Welcome to our study of the Revelation of Jesus Christ given unto Apostle John.
I am Phillip Smith, your host and fellow servant of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. DISCLAIMER: I am not a university trained Theologian. I do not believe one must have a college degree to understand the prophecy of Jesus Christ through the Apostle John. Furthermore, I beg you to not take my word as concrete and the perfect absolute truth. Truth comes only from God. [But,] let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (Hebrews 10:24) My duty is to provoke unto love and good works. The comprehension of this book is not accomplished unprovoked.
We have seen Jesus is in the midst of all congregations of the ‘church’; body of Christ. Each congregation and all members of the body are represented by the seven candles on the candlestick.
Now we will see ‘seven churches’--the entire, whole body of Christ represented by one of these ‘churches’ or congregations. Each ‘church’ or congregation is identified by a given name for us to distinguish one personality or attitude from another.
In spiritual terms, we can conclude these different personalities or attitudes make up the whole of man’s personality or attitude within the body of Christ. Some are good; some better than others; some not quite in an acceptable condition and need correction. Therefore, Jesus speaks of these different personalities and what is His desire for each to improve their standing before Him.
Let us begin with the first personality identified at Ephesus.
Rev. 2:1-7. 2 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. 7 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 tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Once again we see the one speaking:
he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand,
{He} who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
It identifies Jesus
If Jesus is in the midst of each congregation when they assemble, He knows and learns things about each member of that congregation and each one assembled, whether a part of the body or not.
Jesus praises the good works, the labor, patience and how the righteous dislike evil. He praises them for proving men who are not of the body but perhaps deceivers and troublemakers. (they are not Apostles/Disciples)
But, the group has a fault Jesus needs to address and of which they also need to address to stay among the ‘churches’.
They left their first love–the love of God toward their God and brethren.
Return to do the first works of which they did when first redeemed.
Continue to hate the actions of people such as the Nicolaitains.
Nicolaitanes were believed to be followers of a man identified in Acts as one of the men appointed to a role of Deacon who was converted to Judaism but still held to many Pagan rituals. His name was Nicolas. (Acts 6:5)
They were said to lead lives of unrestrained indulgence.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; Jesus does not want these members to be like those he mentioned in Mt. 13:13-16.. 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. Jesus wants us to hear–truly hear and comprehend.
This He mentioned at each ‘church’ being of the ‘seven’. Therefore, Jesus wants the whole ‘church’ (body) to hear and comprehend this Spiritual teaching.
Second Personality–’Church’ #2–Smyrna
Rev. 2:8-11. 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; 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. 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. 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.
Once again we see the one speaking:
the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
Jesus
We see once again a situation needing to be addressed to remain righteous. Some claim to be righteous but are of “the synagogue of Satan.”
Of the righteous, many shall suffer tribulations from Satan and his disciples. However, ‘do not fear, Jesus will give the righteous who are persecuted a ‘crown of life’. (vs. 10)
Third Personality–Church #3–Pergamos
Rev. 2:12-17. 12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 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. 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. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 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.
Once again we see the one speaking:
he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
Jesus
Jesus praises them for their continued holding of His name, denying not the ‘Faith’, even when one was martyred for the name of Jesus. As we find with many congregations, they are in the midst of the dwelling place of Satan. Satan is all around each of the righteous. Jesus paises them for not falling for Satan's fiery darts.
However, He has a problem with their behavior; among them are those holding to the doctrine of Balaam; eating things offered as sacrifices to idols knowingly; and committing fornication. Even members of those who follow the ideologies of the Nicolaitanes are among their assemblies.
Forth Personality–Church #4–Thyatira
Rev. 2:18-29. 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; 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. 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. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 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. 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. 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. 25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. 26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 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. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Again, we see the one speaking:
The Son of God
who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, (Rev. 1:14)
and his feet are like fine brass; (Rev. 1:15)
Jesus knows of the behaviors and actions of the congregations, but He has a problem, even with this congregation's attitude and personality. 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. (vs. 20)
Who is this ‘Jezebel’? Jesus is making reference to the Jezebel of the old scriptures. She was the wife of Ahab. 1 Kings 16. She was extremely evil. She slew the prophets of the Lord. 1 Kings 18. She pursued Elijah to have him killed. She had Naboth killed. 1 Kings 21. She caused many of the family of Israel to do things against their God, Jehovah.
Thus, when Jesus speaks of the things this congregation is doing, he speaks of the influence of Jezebel, which is ungodly. They are allowing a woman to teach and cause the people to perform ungodly acts among the members. They righteous are not doing anything to stop her actions. Therefore, Jesus shall punish this woman and her children.
As to the others, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, Jesus will place no other burden except to hold fast till I come. The reward is a Heavenly reward. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Again, understand the Spiritual nature of the literature. One church was told to remain faithful until death; this one remain faithful and receive rich rewards–Heaven, also. Him will I give power over the nations: 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. 28 And I will give him the morning star. (Mt. 25:21, 23)
We have looked at four of the ‘seven’ churches and their attitudes or personalities. Each has a problem maintaining righteousness. Of these we have seen, we can see the same necessary speech from our Lord Jesus Christ in assemblies and congregations around us today. Satan has infiltrated among our ranks. Jezebels rule over some. Many are not performing the works of their first love. Some are still holding to the doctrine of men, not Jesus. Some are not attempting to change the attitudes of those following Satan yet are found in the assemblies influencing others. If those will not repent, they are to be formally removed. (Gal. 5:9; 1 Cor. 5:6-7; Mt. 16:6-12)
We will complete the remaining group of ‘seven’ churches next meeting.
