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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 - April 17, 2023

The Throne Room of God

Revelation 4:1 says, “After these things, I looked and behold the door standing open in heaven.” Very interesting that “standing open” is in the perfect tense, an indication that that door was opened at some point in the past and it's still open. I would take the point of opening as the crucifixion and the resurrection of Christ, and the now opened the door, is for us to enter into the presence of God. When Jesus said, “it is finished” in John 19:30, His work on the cross was done. The penalty for sin was paid. The way into heaven was open. It won't be closed until time is done. So, the door was opened, and John says, “the first voice that I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me.” The trumpet takes us back to chapter one saying, “Come up here.” Remember the passage in First Thessalonians Chapter 4, “for the Lord will descend with a shout.” What do you think your shout is going to be? I think it's going to be, “Come up here.” “Come up here and I will show you things which much must take place.” Again, we have the phrase “after this” or better translated, “After these things.” Revelation 4:2-3 says, “Immediately,” John says, “I was in the spirit. And behold, a throne said in heaven. And one who sat on the throne and he who sat there was like a Jasper and sardius.” Jasper is clear and sardius is red. So what John sees is an image sitting on the throne, but he doesn't see the clear outlines face characteristics. In Revelation 4:3 he says, “and there was a rainbow around the throne in appearance like an emerald. What is the rainbow remind us of? Remember at the flood it was a promise of peace. So, I would take this as a symbol of peace. A rainbow around the throne and “an appearance like an emerald” is very interesting. From verse three on, what we're actually seeing is something very similar to what Daniel saw in Daniel 7:4-13. You remember he saw “the Ancient of Day” sitting on the throne, being approached by “one like the son of man.” So very, very similar. And again, the connections between Revelation and the Old Testament are everywhere. Revelation 4:4 says, “Around the throne, where 24 thrones and on the thrones, I saw 24 elders sitting clothed with white robes, and they had crowns of gold on their heads.” There are lots of arguments about who are the 24 elders. A lot of people think they're angels. I'm convinced they're not because of what we see in the context of the text. I think the 24 elders probably represent the church and probably we could look at them as maybe some of the great ones that come out of the church age, maybe the ones who excelled during the church age, but they represent the church as a whole. 24 elders sitting and they've got “white robes,” of course, white robes, picture of the righteousness of Christ. They had” crowns of gold on their head.” We know in the New Testament there are five different crowns promised to the overcomer, namely, those who overcome are promised a reward at the judgment seat of Christ. As our lives are evaluated by the Lord Jesus Christ, there are those that are going to receive the reward of a crown. By the way, the word “crown” “Stephanos” – “the Victor's crown.” So, this again relates back to the overcomer. Revelation 4:5 says, “From the throne proceeded lightning and thunder, rings and voices.” Wouldn't you like to know what they said? In Revelation 10:3-4 John says the thunder spoke again and as he was going to write down as a part of this book what the thunder said, he was told not to write. Isn’t it interesting? I don't know about you, but I've heard sermons on what the seven thunders said. The truth is, we don't know. God didn't tell us. We might be better off for not knowing. We were not allowed to know at this point. Verse 5 continues, “Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God.” Why the seven spirits of God? Isaiah 11:1 says, “There shall come forth a rod from the stem of Jesse and a branch shall grow out of his roots.” It is interesting that the Lord Jesus Christ is referred to both as “the root” and the offspring of David. As God, He is “the root of David,” as man, He's the offspring. So we have the deity and humanity of Christ pictured. Isaiah 11:2 says, “The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the spirit of wisdom, and understanding, the spirit of counsel, and might the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.” I think all of these are simply expressing the character of the Holy Spirit. So I take this to be the seven spirits of God. Revelation 4:6 says, “Before the Throne, there was a sea of glass like crystal.” What does that mean? I don't know. Obviously, it would imply purity. Later in the book, the sea is used as a picture of the nations. The multitudes of the nations could represent the multitudes of those who have been purified standing before the Lord. That would be the closest that I could give you. The verse continues, “sea of glass, like crystal in the midst of the throne and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.” Very interesting. Revelation 4:7 says, “The first living creature was like a lion. The second living creature was like a calf. The third living creature had the face of a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.” If you go back to Ezekiel chapter one these same creatures are not described in the same way, but they are described as a lion, a calf, a man and an eagle. Why is that? Well, one suggestion that's been presented, these four represent the story of the life of Christ. If you think about it, a gospel of Matthew presents Christ our King of Israel, symbol as lion Jesus -- the lion of the tribe of Judah. The Gospel of Mark presents Him as the calf, or Ox, a symbol of what is servant. It's interesting that the key word of the Gospel of Mark is immediately. It's a word that was specifically used of an obedient servant. It's translated “straightaway,” or “immediately” in the Gospel of Mark. Luke, of course, places emphasis on the humanity of Christ. Luke is a very human gospel, and it deals a lot with his interactions with the down and out people. And then, of course, the eagle Flying Eagle, a picture of the Gospel of John, The Deity of Christ. Revelation 4:7 says, “The four living creatures, each having six wings were full of eyes around and within.” The emphasis on eyes, I believe, has to do with divine intelligence or supernatural intelligence. What do our eyes through our eyes tell us? That's how we gather information. Revelation 4:8 says, “They do not rest day or night saying, Holy, holy, holy.” Where have we met these before? Is it Isaiah 6:3, “Holy, holy, holy.” Why three times? It's this Father, Son, Holy Spirit. “Holy, holy, Holy Lord, God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.” Who’s that? Jesus Christ. Revelation 4:9-10 says, “Whenever the living creatures gave glory and honor, and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the 24 elders fall down before him, who sits on the throne and worship him, who lives forever and ever and casts their crowns before the throne.” I’ve run into a lot of believers who say I'm not interested in eternal rewards. I don't care whether I get a crown or not. I'll just be happy to be there. We need to understand that winning the Crown is not for us. It's not to our credit. It's for His glory. Every one of us can win eternal rewards. He offers us the opportunity to live lives of faith and obedience so that we are, as he said in Matthew 6:20, laying up treasure in heaven. And what's the value of all that? All of it is going to speak to the glory of Christ. It's in honor of what He's done for us. It's a way of expressing, if you will, our gratitude for his sacrifice and our great salvation. So, they cast their crowns before the throne. Revelation 4:11 says, “You are worthy, oh Lord, to receive glory and honor and power for you created all things and by your will they exist and were created.” Now, bear in mind Who's sitting on the throne of God. The Father. Right? We're about to see the Lord Jesus come into the picture. So, God, the Father is sitting on the throne. And to God the Father, Glory, “honor and power for You created all things.” This is Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Right? What does John tell us in John 1:1? “In the beginning was the word. And the word was with God. And the word was God.” And then down in verse three, “all things were made by Him. And without Him was not anything made. It was made. So, who created” the Father or the Son? The answer is “yes!” They work together, right? In Proverbs 30, the question is asked “What is God's name? Do you know it? And what is his Son's name?” That's a very interesting question. You must wonder how many ancient Hebrews pondered on that and wondered, “What does this mean”? And of course, if they pondered long enough and searched the Old Testament scriptures enough, they would know.

Scripture References: Revelation 4:1-11

Related Topics: Prophecy, The Rapture | More Messages from Gene Cunningham | Download Audio

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