“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 09

Mat 14:22-31 Heb 2:5-10 Peter got in his own way. He stumbled and staggered, and he continually fell and got back up. His life is an encouragement and challenge to us. He doubted, but he had the strength of faith to step out of the boat. “I will never leave you, nor will I forsake you” We see Him as something else, and we are terrified. Then are we willing to put our faith on the line, and step out in faith, when God hasn’t played the part I thought He would play. Peter became an overcomer by faith. We can’t afford to take our eyes off Christ when we do step out of the boat. When Peter cries out in his helplessness, and Jesus immediately stretches out His hand, that is what glorifies God. His matchless grace and mercy is what glorifies Him most. He lays hold of us when we don’t even know how to lay hold of Him. Heb 2:5-10 In every condition of life, we must keep our eyes on Jesus Christ, He is the issue. When our eyes are on Him we will be able to stand. But we see Jesus Heb 2:9 Why is the focus of this book to focus our eyes on Jesus? 64 AD insurrection broke out from the Jews against the Romans. It continued to spread until Titus the Roman came in 70 AD and attacked Jerusalem, and not one stone was left standing on another. Israel ceased to exist at that point. 1.5 million Jews were killed in the destruction of Jerusalem, and millions were sold into slavery throughout the world. They were only three years away from a holocaust. We have economic problems. We are hardened to the events of the world around us, that we aren’t aware of what’s happening. 1co 7:26 Fix our eyes on Jesus Three outstanding truths: 1. God created man for a purpose Heb 2:6 isa 43:7 psa 8:5 Not just that we would give Him glory, but that He could share His glory with us. 2. Although interrupted by the fall, this purpose will yet be realized gen 3:15 it’s impossible to stop any of God’s purposes. Heb 2:5 He is talking about the Reign of Christ, about that kingdom that is to come. 3. Our entrance into this realization can only come about by looking to Christ in faith 4. Paradox of human history. The cross of Jesus Christ makes it possible for us to realize this. But the paradox is “but now” now in your life today, we see the chaos, we don’t see these things, we see the wind and the rain, but we do see Jesus Heb 2:8-9 “but right now I do not see, but I do see Jesus” He’s all we need to see. To see in the first phrase means the panoramic view, the horizon, the whole picture. Do See means a glance, you can look at everything in the world, but take one look at Jesus and things fall into perspective. His purpose for us may be obscured by sin, confusion, suffering, but there is only one solution. Sin wounds people, we need to be conscience of that. The only solution is to keep glancing to Him, keep trusting Him, and He will have you right where He wants you to be 1co 13:12 2co 4:7-11 History of the faith • Adam Gen 3:15-21 He lost paradise, he lost perfection and a perfect relationship with God. • Abraham Gen 22:1-19 Waiting for a son that the divine promise would be fulfilled, and then told to sacrifice him. He probably didn’t see, but looked to Jesus. John 8:56 • Job job 19:25-26 He knew he would see God in his flesh, even though he would die. • Moses exo 33:13-18 heb 11:27 Moses endured as seeing Him who is invisible • Joshua Jos 5:13-14 Preparing to take the promised land, Joshua and Caleb, they endured and they wanted to go. He looks up and sees a man with sword drawn, he saw Jesus. • Jehoshaphat 2ch 20:12 They didn’t know what to do, but they look to God There is one thing God’s going to honor, are we looking to Jesus? Fiery furnace Dan 3:13-30 When they were thrown in the fire, Jesus was there. What can the fire burn? Only that which can be burned, only the ropes that kept them in bondage. Peter Mat 14:22-31 He didn’t see, and didn’t look to Jesus, and he failed. Martha Luk 10:40-41 She was distracted from single minded focus on Jesus Christ Heb 3:1 We are rewarded for looking to Him.

Scripture References: Isaiah 43:7, Genesis 22:1-19, Daniel 3:13-30, Hebrews 2:6, Genesis 3:15-21, Joshua 5:13-14, Hebrews 2:9, Hebrews 2:8-9, Hebrews 11:27, Hebrews 2:5-10, Hebrews 2:5, Exodus 33:13-18, Hebrews 2:5-10, Hebrews 3:1, Genesis 3:15, Job 19:25-26, Matthew 14:22-31, Luke 10:40-41, Psalms 8:5, John 8:56, Matthew 14:22-31