1. Ephesus, the careless church (Rev. 2:1–7)1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands…”
Each of the seven messages begins with a personal description or designation of Jesus taken from John’s vision of him in Revelation1. In this way, judgment comes to these churches in the stunning revelation of the person of Jesus. In seeing him, they more clearly see themselves. And here Jesus is seen as the one who is in charge.
Historically, the Ephesian congregation had enjoyed some rather “stellar” human leadership—Paul, Timothy, and John himself—but Jesus reminds them that he is the church’s true and only Lord—and he places these human “stars” where it pleases him. We are to look to Jesus, not to men.
a. Approval (vv. 2–3, 6)
2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary….6 but you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
Jesus now enumerates this congregation’s strengths. They are a serving church, busy doing the Lord’s work. In this, they are a sacrificing and a steadfast church, laboring under duress and not quitting. And they are a careful church—examining visiting teachers to see if they are genuine. They even repudiated the influential Nicolaitans — a group of legalistic teachers that we’ll learn more about in the message to the church at Pergamum. In short, Ephesus is an exemplary congregation.
b. Accusation (v. 4)
4 “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.”
Jesus’ main concern is with their heart (inner motive) behind their admirable works. They have “forsaken” their “first love”—their passionate love for Jesus himself. Indeed, it is possible to sacrificially serve Jesus without deeply loving him. Labor is no substitute for love; and doctrinal purity no substitute for passion. Any church that participates fully in Jesus’ love and life will have both. Paul earlier wrote to this congregation (see Ephesians) and praised them for their love. But in the ensuing years, that love had waned. Jesus wants to help them rekindle it, and so, in love, he brings strong admonition…
c. Admonition (vv. 5, 7)
5 “Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place…. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”
Their “first love” will be restored if they do three things:
· Remember (literally “keep on remembering”) what they had lost in order to cultivate a desire to regain a deep, loving communion with their Savior.
· Repent—change their thinking about Jesus—recapture their reverence and love for their Lord.
· Repeat the first works, which suggests restoration of the original fellowship that was broken by their neglect to share through the Spirit in the Father’s love for his Son Jesus, which spills forth in love for people.
Jesus is calling for nothing less than spiritual renewal. This is a serious need, because they are at risk, in spite of their strengths and privileges, of losing their light (effective witness) as a church. “I will come” (verse 5) is a reference to Jesus’ coming right then to bring discipline. As implied in verse 7, each individual believer within the church is to take this warning personally, no matter what others may do. In these seven messages, the “overcomers” are not the “spiritual elite,” but those who, in faith and love, are united to Jesus, and who thus share fully in the benefit of his victory (1 John 5:4–5). Let us all hear the exhortation to the church in Ephesus and not neglect our first love!
2. Smyrna, the crowned church (Rev. 2:8–11)
8 "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.”
The congregation at Smyrna was persecuted for their commitment to the faith, which explains why Jesus emphasizes his death and resurrection as he opens his message. No matter what experiences God’s people may have, their Lord, who is divine and human, identifies with and suffers with them.
a. Approval (v. 9)
9 “I know your afflictions and your poverty-- yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.”
The Smyrna believers (including one of their leaders, Polycarp) were persecuted, probably because they refused to compromise and say, “Caesar is Lord.” Smyrna was an important center of the Roman imperial cult, and anyone refusing to acknowledge Caesar as Lord was excluded from the trade guilds; meaning unemployment and poverty. Smyrna had many Jewish citizens. And because Judaism was an approved Roman religion they were not persecuted for practicing Judaism; but to protect themselves they had to repudiate Christians. Thus John refers to the synagogue (assembly) of Jews in Smyrna as “a synagogue of Satan.” His claim is not racial, but a spiritual assessment of this particular group. They bear the name of God’s people (the Jews), but in belief and behavior, they repudiate their true identity.
b. Admonition (vv. 10–11)
10 “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of 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 will not be hurt at all by the second death.”
Jesus has no words of accusation against this church, but does admonish them to “not be afraid.” Jesus assures them that he knows the devil’s plans, yet he is in control. Though some believers will be imprisoned as traitors to Rome, their suffering will not last long; in the Bible, ten days signifies “a brief time” (Gen. 24:55; Acts 25:6). The important thing for them is standing true to Jesus despite trial. The “crown of life” is the crown awarded to the winner in an athletic contest. Smyrna was a key participant in the Olympic-like games of the time, so Jesus’ promise would be especially meaningful to them. And Jesus’ message is clear—they need not fear losing the position they have with God in union with Jesus. Because they trust Jesus they are already victors—“overcomers.” No human government can strip them of their winner’s crown. Even if they are martyred, they will be ushered into glory, crowns in place! The specter of a future “second death” (later in Revelation called the “lake of fire”) is not a worry for them, despite the fiery trials that may come their way now.
3. Pergamum, the compromising church (Rev. 2:12–17)
12 "To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.”
With the first temple dedicated to Caesar (Satan’s “throne” in verse 13), the city of Pergamum was a rabid promoter of the imperial cult. Yet the church there remained faithful to Jesus…
a. Approval (v. 13)
13 “I know where you live, where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness who was put to death in your city-- where Satan lives.”
The Pergamum believers had suffered persecution, yet remained true to God. One of them (Antipas) had even been martyred. They would have refused to worship Caesar as “Lord,” for that homage belongs only to the Lord Jesus, who has “the sharp, double-edged sword,” (verse 12). That knowledge would have comforted these people, for the sword was also the symbol of the Roman proconsul. It was more important that the church fear the sword (power and authority) of Jesus than of Rome (see verse 16).
b. Accusation (vv. 14–15)
14 “Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to e ntice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. 15 Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.”
Despite their courage in the face of persecution, the Pergamum believers were not faultless in their witness to Jesus. Satan had not been able to destroy them as the roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8), but he was making inroads as the deceiving serpent. A group of false teachers had infiltrated the church there, and Jesus hates their false doctrines and practices. These infiltrators are the “Nicolaitans,” whom we met in verse 6. The name means “to rule the people.” What they taught is called “the doctrine of Balaam” (verse 14). The Hebrew name Balaam means “lord of the people” and is probably synonymous with Nicolaitans. Sadly, these false leaders “lorded it over” the people and led them into sin.
Balaam was a true prophet who prostituted his gifts in order to earn money from King Balak, who hired him to curse Israel. God prevented Balaam from doing so, turning the curses into blessings!—but Balak still got his money’s worth. How? By following Balaam’s advice and making friends with Israel, and then inviting the Jews to worship and feast at the pagan altars. “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em!” The Israelites fell right into the trap and many ate meat from idolatrous altars and committed fornication as part of heathen religious rites. Twenty-four thousand people died because of this disobedient act of compromise (Num. 25:1–9). Why did this bit of ancient history apply to the believers at Pergamum? Because a group in that church said, “There is nothing wrong with being friendly to Rome. What harm is there in putting a pinch of incense on the altar of the temple and affirming loyalty to Caesar?” Antipas refused to compromise and was martyred; but others took the “easy way” and cooperated with Rome. In the Lord’s sight they were committing “spiritual fornication.” This compromise made them welcome in the Roman trade guilds and protected them from Roman persecution, but it cost them their testimony and thus their crown.
In our world we also face temptation to compromise with the ungodly “powers that be.” The name Pergamum means “married,” reminding us that the church is “engaged to Christ” and must be kept pure (2Cor.11:1–4). We will see later in Revelation that this present world system is pictured as a defiled harlot, while the church is presented as Jesus’ pure bride. The congregation or the individual Christian that compromises with the evil systems of this world just to avoid suffering or to achieve success is committing “spiritual adultery.”
c. Admonition (vv. 16–17)
16 “Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you 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. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.”
Antipas the martyr had felt the sword of Rome, but the church at Pergamum, if they did not repent, would feel the “sword” of Jesus—his word of truth (Heb. 4:12). This “come to you” is not a reference to Jesus’ return but to his coming then to bring discipline. Jesus makes this admonition personal—as with the previous churches, he appeals to individuals: “He who has an ear…To him who overcomes” (verse 17). God fed Israel with manna in the wilderness. Instead of eating “things sacrificed to idols” (Rev. 2:14), the believers in Pergamum needed to feast on God’s holy food, Jesus, the bread of life (John 6:32ff). In those days, a white stone was put into a vessel by a judge to vote acquittal for a person on trial. It was also used like a “ticket” to gain admission to a feast. Both would certainly apply to the believer in a spiritual sense: he has been declared righteous through faith in Jesus; and he feasts with Jesus today (Rev. 3:20), and will feast with him in the fullness of glory (Rev. 19:6–9).
4. Thyatira, the corrupted church (Rev. 2:18–29)
18 "To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze.”
Thyatira was a military town and commercial center with many trade guilds with their patron pagan gods. Wherever these guilds were found, idolatry and immorality—the two great enemies of the early church—were almost always present. The city boasted a special temple to Apollo, the “sun god,” which explains why Jesus introduces himself as “the Son of God” (the only time in Revelation this title is used). Jesus has a severe warning for this congregation, which explains the fiery description of his eyes and feet.
a. Approval (v. 19)
19 “I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.”
The believers in Thyatira sacrificed to serve others—works that were increasing and characterized by love, faith and patience. So this church was not guilty of mere “religious activity.”
b. Accusation (vv. 20–23)
20 “Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.”
The church was permitting a false prophetess to influence the people and lead them into compromise. The name of this prophetess is likely symbolic. Jezebel was the idolatrous queen who seduced Israel into Baal worship (1 Kings 16–19). Now this “Jezebel” in the church is teaching believers to compromise with the Roman religion and the pagan practices of the trade guilds, so that Christians would not lose their jobs or their lives. Thus the church in Thyatira, through growing in love, was succumbing to false doctrine. “Speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15) is the balance they lacked.
Unfortunately the church in Thyatira was unwilling to change. Jesus had given the false prophetess time to repent, yet she refused. Now he was giving her followers opportunity to repent. His eyes of fire had searched out their thoughts and motives—his righteous judgment is that their idolatry and compromise amount to spiritual “adultery.” And so Jesus warns them (and “all the churches”) to cease tolerating evil. If they do not, the evil of Jezebel and her followers will be brought to an end.
c. Admonition (vv. 24–29)
24 “Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you): 25 Only hold on to what you have until I come. 26 To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations-- 27 'He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery' --just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will also give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Thankfully, some of the believers in Thyatira remained faithful to Jesus by separating themselves from the false prophetess and her heresy, which Jesus characterizes as “Satan’s so-called deep secrets.” Jesus encourages these faithful ones to hold fast, “until I come” when he will reward them with a share in his “authority over the nations” symbolized by the “morning star” which was a symbol of Roman victory and sovereignty. Despite feelings of helplessness in the face of persecution, these believers can stand strong in Jesus who is the sovereign, total victor!
In these first four messages to the seven churches, we see dangers to churches that still exist today. Like Ephesus, we can be zealous and orthodox, yet lose our love for Jesus and for people. Or, like Thyatira, our love can be vibrant, but our discernment can be lacking, keeping us from being faithful witnesses to Jesus’ purity. Or like Pergamum and Thyatira, we can be so tolerant of evil that Jesus may need to come to us with severe discipline, which, in some instances, may mean the end of a congregation (removing its lampstand—see Rev. 2:5). How tragic it would be for a congregation to gradually abandon its focus on and trust in its Lord Jesus—in doing so they would cease being effective witnesses to the one source of truth and of salvation—Jesus himself. To be faithful witnesses to Jesus is the reason the Spirit grants life to each church in the first place. “He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches!”
To be continued
Rev. Todd Crouch, Pastor
Topinabee Community Church
Topinabee, Michigan
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