Chapter 2
-John begins to pour out what the Spirit of God is saying to
the seven churches. The first four churches are addressed in this chapter,
those being Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira. He uses descriptions of
Christ at the introduction to each church, which are repeated from the first
chapter describing important characteristics of the Lord with variety. He also
concludes with diverse qualities of Christ, each time with the phrase, “He who
has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches (Revelation 2:7,
11, 17, 29). The text also gives hope to each of these four churches that if
can overcome (or conquer), they will be rewarded (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26).
The interpretation of these messages to the churches and the spirits behind
them can be seen as two-fold, with diversity of meaning according to biblical
scholars and theologians. We can say that indeed there was a literal and
historical application to these ancient churches of the first century AD. But,
there can also be application and significance to future churches during this
age of the Body of Christ. Even this has been seen with different hermeneutics.
Some will suggest that these churches represent different eras of the Kingdom’s
advancement moving towards the completion of all things with the return of
Christ. This is a linear view of the message. Others will point out that these
characteristics describe what kinds of spirits preside over particular churches
all throughout the age of the church with warnings to those who go astray and
blessings to those that abide in the Spirit of God. Both can be accurate and
should be heeded as we constantly evaluate what the church of the Living God is
doing and where it is going. One thing to remember is that the Lord always
gives hope and a way to return to Him in each and every situation that the
churches encounter. These messages to the churches are designed to be
introspective and contemplative. Therefore, we can conclude that John is
talking about the things “that are” in this section, but it also has prophetic
implications going on into the church age.
-Ephesus was known positively for its good works, hard toil,
patient endurance, testing false apostles, and bearing up for the Name of the
Lord (Revelation 2:2-3). They also hated the teachings and works of the
Nicolaitans, who were heretics seducing people to idolatry and sexual immorality
(Revelation 2:6). However, on the negative side they had abandoned their first
love and grown apathetic. They had fallen in the area of their passion and were
called to repentance (Revelation 2:4-5).
-Smyrna was known entirely positive for its bearing up under
tribulation and suffering with lack of material things. They had been slandered
by the false Jews of the synagogue (assembly) of Satan. They had no fear for
what they were about to suffer with imprisonments and testings. They were
encouraged to remain faithful unto death, which would earn them the crown of
life with no hurt by the second death (Revelation 2:8-11).
-Pergamum had endured in a tough spot where the throne of
Satan was located. This probably refers to the pagan setting they were at geographically,
but again there is deeper spiritual meaning to this. On the positive, they held
fast the Name of Christ under persecution and martyrdoms, like in the days of
Antipas. They were faithful witnesses of the Lord at certain times. However,
some of them were holding the teaching of Balaam, who loved money and put a
stumbling block before the sons of Israel through Balak so that they ate food sacrificed
to idols and practiced sexual immorality. They also had some who held to the
teachings of the Nicolaitans (Revelation 2:12-17).
-Thyatira had on the positive some good works, love, faith,
service, patient endurance, and growth. However, they tolerated the Jezebel
spirit of control, deception, and seduction. There is another reference to
eating meat sacrificed to idols and sexual immorality here in this church under
this Jezebel influence. This spirit, or spirits, will make people in the church
physically sick and bring great tribulation unless there is a repentant turning
back to God. Death is even mentioned as a consequence for the downward spiral
in ethics and practice. Some in Thyatira were resisting Satan and his teaching.
Those are told to hold fast until the Lord would come, who will rule with a rod
of iron and possessing the morning star (Revelation 2:18-29).
-*Application* This list of do’s and do not’s is important
for us to live out in our days. Consider the traits of the persevering godly as
opposed to the things God detests in His church. Don’t let the wrong spirits
take control of your own personal life because you, if you have trusted Christ,
are a part of His Church. The value is on repentance when we see that we are
doing things wrong and going against Christ. O Christian brothers and sisters,
do not harden your heart towards the ways of God. Return to Him and get
restoration wherever it needs to be applied. He is faithful to forgive (1 John
1:9).
Verse to Memorize:
Revelation 2:26
