“He that has an ear” — Revelation Chapter 2 – Basic Training Bible Ministries

As we study the message of Christ to the seven churches, we will do well to keep in mind four interpretation aides given by Dr. C. I. Scofield:

Local meaning—these are seven actual churches existing in John’s time and to which he ministers.
General meaning—these conditions may be found in churches throughout the Church Age, and this gives us a key for evaluating a local church by the “mind of Christ,” (1 Cor. 2:16).
Personal meaning—each message includes the challenge “to him who overcomes” and “[him] who has an ear.” Thus, we can evaluate our own lives by this.
Prophetic meaning—these seven churches are chosen in this order to illustrate church history from the time of John to the Rapture.

Two major trends are seen running through this account. First, there is the purifying process going on for those who are true believers—the “overcomers” by faith, 1 John 5:4–5. Second, there is an increasing apostasy of dead human religion. At the Rapture, the Body of Christ is removed, but apostate Christendom goes on to become the “great whore” of Revelation 17.

Ephesus—Revelation 2:1–7

The church of Ephesus was founded by the Apostle Paul (Acts 18:18–21; 19:1–20). John came there before the destruction of Jerusalem and made Ephesus the center of his circuit ministry. “Ephesus” means “beloved,” yet this church is rebuked for losing its love for Christ. They had many good “works” but had “fallen” from their occupation with the person of Christ.

Historical Ephesus illustrates church history from 35–100 AD. Note Satan’s attempt to infiltrate the church through the Nicolaitans. The word comes from niko (“to conquer”) and laos (“the people”). This attempted establishment of a “church hierarchy,” which distinguished between “clergy” and “laity,” was repulsed in the first century.

The warning to the believer who “has an ear” and would be an “overcomer” is to constantly maintain personal fellowship and love for Christ as the greatest of spiritual priorities. Obviously, we can only love the Living Word by loving and living the written Word. Revelation 2:5 gives the road of recovery as remembrance, repentance, and return to first acts of love for Christ. Here, we see the beginning of the cooling process leading to the Laodicean church.

Note:

Commended for endurance, their stand against false apostles and the Nicolaitan heresy.
Condemned for reversionism—the “first love” from which they had “fallen” was the sound doctrine of the book of Ephesians.

Smyrna—Revelation 2:8–11

“Smyrna” means “myrrh,” which was a gum or resin that was crushed to give off a fragrance. Myrrh was also used in embalming the dead. This church was persecuted and suffered greatly. Christ greets them as the One “who was dead, and came to life.” This poor church was rich in God’s sight, for they were faithful in spite of suffering, slander, and death. They are promised the “crown of life” (James 1:12). Note here Satan’s two-fold attack of external persecution and internal infiltration by legalistic Jews whom Christ calls the “synagogue of Satan.”

One of the great martyrs of Smyrna was the Pastor Polycarp, who was a student of John. He was burned at the stake, and won the crown of life!

Historically, Smyrna represents Church history from 100–300 A.D., a period of great persecution by Rome. At this time, Christianity was despised by the world as a collection of ragged, poor, deluded people, yet they were rich before God. When we come to Laodicea, we find a large, rich, respected church that is naked in God’s sight. Is there any question where we are today?

Note:

This is the edified church.
This suffering church endured the most and lasted the longest.
Encouraged but not condemned.
Smyrna had many great teachers and a maximum number of believers in maturity.

Pergamos—Revelation 2:12–17

“Pergamos” is a compound word meaning “married, exalted.” Pergamos was a rich, influential city of Asia Minor. Yet the church was worldly. She is greeted by Him “who has the sharp two-edged sword,”—the Word of God (Heb. 4:12). She has permitted the infiltration of three heresies. One, Satan had set up his throne here. We find that the teaching of the Babylonian mysteries were actually carried to Pergamos about 133 B.C. These teachings begun in ancient Babylon, would in time become so assimilated by Apostate Christianity as to become “Mystery Babylon.” Pergamos was the center of Caesar worship. Second, the doctrine of Balaam had gained a foothold (Num. 22–25). This was basically a teaching of compromise with the world—Balaam taught Israel to intermarry with the heathen—thus a “marriage” of the Church and the world. Third, the Nicolaitans who were repulsed by Ephesus are accepted in Pergamos.

What begins in apostasy as “deeds,” develops into “doctrines,” which in time becomes “denominations.” The overcomers will receive the “hidden manna,” the deep things of Christ (John 6:31–33; Col. 1:26), and the “white stone,” representing the vote of approval from God.

Historically, Pergamos represents church history from 300–500 A.D. Constantine made Christianity a “state religion” so that it became joined to the heathenistic practices of Rome.

During the period of this apostate union, Damasus, the Bishop of Rome (an unbeliever) was given the title of Supreme Pontiff of the Babylonian mysteries which came to Rome from Pergamos. Thus Satan’s program to “assimilate” the Church through infiltration took a great step forward. This was the age of “heresy,” yet even here there were “overcomers” who stood against the tide, and died a martyr’s death!

Note:

It is the “surrounded” church.
Pergamos was one of the most evil cities of the Ancient World. It was here that Satan had his headquarters on earth.
There were many strong believers in Pergamos, but they were surrounded by religious apostasy.
They are condemned for allowing apostasy into the church. Idolatry and rituals of ceremonial sex had infiltrated the church.

Thyatira—Revelation 2:18–29

The Son of God greets this church with flaming eyes and feet of judgment! Though there is some approval in Rev. 2:19, the church has become a haven for “Jezebel,” an actual woman who became prominent as a teacher and led people into idolatry and immorality. Though God gave her “time to repent” she would not. She is a preview of the “great whore” (Revelation 17) and so will be cast “into great tribulation” along with her children, i.e., apostate Christendom.

Even in Thyatira some remained faithful, Rev. 2:24–29. They are to hold fast to truth and are promised great authority in Christ’s kingdom for standing against the usurped authority of this Jezebel. They will be decorated with the “morning star,” the reflected glory of Jesus Christ (compare Dan. 12:3, 2 Pet. 1:19).

Historically “Thyatira,” which means “continual offering,” speaks of the age of Romanism, 500–1500 A.D. In Romanism the “once-for-all” sufficiency of the cross is denied for a continual offering of works, penance, and sacraments as a means of salvation. Just as Jezebel will not repent, neither will this system of idolatry as the “Babylon” of the future (cf., Jer. 51:8–9, Rev. 18:4). The “deep things of Satan” are the Babylonian teachings perpetuated by the Roman Church.

Note:

Again, commended for production and service under pressure.
However, again as others, condemned for allowing apostasy to enter, along with demonism and occult practices.
Warned to hold fast.

Gene Cunningham - January 28, 2003

Hebrews 06

Five warning sections in Hebrews, each are more severe, five is the number of grace. Heb 1:10-12, Psa 104:4 Joh 1:3 Col 1:16 without Jesus, nothing was made Anyone who things Jesus was a created being, read Joh 1:1-51, Col 1:1-29, and Heb 1:1-14 Psa 45:6-7 we are included in this citation, we must keep quotes in the context they were taken from Psa 45:1-17 the writer of Hebrews knows this Psalm is talking about the Messiah. Queen in psa 45:9 is the bride of Christ. Eph 5:6-7, Rev 19:6-9, Rev 21:2 we will be adorned with the acts we do in faith now Friends of the Bridegroom are Old Testament believers. Friends of the Bride are tribulation believers. Eph 2:7 Jesus received anointing after His resurrection. There are three anointings of Jesus: anointing of Jesus as a prophet isa 61:2, anointed as a priest psa 45:6-7, anointing as King psa 2:2, psa 92:10, psa 110:4 In the receiving of a crown, a crown follows anointing 6th superiority of Jesus to the angels: psa 102:25-27 He is superior to the angels because He is unchangeable. Job 38:4-7 Jesus is the foundation, He is the cornerstone. Physical and spiritual 1co 3:10-11, 1pe 2:6, col 1:17 He laid the heavens by the works of His hands. Isa 40:12 span of His hand, the entire creation. Salvation is the work of His arm, salvation is a greater work than creation isa 51:5, isa 52:10, isa 53:1, isa 59:16 If you are a Christian, and you have no burden for the souls of other people to come to know Christ, then you are apostate. His Spirit is not allowed to work in you because of your hardness of heart. We have great responsibility with the Grace He’s given us. 7th superiority of Jesus to the angels Heb 1:13, Psa 110:1, joh 19:30 it is finished, victory cry Heb 10:10-14 Jesus’ work was done so He sat down. Three postures in Ephesians: Eph 1:23, Eph 2:1-22, Eph 3:1-21 seated with Christ Eph 4:1-32, Eph 5:1-33 walking in the Light Eph 6:1-24 stand firm. Unless you learn to sit and rest in the complete work of Christ you’ll never be able to walk or stand firm. Our work is only of value when it comes from a posture of rest because of Christ’s finished work on our behalf. Heb 2:1 “Therefore” connects these chapters, and it ties into the first warning section. Heb 2:1-4 The danger is to those who received this letter and for us now too, the current day is the great apostasy, experience driven spirituality. It is demonism. Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witness is the Gnosticism of Col 2:8-23 If you are a child of God and you have an attitude of apathy, this passage is warning you that judgment is coming. The danger is casting of your anchor. Heb 6:19-20 Cling to the anchor and you are secure. Hope is assurance, it enters into the veil. The only anchor that works is on you can’t see, it has to go where you cannot see. Our anchor goes above; if our biblical assurance is connected to Jesus then there is nothing that can distract us. The need to give heed: Heb 2:1 dei-spiritual necessity required by the nature of things. It is of upmost importance that we give more attention to the things we’ve heard, to keep them in front of us wherever we go, to the extreme measure. Jesus is out of the reach of the enemy, but we are not, which is why we must cling to our anchor. Lest we drift, this is a daily threat. We can drift away at any moment. 2co 11:25, act 27:9-44 greater grace means greater accountability Heb 2:2-3. If is the lesser, then is the greater. Transgression- a voluntary stepping over the line, and disobedience- hearing and disobeying. Five times in four verses “we” refers to the heirs of salvation. This is a message to believers. Old Testament believers did not escape divine justice, there’s no way we ever could. Do not turn your back on the Word. Where we stand is dependent on where we stand in relation to Christ and if we’ve set aside or neglected the Word. Great Salvation: personally proclaimed by Christ who bought it, confirmed by the apostles who directly heard Jesus, given divine testimony by apostolic miracles. Apostolic miracles are a thing of the past. Heb 12:25 Jesus is speaking to you, do not refuse Him. The only security and hope is in God’s Word? The only way to escape is to not neglect what we’ve heard 1ti 1:18-20 These names were teachers of the word. Our record is kept of our conduct in heaven. The Christian life is a campaign-intense conflict over a long amount of time, just a few victories does not mean the whole life was victorious. You must choose this. We must recognize the terrible end of apathy to the word of God-spiritual shipwreck. You come through with just your life 1co 3:11-15 Constantly pushing away from us that which can stabilize us, the Word of God. We must hold two things to ourselves, clutch to ourselves, hold fast to the faith (which is delivered to us in the Word of God), and hold fast to a pure conscience (good of a divine kind, a conscience cleansed by forgiveness, through living in fellowship with Christ, to confess our sins and enter into His Light 1jo 1:9, 1jo 1:7) Heresy to ignore self-examination and confession. You need to find your spiritual gift so you know what you’re to do while you’re on this earth. It’s the treasure He gave you. The darkling thrush poem by Thomas Hardy: I leant upon a coppice gate When Frost was spectre-gray, And Winter's dregs made desolate The weakening eye of day. The tangled bine-stems scored the sky Like strings of broken lyres, And all mankind that haunted nigh Had sought their household fires. The land's sharp features seemed to be The Century's corpse outleant, His crypt the cloudy canopy, The wind his death-lament. The ancient pulse of germ and birth Was shrunken hard and dry, And every spirit upon earth Seemed fervourless as I. At once a voice arose among The bleak twigs overhead In a full-hearted evensong Of joy illimited; An aged thrush, frail, gaunt, and small, In blast-beruffled plume, Had chosen thus to fling his soul Upon the growing gloom. So little cause for carolings Of such ecstatic sound Was written on terrestrial things Afar or nigh around, That I could think there trembled through His happy good-night air Some blessed Hope, whereof he knew And I was unaware. We need to let the world know about Him. Our blessed hope.

Scripture References: Colossians 1:17, Psalms 45:1-17, Hebrews 6:19-20, Hebrews 1:13, Isaiah 61:2, Ephesians 3:1-21, Psalms 104:4, Job 38:4-7, Psalms 45:6-7, Colossians 2:8-23, Isaiah 59:16, John 1:7, Ephesians 2:7, Ephesians 2:1-22, Hebrews 1:10-12, Psalms 102:25-27, Hebrews 1:1-14, Hebrews 2:1-4, Isaiah 53:1, Hebrews 12:25, Revelation 21:2, Ephesians 1:23, Psalms 110:4, Colossians 1:1-29, Hebrews 2:1, Isaiah 52:10, Hebrews 2:2-3, Revelation 19:6-9, Hebrews 10:10-14, Psalms 92:10, Ephesians 6:1-24, John 1:1-51, Isaiah 51:5, Ephesians 5:6-7, Acts 27:9-44, John 19:30, Psalms 2:2, Ephesians 5:1-33, Colossians 1:16, Isaiah 40:12, Psalms 45:9, Hebrews 2:1, Psalms 110:1, Psalms 45:6-7, Ephesians 4:1-32, John 1:3