“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 1, 2011

Message for 2011, Jan 2nd

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Looking ahead by looking back. It can seem things aren’t going the way they should, but in God’s plan, it always goes the way it should. What part will we decide to play.

How much was Jesus a part of Christmas, how much will He be part of 2011?

Watching believers as they encounter death.

Why does God allow people who have been faithful to His plan, Word, purpose, to come to the end of their life in struggle? It seems unfair, but it’s perfect. God takes that time of weakness and suffering and refines it into a very beautiful thing. Their faith in that time will mean a great deal in eternity.

What is life but a test of whether we believe or reject the promises of God? God doesn’t give special favors to the favored ones of His kingdom, in fact for those most favored He gives suffering, pain, and affliction as the evidence of His favor.

He begins the book by saying “I have loved you,” and they ask, “How have you loved us?” God talks about all the things He’s done for them, and they don’t recognize any of it.

MAL 4:1-3 As we look around the world we see a real mess. The economy around the world is failing. Politically and militarily the world is unraveling. Countries across Africa are fighting and fragile. Spiritually, Europe is apathetic to the Word of God. America has increasing apostasy. In Australia, people want more prosperity, not more of God. But there is an awakening in Africa, India and China. Islam is not the fastest growing religion; Christianity is exploding around the world. It is under the radar because it’s not happening under the organized establishments.

What is there in your life that He would look on with an eye of judgment? What of your thoughts, words, attitudes, time and money spent, actions would go up in smoke? What is there in my life of weakness and sickness that He wants to bring healing?

LUK 2:1-14 Historical vv. 1-3 this was a time of tyranny, as today is becoming a time of tyranny as well. Personal vv 4-7 Imagine Joseph and Mary’s perspective, in a dark and unsympathetic world Prophetical vv 7-14 God has accomplished and will accomplish what He has said He would do

1. Even in times of tyranny, the levers of political power work for the plan of God.

2. Those who are highly favored by God will not find favor on this earth.

3. When God has a message to the whole world, He usually shares it with a few.

Are we willing to hear the voice of the Spirit of God? Are we prepared for His message? How much of your life in 2010 got burned up? How much of your life has been made whole?

TIT 2:11-14 It is possible to live this way in our present age, if we are learning from the manifestation of God’s grace, Jesus Christ.

What we are asked to do is simple: learning (are you a student of the grace of God? Are you cultivating every day a teachable spirit? If not, we assume He is not speaking. Christ continues to speak to us every day in His Word), living (that which we reject and flee from, and that which we pursue and value and seek), looking (keeping our eyes fixed on our God and Savior, Jesus Christ, the blessed hope)

We can feel so far from Him, though He is near to us. We become numb to Him through our thoughts and actions

1PE 4:7-11 if you want 2011 to be a blessing for you, it’s the same things we saw in Malachi, Luke and Titus

1. Live lives of serious watchful prayer. Don’t put it off. It is the wellspring of your spiritual life. A lot happens between what we absorb in the Word and our response back to Him. How much time to you spend in intercessory prayer? Prayer is the greatest power and promise given to a believer. Pray and you will receive what you ask for in faith.

2. Love fervently. Extend yourself on another’s behalf. A love willing to reach into the life of another, to put ourselves at a disadvantage to put someone else in an advantage. Love the way God loves, forgive the way God forgives, give the way He gives, encourage the way He encourages you.

3. Serve relentlessly. Christ is doing what He came to do. He asks us to participate in His plan. What is He asking you to do? It’s not going to be difficult for our Lord to bring us to His kingdom. In the meantime, we can choose to be faithful in our prayer, to love, to forgive, to encourage whoever needs it. Serve how you can serve. This is how Christ changes the world, one soul at a time. Redemption and transformation. What God whispers in your ear, shout from the rooftop.

Scripture References: Malachi 4:1-3, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14