"The view is taken here that there were seven actual churches in existence to which these letters were addressed at the time Jesus dictated them to John the apostle. They were chosen because they accurately reflect the problems within Christendom at the end of the age. Revelation 2-3 thus constitutes a warning to professed Christendom inside of what is known as the '70th week of Daniel.' These churches were singled out because they reflected the qualities, characteristics, attributes, flaws of the church at the end of the age. Therefore, if we are in fact approaching the end of the age, I can think of no body of truth more relevant , more crucial for believers than the content of these letters to those seven churches." [1] "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches" is found at the end of each of these seven letters. It is a commandment, admonition and serious warning to the believer and therefore must be acknowledged to be of the utmost importance of what is said in these two chapters. Also found at the end of each of the seven letters is a relevant promise to those who overcome, and these promises are obviously connected with the verse cited above. These letters are specifically meant to admonish the reader to "overcome." It is not hard to understand what is involved in "overcoming," as it simply implies putting God and His uncompromised Word first in all things, being true to Christ, pursuing love of Him and for the brethren, being faithful, perservering, watchful, enduring. For us specifically at this time it means being especially very wary of taking the mark of the Antichrist. Whoever does will experience the day of wrath and be eternally separated from God. An "overcomer" will not, but there will be many professing believers who will. It is imperative for us as believers that we be constantly "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith..." (Hebr. 12:2) and not take our eyes off Him.

"Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." (1 John 5:1-5 NIV}

Ephesus (Rev. 2:1-7) "the Loveless Church" Rev 2:1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: the One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:" "The object here seems to be to turn the attention of the church in Ephesus to some attribute of the Saviour which deserved their special regard, or which constituted a special reason for attending to what he said. To do this, the attention is directed, in this case, to the fact that he held the seven stars-- emblematic of the ministers of the churches-- in his hand, and that he walked in the midst of the lampbearers-- representing the churches themselves; intimating that they were dependent on him, that he had power to continue or remove the ministry, and that it was by his presence only that those lamp-bearers would continue to give light. The absolute control over the ministry, and the fact that he walked amidst the churches, and that his presence was necessary to their perpetuity and their welfare, seem to be the principal ideas implied in this representation. These truths he would impress on their minds, in order that they might feel how easy it would be for him to punish any disobedience, and in order that they might do what was necessary to secure his continual presence among them. These views seem to be sanctioned by the character of the punishment threatened , "that he would remove the candlestick representing their church out of its place." [4]

Rev 2:2-4 "I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot endure evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name's sake, and have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have left your first love."

Smyrna (Rev 2:8-11) "the Persecuted Church" Rev. 2:8"And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this:" " The language here is what would properly denote "eternity" in the being to whom it is applied, and could be used in reference to no one but the true God. It means that he is the beginning and the end of all things; that he was at the commencement, and will be at the close; and it is thus equivalent to saying that he has always existed, and that he will always exist....The idea is, that he is a Living Saviour; and there was a propriety in referring to that fact here from the nature of the promise which he was about to make to the church at Smyrna: "He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death," (Rev. 2:11). (Note John 11:25-6) As he had himself triumphed over death in all its forms, and was now alive forever, it was appropriate that he should promise to his true friends the same protection from the second death. He who was wholly beyond the reach of death could give the assurance that they who put their trust in him should come off victorious." [4] Even though the Lord Jesus does not mention it directly, one of the major problems faced by the Smyrna church was the "emperor worship" that was begun in their city. Rome had become so powerful and had brought such a measure of peace to their empire that their people began deifying the emperors. Domitian (circa 85-96 A.D.) was the first emperor to actually declare himself "god." The people of Smyrna had to visit his temple once a year to offer a pinch of incense. They would each receive a certificate or "mark" for political purposes. The church at Smyrna was persecuted because they would not submit to "Caesar worship." Rev 2:9 "I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan." Actually the Greek word translated here as "poverty" may be better translated "destitution" - a result of their refusal to participate in "Caesar worship" as without the "mark" they could neither "buy nor sell." They were being slandered by the Jews, which Jesus referred to here. Rev 2:10 "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast 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." Smyrna was probably the most difficult place to live in as a Christian at that time (largely because of the problems the large Jewish population caused for the Christians). "What was done to the Jews in Nazi Germany will be done to Bible-believing Christians in the US." [1]

Pergamum (Rev. 2:12-17) "the Compromising Church" - Rev 2:12 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this:""The church of Pergamos was infested with men of corrupt minds, who did what they could to corrupt both the faith and manners of the church; and Christ, being resolved to fight against them by the sword of his word, takes the title of him that hath the sharp sword with two edges." [6] ("For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Heb 4:12-13)

Rev 2:13-16 "I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith, even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit acts of immorality. Thus you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent therefore; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth."

Thyatira (Rev. 2:18-29) "the Corrupt or Prostituting Church" The trade guilds in Thyatira were not only economic but political, social and religious. Any resident of the city who wanted to work and earn a living had to be a member of a guild. Being a member of a guild meant having to participate in the sacrifices to pagan gods and orgies that were part of the guild meetings. Therefore it was very hard for believers to make a living here. Rev. 2:18 - "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this:" This is the first time in these letters that the appelation "The Son of God" is used. "His general title is here, the Son of God, that is, the eternal and only-begotten Son of God, which denotes that he has the same nature with the Father, but with a distinct and subordinate manner of subsistence. The description we have here of him is in two characters:--
(1.) That his eyes are like a flame of fire, signifying his piercing, penetrating, perfect knowledge, a thorough insight into all persons and all things, one who searches the hearts and tries the reins of the children of men (v. 23), and will make all the churches to know he does so.
(2.) that his feet are like fine brass, that the outgoings of his providence are steady, awful, and all pure and holy. As he judges with perfect wisdom, so he acts with perfect strength and steadiness." [6]

Rev 2:19-25 - ""I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 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. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 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. 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. But hold fast what you have till I come."

When Jesus returns, He will catch them unaware like a "thief." And He will tell them, "Depart from Me...I never knew you!" "And I will kill her children with death..." Followers are accountable too, not just leaders. "I will give to each one of you according to your deeds." It is our works (built on the free gift of salvation) according to which Jesus rewards us. God honors and rewards obedience. (1 Cor. 3:11-17)

Rev 2:26-29 - "And he who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to pieces, as I also have received authority from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

CHAPTER 3

Sardis(Rev. 3:1-6) "the Dead Church"

Rev 3:1-3 - "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars, says this: 'I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. Remember therefore what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. If therefore you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come upon you.

Rev. 3:4-6 "But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white; for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7-13) "the Faithful Church" Rev 3:7-8 - "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this: I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name." Oh, what a commendation and a promise is here! "I who am holy and true recognize that you are holy and true. I have the key of David, which I give to you as I gave the keys of the kingdom to Peter (Matt. 16:19) for I have put before you an open door of ministry which none can shut." Oh, this is music to the ears of any member of Christ's Body who is has a heart like God does for reaching out to those who are lost and hurting!

Rev 3:9-11 "Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews, and are not, but lie-- behold, I will make them to come and bow down at your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell upon the earth. I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, in order that no one take your crown."

Laodicea(Rev. 3:14-22) "the Lukewarm, Materialistic Church" Rev 3:14 -"And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this:" This is an amazing passage, and an amazing end to the series of letters to the seven churches. "The Amen" (John 24:6 - "I am the...truth...."), "the faithful and true witness" (John 1:18, etc...), "the beginning of the creation of God..." (Col. 1:15-17). It's amazing that so awesome a series of titles would be used to address a church that caused the Almighty to be spiritually nauseated.

Rev 3:15-19"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I would that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich, and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; be zealous therefore, and repent."

"He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne."

"...if we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny and disown and reject Him,
He will also deny and disown and reject us." (2 Tim 2:12 - AMP)

[1] Marvin J Rosenthal - "Zion's Hope"
[2] Eerdman's Concise Bible Handbook - p. 379.
[3] Jack Hayford - Living Way Ministries
[4] (from Barnes' Notes)
[5] (from Adam Clarke Commentary)
[6] (from Matthew Henry's Commentary)
[7] "Until the End of Time" - ed. Jack W. Hayford -
© 1994 - Thomas Nelson Publishers

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