“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 07

The conflict around us will intensify. Heb 2:1-4 A look at the relevance and practical applications of these verses. Heb 2:1-4 is a parenthesis, and to pick up the flow of the book continue from Heb 1:14 to Heb 2:5 Because the humanity of Christ is exalted at God’s right hand, and because we are in Christ, angels are at our service. But we must be careful to keep their ministry in the background and not give more attention to them than they deserve. Any angel that draws more attention to itself than it should is demonic. Fallen angels are already suffering and twisted, but they can make themselves appear as angels of Light. Heb 2:5 Christ, and since we are in Christ, we will be rulers, above angels. Seven victories of Jesus in the angelic conflict. This conflict is always raging around us, whether we are aware of it or not. Satan’s outrageous hostility to us is beyond bounds. If it weren’t for God’s protection, in part by His angels. 2Ki 7:1-20 Satan fears the weakest believer who turns that weakness into faith and seeks His Word for guidance. Problem of believer falling away from the steadfast advance toward the purpose God has for their life. All five warnings are about this danger. Heb 2:1-4 What we have in His provisions is something we can lose. You can’t lose your salvation, but you can lose the fulfillment of His plan for your life, and the grasping of these spiritual realities designed for you to experience now. You can fall short of His promises. We should be terrified about losing these things. We seize these promises by faith. If we lose these things now, we will also lose things in eternity. Not one violation of the Old Covenant went without justice. We are not under that covenant, we are under the New Covenant, with greater accountability. We cannot escape. Every failure to claim and realize a promise will have a consequences, and many of us suffer and don’t even realize it. Unless we stay focused and steadfast, and help each other, prayer, encouragement. Danger that has come down through the years. The Exodus generation heard the same warning, but they did not respond in faith. The reason we lose what we lose is because we don’t value it. We take it for granted. The author wants us to understand that we can lose it. If you feel you haven’t become a part of your congregation, help and serve, and join other people. City Slickers - all of life came down to one thing The one thing it comes down to is faith. A distinct power that faith has in our life: endurance. Heb 12:1 set before us-the divine plan for each of us. The Christian life is a marathon run. We will get weary, it will be strenuous, but its only through those experiences that you learn to turn the battle over to Him. There is only one interpretation to Scripture, and it’s Scripture’s interpretation 2Pe 1:20 Tribulational message Mat 24:13 three primary applications: to the disciples (they saw the destruction of the temple), believers of any age, believers of the tribulation Sozo-to be saved, to be delivered, but doesn’t always mean eternal salvation. This word is sometimes used for healing, or deliverance from trial, when heartaches are healed. If you want to come through with honor and virtue, and finish the race well, you will need divine deliverance, and that one thing is endurance. Abiding under the pressure or difficulty by grace through faith. How can we escape? We can’t. We can only find deliverance through endurance. Pray that God will stir up love of believers for one another. Same message and context: Luk 21:19 ktamoei to take possession. Future tense indicates a sequence, the future result of endurance. The one who gives is blessed, than the recipient. One objective, fix our eyes on Christ and look to the future. Rom 5:3-4 Jam 1:2-3 psa 23:1 Fear for nothing, care for nothing, because Christ is in charge. We have nothing to fear EXCEPT failing endurance, falling by the wayside. Difficulties and afflictions are planned by God. He causes all things to work together for good Rom 8:28

Scripture References: Hebrews 12:1, Romans 8:28, Hebrews 2:1-4, Psalms 23:1, Hebrews 2:5, James 1:2-3, Hebrews 2:5, Romans 5:3-4, Hebrews 1:14, Luke 21:19, Hebrews 2:1-4, Matthew 24:13, Hebrews 2:1-4