“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 - April 8, 2000

Simplicity in Christ #12

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God's word is a sword. What is its target? (Heb 4:12). Man shall not live by bread alone (Mat 4:1-4). The word is a sword to be used in prayer (Eph 6:17-18). Sermon on the Mount was a message on the life of a disciple (Mat 6:7-13). There's no fellowship apart from participation.Committing sin quenches the Spirit (Eph 4:30). Lack of participation (omission) grieves the Spirit (1Th 5:19). How is God's name exalted? God's name is "hallowed" by the coming of His Kingdom (Eze 36:23). When is His will done? The mark of His Kingdom is when His will is done in the life of His people (Rom 14:17). What is the name being hallowed? Jesus. "What is His name?" was an Old Testament mystery (Pro 30:4, John 17:6, Phi 2:10).

Should we pray for the kingdom? (Joh 18:36-37). The Kingdom of Glory is prophetic, universal, future. It's also a Kingdom of Grace which is personal, practical, and present. It works out in human thoughts, actions and decisions. Praying "Thy Kingdom come" means let it be in me. He is creator, redeemer, mediator, but also what God desires man to become. To do that, or will has to be subordinated to His. The ills of the earth are a result of human wills running the show. The Jews longed for the King of Glory, but not the Kingdom of Grace. We want Him to control others, but surrender to His will is the only path to righteousness, joy, and peace in the Holy Spirit. For the Church Age believer, the Kingdom of Grace prepares the way for the Kingdom of Glory which includes the marraige of the church to Jesus Christ, united in a spiritual union forever. What we see as a discipline in Jesus' life is a discipline in prayer. Jesus always stresses the importance of God's word (Heb 4:12). When he exhorts the disciples he emphasizes prayer (Eph 6:17-18).

Prayer converts God's Word into His Work. "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." (Joh 14:9-14). How can God's Word be converted to work written into our life? (Joh 10:25-38, Joh 8:31-32). We are a message to others, whether true or false (2Co 3:2-3).

You're writing a gospel, a chapter each day,

by the deeds that you do, and the words that you say.

Men read what you write, whether faithless or true.

So, what is the gospel according to you?

Jesus prayed so that the perfect Man could be a living example of the word of God in His everyday life (Mar 1:35, Luk 11:1). How much greater our need to be in prayer. What's the missing link between "greater works than these he will do" (Joh 14:12) and "I will do it" (Joh 14:14)? "... ask in my name" (Joh 14:13-14).

Prayer transforms fellowship into fruit. "He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing" (Joh 15:5-6). God has designed partnership into His plan. Without fellowship or fruit, the world harshly treats a believer. "...they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned" (Joh 15:6, Eze 16:40-41, Eze 17:9-10, Eze 19:12-14). God changes our desires, and grant them when we pray (Joh 15:7-8, Psa 37:4). The request must glorify Him. "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you." (Joh 15:16).

Prayer is the "divine alchemy" which turns sorrow into joy. "...Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full" (Joh 16:20-28). We need to seek Him until we see Him (Joh 14:21-23, Mat 5:8-9). We will see a spiritual reality when we ask (Heb 11:12, Heb 11:27). The promise illustrated by the picture when met with the prerequisite ends up in a privilege (Joh 16:23). We go to the Father in the name of the Son, by the power of the Spirit. Jesus gave the disciples one last prayer example (Joh 17:1-26).

Scripture References: Ephesians 6:17-18, Matthew 5:8-9, John 14:12, Ephesians 4:30, Ezekiel 17:9-10, Hebrews 4:12, John 14:21-23, Luke 11:1, Matthew 6:7-13, Ezekiel 16:40-41, John 18:36-37, John 16:20-28, Mark 1:35, John 17:1-26, Ephesians 6:17-18, John 15:6, Philippians 2:10, John 15:16, John 8:31-32, John 16:23, Matthew 4:1-4, John 15:5-6, John 17:6, Psalms 37:4, John 10:25-38, Hebrews 4:12, Hebrews 11:27, John 14:13-14, Romans 14:17, John 15:7-8, John 14:9-14, Hebrews 11:12, John 14:14, Ezekiel 36:23, Ezekiel 19:12-14