First the Church...

Revelation 2

Judgment begins at “the house of God,” so Jesus deals with the seven churches before He deals with the lost world. These churches in Revelation 2 illustrate the good and the bad in churches everywhere and in every age. If you were looking for a church to join, which of these seven would you select?

Many theologians also describe these churches as a progression of phases in Christianity and a description of the spiritual condition of the city churches from the first established church to the spiritual condition of the church when Christ returns. “No one knows the day or the hour” of Christ’s return, but we can see we are experiencing the final phase in the current cultural climate in our world. The spiritual condition and the sin of the world is progressively waxing worse as scripture pronounces.

“...while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:13 (ESV)

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 “ ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’ Revelation 2:1–7 (ESV)

There is so much good in the church of Ephesus that we are surprised to discover they had left (not lost) their first love. “The honeymoon was over,” says Warren Wiersbe! No amount of separation, sacrifice, or service can make up for our lack of love toward the Lord. The word Nicolaitans means “conquer the people.” Apparently, a group in the church lorded it over the people and promoted a separation of “clergy” and “laity.” They had correct doctrine, but not a correct heart. The key word here is first.

As with romantic love between a man and a woman, first love always involves passion. Yet there was not passionate pursuit of an intimate relationship with Christ in the church. They were merely following a program. Duty had replaced devotion. How about us? Have we fainted in the area of our love for Jesus and His Church? Are you abandoning your time and love for the scriptures? Have you allowed false doctrines to divide your thinking to the point of neglecting the Word altogether?

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. 9 “ ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto 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. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’ Revelation 2:8–11 (ESV)

The name Smyrna comes from “myrrh,” which is a bitter herb, a suitable name for a church facing persecution. Would the believers be fearful or faithful? Suffering can enrich us, even if we think we are poor; and what people think is riches might turn out to be poverty! What difference does it make if people slander you so long as you have the Lord’s approval?

Dr. Tony Evans writes, “Some who claimed to be Jews were actually a synagogue of Satan because they were doing the devil’s work, slandering believers...To never be harmed by the second death refers to enjoying a sense of full gain when Christ separates believers from unbelievers at the end of history. At the final judgment, some Christians will experience a sense of loss, despite their eternal salvation, when Jesus rebukes their unfaithfulness.”

“And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. 13 “ ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war 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 the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’ Revelation 2:12–17 (ESV)

These believers in Pergamum held to the faith even when it might have cost them their lives. But they were too tolerant of false doctrine and were in danger of having the Lord declare war on the church. In Numbers 22-24, we see that Balaam convinced Israel to compromise with their unbelieving neighbors, disobey the Lord, and indulge in immorality. Being willing to die for the faith is no substitute for living the faith. It’s a big deal to God when we cause other people to stumble, especially when we do it knowingly and for profit. Are you leading people toward the Saving Grace of Jesus or are you a stumbling block by living too close to the world and adopting false theology?

Dr. Harold Wilmington writes, “Stand firm … forsake false doctrine.” John described Pergamum as the location of Satan’s throne. History confirms that it was given over to idolatry and emperor worship more than any other city in Asia. The church had remained loyal to Christ but was tolerating those who held to the teachings of Balaam and of the Nicolaitans. The choice before them was simple: Repent and enjoy eternal life or persist in tolerating evil and invite God’s anger. The name Antipas appears in no other historical record. But God knew all about this humble believer who lived and died for Christ.”

“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19 “ ‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. 20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, 23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. 24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. 25 Only hold fast what you have until I come. 26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, 27 and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority 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.’ Revelation 2:18–29 (ESV)

Verse 19 gives you the impression that all is well in the church of Thyatira but keep reading! Like the saints in Pergamos, the believers in Thyatira tolerated sin in the church. Idolatry and immorality usually go together, and Jezebel personifies both.

Repentance allows Christians to regain fellowship with the Lord. Those not following the way of Jezebel did not have to worry about the burdens listed. Not everybody in the fellowship was guilty of sin, and the Lord did not warn them. Instead, He encouraged them to hold to the truth and be faithful.

Know today that the reward for obeying Christ is authority over the nations, a reference to the thousand-year reign of Jesus following His second coming. During that time, believers who exhibit purity in this life will help the Lord rule the world. That millennial reign, though, is merely a down payment on eternity.
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What church do you most align? Where will you experience eternity? Do you Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? Are you getting to know Him better as you study the pages of His preserved Word? If you don’t know Him, will you reach out before it is too late?

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