Revelation 2: the Letter to the Churches
Review: We are looking at the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, written by the Apostle John in AD 95. John the Beloved had been boiled in oil, then exiled to an island named Patmos, a little ways off the coast of Asia Minor.
Our Basis for Study: What does the passage say? What does the passage mean?
How does this truth affect me?
1:19 - breakdown of the book -have seen [vision], is now [7 churches], is to come [ch4+]
Tonight we will look at the “now” - the letter to the churches of John’s day.
Remember, we are taking a futurist view as we look at this book, looking to the messages to the churches in chapters 2 & 3 as having been messages to these actual churches, but having relevance for our church today.
General Characteristics:
*Did God’s message to the churches come true?
-Of the 7 churches, only 2 are condemned completely: Sardis is dead and Laodicea is rejected. Among the 7 cities today, only two are desolate and uninhabited: Sardis & Laodicea.
-Only 2 churches are praised without any condemnation: Smyrna & Philadelphia. In the many years of fierce fighting between Muslims & Christians that culminated in the Turkish conquest, the last two cities to fall to the Turks, long after the others had surrendered, were Smyrna and Philadelphia.
-One church, Ephesus, was told that it would be moved from its place, and Ephesus is the only city of the seven that has moved its location several miles inland.
Application:
These messages were for 7 congregations in John’s day. Yet, if circular letters, the application would have been a warning for all congregations who read the letter. God uses the 7 churches as examples of the result of sins. So also we can apply the same commendations and warnings to our lives today.
Interpretation:
EPHESUS: A careless church [a loveless church]
Ephesus was the chief Aegean port of Asia Minor, the gateway to the Orient from Greece and Rome. It became the largest city in the entire region. 200,000 - 300,000 or more people lived there. It was the practical capital of the province of Asia. It was host to the Pan-Ionian games, which rivaled the Olympics of Greece.
Next to its port, the biggest contributor to its wealth was a shrine to Artemis [the goddess Diana]. Pilgrims came from all over the world to worship in the temple and buy images of Artemis and charms reputed to have great powers to heal and work other miracles. I n the temple was a huge statue of Artemis, thought by some to have been carved by a meteorite (Acts 19:35). Prostitution was part of the worship. Diana was a goddess of fertility. The temple also had a rear room that served as a bank.
TEXT: To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
messenger, pastor - the one in charge
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand
God is in control of everything going on in the church
and walks among the seven golden lampstands:
I know your deeds, - they were a serving church
your hard work - a sacrificing church - they “labored till the point of exhaustion”
and your perseverance. - a steadfast church - “endurance under trial”
I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, - a separated church
that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not,
and have found them false. (2 John 7-11)
You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name,
and have not grown weary.
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.
- You can serve, sacrifice, and suffer, net not love Christ!
- They had works, but they were not motivated by love.
Remember the height from which you have fallen!
Repent and do the things you did at first.
If you do not repent, I will come to you - in judgment
and remove your lampstand from its place. - today city is a heap of stones
But you have this in your favor:
You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
-in Pergamum, will be the doctrine: it advanced
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
*this message is for individuals *pay heed! *God intends this message for all
To him who overcomes,
I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
-was in Eden, is now in heaven; offered continual life -heaven
Strengths of the church:
-they were a working church: they had hard work, good deeds, and perseverance
-they were a well-taught church: they uncovered false apostles
-they were a faithful church: they hated the Nicolaitans - very likely a group that worked out a compromise between Christianity and the Roman Imperial worship
Faults:
-they had lost their first love
Restoration:
Remember, repent, repeat
Is your love for God as strong as it used to be?
SMYRNA: A Crowned Church (a suffering church)
*The 3rd largest city in Turkey today: Izmir
*Smyrna is an old city; it seems to have existed since the beginning of civilization in Asia Minor. Its name is derived from its trade in the herb myrrh, which was widely used as an anesthetic and embalming substance. Some have called it the most beautiful of all cities
*It was a political center. It strongly supported Rome and worshiped the Roman emperors.
*Emperor worship started as a token way of unifying the Roman empire through allegiance to emperors, but under later emperors it was presented that the Emperor was to be worshiped as divine. To refuse to worship at the emperor’s shrine was to be seen as an act of treason. Every citizen had to offer a tribute of worship at the temple of Caesar once a year, and after that he could worship any other god or gods he chose.
*One famous martyr in Smyrna was Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna. “Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King and Savior?”
*Smyrna was the most severely persecuted of the 7 churches to which John wrote.
TEXT: To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: *bitter (myrrh)
These are the words of him who is the First and the Last,
who died and came to life again. *he identifies with them in trial
I know your afflictions
and your poverty--yet you are rich!
*absolute poverty, possessing nothing
*they were excluded from trade guilds if they did not sacrifice that Caesar was Lord
I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not,
but are a synagogue of Satan.
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.
I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you,
and you will suffer persecution for ten days.
*brief time - likely 10 periods of persecution
Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
*laurel wreath like in athletic games - 2 Timothy 4
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.
Comfort:
- God knows the tribulation and poverty we face.
- The numerous Jews in the city probably caused the Christians many problems. Remember how they banded together against Paul.
- Tribulation means pressure. This church was under much pressure from the Jews and the Romans.
-Poverty means extreme poverty - yet Christ assures them they are rich; build up riches in heaven, not on earth.
Commendation:
*they had endured slander by the Jews
*no criticisms are given. It seems the persecution had a purifying effect on the church.
Counsel:
*Prepare for more suffering. 10 days of persecution: likely 10 large periods of persecution under the Roman emperors.
Reward:
*a crown of life. This word signifies a wreath of laurel given to winners of athletic games. In Smyrna a crown like this was given to faithful government officials. For faithful service to him, Christ gives a “crown” of life.
How do you “bear up” when others persecute you?
PERGAMUM: A Compromising church
At one time the capital of the Province of Asia. It was not equal to Ephesus as a center of trade, but it exceeded it in fame and political importance. It was by far the most famous city of Asia (so Pliny said). Three major religions worshiped there: Asklepios, the god of healing; Zeus, the Greek god; and Roman religion, emperor worship. Pergamum was the head of the Roman imperial cult. They had a temple to Caesar.
TEXT: "To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:
These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.
*A Roman’s weapon - offensive - God has ultimate authority
I know where you live--where Satan has his throne.
*Knew the city’s conditions *idol worship, Caesar worship
Yet you remain true to my name.
You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness,
who was put to death in your city--where Satan lives.
*Church has seen difficult times, tribulation
Nevertheless, I have a few things against you:
You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam,
*Numbers 22, - “can’t beat them, join them - Josh 13:22; 2 Peter 2:15 evil man
who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols
and by committing sexual immorality.
*spiritual adultery - worship of Peor - for Pergamum, Caesar worship, sex with temple prostitutes
Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
*doctrine - what was “practice” is not a “teaching” - can’t tolerate error or it grows
*KJV - “Which thing I hate!”
Repent therefore! *the solution to compromise
Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. *supply of their needs
I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it,
known only to him who receives it.
*used in voting to “acquit” someone; used as a ticket for feasts
Commendation:
-they lived in the midst of Satan’s throne, but remained true
-they had not renounced their faith
Compromise:
-they allowed the teachings of Balaam: compromise
In Pergamum, committing fornication would not be extreme, but just living up to the standard practice of society.
-they allowed the teaching of the Nicolaitans: like Balaam, synthesized religion and secular practice.
What do you “explain away” of your faith?
THYATIRA: The Corrupted Church (A Divided Church)
A great commercial city, with trade guilds. The smallest city of the seven churches. A center for the wool trade. They manufactured an expensive purple dye sold all over the Ancient world. They had a temple to Apollo, the sun god. This was a military town.
Character:
-deeds, love, faith, service, perseverance, doing more than at first
Problems:
Jezebel - an allusion to the prophetess of the OT - to show the worst possible evilness
*she was in the church - teaching sexual immorality & idolatry - compromise
The Ephesians were orthodox and vigilant against false doctrine, but they had left their first love. The Thyatirans had love but were so sweet and pleasant that they tolerated everything, including Jezebel and her teaching.
TEXT:"To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:
These are the words of the Son of God,
whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. *symbols of judgment
I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance,
and that you are now doing more than you did at first.
Nevertheless, I have this against you: *no amount of good can excuse evil
You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. *brought in Baal worship
By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality
*taught conformity of social practices of the day - pagan sexual worship
and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. *didn’t stand out - ate at pagan temples
I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. *proud, unwilling to repent
So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and
*couch/bed was a banqueting couch - such as at pagan idol temple banqueting halls
I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways.
I will strike her children dead. *to kill with pestilence & plague
Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds,
and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.
Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira,
to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets
(I will not impose any other burden on you):
Only hold on to what you have until I come. *be faithful when confronted with corruption
To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations--
`He will rule them with an iron scepter;
he will dash them to pieces like pottery’-- just as I have received authority from my Father.
I will also give him the morning star. *Jesus - as contrasted with Lucifer, a “bright star”
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. *keep the church pure!
Are you pure?
SARDIS: A crippled church / a feeble church (A lifeless church)
It sat like the hub of a wheel at the intersection of great highways in all directions. It was a great center of trade and commerce. There was a temple of Artemis (Diana) there. It was a military center also. They were involved in the manufacture of wool garments.
TEXT: "To the angel of the church in Sardis write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.
*Jesus is in control of the church
I know your deeds; *NO commendation!
you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. *dying witness, decaying ministry
*it had a shell of ministry: programs, but no life
**when we grow comfortable, we die
Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die,
*sentries were asleep! 2 times the city had been captured: both when the sentries were off their post.
for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.
Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; *don’t give up!
obey it, and repent.
But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief,
and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes.
They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.
He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white.
I will never blot out his name from the book of life,
but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Condemnation:
-nothing good to be said; only condemnation
-had a reputation of life, but was really dead
-told to wake up
Do you have more than just talk?
PHILADELPHIA: A committed / faithful church (A missionary church)
Named after Attalus II, king of Pergamos, because of his love for and beneficent conduct toward his brother. The land was very fertile and farming prospered. It was the gateway to the East. It was like a “little Athens” with many temples.
TEXT: "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: *name means - brotherly love
These are the words of him who is holy and true, *only God is holy; one true God-vs.-all gods of city
who holds the key of David.
What he opens no-one can shut, and what he shuts no-one can open.
*opportunity for
I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no-one can shut. ministry
I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
*God does not condemn for being weak
I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan,
who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars--
I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.
*God takes care of their enemies
Since you have kept my command to endure patiently,
I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world
*kept from the tribulation period (immediate reference to Roman persecutions) *end times!
###this is one reason to hold to a pre-tribulational rapture.
to test those who live on the earth.
I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no-one will take your crown.
Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God.
*in a city, faithful benefactors were given a pillar named after them
Never again will he leave it.
I will write on him the name of my God
and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem,
which is coming down out of heaven from my God;
and I will also write on him my new name.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Commendations:
-open door of opportunity
-kept God’s word
-had not denied his name
-endured patiently
Are you active in service?
LAODICEA: A complacent / foolish church
A great commercial center. It had an active wool industry, famous for its black wool. They manufactured a powder for treating eye ailments. Because of material prosperity, it was a famous banking center. Water was brought from several miles by aqueduct. It was between two neighboring cities: Hieropolis which had famous “hot springs” and Colosse, which had ice cold springs.
TEXT: "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen,
the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. *KJV - beginning: source, origin
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot.
I wish you were either one or the other! *either is good, but lukewarm is bad
So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
You say, `I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ *saw no need of help
But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. *their true condition
*pay the price! they needed some persecution - they were too comfortable
I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so that you can become rich;
and white clothes to wear, so that you can cover your shameful nakedness;
and salve to put on your eyes, so that you can see. *can’t fix own spiritual blindness
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.
*God still loves them *once again, the key!
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. *the Lord of the church is outside & can’t get in!
If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne,
just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
Condemnation:
-complacency, lukewarmness - there was a mineral springs in the area with warm, nauseous water
-wealthy Laodiceans were poor. Manufacturers of eye salve were blind. Producers of woolen garments were naked.
Are you taking a stand?
