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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 17

Hebrews 17

Will you become an over-comer, by grace through faith, or will you become a complainer? Exodus generation had more evidence of God’s care and power than any other generation, and yet they complained at every turn, and they tested God. Heb 3:7-11 Psa 95:7-11 In any temptation, there is a test, there is a divine solution to overcome it. The Exodus generation decided to test God to see if He was good. Any believer who refuses to remember the faithfulness of God is doing the same thing. “Why would God let this happen to me?” You only see works after the fact. You see His ways ahead of time, before the work comes. Psa 103:7 Knowing His ways means to know the Person. It’s more than academic understanding. The information needs to lead us from the written Word to the Living Word, and a deeper experiential knowledge of Him. How well do we know experientially Jesus Christ? How deep do we know His character? Seven steps of Exodus generation, and 70AD generation 1. process of hardening - Heb 3:8, Heb 3:12, Heb 3:15 We become accountable to what we hear in the Word 2. rebellion - Heb 3:15 3. great loss of His rest - Heb 3:11 you can lose everything, but the only security there is is a rest built on trusting God 4. lives of no profit - Heb 4:2 They saw no profit because they did not act in faith Gal 5:2 5. dull of hearing - Heb 5:11 it became a burden to hear the Word of God 6. stunted spiritual life - Heb 5:12 spiritually stunted and immature 7.they run the danger of no return - Heb 6:1-6 The more we know Him, the more we see how much we have lost of opportunities and tests Exo 17:1-7 Rephidim was meant to be a place of rest because of God’s faithfulness They tested God by complaining, finding fault with His plan. In every deliverance, there is a picture of Christ’s work on the cross. Heb 5:11 Num 20:1-13 There is no rest for anyone who doesn’t believe God. Getting along with others is one of the hardest things you can do, and it takes a lot of forgiveness. A home is a measure of how much that family knows His mercy. Psa 103:1-22 Rom 12:1-3 How merciful are we to others is a measure of how well we know of God’s mercy. Eph 4:32 If we can pass the test of being merciful, we will go leagues in deepening and understanding the ways of Jesus Christ. It is so easy to judge others. Phi 2:3-11 When someone in your presence becomes a test to you, get in God’s presence. Moses failed because he knew God’s ways, and was angry that they didn’t. 1co 10:4 1co 10:9 Heb 11:26 Isa 53:1-12 To strike the Rock again, to crucify Christ again, instead of speaking to the Rock. Speak to the Rock and rest. 1Pe 5:6-7 Heb 4:16 Our boldness is because of Christ’s mercy, because of who He is, we can speak confidently before Him, knowing that He hears, and can lift our burdens, that He is near. We can be care-free because He cares for us.

Scripture References: Galatians 5:2, Numbers 20:1-13, Psalms 103:7, Isaiah 53:1-12, Hebrews 4:2, Hebrews 5:11, Psalms 95:7-11, Hebrews 11:26, Hebrews 3:11, Exodus 17:1-7, Hebrews 3:7-11, Philippians 2:3-11, Hebrews 3:15, Hebrews 6:1-6, Ephesians 4:32, Hebrews 3:15, Hebrews 5:12, Romans 12:1-3, Hebrews 3:12, Hebrews 5:11, Psalms 103:1-22, Hebrews 3:8, Hebrews 4:16

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

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