“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 16

Psa 103:1-3 Heb 3:7-11 importance of keeping our eyes on Christ, and as a result entering into His rest Life in spiritual realm always boils down to faith. Psa 103:7-8 Heb 3:7-11 Peace comes from looking to Jesus. Trust results in Christ living in us. Don’t measure yourself by anyone else. Just being available by trusting Him is all Christ needs to live in and through us. Exceptions: Moses Psa 103:7-8 Great believer knows His ways, believer in failure only knows His works. What a person does, doesn’t really tell you more than a little about that person. Are we able to get to know God from what He does? Are you able to look at the work of the Cross can you not understand His way of dealing with you know? How can we look at the cross and doubt He can provide, the temptations, failures, burdens we bear not matter to Him. The Cross is the work, and the care is the way. Isa 53:5 How can you look at that work of such vast love, commitment, loyalty to us, and now in your time of darkness or rejection or loneliness, think that the Lord Jesus would not be willing to bear your burden. Bring me take me lead me open my eyes to know you vs. give me The cup symbolizes the greatest broken-heartedness of human history, but still the willingness to see it through. Don’t be content just to see what God does. He never changes. Every valley leads to another mountaintop. Heb 3:1 Psa 103:7 speaks of spiritual stature Heb 3:1-6 Jesus is superior to Moses. He is the builder and the Son of the house. So the covenant under Christ should be held in higher regard than the covenant under Moses. Israel saw His works, but they did not know His ways. Israel saw His works, but Moses saw His ways. If you focus on the works, you always look backwards, and you’re looking in the wrong direction. Exo 14:1-31 Exo 15:1-27 another water test, they grumbled against Moses As soon as they faced a test, they forgot what God had done, it was as if He never did it. Psa 103:7 God made Moses know His ways because he asked Him. Exo 33:13-18 Is there more glory in the work or the person of the work? Jam 4:6 Moses didn’t just want to see what God could do, but he wanted to know God intimately. He wanted to know the character behind the work. Psa 103:6-11 Because of their own guilt, they believed every test was God’s punishment. They were self-pre-occupied, and not occupied with God. Num 12:3 Genuine humility, set yourself so aside that all you can see is Him. Upside down pride focuses on failures, magnifies the person instead of Jesus. Psa 103:13 What is the fear of the Lord? Trust. Psa 103:14 There are no surprises for God. He knew it all before time began. He knew it when Jesus volunteered to die for us before we were made. God knows our frame. Psa 103:17 Mercy The later writings of Paul focus on God’s mercy. Least of the Apostles then least of Saints then chief of sinners then nothing. 1Ti 1:1-20, 1ti 2:1-15, 1ti 3:1-16, 1ti 4:1-16, 1ti 5:1-25, 1ti 6:1-21, 2ti 1:1-18, 2ti 2:1-26, 2ti 3:1-17 2ti 4:1-22 and tit 1:1-16, tit 2:1-15, tit 3:1-15 Mercy of the Lord is a theme. Brought on behalf of the need of frail man. A great compassion that cannot walk by. An inability to not meet the need. The Good Samaritan. Do not doubt the character of our God Joh 14:6 If you want to know His way, you must get to know Him on a deeper level. Psa 103:1-5 When God blesses us we receive great gain, when we bless God, we acknowledge Him. Nothing less than all would meet our need. He heals all your diseases. He’s in the process. He starts with the diseases in the soul. The ruin is the self induced destruction we all put on ourselves, and only Jesus can save us, because that’s the way He is. He crowns us with tender mercies. Are you bound to look back? Or can you look forward because you know His ways? Exo 16:20 Exo 17:1-7 One thing you can do to test God, not trust Him. Then He gets provoked. Let’s come to the next water test, and sing praises instead of doubt and question Him. It’s possible to go through your whole Christian life of God providing and caring for Him, and not grow one step closer to Him. Arthur John Gossip: “Christ is our matchless Redeemer”

Scripture References: Psalms 103:1-5, Exodus 15:1-27, Psalms 103:13, Hebrews 3:7-11, John 14:6, Exodus 14:1-31, Numbers 12:3, Psalms 103:7-8, Titus 3:1-15, Hebrews 3:1-6, Psalms 103:6-11, Hebrews 3:7-11, Titus 2:1-15, Psalms 103:7, James 4:6, Psalms 103:1-3, Titus 1:1-16, Hebrews 3:1, Exodus 17:1-7, Exodus 33:13-18, Psalms 103:17, Isaiah 53:5, Exodus 16:20, Psalms 103:7, Psalms 103:14, Psalms 103:7-8