Let’s move into an exciting lesson about the churches that we attend, mirrored in seven ancient churches.
Ephesus
Revelation 2:1-3 “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.
Caesar’s son was pictured as surrounded by seven stars, yet Jesus holds them in His hand. This same powerful Jesus, who controls the universe, walks among the churches. Ephesus is commended for diligence, perseverance, intolerance of evil people and fraudulent apostles. Many of today’s churches could not be given the same praise.
Revelation 2:4-5 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.
Many of our modern churches have also left their first love. In defining the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:36-40; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:25-28), Jesus was very specific as to which was the first, love of God.
A major fault of the so-called “social gospel” can highlight the love of our neighbor and overlook the love of God. This causes an upside down approach to worship, whereby the God-breathed Word of Holy Scripture is placed second to the cultural dictates of our neighbors. Many believed in Jesus but would not confess Him because of fear they would be put out of the synagogue. We too have “loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” (John 12:43)
The ancient church of Ephesus is no more, having lost its place. Today, the sin of Ephesus continues, because many have also left their first love, the love of God and obedience to His written instructions. Through Ephesus, we are reminded to “do the first works” and that love involves action. Where have we failed to love God with all our hearts, souls, strength and minds? What works have we neglected to do?
Revelation 2:6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
Who were the Nicolaitans? Nicolaism was one of many ancient heresies. Moderns may be shocked that “inclusivity” has boundaries and does not include apostates. Early church fathers wrote of various licentious errors named for the deacon Nicolas (Acts 6:5). Whether he was to blame or not is uncertain. The context shows that these false ideas, which had infiltrated some churches, were not tolerated in Ephesus.
Revelation 2:7 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.
All of us, in every age and place are encouraged to heed this instruction, penned by a mere man in an ancient cultural context, yet inspired by the Holy Spirit with universal symbolism. We are also encouraged to overcome the worldly influence that had crept into 5 of the 7 churches. Why? Because, most of our churches today are also too worldly.
Can salvation come even in very heretical modern churches? The same principle applies today: “to him who overcomes.” Overcoming may be more difficult in some church situations than others, but the hope of salvation exists even in churches that are very corrupt.
Smyrna
Revelation 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
Smyrna is modern Izmir, Turkey. The city was dead for 300 years and came back to life. This is only one of two churches not told to repent.
Revelation 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
Their tribulation and poverty were caused by persecution. Could we lose everything and remain rich in faith (James 2:5)? Contrast this with wealthy Laodicean believers who are in spiritual reality poor. Christians of Smyrna were oppressed by the large Jewish population.
Revelation 2:10 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.
The encouragement not to be fearful is to work through our anxieties and not allow ourselves to be bullied into silence and to remain faithful even if it means death. Today, one in nine Christians are persecuted for their faith, most severely across north Africa and Asia, where many still experience martyrdom.
Revelation 2:11 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 we are reminded that, whether this is a historic prophecy fulfilled in ten periods of Roman persecution, awaiting a future fulfillment, or symbolic of all persecution experienced down through the ages, this is still relevant for us and we should listen. Even in a church that receives the Spirit’s approval, the call remains to be an overcomer.
Pergamos
Revelation 2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
Pergamos was famous for its large library, emperor worship and worship of other gods. The two edged sword is a loving scalpel removing the cancer of sin.
Revelation 2:13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
Satan’s throne and martyrdom seem to go hand-in-hand, where the worship of the serpent god Æsculapius was a reminder of Satan.
Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
Balaam was known for setting a honey trap, enticing Israel to fornication so that God would curse them. There are modern equivalents to eating meat sacrificed to idols. In principle, it involves going along with any societal evil, so that neighbors would not ostracize us or that we would lose business.
Revelation 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.
The doctrine of the Nicolaitans is pictured in many kinds of sexual sin today.
Revelation 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
What is the answer to our many modern sexual sins? The Word of God and repentance!
Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Again, the Spirit encourages all to hear and be overcomers. The hidden manna is symbolic of the bread of life. The white stone may refer to a pass admitting the holder to a feast.
Thyatira
Revelation 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
Also described in 1:14, Jesus’ bright and shining eyes are explained in 2:23 as searching our innermost desires and thoughts.
Revelation 2:19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
This is a church with a living faith evidenced by their good works. They have also grown doing better than at first. How many of our churches could Jesus say that to?
Revelation 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
They were led astray by a woman given the same name as the wife of Israel’s most corrupt king Ahab, indicating her true character, which was marked by sexual sin and compromise with idolatry.
Revelation 2:21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
Judgment is not always immediate upon apostate bishops and false prophets of the church. Sometimes God gives time to repent.
Revelation 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
The adultery may have been literal and spiritual. Idolatry is disloyalty to God, as adultery is disloyalty to a spouse. Modern Jezebel’s should shudder at their certain punishment unless they repent.
Revelation 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
Calamity can be from persecution or natural forces (Ecclesiastes 9:11; Luke 13:1-3), or as punishment from God as is this warning to Jezebel.
Revelation 2:24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
Some remain faithful, even in churches led by very sinful people.
Revelation 2:25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
God may inspire us to continue attending even an apostate church, as a witness. If so, we are encouraged to hold fast to the Word of God, confessing the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3). Hold fast to the teachings (2 Thessalonians 2:15), our confession (Hebrews 4:14; 10:23), what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21), to the word (1 Corinthians 15:2).
Revelation 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Again, overcoming is a theme, and contrary to dead faith without works, good works are evidence of a living faith.
Revelation 2:27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
Modern Christians are not used to the tough love of Jesus. We prefer a soft, namby pamby Jesus. Yet, that is not the reality. Unlike that Jezebel, Jesus is tough on sin.
Revelation 2:28 And I will give him the morning star.
The last star of the morning is the planet Venus. The faithful will be first in line after the darkness of this age is past, when the new day dawns of world peace. Jesus is that morning star, and He will gladly give Himself to the faithful remnant (Revelation 22:16).
Revelation 2:29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
These messages to the seven churches are for all of us. Let us hear!
