Revelation 2:-3:22 The Seven Chuches
The second Chapter is the beginning of Christ talking to the seven churches in Asia. Although they were specifically the churches that Christ was speaking to, this was meant for every one of us. Look how he ends each letter to the seven Churches. (2:7; 2:11; 2:17; 2:29; 3:6; 3:13; and 3:22) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. That to me is saying that this is for every one that is able to hear. I believe this was written to specific churches, as well as every congregation to follow. As we look at these churches, we should see some characteristics that our church has. Unfortunately, we will not only see good characteristics, but bad ones as well.
We should also take notice here that the letters are written to the Seven Angels of the seven Churches. I believe that these first and foremost represent the Pastor of the Church. I believe also that when God gives a testimony to an old saint of God, that they become an angel of that Church. This may not make sense right now, but when we read the 8th chapter, we will get a better understanding of this.
Church of Ephesus: V 1-7
Christ begins speaking to the Church of Ephesus by letting them know that the message they are about to hear is from the one that is walking in the midst of the seven Churches. In other words, there is no use and hiding or denying, he already knows where they stand. Many times in life we try to conceal thing from God, but remember that he is a revealer. Those things that we try to conceal will be shouted from the rooftop. Each letter to the Churches, start by Christ saying, I know thy works, and thy labour.
When we begin to look at this Church, it becomes clear to me this is a Church that God could use. This was a Church that had been founded by Paul in Acts 19. The bible also states that this was where Timothy was located when Paul sent the two Epistles to him.(I Timothy 1:3) The Bible says that they had works and labour. Church discipline was not a thing of the past here. They canst not bear them which are evil. What does that mean? They didn’t allow garbage to get into the Church. Many Churches today have removed doctrine from their fellowship. This was not a place that was afraid to take a stand for the Gospel of the Kingdom. When we allow sin into the Church, it will infest the whole body. I Corinthians 5:6,7 says, Know ye not that a little leaven, leaveneth the whole lump? PURGE out therefore the old leaven! This false doctrine of allowing the world to come in and be counted among the Pure and undefiled bride of Christ is unbiblical. We are to purge them out. No where in the bible does it teach, or endorse acting or becoming like the world, to reach them. A matter of fact, it says to come out from among them! This was a body of believers that hated the Nicolaitans deeds, and wouldn’t allow them in the body.
All this the Church had going for them, yet God had somewhat against them. I heard a man say that, you can dot every I, and cross every t, and still spell the word wrong. That is what this Church had done. In the misdt of their works, labor, patience, discipline and discernment, they left their first love.
Love is something that is commanded to all. John 15:12 says, this is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. What a commandment. In 1 John 3:14, love is evidence that we have passed from death unto life. 1 Corinthians 13:2 says, and so I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. Love is a commandment, evidence of salvation, and more important than having faith, which without faith, it’s impossible to please God! (Hebrews 11:6). Knowing its importance, we should know what LOVE is. The definition is not found in Webster’s, but in 1 John 4:8. For God is love. The church of Ephesus had left God out of the equation. We know that they were commended for their work, but when you leave God out of it, the good works become dead.
Paul recognized Ephesus love in Ephesians 1:15. Like the world today, they left their first love. Look around in our world today. Millions of assemblies with a steeple on the roof, which has no power, no spirit, and above all, no God! I’ve have heard people in my own family say that when they leave the service on Sundays, they don’t even feel like they have been to church. Why is that? People have gotten so caught up in building crowds, bank accounts, food pantries, that they have forgotten about God! While many of their works are important, we must not forget to obey and follow God.
This was a Church that had lost their passion. They let something that was special and precious to them, become everyday, ordinary familiar and common. God forbid that our Churches loose their passion for the work of God, and for souls.
If I were God, I would have removed myself already from this church. Verse 5 says to, remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent. God is rich in mercy and gives us space to repent. As merciful as he is, if we spurn the invitation to repent, he will remove our candlestick. Lamentations 1:1 says, how doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people. This city’s candlestick had been removed. God may not remove the whole Churches, but he may just remove mine. While this was to a Church, it was also to you and I. He that hath an ear let him hear.
Church of Smyrna: V:8-11
At the beginning of each letter, Christ lets them know whom the letter is from. Here, he says the first and last, which was dead, and is alive. If any Church needed to hear from the first and last, and the one who was dead it is the Church of Smyrna. Smyrna is described as a Church that is enduring poverty, and tribulation. It is even said that the devil will cast some of them into prison to be tried. Poverty means to be without life’s necessities. These were people, who lacked worldly goods, but God said, but thou art rich. To me, this is God saying that it will be alright.
I recently read an article that stated there was biblical proof that the Church will not go through tribulation. The man that wrote that article should have told Smyrna that. As Jesus was getting ready to face the cross, he spoke to his disciples about tribulations and trials. John 16:33 says, In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. David wrote of trouble in Psalms 34:19, saying, many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth out of them all.
I believe he said ye shall have tribulations for ten days, to show that the problems are temporary. What a God that we have who encourages us when we are down. Problems that looked so big, when God gets in the arrangements, are so small. We live in a society that preachers preach that God gives power to those working for him, and those that are on fire for him. Thank God for those who still preach and teach what the Prophet Isaiah said in Isaiah 40:29. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
This is amazing to me. God said we will have tribulation, but I will help you through them. Then he says, even though I helped you through them, I’m going to reward you for being faithful. Basically, we have a problem, and we are given a crown of life for giving it to him!
Take special attention to verse 11. He says, He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. We’ll discuss this later in Chapter 20. It is important however to know how to overcome and who has overcome. 1 John 5:5 says, who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is that Son of God? In other words, the born again, blood bought, child of the king is an overcomer! Therefore the second death has no power over us!
Church of Pergamos: V:12-17
How would you you feel if you received a letter, and it was started by saying that I have a sword, and that it had two sharp edges? That would get my attention. A letter like this today, would likely end up in the hands of the police or the FBI. Christ had to get Pergamos attention, and he knew this would.
Once again he starts the letter by saying I know thy works. He commends them on staying faithful and not denying his name. Even in the midst of folks being killed for their faith, they were able to stand firm. Christ saying this, probably made them push their chest out, like they had no fault.
Then, the very next verse, he says he has a few things against them. Apparently, they were following in Balaam’s footsteps. The story of Balaam is in Numbers 22-25. Balak wanted Balaam to curse Isreal. It was impossible for someone to curse the nation that God had blessed. Balaam told Balak how to, cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, by tempting them to marry the women of Moab. This represented God’s chosen people mingling with the world. They, like us, were to be a separate, chosen nation. Pergamos was a church that was trying to please God, and please man at the same time. Look back into Acts 29:17-29. The Apostles had been thrown in jail for preaching the Gospel of Christ. The Bible says that an angel opened the doors of the jail, and the Apostles left, and went into the temple and began preaching again. When the High Priest found out, he had the men brought to him and his counsel. They said in verse 28, Did we not straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. I can see Peter and the rest of the Apostles stand with boldness and declare the truth. They could have tucked their tails between their legs like Pergamos had, (and many Baptist churches today), but they stood and answered together: We ought to obey God rather than men.
Every church that God shows fault to, he gives space to repent, and tells them the blessing that they will receive. I believe this to be true. If we will lay aside Balaam’s doctrine, and stand separate from the world, God will give us the hidden manna. I enjoy manna that everyone can feast on together, but this is manna intended just for a select few. Isaiah 45:3 says that God will give us hidden riches of secret places. It will take a sacrifice. There have been times that I have looked at some of my spiritual hero’s lives, and said I want to be more like them, or have the power that they have or their church has. God will give us those things if we are willing to sacrifice the things that they have!
Church of Thyatira V:18-29
His eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass. He mentions his feet, and his eyes. I believe he frequently checks on our closeness to him. If we are further away from him today then yesterday, he knows we have moved back from him. He doesn’t move back from us because his feet our brass, or in other words, unmovable.
He says he knows their love, service, faith, patience and works. He even says that their last or most recent works, are more then the first. This sounds like a good church to me. Once again though, he says there are a few things that he has against them.
Jezebel in the Old Testament taught spiritual fornication and adultery. As soon as Ahab the king married Jezebel, (1 Kings 16:31), he built an altar to serve and worship Baal. In fact, when Jezebel found out that through Elijah, that God had proved Baal powerless, she sent men to kill Elijah.
When Christ began to walk the earth, the proud Scribes and Pharisees said, hey, were keeping the law. We are not fornicating or killing anyone. Christ in return told them that it wasn’t the act, but where your heart was. I would say that over half the people with membership in the Baptist church are committing fornication or adultery. Although I’m sure that natural adultery is going on, I’m speaking of spiritual adultery. Let me explain. We are the Bride of Christ. Christ is our husband. When I would rather play softball or do other activities, instead of get together with God and his people, I am committing adultery.
Notice he said that their works were more, not better or powerful. I believe this was a church that was busy working, but had left God completely out of the arrangements. Instead of bragging on what Christ did and is doing, they would rather brag on what they are doing. When we put things between us and God, we are committing fornication and adultery. God will put an end to our works and the things that we put in front of him. He searcheth the reins and hearts.
Ending his letter, he tells that if we can overcome these things, that he will give us power over the nations. Give us power to overcome anything that stands in front of us. I would rather have power from God and closeness with him, then have all the riches the world has to offer.
