[Revelation 2]
The letters to the churches are written on a high standard of literary craftsmanship. It is an artistic whole and closely integrated. Each letter starts with a characteristic of Jesus mentioned in the first chapter, except the last one, Laodicea. All the descriptions of Jesus are taken from the Old Testament and applied to the risen Christ. The scene is set for Christ in conversation with His church. He is holding them in His hand, moving amongst them in a close and warm relationship.
The first and following chapters confirms the inter-relationship of the letters and the visions. The concluding promises of the letters to the churches anticipate the end of the whole book and the visions of the New Jerusalem. It puts the whole book of Revelation within the framework of a traditional Christian letter, an epistle, with an extended introduction (1-3), concluding admonitions (22:6-19) and a benediction (22:20-21). The letters to the churches and the vision of the Son of Man in the first chapter pertain to the same time period.
God speaks through his prophet John all the words, all the criticism in perfect love – remember that always. It was not spoken to be the judgment of history. It was spoken to correct and to perfect on an ongoing basis and God is always successful.
The number seven symbolizes completion and full inclusion.
The cities where the churches were, were all located on a trade route in Asia Minor, a province of Rome. It was not the most important or largest churches at the time of writing.
For now, we are asking God to let us hear what the Spirit says to the church for this very moment in our lives. We always need to hear God. The promise is that He will speak to us (Isaiah 52:6). God’s voice is the pearl beyond price, the truest treasure of all – not theologically correct and all-inclusive interpretation.
Remember the words of Jesus:
And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. (John 10:28)
The angels of the churches are the messengers bringing the Word of God.
Angels are commanded to support and minister to the church. The church is us – blood-bought, born-again children of God. It is confirmed in Hebrews 1:14:
Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
All the churches are addressed in a certain way to recognize a commission, a character description of Christ, a commendation (except Sardis and Laodicea), a condemnation or censure, a correction, a challenge, and a covenant promise.
Christ presents himself with all the attributes to overcome the problem faced, the problem is discussed, and then encouragement to persevere or repentance to avoid judgment is presented. It is followed by a call to all churches to hear and listen and a positive response will activate the promise or inheritance – also an attribute of Christ himself.
As today – the healthy churches are in the minority and the church as a whole is perceived to be in a poor condition.
All the letters deal with the theme of faithfulness to Christ in a threatening pagan culture.
EPHESUS – the loveless church
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.4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 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.
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.” ’
BACKGROUND:
Ephesus was a big city with a harbour that served as the gateway to the region. It was a free city, meaning it was self-governing with only occasional tours of the Roman proconsul, an official much like a provincial judge. Many tribes and nations lived together and the city was known for crime and immorality. It was famous for its games in the arena offering cruelty and killing as entertainment. It was the centre for the worship of Diana (Greek = Artemis), the goddess of fertility portrayed in ancient times by a many-breasted female figure. It was also known for many superstitions represented by small objects and charms that were supposed to bring good luck, healing or fertility that were called Ephesian letters. People came from everywhere to buy them. Paul stayed in Ephesus quite long, Timothy was the first pastor and according to Acts 18 Aquila, Priscilla and Apollos ministered there. It was the residence of John before and after his exile to Patmos.
Christ is the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands. He is the One who sheds light, ultimately and intimately aware of what is truly going on.
COMMENDATION:
He praises them for their hard work, endurance and labour for good, but their good works have developed into loveless orthodoxy and routine. They have discernment and have not grown weary. They hated the Nicolaitans, who was a group claiming superior status of spirituality and permitting idolatry and immorality, indulgence and no restrain.
CRITICISM:
The loss of the first love, the warm excitement of a new relationship, makes them powerless and ineffective against the onslaught of sin. Faithful persistent love lasts till the end. Love is the only true evangelization. Matthew 24:12-14 – Jesus warns that people’s love will grow cold.
A loss of first love is easily recognizable by the working of the Holy Spirit to reveal and convict. It is exposed in over-familiarity in things divine, arrogance and a superficial approach to the Word of God. Characteristics of a first-love relationship are vision and purpose combined with humility and dependence on the Holy Spirit. Jesus is worshipped for who He is, not for what He can do for us. The church is prepared to do what it takes to love like Jesus – faithfully to the end. (Jeremiah 2:2)
The threat to remove the lampstand comes to the leader of the church to save the flock and to give them to a leader more worthy. Orthodox routine is darkness. The Church may exist but it is not the light it should be. God always looks after the remnant and actively rescues the scattered sheep after the wolves have battered them. The lampstand’s primary meaning is witness. (Revelation 11:3-7,10) No witnessing is possible without love. Leaving the first love is an indication of a lack of dependence on the Holy Spirit. The removal is before the Second Coming. – witnessing is relevant before Christ comes, not after.
INSTRUCTION:
The command is to repent as the church is threatened from the inside. Do the works you did at first. I will come to you is not the Second Coming – it is immediate to bless and judge. God equips us immediately for our task here.
PROMISE:
To the overcomers God promises the Tree of Life in Paradise. The Tree of Life is a symbol of Christ according to Isaiah 11:1:
There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse,
And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
In the further verses follows the Messianic blessing that rested on Jesus.
To Jewish thought the Tree of Life was a fragrant, beautiful tree with good produce to feed and give shade. To this church all of these images speak of the restored relationship with Jesus, thus a restoration of mankind to the original sinless state so that the circumstances of Eden can be reconstructed. In His presence there is no decay, no destruction – only peace and perfect love
SMYRNA – the persecuted church
And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,
‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” ’
BACKGROUND:
Smyrna was a beautiful city known as the crown of Asia. The sea breeze catching its location made it cooler but blew the smell of sewage drained into the sea right back to the city. It was an important trade centre and the city grew in a well-planned way around business. It had a “street of gold” where the Temple of Zeus (principal Roman god) and temples to other deities formed a “necklace” around the hill on which the city was located. It was a free city, loyal to Rome in Caesar-worship [see Pebbles 41] and known for its culture.
It is noteworthy that the ancient world tried to fill their “godly gap” with all sorts of deities, which led to much confusion and countless animal sacrifices to multiple gods in case any of them are angry. Worship to one God, almighty and all wise, was very attractive to many. Christianity, preaching a loving, welcoming God, ready to save and bless with no animal sacrifices, was a balm of peace and assurance in a world of many and mostly hostile gods.
Always remember we have the GOOD NEWS. It does not matter how much criticism and accusations of naivety – we have what the world needs. They try to fill their need with their confusion of idols – but they actually want what we have. Know it, but do not be arrogant about it. Always share the Gospel in love – perfect love and that implies a lot of patience.
COMMENDATION:
To this city Christ is introduced as the risen Messiah, the First and the Last who was dead and who lives again. The earthly splendour of the city is nothing compared to victory over death. The Jews are very influential and very hostile to the Christians. Christians lived uncertain lives and belonged to the lower classes. Their possessions were plundered by anybody who felt like it and they could not accumulate wealth. They were spiritually rich.
The synagogue is now of Satan (meaning the accuser) as it became an assembly working against the purposes of God. Jewish worship was centred around the synagogue after the destruction of the Temple. The Jews were accusing the Christians of a perversely easy way to salvation. Moreover, the Christians worshipped a convicted criminal as the Messiah – blasphemy and something to be punished. The Jews collaborated with the Romans in Christian persecution.
The Jews were working against God. This happens when the Presence of the Lord leaves the community of believers and rebellious people determine the agenda. Read about the rebellion of Korah (Numbers 16) and God’s purification of disloyalty to His chosen leaders, even with their weaknesses. No leader is perfect, but he is the anointed of God and God will deal with him. Rebellion can be very confusing and leave the sheep scattered.
This persecuted church receives no criticism. The Church is now the true Israel.
INSTRUCTION:
Do not fear, be faithful. The period of ten days is symbolic for a short and limited time. Jesus is the disposer of history. He can make such a promise.
PROMISE:
The crown of life is a victorious crown of triumph in battle. The victor’s crown is stephanosin Greek and diadem in Latin. The Romans loved crowns. They wore them to banquets, the games and even for worship. The crown of Jesus is everlasting and depicts victory over the second death. The second death is only ever mentioned in Revelation (20:6,14 and 21:8) and means eternal separation from God.
For us, the word of Jesus to the murderer on the cross next to Him is our guide to death. And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43). Physical death is a mystery, but never scary. Jesus was victorious over death and took the sting out of the finality and overwhelming helplessness of death. (1 Corinthians 15:55)
“Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches. (Revelation 2:7, The Message)
PERGAMOS – the compromising church
“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write,
‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 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.” ’
BACKGROUND:
It was the greatest city in Asia Minor and the capital of the region for over 400 years. It had the most impressive library outside Alexandria (Egypt) and the inhabitants were used to visitors from all over the ancient world.
It is said that the word parchment is derived from the name of this city. Parchment is made of animal skins and legend has it that the King of Pergamum headhunted the librarian of Alexandria to extend his city’s library to be the very best in the world. The king of Egypt reacted by arresting the librarian of Alexandria and immediately blocked the export of papyrus to Pergamum. With nothing to write on, the scribes of Asia Minor, treated animal skin with tension and lime and thus used the more long-lasting material for writing on, known as parchment. Other sources, however, state that parchment was used as far back as the fifth century BC, but the trade in parchment was dominated by Pergamum.
COMMENDATION:
The image of Christ holds the two-edged sword in His hand. Christ is the ultimate judge over life and death. His Word is the judge – always fair and compassionate. Jesus says He “fights” with the Sword of his mouth. (Ephesians 6:17, John 15:3)
A dwelling place could have two meanings: a place where one resides permanently or a place where one is just passing through. The word used here is the one for passing through. We are pilgrims and not permanent residents of earth.
Satan’s throne could refer to the Temple of Zeus in Pergamum with a huge sculpture of Zeus sitting on his throne. Also, in Pergamum was the temple of Asclepios, the god of medicine with a serpent as symbol, built like a hospital. Pergamum was also known for loyal Caesar-worship, making it truly Satan’s throne.
In Revelation 12 it is clear that Satan (the dragon) gives the political system (the beast) authority to persecute God’s people.
The word martyr originally meant witness. The church in Pergamum stayed faithful throughout a season of severe persecution and was given the honorary title of Christ.
CRITICISM:
The church is warned, however, not to be permissive and compromise the purity and holiness of the truth. Balaam is the symbol of a stumbling block that compromises truth for monetary gain. Christians would have suffered financially for sticking to their principles.
The Nicolaitans seduce the church into a relaxing of moral purity and idolatry.
Last mentioned supported a free-love kind of lifestyle and held that sexual purity stems from Mosaic law and was not applicable anymore. They blurred the lines with regard to fornication connected with religious rites. The Hebrews had a long history of preaching against using cult prostitutes.
Sexual immorality leads to abuse, just as it does today.
The two names are mentioned together. It could be because of their meaning. Balaam means one who consumes or rules over people and Nicolaus means one who overcomes the people.
INSTRUCTION:
The road to purification is by the Word. (Ephesians 5:26). The Word is the sword that will judge. Repentance is the way out of sin and habitual sin. God will come quickly means God is active in His church to convict and purify to open the way for blessing and growth.
PROMISE:
The hidden manna to the Jewish mind meant all the messianic blessings of the covenant. It is a feast of heavenly food. It is consumed at the wedding feast of the Lamb. It is non-visible food.
Jewish folklore taught that the golden pot of manna in the Ark of the Covenant was hidden by Jeremiah and taken to heaven by an angel at the time of the destruction of Jerusalem in 586BC where it will remain until the Messiah will come. Here John confirms that Jesus is the Messiah as He controls the hidden manna.
Jesus is the Bread of Life according to John 6:31-35. He gives Himself as our heavenly portion with all the blessings from God’s riches in Him.
In ancient times, stones were used as symbols of precious gifts and the Jews associate it with manna from heaven. The manna looked like a white stone. (Numbers 11:7)
White and black stones were used to signal the verdicts of the juries in the legal process – white for life and black for death. In Roman society a Tessera stone, carried on the person, was a proof of privileges for winning at the games and for the benefits retired gladiators were to receive. In the Roman army a happy day was a white day, which is to be enjoyed as a day off while the army is locked in a siege and was decided by drawing beans.
A pebble was often carried as a lucky charm with a sacred name of a god who could be summoned for help and was doubly effective when no one knew the name written on the stone carried in the pocket of a garment. John truly collected all the superstition and false hopes of the secular society in which the church served, to declare Christ as the answerto every question and search for hope ever.
The promise to the faithful and repentant is a new name. New could mean:
neos – more of the same depicting quantity as in a new pencil but many others already exist or: –
kainos – unique, has never been, depicting quality as in one of a kind.
A person with a new name always acquired new status in God – Abram to Abraham, Jacob to Israel, Simon to Peter and Saul to Paul as examples.
The nations will see your righteousness and vindication [by God], and all kings [will see] your glory; and you will be called by a new name which the mouth of the Lord will designate. (Isaiah 62:2)
THYATIRA – the corrupt church
“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. 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 [o]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.
24 “Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—
27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron;
They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’—
as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star.
29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
BACKGROUND:
John writes the longest letter to the least important of the cities. Thyatira was situated in a valley connecting Pergamum and Sardis. As a city its location made it difficult to defend. It was a shrine to fortune telling in the region. Lydia, seller of purple (Acts 16:14) lived here. The city was well known for the trade guilds (societies of commerce with secrets and agreements) operating under the symbol of a patron deity. The guilds held banquets, more often than not drunken parties. The meat served at these meals was an issue for Christians. The meat was offered to the patron god. If Christians chose not to participate, the practical implication would be the cutting off of Christians from all social gatherings.
The image of Christ pictured is threatening like the description in Daniel 10:6. Eyes like a flame of fire. Anger and wrath are symbolized by bronze feet, which means immovable power and moral purity. Son of God is His title of authority as the Most High
COMMENDATION:
The church is highly praised for love, service and faith. (…the last are more than the first.) They have grown in labour to the Lord, a lovely compliment for a community.
CRITICISM:
The criticism against the church comes with a symbol of idolatry from the Old Testament. Jezebel was the wife of Ahab, one of the kings of Israel. When he married his Phoenician bride, he built a temple for Baal worship in Samaria and brought idolatry into Israel. (1 Kings 16:29-31). At that time, ancient nations believed their gods to be territorial and even the Israelites, backslidden as they were, believed Baal should stay in Phoenicia. It was only during the exile in Assyria and Babylon that God’s people recognized His omni-presence away from the promised land. Jezebel’s name is used symbolically for false prophecy and idolatry leading people astray, hence her depiction as the harlot queen. She is a symbol of compromise.
Condemnation to this church is in the form of a sick bed – bed of sex becomes the sick bed. A bed-ridden church cannot function and will be rendered ineffective until repentance can heal and restore. Her children are her followers.
God searches the hearts and minds. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:13)
Depths of Satan describe the despair of the people who have been led into deception. God sees this and always rescues the remnant (2:25).
INSTRUCTION:
Hold fast, overcome. Repentance is always the remedy to clear the way for reward
PROMISE:
A repentant church will share in the victory of Christ, as He was promised in Psalm 2:8,9 to receive the heritage of the nations. The morning star is one of the names of Jesus. He is the ultimate reward – the dawning of a new day, the first resurrection and the conqueror of Lucifer. Lucifer was called the morning star before his fall from heaven. Christ is the true Morning Star. We, the church, are the wise and shall shine like stars. (Daniel 12:3)
And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:19 -21)
These are the links to two Spotify podcasts covering this chapter:
Ephesus and Smyrna Episode 3
Pergamos and Thyatira Episode 4
Pebbles of Perpetuity 