“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 13

Heb 3:1-6 We are challenged to consider Jesus, to keep our eyes on Him. Heb 2:8-9 When we don’t see the sense of everything going on around us, we can see Jesus. Heb 8:1 It is the main thrust of the book, to keep our eyes on our High Priest. Heb 11:27 Moses’ eyes were fixed on Jesus, and that is why he was able to endure. Heb 12:1-2 Fix our eyes on Jesus for each of our individual races. Seven things the author wants us to consider about Jesus Christ: 1. His Aposteship-purpose of the apostle to speak in God’s place. Jesus did this better than anyone else. He is the spokesman of God, by what He said, by what He did, and by His death. 2. His Priesthood-present session of Jesus Christ is His current role as our High Priest. He has a ministry at God’s right hand as our representative. 3. His faithfulness-He surpasses Moses in faithfulness so much so that it becomes a synonym for His name. 4. His worthiness-He is worthy of greater honor than Moses. This is an epistle to the Hebrews, and they thought Moses was the greatest man, and the author points out that Jesus is greater. 5. His Diety-He built the house and God builds all things, Jesus is God. 6. His Sonship-important to the family of God 7. He is the foundation of spiritual steadfastness-those who keep their eyes on Jesus will be able to be steadfast in any trial If we get our eyes off Jesus, no matter what the cause of the distraction, it will cause us to sink. Hebrews written around 67 AD. The Jews had become very rebellious toward Rome. Insurrection broke out in 64 AD. It gained momentum. In 64, persecution because the policy under Nero toward the Jew. If you were a Jewish believer, you had extra persecution. The nation fell because they rejected Jesus. Compare the sentiment to your own country. Can we suspect a similar judgment? Believing Jews wanted to go back to the Jewish Temple as a way to hide from persecution. They clung to a worn out system, and God had to discipline them. The one thing that will sustain you is to develop a spiritual sensitivity and habit to keep your eyes on Jesus. Things in this life always change, Jesus never changes. There were Jews that joined the Christian sect, but did not accept God’s gift. God has given us Jesus’ righteousness Justification- the Holy God has committed Himself and declared Himself willing to show mercy to sinners who have not right to call on His grace, to all the sinners who believe in Jesus to be unfailingly unshakable toward them in grace. The only time God deals with our performance is when it has to do with having fellowship with Him, so He can bring us back, keep us in His purpose. Eph 1:6 Heavenly calling- we have inherited the role Israel Consider-whole realm or system of thinking. It affects all of your decisions. It’s saying “THINK!” bear down with your mind, and concentrate so you can develop the right way of thinking. We can keep our eyes on Jesus in the ways this passage just laid out. Each of the seven have practical application to how we can think about everything. It will change how you view things in the future, and how you think about other people. There is a sense of urgency behind the command. (Do it now!) Within three years these people were going to suffer great things if they didn’t wake up. We can come through any trial blessed, but only if we take heed to His word by keeping our eyes on Him. No command is given with any purpose other than to bless us. Attitude determines altitude. Humble attitude leads to spiritual values which leads to wise decisions to right actions to blessing He wants you to know Him deeper and truer than you ever have before. He wants you to experience Jesus’ fellowship. God’s commands are impossible for us to accomplish, apart from faith in Him. God values faith more than anything else. He values faith above purity. Ask Him to keep your eyes fixed on Him. Act 21:26 Paul violated what the author of Hebrews warned about. Heb 6:6 crucifying the Son of God afresh. This was the greatest failure for the apostle of grace. This tells us that when we start being used by God, Satan will try to get every blinder on you that he can. Seven considerations about Jesus: Apostleship-someone sent with ultimate authority, exo 3:7, luk 10:16, joh 17:8, ambassador, admiral, voice of God, display the power of God, He draws everyone to make a decision about Him, how you respond to Jesus is how you respond to God joh 3:36, consider Jesus as the ultimate representative to the human race, heb 12:25

Scripture References: Exodus 3:7, Hebrews 2:8-9, Hebrews 6:6, Hebrews 3:1-6, Acts 21:26, Hebrews 12:25, Ephesians 1:6, John 3:36, Hebrews 12:1, John 17:8, Hebrews 11:27, Luke 10:16, Hebrews 8:1