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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 08

Hebrews 08

Heb 2:1-4 Warning sections are correctly applied to believers, not to those who are not believers. Danger of losing something they already have Heb 6:18-19 Danger of the unguarded moment: something drifts away pararreo-something that happens in an unguarded moment Heb 4:1-12 fear of falling short of a promise, due to an unguarded moment. Those promises of God are sure and steadfast, but we can give them up by failing to claim them in an unguarded moment. Heb 6:1-6 when you believe in Jesus, you begin toward the crown, the spiritual life. If you fall away, you can’t start over, you can’t take away the shame and disgrace. We can be forgiven, but we can’t reclaim that opportunity. We are under accountability and we will stand before Christ for what we’ve done with what He’s given us. It is not about sin, it is about lost opportunity, lost reward. Heb 6:4-5 only applies to believers Time must be redeemed, but time lost is lost forever. Heb 10:37-39, Rom 1:17 Gal 3:11 Hab 2:4 The Christian who turns from the plan of God will find increasing discipline and could possibly result in an early death. 1co 5:1-5 he is still saved A soldier who runs from battle may overcome his fear, but he will always have the shame of that retreat. Seven unguarded moments in the bible: 1. Frustration and anger: num 20:10-11 brought Moses to defeat 2. Fear: Israel at Cannan num 13:30-33 3. Greed: Achan Jos 7:19-21 Others always suffer from our unguarded moments. 4. Lust: Sampson and Delilah jud 16:16-20 5. Self Confidence: Mat 26:69-75 Peter denied Jesus 6. Bull-headedness: Act 21:1-40 Paul went when he was told not to go. Act 22:18 7. Loss of focus: Church of Ephesus Rev 2:4 Three dangers of this congregation: 1. Danger of pursuing doctrine at the expense of devotion, balance is important 2. Danger of Christian service at the cost of Christian sanctification Eph 6:17, Heb 4:12 We must make sure the Word is having its affect in our lives before we tell others to let it have its affect in theirs. 3. Danger of developing in our study and service a critical spirit instead of a compassionate spirit Watch out for seeking glory instead of grace 1Co 16:13-14 a man of virtue, a gentleman, courage in battle, put character above compromise, God’s power is perfected in our weakness, turn our weakness over to Him. Do everything you do, make sure the guiding motive is love. We have an opportunity to grow as we serve one another.

Scripture References: Numbers 20:10-11, Acts 22:18, Hebrews 4:1-12, Habakkuk 2:4, Acts 21:1-40, Hebrews 6:18-19, Galatians 3:11, Matthew 26:69-75, Hebrews 2:1-4, Romans 1:17, Jude 16:16-20, Hebrews 4:12, Hebrews 10:37-39, Joshua 7:19-21, Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 6:4-5, Numbers 13:30-33, Revelation 2:4, Hebrews 6:1-6

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

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