Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 of the book of Revelation contain seven letters to the seven literal, local churches mentioned in chapter 1, verse 11.
These letters have a number of applications.
First, they are seven actual letters to seven actual churches situated in seven different cities.
Second, they are letters to seven individuals within the seven churches.
Third, they are messages applicable to all churches in all ages, for the seven churches picture seven periods, or stages, of church history.
In each period, the Lord speaks to the churches in a judgmental way, portraying their failures, and then He calls them to repentance and zealousness.
We will look at the first four this week.
The first church addressed is the church of Ephesus, covering the time period from approximately 33 A.D. (the birth of the church at Pentecost) until 100 A.D. when John, who wrote the Book of Revelation, died.
The letter is to the angel or, literally, the "messenger" of the church of Ephesus, and is from the One who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who [walks] in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks. This, of course, is the glorified Christ, as we learned in chapter 1, verse 20.
How thrilling to note that the Lord both holds the churches (all believers) in His hand and walks in the midst of them, as well!This is the Christian's security.
The Saviour's walk among us is to bring us closer to himself.Next, Christ speaks...
Notice that, in each of the seven letters, the Lord begins by commending the local assembly for whatever He can find in them that is good before scolding them for their sins.The Ephesus church began in all purity, as can be observed from a study of the Book of Acts.
Then false prophets entered in. This is exactly the warning Paul had sounded during his last gathering in Ephesus: For know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember (Acts 20:29-31).
The leaders of the church judged these false prophets in earlier days, but became lax as they lost their first love.Today many think it is wrong to judge heresy or wickedness.
Not so!
The same Christ who said, Judge not, that ye be not judged (Matthew 7:1) also declared, Judge righteous judgment (John 7:24). A believer is never to judge a person as far as motives are concerned.
However, he should definitely judge one when that individual's doctrine is heretical or his life is filled with wickedness.
This is why John said, Try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world (1 John 4:1), and why Paul stated in 1 Timothy 5:19 and 20: Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
The church at Ephesus had slipped from its original moorings and was on the way down. Is it any wonder that Mohammedanism swept through the land and destroyed the compromising church that once was mighty under Paul?
Part of the reason this church (who had borne, and had patience, and for His name's sake had laboured, and had not fainted) failed may have been that they were too busy serving and not taking time for sweet fellowship at the feet of Jesus. When one is so active that he has no time for the Bible and prayer, he is too busy. Many have fallen to the indictment of...
How true of multitudes today!
When they were first saved they loved Jesus, loved to pray, loved to read the Word, loved to attend the services at God's house and loved to witness. Ah, but they have lost that first love!
It happened!
After the conquest of Mohammedanism, the church of Ephesus became nonexistent. Do not let this happen to your church or to you! Before God finishes His pronouncement of commendations and condemnations upon the church of Ephesus, he adds...
Who were the Nicolaitans and what was it about them that so angered Almighty God?
The term comes from two Greek words which mean "victory over the laity" a religious dictatorship that allowed little or no freedom to its members.
This is precisely what the Holy Spirit had in mind when He told the church elders not to be lords over God's heritage, but... ensamples [examples] to the flock (1 Peter 5:3).
How this message needs to be emphasized in our day as religious leaders try to impose their man-made rules on each and every member! After presenting this series of commendations and warnings, the Spirit of God adds...
How can one be an overcomer?
By trusting in the merits of the shed blood of Jesus Christ: Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:5).
We saw in chapter 1, verse 11, that this first and the last, or Alpha and Omega, is the Lord Jesus Christ. He now begins His message to the next church.
The Smyrna period of church history takes us from 100 A.D. to 312 A.D.
These people probably suffered the greatest persecution in all Christianity. Their works, faithfully performed in the name of Jesus, brought great tribulation and accompanying poverty, materially. However, great riches were laid up for them in heaven. In addition, their relentless, dedicated efforts brought the Word of God to the entire Roman Empire.
During the second and third centuries, the Smyrna church members were fed to the lions at Rome while multitudes cheered. Church history informs us that five million may have been martyred during this era. Every Christian ought to read Foxe's Christian Martyrs of the World. He will quickly discover the foolishness of complaining in this day of luxury and ease.
Believe it or not, the church flourished and grew during the Smyrna period! Perhaps a little persecution would do us some good today. We might learn to love other brothers in Christ who have a different religious label than ours. God forgive us for our sectarianism!
Much of Smyrna's heartache came through false professors of religion-those who said they were Jews as defined in Romans 2:29 (circumcised of the heart and the spirit rather than the letter) but who, in reality, were not!
They did not really believe and were actually members of the synagogue of Satan! Beware of those who claim to be Christians but deny the deity of Christ.They, too, are of the synagogue of Satan:
[For] every Spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God (1 John 4:3). The same is true of those who mix law and grace. Paul said, I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed (Galatians 1:6-9).
Because of the false brethren propagating false doctrine and despising the true believers, persecution came from within and from without. In the face of such satanic opposition, Christ's message was...Verse 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.
When the hour of trial arrived, the believers were not to fear.
They were to keep their eyes on eternal rewards as mentioned in James 1:12: Blessed is the man that endureth [testing]: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Many Bible scholars believe that the ten days of persecution consisted of ten literal periods of suffering. I agree, since church history emphatically supports this assertion. Still, the church of Smyrna was guaranteed final victory through the Lord's promises, power, and provision...Verse 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.
Again, chapter 1, verse 16, proves that the speaker is the Lord Jesus Christ.
The letters to the first three churches begin with a commendation.
To each Christ says, I know thy works. God sees what we do for Him. How sad when backsliding destroys the many good deeds performed in His name! We see this strange twist at Pergamos. Here the bad works outweigh the good ones.
This church period, extending from 312 A.D. to 606 A.D., was one of materialism, self-indulgence, and worldliness. Wickedness spread like a brushfire.
The name Pergamos has in it the same root from which we get our English words bigamy and polygamy. Pergamos signifies a mixed marriage of the church and the world. This happened because the Babylonian religion established its headquarters at Pergamos and infiltrated Christianity.
No wonder this local church is charged with dwelling in the area of Satan's seat or literally, "throne." They were perched on the doorstep of the devil's headquarters!
Of necessity, the believer in Christ is in the world. However, he must constantly guard against becoming involved in its ungodliness. The church of Pergamos became part and parcel of Satan's worldly establishment.
They called themselves by Christ's name (Christians) and made verbal and written assent to the faith, even though they saw the danger of martyrdom in the example of Antipas. Nevertheless, they backslid.
First {the} grievance against the church of Pergamos was the fact that they had embraced the pleasures of the world or become a worldly church.
Secondly, they had given heed to false doctrine-the theology of Balaam. Remember Balaam? He had a smart donkey! How sad to be famous because of one's donkey. The animal was so smart it could outtalk Balaam.What was the doctrine of Balaam taught to Balac?
First, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and second, to commit fornication. Balac had hired Balaam to curse Israel, and Balaam, the false prophet, was unable to get the anointing of Satan upon his spirit for the task. So he figured out a plan of destruction for the Jews.
He said, "Let the choice of the women of Balac's kingdom display themselves before the eyes of God's people." As expected, the Jewish men became enamored with the beauty of the daughters of Balac's kingdom, committed fornication with them, married them, and were eventually drawn into idolatry.How wrong!
Those who name the name of Jesus are not to become involved with the world in any manner, [for] ye cannot drink the cup of the. ..Lord's table, and of the table of devils (1 Corinthians 10:21).
Not only were the people of the first church of Pergamos worldly, sinful, and idolatrous, but they also shared in the wicked practice of Nicolaitanism as did the church at Ephesus.
This, again, is ecclesiastical Hitlerism. It is when the minister or leader says, "I am the head, and you have no choice in the matter," allowing laymen no voice in the affairs of the church.
Concerning the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, the condemnatory statement, which thing I hate, is uttered by the Lord God himself.The solution?
This is serious business.
The Christian is not to close his mind, heart, and ears to God's warning.
As previously noted, the overcomer is the true believer in Jesus (see 1 John 5:4). He is given the hidden manna (the Word of God) and is presented a white stone. During ancient court trials, the jurors would lay down white stones to signify a decision of acquittal. Praise the Lord, through the blood of Jesus, the white stones of acquittal have been presented and every Christian has a new name written down in glory!
Once again we see that the speaker is the Son of God. The description of His eyes and feet were discussed in chapter 1, verses 14 and 15.
To this point, all four churches have been complimented for their works.
Thyatira, however, was loaded with meritorious service and unusual deeds. She was known for her good works, love, service, faith, patience, and last works. The term "last works" means that this church outdid herself. Her works became greater toward the end of her lifetime than they were at the beginning.
Historically, Thyatira covers the years 606 A.D. to 1520 A.D. However, many scholars believe that this church is found in the world until she is destroyed by the revived Roman Empire in chapters 17 and 18. Although Thyatira had many admirable qualities, she nevertheless had some deep-rooted problems as well.
Who was Jezebel?
In the Old Testament she was perhaps the most wicked woman of her day. She became so hated that she was thrown from a window and the dogs ate her flesh. The sin of this self-appointed prophetess was to bring Baalism into Israel as a new religion. She is accused of seducing God's servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols.This constituted the breaking of two of God's commandments to His people Israel:
(1) Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them and (2) Thou shalt not commit adultery (Exodus 20:4, 5, 14). God called upon Thyatira to turn from her wicked ways.
The long-suffering and loving God gave Thyatira approximately 1,000 years to do what was right, but she resisted. How like many twenty-first century Christians, constantly rejecting the wooings of the blessed Holy Spirit.The result...
Judgment always comes:
Be sure your sin will find you out (Numbers 32:23). The Lord promises to cast this church and her bed partners-those who have partaken of her abominable iniquity, including idolatry and unfaithfulness to the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ-into the Great Tribulation. At that point, the church which sits upon seven hills (chapter 17, verse 9) will be destroyed. The details concerning this event are discussed in chapters 17 and 18.The obvious lesson here is that God hates sin.
Sentimentalists say, "Oh, the blessed, loving Jesus would never condemn anyone."Really?
We know that God is love (1 John 4:8) and God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world (John 3:17).
Nevertheless, when His love is repeatedly spurned and one deliberately follows a course of sin, God's holiness demands that the sinner be punished.
Remember Christ himself is speaking in the following verse:
How sad that the church of Thyatira, so highly praised for good works in the opening passages, must be horribly judged because of having undone every good thing that had been originally performed in the name of the Saviour.
Likewise, today it is possible for the Christian to lose every reward he has earned, so look to yourselves, that [you] lose not those things which [you] have wrought [or earned] (2 John 8).
The only good news concerning Thyatira was that a remnant remained faithful in spite of the deterioration of this local church.
The Lord Jesus informed John that those who did not succumb to Jezebel's theological follies or fall into the fornication and idolatry propagated by this false Babylonian religion, would not have any other burden. They had experienced enough heartache.
Here the faithful remnant was admonished to continue in the truth of God's Word until Jesus returned.
Christ has promised faithful believers three rewards upon His return to the earth:
(1) rulership over the nations during the Millennium: For they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years (chapter 20, verse 4)
(2) sharing in this glorious time of perfect righteousness resulting from Christ's personal enforcement and order (see Psalm 2:8,9)
(3) the abiding presence of the blessed Saviour throughout time and eternity as Christ himself, the bright and morning star, reigns (chapter 22, verses 14 and 16).
If your life is not what it once was for Christ, don't be a loser when rewards are distributed. Instead, about-face! Live for Him! Heed the warning of the next verse.
A MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM DR. JACK VAN IMPE
