it helps you keep your job. But in Christ’s church, moral compromise is never okay—no matter what it helps you keep. Therefore, it should never be tolerated in the church. God’s message to the Christians in Thyatira is loud and clear: It’s not okay to turn a blind eye to polluted teaching or polluted behavior in your church. You must get rid of it. Jesus’ church must be a holy church. And if it’s not, judgment is coming.- Dane Davis
|
So infamous was Jezebel’s sexual immorality and idol worship that the Lord Jesus Himself refers to her in a warning to the church at Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29). Most likely referring to a woman in the church who influenced it the same way Jezebel influenced Israel into idolatry and sexual immorality, Jesus declares to the Thyatirans that she is not to be tolerated. Whoever this woman was, like Jezebel, she refused to repent of her immorality and her false teaching, and her fate was sealed. The Lord Jesus cast her onto a sick bed, along with those who committed idolatry with her. The end for those who succumb to a Jezebel spirit is always death and destruction, both in the physical and the spiritual sense. -Got Questions
Revelation 2:24:
But to you I say, and to 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 on you none other burden. |
Localizing sin in a class, group, or people leads to Phariseeism. It becomes not a problem of Christ vs. fallen humanity, but us against their evil world. Moreover, too often false views of the world’s problems have us study evil as an outside or alien problem, us against them. Our Lord warns against the study of “the depths of Satan,” or “the deep things of Satan,” so the study of conspiracies is off limits for Christians. The law-word of God, the bible, not Satanic conspiracies, must be our study. We win by God’s grace, not by the knowledge of evil. Too many people who call themselves Christians can tell you more about conspiracies than about the word of God; this is evil. We need to have a biblical perspective on good and evil lest we become evil ourselves.
A trademark of all mystery religious and secret societies is the teaching that true knowledge lies below the surface, only attainable by the initiate. By mysterious activities, they purport to know “the deep things of God” (1Cor. 1Cor. 2:10). These “deep mysteries” stand in stark contrast to the simple gospel of Jesus Christ which is hidden from those who purport to be wise , but revealed to babes (Ps. Ps. 8:2; Mtt. Mat. 11:25; Luke Luke 10:21; 2Cor. 2Cor. 11:3). The Magians from Babylon continually spoke of their “deep things,” their “inner knowledge,” just as the Theosophists, Christian Scientists, Spiritualists, and “Unity” devotees do today (simply ancient Gnosticism revived!). The Lord sees through all the enemy’s delusions and “mysteries”; they are not “deep” to Him. . . . It is no sign of spirituality to be familiar with Satanic psychic or demonic “depths.” They taught, as we know, that it was a small thing for a man to despise pleasure and to show himself superior to it, while at the same time he fled from it. The true, the glorious victory was, to remain superior to it even while tasting it to the full; to give the body to all the lusts of the flesh, and yet with all this to maintain the spirit in a region of its own, uninjured by them; and thus, as it were, to fight against pleasure with the arms of pleasure itself; to mock and defy Satan even in his own kingdom and domain.-- Bible Study Tools |