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.
Bible
Commentary
REVELATION 2:1
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;
Unto the Angel of the church of
Ephesus write
 The first message which John was
bidden to deliver was to the church of Ephesus. There were other
churches in Asia Minor, but there were reasons why Ephesus was first
addressed, and why it should be taken to represent the church in
general during the first years of its existence.
The word Ephesus means 'first' or
'desirable.' In the first century 'Ephesus' was the capital of Asia
Minor. It was also the centre of trade from both the east and the
west. At the time that John was writing, Ephesus was a stronghold of
Greek culture. Paganism was well established for there were many
heathen temples in that city. The most prominent being that of Diana
of the Ephesians.
It was in Ephesus that the Gospel met
in open conflict with the darkest forms of Pagan worship. Acts
19:18, 19: "And many that believed came, and confessed, and
shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts
brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and
they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces
of silver."
The preaching of the Gospel had a
remarkable effect on the people. Magicians and astrologers were in
great numbers and they carried on a brisk trade in charms, books of
divination and so on. As St Paul preached, those who
accepted the Gospel soon realised that the power of Christianity was
superior to the curious arts, charms and mystic names. They burned
their books, an act of real sacrifice, for it involved not only the
cost of the books but the loss of potential income.
Ephesus was the church of the
Apostles, active and pure. Paul was the first preacher about
A.D. 52.
Aquila and Priscilla settled
there and along with Apollos preached the Gospel. Paul returned later and spent three
years there, longer than at any other place on his recorded
missionary journey, which indicates that his ministry there must
have been very fruitful.
Unto the angel
You will notice that in these
letters, they are addressed to the 'angel' or 'leader' of the
Church. John the Revelator had been the leader of this church up to
the time of his imprisonment. Just who took his place does not seem
to be known.
These things saith
He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand
The seven stars
represent the angels of the Seven Churches. The Angels are a symbol
of leaders. The fact that the leaders are held in the right hand of
the Saviour, shows that the leaders of the church on earth are under
the protection and control of Christ. In their appointed tasks in
God's Church they are sustained by divine power and grace.
Who walketh in the
midst of the Seven Golden Candlesticks
Candlesticks or lamp
stands in chapter 1:20; these lamp stands are declared to represent
the seven Churches. God intended that the Church should be a light
to the world. Each church should be a light to the particular
community. The fact that the lamp stands are gold suggests the
preciousness of the Church in bringing light and life to the
community.
Who walketh in the
midst
Christ is intensely interested in His Church and that He walks among
the lamp stands shows the love and care He has for His Church on
earth, it is very precious in His sight.
REVELATION 2:2
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:
I know thy works,
and thy labour
The Christians at Ephesus were noted for the love and unity that
existed among them. 'Testimonies to the Church by EG White', Vol 6.
p.421: "Filled with love for their Redeemer they sought as their
highest aim to win souls to Him." The work of spreading the
Gospel message was carried out vigorously going to every town and
city and multitudes of believers were added to the Church.
And thy patience
Rather perseverance,
or endurance. Despite violent opposition and persecution they
actively engaged in spreading the Gospel message.
And how thou canst
not bear them which are evil
The Church at Ephesus
was to be commended for making a clear distinction between truth and
error and for taking a firm stand against it. Too often the Church
finds it easier to remain silent concerning the sins of their
congregations than to take a bold stand for truth.
And thou hast tried
them which say they are Apostles, and are not
Thou hast tried
them
It was John in one of
his epistles who cautioned the believers with respect to the coming
of 'antichrist' and advised them to "try the spirits whether they
are of God", 1 John 4:1-3. Paul had also warned them regarding
'grievous wolves' who would enter in among them, "speaking
perverse things", Acts 20:29 30.
Which say they are
Apostles
Tradition indicates
that a Gnostic named Cerinthus, visited Ephesus and fomented trouble
for John and his congregation; other heresies caused trouble in that
early church. The Church in general has been plagued with similar
problems.
And hast found them
liars
The sincere Christian
who is sensitive to spiritual things can usually detect the
unchristian spirit and motives of those who make pretence of their
religion. The Ephesians were able to see through the false
pretensions of these so called Apostles.
REVELATION 2:3
AND
HAST BORNE, AND HAST PATIENCE, AND for MY NAME'S SAKE HAST
LABOURED, AND HAST NOT FAINTED.
And hast borne, and
hast patience
They were very patient
with the false apostles they gave them a hearing. Possibly some were
quite fanatical and difficult to deal with but the Ephesian Church
treated them fairly, and if found false, firmly.
And for my name's
sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted
It was vigilant
Church, a very active Church, a Church that was aflame for Christ.
Earnestly seeking for souls for the Kingdom. There was no doubt that
the Kingdom of Christ was invading the realm of the enemy. In the
space of thirty years the Gospel went to every creature under
heaven. Poor and rich alike heard the glad tidings, it even crept
into the palace, for Paul preached to some of Nero's household.
REVELATION 2:4
NEVERTHELESS I HAVE SOMEWHAT AGAINST THEE, BECAUSE THOU HAST Left
THY FIRST LOVE.
Philips translation
has "You do not love as you did at first." This is still
talking about Ephesus when it says they did not love as they did at
first.
This is the Church
that was baptized with tongues of fire, that staggered the populace
by being able to speak in many languages. The Church that saw the
conversion of thousands in one day alone, more than 3,000 converted.
The Church that was star studded with great evangelists such as
Peter, Paul, John, Timothy, Stephen, Apollos and many others too
numerous to mention.
Pentecost had dimmed,
as the Church grew larger and larger and began to spread out and
out, somehow the vigour of that first missionary thrust began to
wane as the false apostles slowed the work considerably. When there
is trouble in the church much time and effort is used up in
combating the problem. This is what happened at Ephesus, their
mission efforts slowed down.
'Acts of the Apostles
by EG White' pp. 580, 581: "Twas at this critical time in the
history of the church that John was sentenced to banishment, never
had his voice been needed by the church as now. ... After a time the
zeal of the believers began to wane, and their love for God and for
one another grew less. Coldness crept into the church ..."
REVELATION 2:5
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.
Remember therefore
from whence thou art fallen, and repent
Three things are
suggested in this verse: remember, repent, return. These three
things are important steps to regaining the first love experience.
Remember the thrill of that first love, the overwhelming desire to
tell others of our new found experience. The need to repent of the
stagnant, sour, soul destroying spiritual situation we have allowed
ourselves to get in, to return to that vibrant, soul seeking first
love.
'Review and Herald',
February 25,1902: "The love of God has been lost, and this means
the absence of love for one another. Self, self, self is cherished,
and is striving for the supremacy..."
And do the first
works
It was imperative that
a revival and reformation take place in the Church and this can only
come about as the believers allow the Holy Spirit to take control of
their lives and actions.
Or else I will come
unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candle stick out of his place
Unless that revival
came, then the light would go out and leave the Church in darkness,
no longer to be a guide and life giving agency to those around it.
Except thou repent
It is wonderful to
know that the Church did heed the warning given to it by the
Saviour. In his Prologue to his epistle to the Ephesians, Ignatius
reports that the Church did heed the call. It is a call that is just
as timely today as ever. Your Church and my Church must take heed of
this vital message.
REVELATION 2:6
BUT
THIS THOU HAST, THAT THOU HATEST THE DEEDS Of THE NiCOLAITANES,
WHICH I ALSO HATE.
The Nicolaitanes
referred to in this verse are an early Gnostic sect. The Gnostics
gave themselves that name; it means "the men who know." Gnosticism
is an attempt to answer all the remote and abstract questions that
religion can raise in the minds of men. It was a combination of
Christianity with Greek philosophy and Oriental faiths. They placed
God so far above the world that He could not be either its creator
or its law giver. They did not believe in the divinity of Christ nor
did they believe in the Bible record of Creation. They held to a
community of wives, regarding adultery and fornication as matters of
indifference. They permitted the eating of things offered to idols.
In order to keep their employment they joined various craft guilds,
one of the requirements for membership being that at least once a
year, they pay worshipful homage to the emperor such as offering
incense, etc.
REVELATION 2:7
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, WHICH is in the midst OF THE PARADISE OF GOD.
He that hath an ear
It is vitally
important that the Seven Churches should take heed of the counsel
that has been given. If they fail to do so, then they will fail in
the purpose God has for them. The purpose of the Church is to
lighten those in darkness.
Let him hear what
the Spirit saith unto the churches
The Holy Spirit has
the oversight of the Church of God on earth. When Christ ascended to
heaven and joined the Father, the Holy Spirit was sent to direct the
Churches in spreading the Gospel.
To him that
overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life
The Holy Spirit has a
very important message.
To him that
overcometh
Overcoming is a
recurring theme in the Book of Revelation. It is used seven times in
the message to the Seven Churches. It is used here in the sense of a
person who continues to overcome, right to the very last hour of
their life.
Which is in the
midst of the paradise of God
The Bible tells us
that Paradise is where God dwells. In 2 Corinthians 12:2,4 Paul
speaks of the third heaven and of Paradise. So the 'tree of life' is
up there in the 'Garden of Eden' which was taken up to heaven before
the flood.
At one time the 'tree
of life' was right here on this earth and Adam and Eve had free
access to it, but because of sin, they lost that privilege and were
no longer allowed to enter the 'Garden of Eden'. But Christ has by
His death on the cross, reconciled man to God and made it possible
to partake of the life-giving fruit if he heeds the message of the
Holy Spirit.
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;
And unto the angel
of the church in Smyrna write
Smyrna means 'myrrh'
or 'a sweet-smelling savour'. Myrrh is a sweet smelling plant found
in Arabia and used in the manufacture of an aromatic ointment.
As far as the local
Church is concerned, in spite of many persecutions, Christianity is
still alive and active at Smyrna today. About half of the present
population is Christian. It is the headquarters of several
denominational mission enterprises. It is one of the oldest cities
in the world, is still a strong city today having a population of
154,000. Located 35 miles north of Ephesus at the head of a
beautiful bay and has a splendid harbour. It is quite possible that
this Church was established by the Apostle Paul.
As the Seven Churches
are a representation of the Church in general during the Christian
period, as well as local Churches, Smyrna takes us from the close of
the first century to the Edict of Milan. A.D. 100-313.
These things saith
the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive
There is no question
of whom this is speaking. The first and the last, or the Alpha and
the Omega. Alpha and Omega is clearly Christ, for this title is
applied to Him in Revelation 22:13 as is evident from verse 16. The
first and the last is the writer of the Smyrna letters.
The fact that He was
dead and now is alive not only proves that this is Christ but is
great encouragement to a Church that is facing persecution and death
for its faith.
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.
I know thy works,
and tribulation, and poverty
You will notice that
Christ does not censure this Church. The Smyrna period of the Church
was a period of persecution and martyrdom. The growing Church was
hated and its members were hunted down and put to death. Christians
were accused of every conceivable crime and were blamed for every
calamity - fire and famine, pestilence and earthquake. Rome came to
regard Christians who acknowledged their first allegiance to God as
enemies of the empire and instituted terrible persecutions against
them. It was the age of the arena and the amphitheatre, when
Christians were thrown to wild beasts to make sport for the
populace, when they were burned and crucified.
But thou art rich
In spite of the
poverty of these Christians in Smyrna, they were rich in the eyes of
the Lord. The spirituality of these Christians was of a high order.
The Smyrna period
represents a time when the Church was almost crushed, Caesar worship
became compulsory throughout the Roman Empire, and one was regarded
as disloyal who did not burn a pinch of incense at some public altar
and so doing would say, Kaisar kurios (Caesar is Lord) meaning
deity.
And I know the
blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not
The Book of Acts
reveals that many of the troubles of the early Church arose from the
violent opposition of the Jews. In the second century Jews are said
to have brought about the martyrdom of Polycarp, a bishop of Smyrna.
During this time Tertullian spoke of the synagogues as "fountains
of persecutions".
Which say they are
Jews, and are not
They make this claim
but their lives and actions deny it. A true Jew is clearly defined
by Paul in Romans 2:28: "He is not a Jew, which is one
outwardly;..." Verse 29,"... but he is a Jew which is one
inwardly". Again in Romans 9:6,7: "For they are not all
Israel, which are of Israel; neither, because they are the seed of
Abraham, are they all children."
If they were real Jews
then they would have the same character as that of Abraham. John
8:39, "They answered and said unto Him Abraham is our father.
Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do
the works of Abraham."
But are the
synagogue of Satan
Satan was behind the
evil plots against the Christians. It was in the synagogues where
many wicked schemes was devised.
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.
Fear none of those
things which thou shalt suffer
'Great Controversy by
EG White' p.41, "In vain were Satan's efforts to destroy the
church of Christ by violence. The great controversy in which the
disciples of Jesus yielded up their lives, did not cease when these
faithful standard bearers fell at their post. By defeat they
conquered. God's workmen were slain, but His work went steadily
forward. The gospel continued to spread and the number of its
adherents to increase. It penetrated into regions that were
inaccessible, even to the eagles of Rome.."
Behold, the Devil
shall cast some of you into prison
It was the Devil who
was working behind the persecution, stirring up hatred and enmity
against the Christian Church.
That ye may be
tried
It is rather a strange
thing but trial and persecution brings the best qualities out in a
church. And God has a purpose in trial and affliction, He uses it to
purify the Church. 'Testimonies to the Church by EG White', Vol 9.
p.228, "He suffers no affliction to come upon the church but such
as is essential for her purification, her present and eternal
good... All that He brings upon the church
in test and trial comes that His
people may gain deeper piety and more strength to carry the triumphs
of the cross to all parts of
the world."
And ye shall have
tribulation ten days
In prophecy a day
equals a year and obviously this time mentioned here is prophetic
time, for ten years of intense persecution came upon the Church.
Diocletian the Roman
emperor put into effect a savage decree and many Christians suffered
death and intense suffering. The Church historian Theodoret
describes the horrors of this persecution, he tells of the gathering
of the bishops of the church to the Council of Nicaea some years
after the end of the persecution A.D. 325. Some came without eyes
some without arms, which had been pulled from their sockets, others
with their bodies horribly maimed in different ways, many of course
did not survive.
Be thou faithful
unto death, and l will give thee a crown of life
Be thou faithful unto
death. There is no need to be fearful of the first death. As
God's children we have the assurance that the grave will not hold
us. Christ's resurrection is authority for that.
I will give thee a
crown of life
A Crown of Life. No
greater reward could be offered to God's people than this. Not a
monarchs crown, a Kingly crown, but a Crown of Life. Death was
claiming many of God's people even as John penned those lines, but
they gladly laid down their lives knowing that eternal life would be
theirs.
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
SECOND DEATH.
He that hath an ear
That is, to heed the
counsel given by the Holy Spirit.
Let him hear what
the Spirit saith unto the churches
It is very important
that we take heed of the message the Holy Spirit has for us, for it
means the difference of life or death and comes to every believer
from the throne room of God.
He that overcometh
shall not be hurt of the second death
Right through the Book
of Revelation there is a special emphasis on overcoming. As we have
already noticed, overcoming is a recurring theme. Paul says in 1
Corinthians 9:27, "But I keep under my body, and bring it into
subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others,
I myself should be a castaway." Matthew 10:22, "And ye shall
be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the
end shall be saved."
In spite of severe
trial and bitter persecution, faithfulness right to the very end is
necessary if the Christian is to escape the second death.
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;
And to the angel of
the church in Perqamos
The city of Pergamos
located forty miles north of Smyrna and fifteen miles from the sea,
was built on a high rocky mass rising a thousand feet above the
valley. It was a city of temples, the most important being the
temple of Zeus with its great altar 90 feet square and 40 feet high.
Judging from the
condemnation that is given to this church it seems apparent that
compromise, apostasy and seeking for worldly approbation had sapped
the spirituality of the church.
As representing the
Church universal covering the period of 323 A.D. until 538 A.D., it
is rather fitting.
The 'ten years'
persecution of Diocletian failed to accomplish what the emperor had
hoped for. By faith the martyrs could see the crown of eternal life
held out to them by the Son of God. Nothing it seems could curb the
spread of Christianity for it spread with wonderful rapidity.
However as we follow
this church period we notice that a great change takes place. Up to
this time the Roman emperors had cruelly persecuted the Christians,
but now the Emperor Constantine becomes the champion of
Christianity. It was through the efforts of Constantine that the
Church and Christianity was raised to a high position in the Roman
Empire. Pergamos means 'elevation' and fittingly described the
Church of this period.
Christianity became
very popular and rich rewards, plus promotions to office in the
government were offered as inducements to the people to become
Christians. The number of converts rapidly increased and Church
buildings multiplied.
A great struggle for
power began to take place between the bishops of Constantinople,
Jerusalem, Rome, Ephesus, and Alexandria. They all contended one
with the other for supremacy and power, but finally the bishop of
Rome (the seat of the Dragon) was acknowledged the head of the
Christian Church. Christ as He watched from heaven the way things
were going on earth sent this timely message.
These things saith
He which hath the sharp sword with two edges
The 'sword of truth'
with its sharp and double sided cutting edges, once again does its
work of separating truth from error. As it does, it lays bare the
faults and the failings of this Church.
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.
I know thy works
Although these words are not in the original text, they still apply
as Christ kept a very close watch on the missionary activities of
this Church.
And where thou
dwellest, even where Satan's seat is
Pergamos was the
center of pagan cults. It was the headquarters of Oriental mystery
religions that had been brought from Mesopotamia. It was the
religious capital (pagan) of Asia Minor. The religious life of the
people of the city of Pergamos was so perverted, that Jesus refers
to it as the place where Satan himself was enthroned.
And thou holdest
fast my name, and hast not denied my faith
In spite of
compromise, worldliness and apostasy, there were in the Church those
who stood true and firm to principle. This has always been the case,
for there are always dedicated Christians in every church in every
age. The lesson for the
Church in these messages is total separation from the civil power.
The lesson to the home and to the individual is complete separation
from the world.
Even in those days
wherein Altipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you,
where Satan dwelleth
Antipas is a Greek
name. There has been some uncertainty about whether he was a real
person who had been recently martyred or if this name is used to
represent the many thousands who had given their lives.
As other names used in
connection with the 7 Churches are genuine names of real people it
would seem that Antipas was also a real person. An old tradition
claims that he was the bishop of Pergamum at the time of his death.
We could be safe in assuming that he was a martyr and his name
is used in this Scripture to represent the large number of martyrs
who suffered in the same way.
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.
I have a few things
against thee
It is rather sad to
read these words, the Church which had suffered so much for the sake
of the Gospel has allowed certain corruptions to enter the Church
and spoil its purity. Heaven must have been very disappointed to see
Satan succeed in his efforts to spoil the work of God upon earth.
Because thou hast
there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam
The question is, what
is the doctrine of Balaam? Compromise would seem to be the right
answer. It is true that he was covetous but that is not his
doctrine. Balaam knew the truth. He was a prophet of God but he was
avaricious. He was very interested in advancing his own interests
rather than God's. He flirted with the
world, for he desired honour, wealth, the applause of the people. He
tried to divide the church, by encouraging practices that were
forbidden to Christians. He gave counsel for leading Israel astray
by guile.
Compromise was evident
in the Church of the Pergamos period. Christianity and heathenism
joined hand and hand. 'Great Controversy by EG White' pp. 49,50:
"But as persecution ceased, and Christianity entered the courts and
palaces of Kings, she laid aside the humble simplicity of Christ and
His apostles for the pomp and pride of pagan priests and rulers; and
in the place of the requirements of God, she substituted human
theories and traditions. The nominal conversion of Constantine, in
the early part of the fourth century, caused great rejoicing; and
the world, cloaked with a form of righteousness walked into the
church ..."
The sins of the Church
of Pergamos are given in the form of a parable. If you take the name
'Balaam' and in its place substitute 'church' then for the name
Balac you read Constantine, you have the picture. The Church had
known God but it became covetous. It was anxious to obtain wealth
and power and popularity.
And so the Church
united with the state to get power, in order to receive wealth. In
so doing, it committed the spiritual sins of idolatry and
fornication. Idolatry was the love of money, of the world.
Fornication is the union of Church and state.
REVELATION 2:15
SO
HAST THOU ALSO THEM THAT HOLD THE DOCTRINE OF THE NICOLAITANES,
WHICH THING I HATE.
So hast thou also
them
Christ is very
disturbed about those in the Church who endeavour to lead the
believers away from the truth.
That hold the
doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate
We have already
noticed in verse 5 of this chapter something of what they believed
and taught. The doctrine that especially annoyed the Saviour is the
teaching that the Gospel of Christ has made the Law of God of no
effect, that by believing, the believer is released from the
necessity of being doers of the Word. This is something that has
plagued the Church through the centuries and goes contrary to Jesus
teachings.
| John
14:15 |
"If ye love me,
keep My commandments." |
|
|
| 1
John 2:3 |
"And hereby we do
know that we know Him, if we keep his commandments."
|
|
|
| 1
John 3:22 |
"And whatsoever
we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and
do those things that are pleasing in his sight" |
|
|
| 1
John 3:24 |
"And he that
keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him..."
|
|
|
| 1
John 5:3 |
"For this is
the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his
commandments are not grievous." |
|
|
| 2
John 6 |
"And this is
love, that we walk after His commandments" |
It is love to God
which prompts obedience, obedience does not save us but in order to
show our love for what God has done we do that which pleases Him.
However coming back to
the rebuke Christ gives the Church in this verse, it is worth noting
the specific nature of this reproof. The Church is not charged with
holding these two false doctrines but rather with tolerating those
who believe them. Where Ephesus zealously resisted the false
teachers and their doctrines, Perqamos has tolerated those who held
these false doctrines which has divided the Church.
REVELATION 2:16
REPENT; OR ELSE I WILL COME UNTO THEE QUICKLY, AND FIGHT AGAINST
THEM WITH THE SWORD OF MY MOUTH.
Repent; or else I
will come unto thee quickly
This sharp warning
reflects the grave spiritual peril that confronted the Pergamum
church.
Will fight against
them with the sword of my mouth
Christ declares that
if they do not repent, He will take the matter into His own hands.
The sword mentioned here is symbolic of judgment. Christ threatens
to bring judgment upon the Church in that they have been responsible
for not casting out the false teachers.
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.
He that hath an ear
That is to take heed
of this special counsel given not only to the Church in particular,
or in general, but to the individual as well. This same admonition
is given to each Church.
Let him hear what
the Spirit saith unto the churches
The Holy Spirit has a
very important work to do on behalf of God the Father and His Son
Christ Jesus. He was sent to this world to build up the work of God
and to promote the spreading of the Gospel. It is very important
that we should take heed of what He says.
To him that
overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna
Overcometh
As we have already
noticed overcoming is a recurring theme in this Book.
Will I give to eat
of the hidden manna
Manna is the good of
angels. During their wilderness wanderings, God's people were
sustained by this heavenly food. However it only sustained them day
by day as they partook of it. This hidden manna gives eternal life
to those who eat of it. John 6:51, "I am the living bread which
came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live
for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will
give for the life of the world." Those who make Christ the
centre of their lives are eating of the hidden manna.
And I will give him
a white stone
Stones were used as a
token of authority or recommendation, The 'white stone' was
significant in that at the time John was living, the Judges in the
courts used white and black stones in making their decisions. White
Was used for acquittal, black for condemnation.
And in the stone a
new name written
John would be well
acquainted with stones having names on them. In ancient Israel, the
high priest wore on his chest a breastplate which had twelve stones,
each one having inscribed upon them, the names of the twelve tribes
of Israel. In the Bible, a person's name often stood for his
character. So the new name written on this stone could well be
descriptive of a new character.
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;
And unto the angel
of the church in Thyatira write
Thyatira located in
Lydia, near the boundary of Mysia, 25 miles south east of Pergamos.
It was an outstanding manufacturing city and its inhabitants were
famed for their skill in dyeing purple. It is believed that Lydia,
the seller of purple, carried the Gospel back to her home city of
Thyatira.
We are told that "Lydia
received the truth gladly. She and her household were converted and
baptized." 'Acts of the Apostles by EG White', p. 212.
Thyatira as
representing one of the Churches of the Gospel Age is the Church
with the longest history, and has the longest message given to it.
The period covered by this Church is from 538 -1563 A.D. This is the
period which is called by the historians - 'The Dark Ages'
These things saith
the Son of God
There is no question
as to who is the author of this special message to this particular
Church. The Son of God! This is the only place in all the Book of
Revelation where this title is used.
During the Dark Ages
or the period of this Church, the man of sin spoken of by Paul in 2
Thessalonians 2:3,4 usurped the place of the Son of God. However the
Son of God is still directing things despite the efforts of this
unholy power to take over. That is why it says "These things
saith the Son of God". He has a special message for this Church,
strangely enough, this is the only church which is commended for an
improvement in spiritual things.
Who hath his eyes
like unto a flame of fire
John like Daniel, in
trying to describe the appearance of the Son of God finds it very
difficult to do so in human language. In likening the appearance of
His eyes to "a flame of fire" there is the suggestion of
brilliance or extreme brightness.
And his feet are
like fine brass
The 'brass' of Bible
times was actually bronze, most likely highly polished and radiant
in appearance. The above description is an endeavour on John's part
to paint a pen picture of the glory which surrounds the Saviour.
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.
I know thy works,
and charity, and service, and faith
This is the only
church where Jesus notes an improvement in the believers' works.
Though the period of Thyatira was a time of great spiritual darkness
it was also a period of much light. These were the days of the
Waldenses and the Albigensians and other groups of true believers.
Speaking of the
Waldensians, the book 'Great Controversy by EG White' says, "Behind
the lofty bulwarks of the mountains, in all ages the refuge of the
persecuted and oppressed, the Waldenses found a hiding place. Here
the light of truth was kept burning amid the darkness of the Middle
Ages. Here, for a thousand years, witnesses for the truth maintained
the ancient faith."
And thy patience,
and thy works
Through those long
ages, those who upheld the torch of truth patiently carried on,
often with the threat of death ever before them. They allowed
nothing to deter them in their efforts to take the Word of God to
others. Copies of the Bible
were hard to come by so they memorized large passages of Scripture,
many of them were engaged in copying the Scriptures, a long and
painstaking occupation.
And the last to be
more than the first
As time went on, more
and more men arose proclaiming the truth and breaking the barriers
of ignorance. In different countries of Europe men were moved by the
Holy Spirit to search the Scriptures and to proclaim to others the
wonderful message revealed to them. Such men as John Wycliffe who
produced the first English translation of the Bible ever made. It
was through the writings of Wycliffe that John Huss of Bohemia
became a reformer, and from Bohemia the work extended to other
lands. Jerome, who while in England had accepted the teachings of
Wycliffe, also joined in the work of reform. These men gave their
lives for the cause of truth but others stood up in their places.
REVELATION 2:20
NOTWITHSTANDING I HAVE A few things against thee, because tho
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.
Not withstanding I
have a few things against thee
This should be
rendered 'much' or 'many' things.
Because thou
sufferest that woman Jezebel, which callest herself a prophetess
Jezebel was a princess
of Phoenicia. Jezebel was also a prophetess of the god Baal. When
Ahab, the king of Israel, married her and she became queen, she set
out to introduce sun worship into Israel. So successful were her
efforts, that almost the whole nation went into idolatry. Unlike
Balaam, who before his fall worshipped the true God, Jezebel made no
pretensions of worshipping God but did her best to persecute those
who did. At her table in the
royal palace, were seated the prophets of Baal. During her reign,
the prophets of God were put to death by her order. Even Elijah fled
for his life when he knew her intentions.
In every detail, the
story of Jezebel and her dealings with God's people certainly fit
this church period. It was a period of absolute tyranny and whoever
dared to raise a hand against the Church were slain without mercy.
Sorcery, witchcraft, idolatry, and fornication took the place of the
true religion of Jesus Christ. And just as Jezebel wrote in the
king's name and had an innocent man put to death, just so the
Apostate Church of the Dark Ages slew innocent men and women in the
name of the God of Heaven.
'Great Controversy by
EG White', p. 54, "And now began the 1260 years of papal
oppression foretold in the prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation.
Christians were forced to choose either to yield their integrity and
accept the papal ceremonies and worship, or to wear away their lives
in dungeons or to suffer death by the rack, the fagot, or the
headsman's axe..."
To teach and to
seduce my servant to commit fornication
In Revelation this
term is used to describe spiritual apostasy. Few symbols have ever
been so appropriate as that of Jezebel when applied to the church of
Thyatira. Jezebel came from the house of Baal to the house of God.
Pagan at heart, she became the queen of Israel and from her place of
influence upon the throne, she put forth every effort to seduce the
worshippers of God and to establish the worship of Baal. During
those Dark Ages, Paganism and Christianity went hand in hand, Church
and state were closely linked together.
And to eat things
sacrificed unto idols
This was a practice
which was prohibited to Christians by the council at Jerusalem (Acts
15:29; Rom 14:1; 1 Cor 8:1). It was this sin that led to a mixture
of paganism with true religion And when applied to this church it
fits very well.
REVELATION 2:21
AND I
GAVE HER SPACE TO REPENT OF HER FORNICATION; AND SHE REPENTED NOT.
She was given every
opportunity to repent but she refused to do so. Fornication is
sexual relationship between an unmarried man and woman, and seeing
that Rome is pictured as the mother of harlots, it is evident that
the fornication of this Jezebel was habitual and of long standing
for she had children.
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.
"And in all history
there is not another character which so completely represents the
Papal system - its character, works and worship as the unclean wife
of Ahab, the Jezebel of these Epistles. She was a heathen, married
to a Jew; and such is the character of the Papal system in its main
elements - Paganism joined to an obsolete Judaism. She is described
as calling herself a prophetess, and as undertaking to be the
teacher of God's servants; and Popery claims and professes to be
heaven's only infallible teacher of God's truth. ...She was an
adulteress; and Popery, above all, has been characterized by her
unclean dealings with the kings and powers of the earth, lending
herself to serve their pleasure, to bring them under her sway, and
teaching God's people to accept worldly conformity as a means of
Christian victory." J.A.Seiss, The Apocalypse, Vol. 1.
pp.194,195.
Behold, I will cast
her into a bed
Weymouth's Translation
gives this rendering, "I tell you that I am about to cast her
upon a bed of sickness, and I will severely afflict those who commit
adultery with her, unless they repent of conduct such as hers..."
And them that
commit adultery with her into great tribulation
Those who have
supported her and shared with her in this unholy alliance of
Paganism and Christianity will suffer the same fate as this symbolic
Jezebel.
Except they repent
of her deeds
The door of mercy had
not yet closed completely. God never shuts Himself off from sinners,
rather it is they who shut themselves off from Him.
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.
And I will kill her
children with death
Just as Jehu had the
sons of Ahab slain and all relatives, besides his important
officials, personal friends, 2 Kings 10:1, 8,11. So will symbolic
Jezebel's children and supporters be likewise slain.
All the Churches
shall know
The churches should
benefit by the lessons of the downfall of Jezebel, but it is quite
evident that they do not, for in the closing chapters of Revelation
is pictured the final and complete downfall of the harlot mother and
her daughters.
That I am he which
searcheth the reins and hearts
The strange thing
about Jezebel and her harlot daughters is that they believe and are
convinced that they are God's chosen representatives here on this
earth. Everything they did was done in the name of religion even in
the terrible tyrannies they felt justified because they believed it
was for furtherance of God's cause. However among Jezebel's
followers there were some who were genuine believers, who stood out
against the corrupted religion of their day. Christ the One who is
able to discern the thoughts and motives of the heart knew those who
were true and sincere among Jezebel's followers.
And I will give
unto every one of you according to your works
The works of Jezebel
and her followers were evil. The fiendish cruelty of the inquisition
was devilish. The corruptions in the Church itself have been
recorded by the historians in fine detail. The Son of God in
speaking to this church, warns that as they have dealt with others
so they will receive punishment.
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.
But unto you I say,
and unto the rest in Thyatira
Christ is now speaking
to the loyal believers in the local church of Thyatira and at the
same time to the Church of the Dark Ages. There were small groups in
the Catholic Church as well as outside who were true to the
apostolic Christianity. In Europe the Waldenses were the better
known and in England the followers of Wycliff stood out for truth.
As many as have not
this doctrine
That is, the teachings
of Jezebel and strange as it may seem, even in a church as corrupt
as was Thyatira, there were still some who upheld the true teachings
of Christ. Even in times of greatest apostasy, God has always those
who stand true and are not corrupted by false religion.
And which have not
known the depths of Satan, as they speak
To be more accurate,
the rendering should be 'the deep things of Satan', seeing the "deep
things" is connected with the doctrines or teachings of Jezebel, it
suggests that these doctrines are the invention of Satan himself.
I will put upon you
none other burden
Christ knew that His
people at this time were experiencing great difficulty in witnessing
and living up to the light of the Gospel message. So He says to them
"I will not make it any harder for you to bear."
REVELATION 2:25
BUT
THAT WHICH YE HAVE ALREADY HOLD FAST TILL I COME.
This is the first
reference to Christ's second coming in all of the letters to the
churches. It is very interesting this should be found in the message
to Thyatira. During those long dreary eleven centuries, the precious
hope of the 'second advent' must have grown very dim. The Church
itself taught that the second advent was not literal. The people did
not have access to the Holy Scriptures and many were unable to read
or write. Now in encouragement to His loyal followers, Christ brings
to their attention the blessed hope of all the ages. That grand and
wonderful day when Christ will come to claim and redeem His own.
REVELATION 2:26
AND HE
THAT OVERCOMETH, AND KEEPEth my works UNTO THE END, TO HIM WILL I
GIVE POWER OVER THE NATIONs.
This is a wonderful
promise, a special reward to those who remain loyal and true to the
end. The word 'power' in this verse comes from a word meaning
'authority'. It is not an authority that is naturally ours but
rather given to us by God. The same word is used in John 1:12, "But
as many as received Him, to them gave he power to become the sons of
God." In a way, Revelation 2:26 and John 1:12 are related.
Adam was a 'son of
God' created in the beginning with power and rulership over the
earth. When he sinned, that power was temporarily taken away by
Satan. But Jesus, as the Son of God, came as the second Adam to pay
the price to restore our lost world to us. As 'sons of God' we are
to have 'power over the nations' once again.
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.
And he shall rule
them with a rod of iron
The rod is a symbol of
rulership and also an instrument of punishment. The nations are to
be given by the Father into the hands of Christ who will rule with
absolute authority.
As the vessels of a
potter shall they be broken to shivers (pieces)
The master potter
breaks the old so he can reconstruct the new. Before there can be a
new order of things the old must be broken. Christ breaks in pieces
all the wicked nations so He might restore the dominion of Adam and
the kingdom of David and takes the rule of KING of KING'S and LORD
of LORD'S.
Even as I received
of my father
Jesus says in Matthew
11:27 first part, "All things are delivered unto me of my Father:"
Again in Matthew 28:18 last part, "All power is given unto me in
heaven and in earth." Ephesians 1:20-22 emphasizes this point
also. "Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the
dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far
above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and
every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that
which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave
him to be the head over all things to the church, ..."
When Christ returned
to the Father, He resumed the position that He had had with the
Father prior to the incarnation. 'Acts of the Apostles by EG White',
pages 38,39, "When Christ passed within the heavenly gates, He
was enthroned amidst the adoration of angels... Christ was indeed
glorified, even with the glory which He had with the father from all
eternity... He had, as priest and king, received all authority in
heaven and on earth."
REVELATION 2:28
AND I
Will GIVE HIM THE MORNING STAR.
Just as the daystar,
or morning star, appears in a dark hour of the night, so Christ who
is 'the daystar', of 2 Peter 1:19 or 'the bright and morning star'
of Revelation 22:16, promises to appear in the hour of our greatest
trial.
Isaiah 9:2 says, "The people that walked in darkness
have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow
of death, upon them hath the light shined."
To those living in the
blackness of spiritual night, there comes a light to lead them
heavenward. How comforting to know that at the time when the church
was passing through her darkest hour, a time of great apostasy, the
Morning star was still there as a guide to those who were seeking
for light and truth.
Here and there were
other lights as well, God fearing men and women inspired by the Holy
Spirit who were holding the lamp of truth such as Wycliff, Huss,
Jerome and many others.
REVELATION 2:29
HE
THAT HATH AN EAR, LET HIM HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAITH UNTO THE
Churches.
It is very important
that the churches should give careful attention to what the Spirit
of God has to say, for these messages are given with the express
purpose of giving counsel and encouragement to God's people. The
Holy Spirit has been given charge of the Church of Christ here on
earth and His work is to shepherd the flock.
The greatest need of
the church and the church members is spiritual power. The cares of
the world, the love of money and worldly pleasure, and the icy chill
of scepticism are felt everywhere. The church needs a Pentecost with
the fire of the Holy Spirit to enable her to fulfil the commission
of the Master to carry the saving power of the gospel to a lost
world.
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