Verses 1-3 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.
Remember that the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and the seven candlesticks represent the seven churches to whom the book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ was written. It is Jesus who is talking in these verses. He controls the angels and He walks among the people of the true Church even now. What a comforting message. God’s people are never alone.
Application: Jesus knows everything. He is not bound by time or space. He knows each person in each church today and knows which believers are true and which are false. As you read this chapter, notice that when Jesus addressed each of the seven churches He started out by pointing out their positives before he pointed out their negatives. This method of interacting with others should be the way a believer chastises or corrects a misbehaving child, a family member who is in error, an employee who is being corrected, and fellow believers who are wandering off the path of righteousness. This is a respectful and kind way to let others know that they need to correct something in their life.
The Ephesian church was doing many things right. They were testing the spirits of those that claimed to be apostles or ones sent forth to teach the things of God, and they were able to discern that these people were liars and false. They were working tirelessly to spread the Gospel and the ministry of the kingdom of God. They were patient Christians and they hated that which was evil.
Verses 4-5 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.
The Ephesian church had a big problem, however. It appears that they were so busy doing stuff for God that they were forgetting to be His friends: not spending time fellow-shipping with the LORD in prayer and meditation. The works had taken center stage instead of the relationship with the One for whom the works were being done. When a person is converted and becomes a Christian believer, that person is not performing works of charity for God. They may not even have a church to affiliate with. They are in love with Jesus and with all that He has done for them and that is their focus. Works are to accompany the Christian believer, but they are not to be more important than the sincere worship of the LORD. Excessive focus on works or tasks can result in a Christian believer falling out of love with Jesus.
Verse 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
Nicolaitans means “destruction of people”. Should a Christian believer embrace the philosophy of this sect, they would be at risk for spiritual destruction. So what exactly did they teach? They believed that the soul could not sin but only the body could sin. Since the soul goes to Heaven and the body doesn’t, it really didn’t matter what a person did in their body as it was left behind on Earth. Therefore, since the soul is saved and the body won’t get to Heaven, sin as much as is desired because it doesn’t matter anyway. This doctrine promoted unconditional eternal security, much like the “once saved, always saved” doctrine taught in church circles today. Obviously, the Nicolaitan doctrine was completely contrary to what Jesus taught and to what the Scripture teaches.
Verse 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.
Every church received a promise from the LORD of something special if they corrected their faults. This promise involved the tree of life which was first written about by Moses in Genesis 2:9 “And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.” After Adam and Eve sinned and were driven out of the garden, God “. . .placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.” According to verse 22, if Adam and Eve had eaten of that tree, they would have lived forever. God was promising the Ephesian church to restore that which was lost in Eden.
Verses 8-9 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.
The signature identification of the LORD Jesus Christ is repeated by the voice the apostle John is hearing. He is the first and the last, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending (Rev. 1:8). So the very words the apostle John is recording were spoken by Jesus. This was no messenger angel, but God Himself communicating those things that He felt were important for believers to know down through the ages.
This writer has not found a definition or meaning for the name, Smyrna. Apparently this church was a poor church financially, but Jesus declared them to be rich, more than likely in spiritual blessings. They were a church experiencing tribulation and yet they were still producing works of some kind. Jesus was also aware that the tribulation was coming from people calling themselves Jews but who were of the synagogue of Satan. So what does that mean?
Please do not get upset at the messenger in the following paragraph. Jesus warned against the synagogue of Satan several times: the verse above and Rev. 3:9. Jesus did not warn against the mosques of the Muslims or against the cathedrals of the Catholics or against any other religious establishment either in existence in the Apostle John’s day or now. He only warned against the synagogue of Satan. Only one religious group has synagogues and that group is those of the Jewish belief system. Please remember that when the Jews came out of captivity in Babylon, they were no longer following the law of Moses but the Babylonian Talmud. They follow this today. Just try to have a conversation with a Jew about the Old Testament and see how littler they know about the Bible books that historically recorded their rise and fall as a nation. Jewish rabbis are schooled in the Talmud which, by the way, describes Jesus as a bastard son boiling in human excrement as punishment for his sins. If you doubt this, the full 66 books of the Babylonian Talmud can be purchased on line for your viewing pleasure.
So why did Jesus describe the Jews as saying they were Jews and yet they were not? Unfortunately, this is an entire study that would take up way too much room here. In brief, when the Jews in Palestine were scattered into all the world after the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD, the temple was destroyed and all the genealogical records were destroyed too. Therefore, it was no longer possible to prove Jewish lineage. Today, it is possible to prove to some extent Jewish or Hebrew lineage through DNA studies. What has been found is that the majority of people calling themselves Jews in both Israel and in other countries are actually descendants of a people group known as Khazars who lived in what today is Ukraine around 800 AD. They are not descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob at all. Hence, those who say they are Jews and are not. And where does Satan like to hang out? In the synagogues. He likes to be in any religious organization that will let him in, but the Jews historically persecuted and murdered Jesus their Christ and they have tried to destroy the true Christian church for centuries. Since Satan wants to be God, it makes sense that he would infiltrate the very system God established in order to bring forth the Savior of the world. “After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.” John 7:1
Verse 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.
Jesus commanded the church at Smyrna to not be afraid and He warned them that the devil himself would come against them. The number 10 is representative of worldly control and does not mean that the people of Smyrna would be in prison for 10 days. It is merely an expression of or representation of a period of time of persecution. Notice that the promise of not compromising the faith, even unto physical death, is eternal life. The crown represented the wreath or garland which was given as a prize to those victorious in sport or games. Just as Jesus wore a crown of thorns on his head symbolizing the fallen world, the church of Smyrna would wear a crown of life for their faithfulness.
Verse 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.
All people will experience the first death where the body and the spirit part company. Here the over-comer is promised not to be hurt by the second death which is separation from a holy God forever in Hell. This is also referring to a time future when death and Hell are thrown into the lake of fire. “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. and whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Rev. 20:14-15
Verses 12-13 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.
Pergamos means “height or elevation”. The city was famous for a pagan temple and for the invention and manufacturing of parchment.
Jesus describes Himself as the One who has the sharp sword with two edges. The early church would immediately have recognized this as a reference to the Word of God. Hebrews 4:12 states, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” And in chapter 1 verse 16 above the apostle John’s vision was of Jesus with a twoedged sword coming out of His mouth.
This church lived in a culture and society that was permeated with the things of Satan. Apparently, Satan sets up his headquarters in various places and Pergamos was his seat of operation at the time of John’s vision and writing. Even though things were not easy for this church, they did not deny the faith. The Greek word translated as “seat” is “thronos” from which comes the word throne. So Pergamos was a place of satanic power. Apparently a Christian named Antipas living in this city was martyred.
Verses 14-16 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 Nicolaitans, 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.
The name “Balac/Balak” means a devastator or spoiler. The name “Balaam” means perhaps. To understand this reference it is necessary to go to Numbers 22-24. Moses was leading the children of Israel towards the land of promise and fighting pagan kings along the way. When they camped in the plains of Moab, Balak the son of Zippor and a king of Moab hired Balaam the son of Beor to curse the children of Israel so that he could drive them out of his land and be victorious. Balaam wanted the “rewards of divination” being offered by this king of Moab, but he was not permitted by God to curse them and ended up blessing them instead. However, he later came up with an idea to weaken the children of Israel by suggesting that Balak entice the men of Israel with the women of Moab. It is hard to fight an enemy when your soldiers are sleeping with them. “And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab, and they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.” Numbers 25:1-3 So the king of Moab was trying to defeat the children of Israel without a physical battle through enticing them into sex, religion and parties. So the church at Pergamos was allowing stumbling blocks of worldly lust to enter into their midst and they were also allowing people in their church that believed the doctrine of eternal security of the Nicolaitans which taught that the soul would go to Heaven and the body remain behind, so the body could do anything and the person would still be saved. Jesus told this church to repent or else. How would he punish them? With the sword of His mouth. His Word would convict them and judgement would follow.
Verse 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.
What was manna? The term means “what is it” and it was the supernatural food that fed the Israelites for forty years in the wilderness. Again, the reference is to the Old Testament history of the Hebrew people when they were lead out of Egypt by Moses and Aaron. So overcoming churches are promised to be sustained by the LORD Jesus Christ. In Exodus 28:9-12 God told Moses, “And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel:” which were to be put, “upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial.” Each believer has his/her name recorded in the book of life and the symbolic picture presented here is that Jesus, our great high priest, is bearing the names of His people upon His shoulders like the first high priest, Aaron, did for the children of Israel.
Verses 18-19 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.
The name Thyatira means “odor of affliction”. The city’s claim to fame was that it had mastered the art of dyeing using the color purple. It was most likely a trade city dealing with commerce and the traffic associated with commerce. According to Jesus, this church was doing a lot of things right. They had Christian love and service and good works which were increasing over time. They were patient and had faith. What could be wrong?
Verses 20-25 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.
This prophetic hyperbole spoken by Jesus regarding pending judgement cannot be understood without knowing the history of Jezebel in the Old Testament. The early church would have immediately understood the analogy and symbolism as it was largely made up of converted Jews. So a review of Old Testament history must begin with 1 Kings 16:31 where it is recorded that Ahab, the king of Israel, married Jezebel, the daughter of a Zidonian king and then went and served Baal and worshipped him. Jezebel “cut off the prophets of the LORD” and waged war against the things of the LORD and against His prophet Elijah. She was not shy in sharing her sexual lusts with her pagan prophets and she was involved with witchcraft and the things of Satan. So she had been long dead at the time the Apostle John was writing this book, but the spirit that controlled her was and is very much in existence then and now. This is a spirit that wages war with the people of God in a very subtle manner by enticing them away from the truth of the Word through false Bible versions, false doctrine and false preaching. Notice that not all of the church at Thyatira was being lead astray by this spirit of Jezebel. The remnant remained true.
Verses 26-29 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. (Revelation 2)
So the promise is made to the overcoming church that if they remain true to the end, they will rule and reign with the LORD Jesus Christ. These verses were first written in Psalms 2:9 which states, “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” This was a promise to Jesus who overcame to the end.