“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 - November 2, 2025

The Faithfulness of God (and Rapture hint) in Isaiah

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We are studying the Book of Isaiah. What I hope I can impress on you is God's faithfulness and see some things in chapter 26 that I think are relevant to the time in which we live. Isaiah 26:19. See if this reminds you of any other passage you may have read. "Your dead shall live together with my dead body." Sounds like 1st Corinthians 15; sounds like 1st Thessalonians 4 sounds like John 14. What did Jesus say? "Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe also in me. In My father's house are many mansions. I'm going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again." That's a promise. "... So that where I am, you may be also." He's preparing a place for us right now. We'll look at what Isaiah says. "Together with my dead body. They will rise awake and sing. You who dwell in the dust. For your dew is like to dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead." Isaiah 26:20 "Come, my people, enter into your chambers, shut your doors behind you. Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment until the indignation is passed." What is the indignation? The indignation, of course, is the tribulation judgments. I call your attention to the little word "until" it's very important. In relation to the history of Israel. There are three "until's" in the Bible that have been given only to the nation of Israel. 1) Matthew 23:39. "You will not see me until you say, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 2) Luke 21:24 "Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 3) Romans 11:25, "I would not have you ignorant," Paul says, "that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in." What is the fullness of the Gentiles? What is the coming in? Well, the fullness of the Gentiles refers to the harvest of the Gentile church. And the coming in, I believe, coincides with the invitation here come and hide yourself, for a little while. Isaiah 26:21, "For the Lord is coming out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth will disclose her blood, and will no more cover her slain." You and I have a bright future. Our world is not. The future for this world is grim. God is faithful. Ten areas God is faithful to you and I: 1) He is faithful to forgive our sins. First John 1:9. Thank God for that one. It's not just once for all. It's as often as we come and confess. 2) God is faithful to keep us safe. 2nd Timothy 2:13 "Even if we're unfaithful, as Paul says, "He remains faithful." 3) God is faithful to deliver us through our temptations. 1st Corinthians 10:13. 4) God is faithful to keep his promises to us. Hebrews 10:23. 5) God is faithful to us in times of suffering. 1st Peter 4:19 6) God is faithful in fulfilling his plan for us. This, of course, requires our cooperation. 1st Thessalonians 5:24 7) God is faithful to strengthen us in times of trial. 2nd Thessalonians 3:3 8) God is faithful as a partner to us in our union with Christ. 1st Corinthians 1:9. 9) Jesus Christ is a faithful and merciful high priest to us. Hebrews 2:17. 10) Last but not least, Jesus Christ is the synonym for faithfulness. Revelation 19:11, "I saw heaven opened and behold a white horse. I can't wait. When we come back with him, we're going to be riding on white horses. Don't worry if you've never ridden. There will be riding classes during the tribulation, but. My friend, if I've done nothing for you today, that planted in your mind, and I hope that it's burned there indelibly. When you're struggling, when you're hurting, when you're overburdened, when your soul is aching. When you're lonely. When the world looks dark. When you can do nothing but cry. When you can't even lift up your head and look up. I want you to remember God is faithful. He always has been. He always will be. Trust him because he can only prove that faithfulness as you and I come to him with simple, childlike faith. Don't let the devil lie to you about who you are. Let God tell you who you are in Christ, and it'll make all the difference in the world.

Scripture References: Isaiah 26:1-21, Isaiah 25:1-12

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