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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:

  1. Local meaning—these are seven actual churches existing in John’s time and to which    he ministers.
  2. 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).
  3. 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.
  4. 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:

  1. Commended for endurance, their stand against false apostles and the Nicolaitan heresy.
  2. 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:

  1. This is the edified church.
  2. This suffering church endured the most and lasted the longest.
  3. Encouraged but not condemned.
  4. 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:

  1. It is the “surrounded” church.
  2. Pergamos was one of the most evil cities of the Ancient World. It was here that Satan had his headquarters on earth.
  3. There were many strong believers in Pergamos, but they were surrounded by religious apostasy.
  4. 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:

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

Gene Cunningham - January 28, 2003

Hebrews 10

Hebrews 10

8 examples of the importance of fixing our eyes on Christ • Heb 2:8-9 paradox of history • Times when you can’t see a divine purpose in what’s going on, that’s when God is magnified when we give Him thanks. • We don’t see, but we do see Jesus. Heb 2:10 Jesus still had to be perfected. He was perfect but He had to be fitted for the task. He had to pass a test. “Not My will but Thy will be done.” Isa 53:1-12 • “Come down, if you’re the Son of God, then come down!” It was the ultimate temptation, because He could have easily done that. He chose to stay there. He could have easily come down. He had to be perfected. • How much more do we need to be perfected?! Jesus calls us to pick up our cross daily, people say, come down from that cross. • It’s a question of spiritual focus. The Hebrews were facing a danger, not keeping their eyes on Jesus. Seven examples 1. Heb 2:1-3 drifting away by neglecting our so great salvation, getting swept away in the current. All we need to see is Jesus 2. Heb 3:7-8, Heb 4:7 danger of hardening your heart. Areas of weaknesses and sin in your life and in others lives. Hardening your heart against His word is your downfall. We all have blind spots that we don’t see as well as we should. Satan will do whatever he has to to harden you toward the Word. He is very subtle. He simply puts in front of us what we want, and that is how he lures us away. 3. Heb 5:11 being dull of hearing. We ought to be teachers. He wants to tell them a lot about Jesus, but it’s difficult to explain because they are tired of hearing about Jesus Christ. 4. Heb 6:6 falling away from the grace of God. Jesus is the root and fountain of God’s grace. If we wander from Him we fall away from that grace. 5. Heb 10:25-26 forsaking the local assembly. It was a time of turmoil. As the persecution got more intense they wanted a way out. We must stand together, because we will need one another. 6. Heb 12:5-6 fainting under divine discipline. The believer under divine discipline is the special object of the love of God. It is an honor, because God is refining us for our benefit. He prunes the one that’s bearing fruit so it’ll bear more. “Father I make myself available to you and your purpose, whatever it takes.” He will do it. Do not lose heart, it’s a mark of His love 7. Heb 12:15 root of bitterness taking root in our soul. It’ll bear fruit that will poison our life. It only takes root when we lose sight of Jesus Christ. Before God we have no excuse. Heb 2:8-9 If we look at the now conditions we will lose sight of Jesus Christ. We can’t allow anything to keep our eyes from Him. 1Pe 1:3-9 It’s an epistle on suffering, and many different kinds, and we’ll probably go through most of them. God brings resurrection out of death. If you feel pressed down on, He is bringing resurrection for you, it is on the way. We are kept by God’s power, not our own. Whether your suffering is self induced, divine discipline still falls under this. It needs be. The purpose of the suffering is to make your faith pure. We need to pray for people, by name, who are with us, who are gone, that their faith may not fail. It’s the greatest danger and lose, and every believer is in danger of it. When you find yourself overwhelmed by the darkness you’re in and you can’t see Jesus, you definitely need to look at Him. Salvation from losing their faith and from taking their eyes off Christ and falling into the dangers in Hebrews. There is a divine remedy. Heb 3:1-2 Consider Jesus! Consider-to bear down with your whole mind in concentration. Over and over and over again. Think about Him. Pressing down Rom 1:17-18 Keep the main thing the main thing. Heb 8:1 He will never be anything less than totally for you, totally on your side. He is always for you, and He loves you, and He is refining you. Keep looking to Him as your High Priest and Mediator. Fix your eyes on Jesus Christ and run the race. If your eyes are fixed on Him, you can’t be doing anything but running the race. Eric Little won the race after being knocked off the track. Was he greater for his “weakness?” Joh 20:29 We have a greater faith than the apostles. We will consider the world to come. Psa 8:1-9 Is Jesus your focus? Are you absolutely absorbed, enthralled by Him? Einstein was looking at Jesus. Napoleon believed Jesus was either God or He was nothing. If you see your life exposed by the word and are fearful that you cannot stand before Him, fix your eyes on Jesus, He is not finished working on you. The fact that you desire it is a comfort. Ask God to forgive you for taking your eyes off of Him even if yours eyes were on yourself, and thank Him for His mercy in Jesus toward you.

Scripture References: Hebrews 4:7, Hebrews 2:8-9, Hebrews 3:7-8, Hebrews 12:15, Psalms 8:1-9, Hebrews 2:1-3, Hebrews 12:5-6, John 20:29, Isaiah 53:1-12, Hebrews 10:25-26, Hebrews 8:1, Hebrews 2:10, Hebrews 6:6, Romans 1:17-18, Hebrews 2:8-9, Hebrews 5:11, Hebrews 3:1-2

From Series: Hebrews (1998) | More Messages from Gene Cunningham | Download Audio

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