REVELATION CHAPTER 2-3: SEVEN LETTERS FROM JESUS TO THE CHURCHES Part #1
“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” (Revelation 1:10-11).
QUESTION: What significance does what Jesus wrote to these churches in the first century have to our lives today?
1) I do not believe that the seven letters in the book of Revelation identify seven different periods of the history of the church, from the first century, right up until the second coming of Jesus.
QUOTE: “The notion that these seven churches describe seven successive periods of Church history hardly needs refutation… The epistles describe conditions which occur not in one particular age of Church history, but again and again.” (William Hendriksen, More Than Conquerors).
2) Our first job in interpreting the letters in Revelation chapters 2-3 is to discover the author’s original intent, within the context of the first century churches.
3) “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16).
Even though these seven letters had significance to the seven churches in the first century, because they are included in the Bible, they also apply to our lives today.
4) As we get ready to study these seven letters, it is helpful to note that Jesus follows a similar pattern with each letter, which includes seven different items.
1. The Name of the CHURCH. The very first sentence of each letter identifies the name of the church the letter is sent to.
2. A Revelation of CHRIST. Each church receives a special revelation about the nature of Jesus Christ Himself.
3. A COMMENDATION. Jesus applauds them for what they are doing right.
4. A CONDEMNATION. Jesus rebukes them for what they are doing wrong.
5. A COMMAND. What Jesus wants them to do to change their ways.
6. A CHALLENGE. To every church, Jesus gives the same challenge: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
7. A COVENANT PROMISE. What Jesus has promised to do for the overcomers.
The Church in Ephesus
“1 To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ’These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." (Rev. 2:1-7).
1. The Name of the CHURCH. Ephesus.
• “Ephesus was wealthy, prosperous, magnificent, and famous for its shrine of Diana… The temple of Diana was… a treasure house, a museum, and a place of refuge for criminals. Paul visited this city (Acts 18:19-21) on his way from Corinth to Jerusalem… during his second missionary journey, about AD 52… The church at Ephesus was more than 40 years old when Christ dictated this epistle.” (William Hendriksen, More Than Conquerors).
2. A Revelation of CHRIST. He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands. (see Rev. 1:12-16).
3. A COMMENDATION. I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.
• It is encouraging to know that Jesus knows our works done for His kingdom!
• God wants us to be excellent at what is good, and innocent of evil.
• We are encouraged by Jesus to not grow weary in doing well!
4. A CONDEMNATION. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
• Have you left your first love? Has your passion for Jesus died out?
5. A COMMAND. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent.
• If our passion for Jesus dies out, we must return to our first love!
6. A CHALLENGE. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
• Note the plural “Churches.” This challenge applies to ALL churches – even ours!
7. A COVENANT PROMISE. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.
• This promise points towards the hope of Heaven – to eat of the Tree of Life!
The Church in Smyrna
“8 And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ’These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” (Rev. 2:8-11).
City/Church: Smyrna. Most likely founded by Paul during his third missionary journey (AD 53-36). See Acts 19:10.
Commendation: God knows our works and our tribulations.
Condemnation: NONE. (Smyrna was one of the lampstands – shining brightly for Jesus)
Command: Be faithful unto death = be faithful, even though it costs you your life.
Covenant Promise: “Shall not be hurt by the second death.” (separation from God in hell)
TESTIMONY – THE MARTYRDOM OF POLYCARP:
(Polycarp was a leader in the church at Smyrna and was a disciple of John’s)
The proconsul asked him if he were Polycarp. When he assented, the former counseled him to deny Christ, saying, "Consider yourself, and have pity on your own great age;"
Polycarp answered, "Eighty and six years have I served him, and he never once wronged me; how then shall I blaspheme my King, Who hath saved me?"
Hereupon the proconsul said, "I have wild beasts; and I will expose you to them, unless you repent."
"Call for them," replied Polycarp.
"I will tame thee with fire," said the proconsul, "since you despise the wild beasts, unless you repent."
Then said Polycarp, "You threaten me with fire, which burns for an hour, and is soon extinguished; but the fire of the future judgment, and of eternal punishment reserved for the ungodly, you are ignorant of. But why do you delay? Do whatever you please."
The proconsul sent the herald to proclaim thrice in the middle of the Stadium, "Polycarp hath professed himself a Christian."
Upon which they bound him to be burned at the stake. So Polycarp said: "O Father, I bless thee that thou hast counted me worthy to receive my portion among the martyrs."
As soon as he had uttered the word "Amen," the officers lit the fire.
Note: “Behind the Roman persecutors we see the Jews, filled with malign envy and hatred against believers and accusing them before the Roman tribunals.” (William Hendriksen).
The Church in Pergamum
“12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ’These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 13 I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. 17 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 to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it." (Rev. 2:12-17).
City/Church: Pergamum – the capital of the province and centre of emperor worship.
Commendation: God knows their works, that they did not deny the faith.
Condemnation: There were those who ate things sacrificed to idols, and committed sexual immorality, and held to the doctrine of the Nicolaitans (a heretical group in the church that compromised with the pagan society).
Command: Repent (change their ways)
Covenant Promise: The hidden manna - Jesus in all of His fullness – He is the bread of life. A white stone (holiness and durability) and a new name (new nature).
The Church in Thyatira
“18 And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ’These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. 24 Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations-- 27 ’He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’-- as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Rev. 2:18-28).
City/Church: Thyatira, a trading city
Commendation: God knew their works, love, service, faith and patience.
Condemnation: They allowed ‘Jezebel’ to teach believers to commit sexual immorality.
Command: Hold fast until Jesus returns.
Covenant Promise: Power over the nations, and “the morning star” = Jesus Himself.
Beausejour Community Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca
Pastor Chris Jordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/
