Chapter Two

Ephesus: 33-100 A.D. Ephesus had a great beginning with Paul and Timothy

Acts 19; 20:17-21; I Tim. 1:3

Now the Lord is going to reveal the true condition of the church in Ephesus.

2:1 "...these things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand"/ This is the glorified Christ holding the churches in His strong right hand and walking in their midst - Our security.

2:2 "I know thy works"/ He is aware of all the works of His Church, absolute knowledge of its condition - the Lord commends before He reproves.

"thy labor"/ kopon / a beating of the breast with grief, sorrow, trouble, to cause one trouble, make work for him, intense labor united with trouble and toil / "patience"/ going on steadily for the Lord

"and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles and are not, and hast found them liars"/ Scriptural tests are the only valid means of determining apostleship. I John 4:1; I Tim. 5:19-20; Acts 1

2:3 "Thou hast bourne..." / ebastasaV /
"and for my name’s sake hast laboured"/
"and hast not fainted"/ kakmhkaV / they did not grow weary in their well doing.

2:4 "left thy first love"/ they left the warm love of a new Christian or the quality and extent of true love. It was the loss of love for Christ as preeminent that grieved God’s heart. This kind of love is known for the action that it prompts, it is a deliberate choice of the will, made without cause, except what lies in the very nature of God Himself. It is the same love which you and I possess as Believers - it is the love of God which grows, allowing us to love the brethren (I Jn. 4:11), it is a love that comes from the character of God.

2:5 "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and repent"/ God’s goodness leads us to repentance, which is not mere sorrow (2 Cor. 7:10), but a changed state of the soul.

"and do the first works"/ Onward love and glory to God freely, finding again what has been laid aside.

"or else I will come unto thee quickly"/ necessary and judicial action of the part of God.

"and will remove thy candlestick out of his place"/ no more assembly without any repentance, the Spirit’s power is taken away, no longer a light to shine in a dark world. Failure would result in the loss of testimony, power, credibility, and reliability.

2:6 "...that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate"/ Evil workers, immoral and impure, possibly professing to know the Lord coupled with the practice of paganism. Hierarchy with disregard for morals, like the sect of Baalam - abuse of the doctrine of grace. The Greek word literally translated is "victory over the laity" or "laity conquerors."

Pastors should not be dictators over the flock. I Pet. 5:3

2:7 "...to him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life"/ Gen. 2:9; 3:22-24 / He wanted them to overcome all obstacles, the flesh, oppressions, by claiming and manifesting Christ. There are those who overcome and there are those who are overcome / 2 Pet. 2:20; I Cor. 15:2; Col. 1:23

2:8 Smyrna: Great time of persecution-the One who is the First and the Last is their consolation in this terrible time. They could have the victory because He had the ultimate victory over the tomb. No criticism of this church. Smyrna means myrrh, a fragrant spice that had to be crushed, or beaten to get its full fragrance. Symbol of extreme suffering at the hand of the Roman Empire. 5,000,000 Christians were martyred during this time of persecution.

2:9 "I know thy works and tribulation and poverty (but thou art rich)"/ Tribulation works patience and the realization of their gift of being joint heirs with Christ.

"...are the synagogue of Satan"/ Literally Gentiles who had taken up the pretense of being Jews (like SDA, JW’s, or British Israelites movement), and/or Jews who had pretended to be saved - brought much grief to the church by mixing law and grace (Gal. 1:6-10). This could be said of any anti-Christian movement: John 8:30; 2 Cor. 11:14-15

2:10 "and ye shall have tribulation ten days"/ 10 series of persecutions

Nero

Domitian

Trajan

Marcus Aurelius

Septimus Servus

Maximus

Decius

Valerian

Aurelian

Diocletian

It was a measured period of time - not beyond their ability to stand. Be faithful for a crown of life: James 1:12

2:11 "...not be hurt of the second death"/ Rev. 20:14 / This period comes to an end with the new Emperor Constantine, carrying on a conquest of the world. He was a pagan king (cross in the sky: In this we conqueror). He and all his armies were baptized by force and coercion - it was the beginning of the state church. He began to dictate powers, many professed because it was popular, but few possessed! The church became cold and worldly.

Pergamos: 313-590 / 2:12-17 / from the word which is translated in bigamy or polygamy. Mixed marriage - the church was married to the world. The church corrupted by Constantine centered in wrong alliances and compromise. 2 Cor. 6:14-18

Pergamos was the capitol of ancient Mysia. It was the first place to establish a temple to the Roman Emperor Octavius Caesar in 29 B.C. It became a pagan cathedral city (Satan’s seat) and was a place of danger for Christians. Therefore the sword describes the protection of the Lord.

Councils held fast the name of Jesus:

Nicea: Christ is Divine

Constantinople: Holy Spirit is Divine

Ephesus in 431: Natural man is depraved

Chalcedon in 451: Christ was human and Divine

"sharp sword with two edges"/ Rev. 1:6; Isa. 49:2; Heb. 4:12 / The sword is an instrument of life and it is an instrument of death!

2:13 "I know ...where thou dwellest"/ Christ’s knowledge / three possible understandings:

1. I know where you are is tough -recognition

2. I know where you are - watch out - warning

3. I know where you are (inferred blame)

"Satan’s seat is"/ qronoV / Satan’s city was the home of many gods and goddesses: Zeus, Aphrodite, statues, sacred groves

cf. 2 Cor. 4:4; John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11 Where is Satan’s throne?

"and thou holdest fast my name"/ full usage, all of what and who God is - love and loyalty to Christ

"and hast not denied my faith"/ doctrinal faithfulness / Lit. "your faith in me"

"even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr"/ Antipas means "like the father"

2:14 "But I have a few things against thee"/ the church as a whole

"doctrine of Balaam"/ Mingle with the unsaved, marry outside of Jewish nation, no separation, the sin of tolerating the unsaved and the doctrine of the lost, no censorship of sin, no church discipline. Flaunting God’s direct will (for reward or money(, going after the rewards of the world in direct contradiction to God / Num. 25:1-9; James 4:4 / The teaching of Balaam was to corrupt God’s people: 2 Peter 2:15; I Cor. 8:1

2:15 "Nicolaitans"/ rise of hierarchal clergy, lust for religious power - Satan’s most effective work is accomplished through religious organizations and institutions. Prophetic: all movements represented Constantine who united the church with the world, setting up a distinct class of clergy - by 440 Leo was Bishop of Rome.

2:16 You are at war against it, not with the church

2:17 "hidden manna"/ possibly may be the benefits of true fellowship we have in Christ, richer nourishment in Christ than in idols and dainties, there is a heavenly supply for the earthly pilgrimage / John 6:49-51 / "I am the true bread" / Christ is the true manna, like the pot of manna in the Ark - out of the world’s reach, because it is ministered by the Holy Spirit

"white stone"/ a no guilty verdict in court - Used on four different occasions in the Roman culture:

All four ideas unite in the Lord’s delight for the overcomer!

1. Victor in an athletic contest

2. Yes vote on a ballot

3. In court as a not guilty

4. By a host to express appreciation to an honored guest

"and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it"/ Four possible ideas:

1. Name of God

2. New recognition of God’s power here and in glory

3. The name of Christ, known by the individual in a new way - freshness

4. New name of the believer - the personal mark of God’s adoption

**Abram to Abraham; Jacob to Israel; Sarai to Sarah / mark of attainment of a new status Isa. 62:2; Rev. 3:12; John 1:42

Thyatira: 600-1500 / 2:18-29 / quateiroiV / Lit. a continual sacrifice - the longest letter of all the seven churches / This period shows the rapid rise of Romanism, the Dark Ages: the Vandals, Huns, and Goths overran Europe and brought with them their paganism. Church compromise, in the hope of changing these people brought developed a church that was part Christian and part paganism and Jewish.

"Son of God"/ o uioV tou qeou / A reminder and rebuke to the church that would degrade Him by keeping Him the Son of a woman, and consequently put her above Him. Mary is called in Romanism: Mother of God, Queen of Heaven, Co-redeemer, Co-Mediator, Holy Mother full of grace, it is said that she will return to set up her kingdom on earth, and that she bruised the serpents head.

But Christ is the very Son of God who alone speaks with supreme authority and is enthroned in the heavens. We are dealing with God when we deal with Christ.

"who hath eyes like unto a flame of fire"/ qloga puroV / a piercing look which sees through all and refines and convicts, sees through all masks and coverings, hidden things of the soul, He is omniscient (John 2:24-25; 1:48; 4:28-29; 21:17)

Examples: Hagar: in sorrow and loneliness / thou God seest me in Gen. 16:13

Jeremiah: The Lord searcheth the heart in Jer. 17:10

Apostles: Thou, Lord which knowest the hearts of all men in Acts 1:24

"feet like unto fine brass"/  calkolibanw / used 2X in the N.T. in 1:15; 2:18. a symbol and picture of judgment (19:15). Brass as a symbol of judgment is found in the O.T. in Numbers 21:9 (serpent of brass).

2:19 "I know thy works and charity"/ With all the fault in the church there was some good

"service"/ action toward others in need, not just the mechanical function of the job, but the tender and loving kindness, no labor without love

"faith"/ faithfulness, fidelity, loyalty, dependable and reliable, not fickle or faltering, not occasional or spasmodic. Some Christians run fine at the beginning of the race, but like the Galatians tire quickly and fall and are led astray.

2:20 "Notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee"/ Ephesus would not tolerate evil but lacked love, Thyatira had the love but tolerated evil. It is the same in some churches today. There are moral and doctrinal perfectionists, Pharisees, without love in dealing with the brethren; and there are those who preach love and toleration even to the place of seeking co-existence between good and evil. THE KEY IS BALANCE!

"Jezebelh"/ Chaste, the daughter of Ethbaal, the king of the Zidonians, and the wife of Ahab, the king of Israel (1Ki 16:31). This was the "first time that a king of Israel had allied himself by marriage with a heathen princess; and the alliance was disastrous. Jezebel has stamped her name on history as the representative of all that is designing, crafty, malicious, revengeful, and cruel. She is the first great instigator of persecution against the saints of God. Guided by no principle, restrained by no fear of either God or man, passionate in her attachment to her heathen worship, she spared no pains to maintain idolatry around her in all its splendor. She killed Naboth for his vineyard, for her husband.

Four hundred and fifty prophets ministered under her care to Baal, besides four hundred prophets of the groves prophets. The idolatry, too, was of the most debased and sensual kind. Her conduct was in many respects very disastrous to the kingdom both of Israel and Judah (1Ki 21:1-29). At length she came to an untimely end. As Jehu rode into the gates of Jezreel, she looked out at the window of the palace, and said, "Had Zimri peace, who slew his master?" He looked up and called to her chamberlains, who instantly threw her from the window, so that she was dashed in pieces on the street, and his horses trod her under their feet. She was immediately consumed by the dogs of the street (2Ki 9:7-37), according to the word of Elijah the Tishbite (1Ki 21:19). Her name afterwards came to be used as the synonym for a wicked woman (Rev 2:20). Revelation describes her sin as the "depths of Satan" (2:24).

There was a seductive and wicked influence in Thyatire - possibly pollution by moral and doctrinal impurities.

"which calleth herself a prophetess"/ A self-styled woman teaching wrong doctrine and philosophy. The church in Thyatira apparently tolerated her because there was some truth incorporated in her deception. IE: Ellen White, Mary Baker Eddy, Kathryn Coleman, etc.

The principle holds true for any Jezebel who seduces God’s people into false religion. Remember, this period of time represented by Thyatira is the Dark Ages. It is a vivid account of popes during that time of RCC. Jezebel is a picture of Mary worship.

Jezebel taught the servants of the Lord to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols. She did this as a prophetess, teaching with "authority." The RCC teaches that it is the only church which cannot err in matters pertaining to faith and morals. Quote, "Hear Mother Church" The RCC and superstition and ignorance - they fear the Word of God.

Thyatira was a period of works, religion, ceremonies, sacrifices, feast and fast days, the finished work of Christ was denied.

2:21 The RCC has never changed in its doctrinal position, no repentance. But this Babylon of prophecy will meet with Divine judgment when the Head of the Church is revealed from Heaven. Rev. 17-18 The O.T. Jezebel painted her face to conceal her identity, but she died a horrible death. The RCC has been pretending for centuries to be something other than what it really is. But the Lord will judge her

2:22-23 Persons sentenced to judgment:

1. Jezebel: papacy

2. Followers: those who commit fornication with her

3. Priests: her children

"and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts"/ negrouV / hidden brought to light: systems, organizations and all individuals will be judged.

2:24-25 Godly remnant, the medieval church was not totally corrupt. The Albigenses and Waldenses stood against the harlot of Rome, they boldly denounced errors and heresies.

2:26 Invitation and promise

2:27 "rule"/ poimonei / to shepherd, administer mercy and give direction

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